PROLOGUE.

( BEAUFORT MANSION. )

" PRINCESS OF BEAUFORT IS NOT SOME BROODMARE― ! " the heir to the duchy , Koshar boomed , a display of emotion so unbecoming of the usually calm and collected young duke .

reynold paced in the corner , livid over the fact that his father hadn't thrown the scroll on the messenger's face as soon as it arrived .

The marriage proposal .

no one had been expecting the neighbouring empire of astocia to come forth and offer an arrangement for tying the inca empire in an alliance with them . from what it seemed , the astocian empire was strong in militant power but was significantly lacking when it came to magical forces .

and as a result of the three years of hardwork as the royal archmage by persephone after the war with leila had subsided , inca empire currently held the strongest magical unit in the seven kingdoms and beyond , which was explainable why they had offered a treaty with inca empire .

Amidst these chaos , sat persephone , none of her inner turmoil shown upon visage while her empty gaze remained transfixed on the elder duke ― her father ― who had his hands crossed upon the table , expression contorted into one of conflict .

" father ? " the girl would call , getting the elder Duke's attention back at herself easily .

" what do you have in mind ? " at her question , reynold burst up , pacing forward to put his hands on the office table shared between the four of them .

" what do you mean what?! of course he will refuse ! those astocian bastards ! they think we make deals by selling our women ?! Had I been the one to receive the letter ― "

insolent fool .. persephone thought irritatedly , raising a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose , snapping at last .

" then what would you have done , reynold ?! ― kicked the foreign envoy out and made the beauforts look like a hostile , mannerless nobility ? I do not expect much from you but can you please tone it down a bit? " her words weren't offending , but rather tired , getting reynold to immediately shut up .

" she isn't wrong . " koshar , who had finally managed to subside his rage , quipped in .

" mistreatment of foreign envoys doesn't only reflect badly on us , but the nation as well . " startling blue eyes then turned to persephone , intensity in them unchanged as it always has been .

" but that does not make their act any less crude . suggesting such a thing without discussing beforehand and expecting us to agree is simply insulting ! " he added , looking at their father for his advice .

the elder duke loosened his arms , letting the silence replace the noise from earlier for a moment before finally breaking it .

" personally , i believe it is up to sephy to decide ; she is the one being married here . " his words shocked the three of them , but he continued .

" albeit i do agree that their way of approaching us was rather arrogant , but we must not forget that they are nobility just as we are , and the points they've put forth are worth considering for this match are not only beneficial for the empire ― but the beaufort family too . However ― "

He looked at persephone , his eyes steady and gentle at the same time . it still astounded her , after all this time , she wasn't really used to receiving the Duke's affection just yet .

" i will not make any decisions without your will . i have stated my opinion on the matter , and i will not try to convince you according to my wishes or force you into anything , dearest . so take your time and think over it , i will support you no matter the decision you make . "

his words surprised her ( weirdly enough ) but she nodded , causing the duke to smile .

" well now , let's get ready for dinner , it's almost time and i am very tired after today's events . shall we ? "

( LATER. )

DINNER went by smoothly , however there weren't many words exchanged between the father and children since the discussion save for the mild banter penelope and the duke exchanged .

later , in the middle of the night , penelope found herself not able to sleep . so she threw her robe on her shoulders , striding over to the gardens to calm her buzzing mind .

she had always found the gardens relaxing , and as if acting on instinct , penelope's feet automatically carried her to the greenhouse . it was , after all , the place she often found her solace in . away from exposure , a hidden nest of sorts .

tired footsteps carried her in , she saw him . derrick stood in the greenhouse with his back towards her . in his hands he held a cage within which was the very bird he had once promised to give her . upon sensing another presence , he turned to face the girl standing behind him ― his face a mask .

" what are you doing out this late ? " he questioned , causing penelope to shrug in a nonchalant way .

" i couldn't sleep . you ? " her question caused him to avert his gaze ― avoiding meeting her eyes like he always did ― towards the bird instead .

" me too . did you think about the offer ? " last of his words were hushed , and although Penelope from before might not have known why , she did .

" young master― " she started , however derrick cut her off with his hand held up , his brows were furrowed in what looked like a pained expression ; he inhaled , before answering .

" i won't ask anything of you , i understand that what i feel .. that I was too late ― " he trailed off , " i will not demand you to think for anyone else . but keep in mind penelope , you don't have to do this . "

His sentence ended in a whisper , and before she could reply , he was walking away from her , inside the mansion .

" I have made my mind . " on the breakfast table the next morning , penelope announced , causing the duke and his sons to look up to her .

Her words shocked the table , even the servants who were busy serving food . Reynold looked abashed , derrick defeated , and the duke ― surprisingly proud .

" I accept the offer , please invite the obelian envoy to hear my terms tomorrow . "