Can this woman be mine?

The emperor's laughter interrupted any reaction Bryennios might have. Alexa bit her lower lip until it bled, restraining her desire to curse Doukas and if possible, pull the sword from the guard's waist and behead Doukas right in front of the Emperor of Constantinople. 

But that was just a delusion because she knew it would be impossible.

"Now this is a challenge, Doukas! I hope you're not making a fool of us. If you are giving your word that it will be so, I am sure Bryennios will agree. His daughter will be the wife of the great general Doukas and as a family, putting an end to the rumors of insubordination that are undermining Constantinople's military forces."

Alexa looked at her father, in despair. Bryennios Dallassenos was frowning, and even his years of diplomacy and his proverbial presence of mind were insufficient to deal with the person he hated most in the world.