Chapter 1 - Marriage Proposal

The autumn wind was harsh on someone's body; the girl seemed to be trembling and shivering because of the chilling wind at the end of the autumn season. She was standing below a big, sturdy maple tree. The leaves were flowing down and dancing as the breeze blew them. As the girl stands still, her blonde hair becomes a bit messy, again because of the wind. Her emerald eyes were like a deep forest covered with mystery; the vibrant shade of blue within their rich jade-like color glimmering under the sunlight strengthened her regal appearance. It was a stunning emerald, and it gleamed and sparkled like a sacred diamond.

The girl gritted her teeth, a sign of both her freezing body and her irritation. She was there, standing outside, under the maple tree, in the middle of autumn, for two hours just to receive the happiest news from her beloved cousin. But that beloved cousin's appearance taking longer time makes her impatient and irk as the seconds continue passing. She grumbles with her half-frozen lips that she will give her cousin an earful lecture tonight. How dare he make her, the head of the first division of the imperial knight order, wait outside for two hours straight in the windy and chill weather?

Besides irritation feelings, she also has this nervous heart that makes her restless and gets her more off the edge. She began to imagine the worst possible news her cousin might bring her. Imagining that scenario makes the girl's beautiful eyes tear up. She let out a loud sigh. She tried to relax her body, gather her scattered confidence, and straighten up her slender frame. Just right after she normalized her breath and looked more composed, she was startled by someone's presence behind her. She quickly switches to relaxation mode and is on standby while trying to point out who the scoundrel is that dares sneak up on a holy knight like her. She was beyond surprised when she turned her body around to face them, and a faint pink tint crept onto her fair cheeks. Her emerald eyes opened widely at the scenery before her.

"What's the princess of Escheat Grand Duchy doing under the maple tree all alone in the middle of this windy day?" The deep yet sharp voice echoes around her, mingling with the sound of wind blowing through the leaves.

Lilia desperately wants to answer the question, but her voice won't come out. The girl stood there stiff like a log with a blush that got brighter every second she saw the deep blue pair of eyes in front of her.

"Wha... What's Duke Oldenburg doing it here too? She stuttered, but after a while, she was finally able to let go of her nervous mind and relax her body. Her thumping, hard heartbeat began to subdue.

"His Highness The Crown Prince said he wants to have an audience with me at the palace today, but this old man cannot find him everywhere," the duke replied to Lilia's question with a terrible sigh in the end. Lilia snapped—where in hell has Raphael gone? Did he ditch his duties again and go on the stupid date with her beloved friend? She wants to punch him right now. But before she drowns deeper in her begrudging, she feels someone approaching her from behind again. Lilia quirks her eyebrow, knowing who has the light step, and moves stealthily like a ghost.

"Good day, young lady." Duke Oldenburg greeted her first, and Lilia tilted her head backward slightly, rolling her eyes and sighing.

"Nice timing as always."

"Likely," the girl smirked and winked her eyes toward Lilia. She has short stature and long, wavy ginger hair tied up tidily in an updo.

"Good day to you too, your grace, Duke Oldenburg," said the ginger-haired girl, doing a little curtsey and smiling politely. Lilia nudging her side makes the girl glance at the princess.

"Oh, gosh, right. His highness, the crown prince, wants to have an audience with both of you and the rest of the Oldenburg family in the western hall. I was ordered to fetch the general, and it is just a wonderful coincidence that the duke was with her. Please follow this mere lady," the ginger-haired girl said, making Lilia smirk faintly at her, making her flinch, and slap the girl's arm slightly before gesturing to the duke to come along with them.

The three arrived in front of the big door that connects the long, wide corridor with the western hall. The escort girl signals the guard to open the big door, and then they walk inside. The hall was warm, with an earthy tone and a dull gray pillar that exists on each side along the way to the throne placed at the end of the hall. A velvety maroon rug looks contrasted with a light gold-colored curtain. Lilia can see how her cousin was smiling evilly while sitting on the throne, enjoying the fact that the duke escorted her to the hall. Besides Raphael, who is being all mighty and cocky on his throne, the other Oldenburg family members were also present. Her best friend Luke, the young master of the Oldenburg duchy, and also her beloved friend Alicia, the crown princess. Lilia gives a quick salute to Raphael and throws a dagger-like stare at him. The man just chuckled with amusement.

"Okay, I won't bother all of you any longer because the main problem is already present," Raphael said, glancing down at his cousin. Lilia gives him a death glare. She never imagined that Raphael would write a play like this for her. No, he did this not because of her; it is obviously because he wants to mess with the Oldenburg brother. Lilia feels her body divided into two temperatures, one cold and the other warm. She can't predict how her cousin wants to play, but she can't waste this golden opportunity presented by her cocky cousin. She is willing and ready to throw all of her mighty pride behind this once-in-a-lifetime chance. She straightened her stance and lifted her chin elegantly like a mighty lioness with huge dignity.

"Your highness, the crown prince... No, my beloved cousin... First, I would like to express my gratitude. You grant my humble wish.

"It is fine, Sister. What concerns our strongest general is my concern to."

"Thank you for thinking highly of this humble servant, your highness...

"So, exactly, what kind of issues were all of the Oldenburg family members summoned for?" Luke, the auburn-haired young man, asked impatiently.

"My cousin requires a groom. Wait. That sounds weird. My cousin wants to get married," Raphael said lightly, correcting himself for his irreverent speech. Lilia clicked her tongue, and the ginger escort lady giggled cutely. The rest of the Oldenburg family all look confused except the crown princess Alicia, who remains stoic and calm.

"How will that relate to the Oldenburg duchy?" the first son asked in an indifferent tone.

"She requested that I marry her to the Oldenburg dukedom. That's why I summoned all of the Oldenburg family members," Raphael explained his intention while still locking gaze with a woman who has the same appearance as him except for the mysterious emerald eyes she has.

"Then sister, please choose your groom now, I don't have a lot of free time after all."

"Lilia I never heard about this." Luke quickly reacts when Lilia turns her body to face the Oldenburg men.

"That would be a good surprise, hehehe,", she answered Luke absurdly. On the back, the ginger-haired lady continued to shake her shoulder much to prevent her from laughing out loud. Alicia sighs and nudges her side to stop herself from embarrassing herself. She looks more relaxed now. Upon the voiceless interaction, The first son of Oldenburg duchy steals a side glance at the short lady, just a few seconds before he turns his gaze back to Lilia.

"In conclusion, you want to marry one of us from Oldenburg, the reason?" the young master asks coldly to Lilia. She just ignored his question and spoke nonchalantly.

"With the deepest sincerity, I, Lilia Escheat, the sole successor of the Escheat Grand Duchy and the general of the Imperial Knight's first division, offer marriage as a unifier between the Escheat dukedom and the Oldenburg dukedom. Please accept this humble proposal," Lilia said, bowing slightly in front of the three men standing before her, who looked baffled.

"Ekhem... Well, this is an honorable request made by the princess of Escheat duchy, and I, the head of Oldenburg, will oblige gratefully." Lilia gulped nervously. She has this cute, faint blush on her cheeks.

"Furthermore, cousin, which one of the brothers do you desire to be your husband? Or do you want both?" Raphael's joke shocked the whole room, followed by a sword darting past him in a flash and scratching his cheek. Raphael never blinks and smirks evilly while his cousin shoots a menacing glare at him, and her sword is missing from its place.

"Don't entertain yourself with that nasty thought your highness, that's a bit dangerous," she said with an eerie tone, and the whole room went completely silent. When the members of the Oldenburg family were all frozen and amazed by the princess's attitude, just Raphael and the ginger lady felt amused by Lilia's tantrum. Alicia, being Alicia, just stands there all silent and ignorant the whole time.

Lilia neutralizes her expression and faces the Oldenburg men once again. She is fidgeting. She even wondered, inside her mind, how she changed her attitude so quickly, and being in front of that man was even worse. She is helpless to the point where she always turns into some kind of fragile lady when she is in front of that man. Lilia tries to relax and regulate her breathing.

"Of course, I'll just pick one, okay?" Lilia sounds uncertain and timid. She darts her gaze everywhere to try to find strong resolve and support.

"Come on, sis, you need to hurry up or you'll lose your chance." Raphael tapped his fingers impatiently.

"What about the first son? He is a capable man and a great knight. He is also the future duke; that's a great choice, right? Raphael tried to rush her decision. Lilia gritted her teeth, and for the first time, she regretted not bringing her whole weapon and just tugging a sword that day. She wants to mutilate Raphael so badly.

Hearing Raphael's comment, the young master flinches at his name being mentioned, but he acts all cool and ignorant. Lilia doesn't even care about his reaction at all. She looks complicated and contemplates a lot. She needs to voice her decision soon, or Raphael will throw her to the young master. She will hate that for the rest of her life.

"The one that… I'll... I'll choose... Lilia stuttered. She takes a long step and quickly approaches the men in front of her, one of them to be exact.

"Please marry me." She grabbed those calluses and rough hands, holding them tightly and dearly. Her face was helpless and full of desperation.

"Your grace…."