Marry Me!

His heart rate increased with every word. The heiress turned and continued to stare at the millions of diamond like lights in the most nonchalant way. Her innocent and joyful eyes portrayed no kind of fear.

Lucian took a deep breath, "So what do you want me to do about it?" as insensitive as it sounded, Ellsie was not surprised by this response.

"Marry me," she replied with all seriousness not even looking at him. Lucian was speechless.

"W...what?" he finally managed to spit out a word.

"Marry me," her emerald eyes finally left the sky and stared up into his with desperation.

"Why would I ever do such a thing, how would it benefit me?" Being in a position of power Lucian always knew he'd marry for power and political reason, love was never going to be a factor.

"I knew you'd ask that," the girl giggled playfully, she'd always like teasing him. That was the thing he liked the most about her, when she looked at him, she never saw the title or status, she simply saw the person others overlooked. "I know who your mole is, and how to get evidence. Don't worry I promise I've never done any treasonous acts, remember if the empire falls so will my chance at getting answer for my mother's disappearance."

Lucian sighed. Very few people knew about the mole in the royal palace, it was a very confidential matter, need-to-know only.

"And besides, other than saving my life I get nothing out of this marriage. You're the second prince meaning once your brother is crowned Emperor, you will become a Duke and my father steps down I'll become the Duchess, our titles will be the same. Our families have always been close no-one will object or suspect anything. And if at the end you want to call of the wedding that's understandable and I won't stop you."

"Okay, okay. I get what you're trying to say, but before I agree to this I need to know exactly what I'm getting myself into." Lucian had a fair idea that it must have something to do with the Duchess and that Marquess's son she was supposed to be engaged to by now. "But this is not the place to have this discussion, come back to the palace tomorrow, I'll send someone for you." In his wildest dreams never would he have imagined that she would propose to him and his reply would be 'I'll think about it'. He returned to the party leaving the heiress alone on the balcony.

~~~

Ellsie knew that if he did agree to marry her she would not be able to hide the truth from him forever. How could she possibly explain to Lucian about what had happened, she'd need proof.

The princess!

Lucian's younger sister Princess Alissa was known to be almost like a human lie detector, of course that came from the fact that the second Empress was a mage. Alissa is the only child of Emperor Demetri and second Empress Olivia, while Alissa harboured a few abilities from her mother's side, the most famous ability was her ability to tell if someone was lying.

Ellsie knew that despite the fact that the Princess was still young, she could trust Alissa with her secret. However, getting close to the princess was much harder than getting close to either of the princes, both the Emperor and Empress doted over their only daughter. Ellsie would need Lucian's help to get Alissa's.

~~~

"My darling there you are!" A chilling icy cold voice came from behind her. Ellsie didn't even need to turn around to know who stood there. "Why don't you come inside darling, you'll catch a cold out here."

"Will you stop with the fake sincerity. I know your intentions for me." Ellsie's usual soft and sweet voice, was replace with a cold harsh tone, she'd never used before. The Duchess was shocked, she seemed to have underestimated the child.

"Ellsie dear, I've only ever had the most sincere intentions for you." Mara walked over to the young heiress and analysed her. The once innocent and naive stepdaughter she'd always known seemed to have disappeared over night.

"I'm sure you do, the most sincere intention to kill me, if that's what you mean." Ellsie turned to size her up, looking her directly in the eyes without a hint of fear. Insecurity flashed in Mara's eyes.

"You stubborn little bitch, you had to become more aware didn't you?" 13 years of pent up rage and jealousy roared out of her at that moment. "Maybe I'll just kill you now!" In a fit of anger Mara slapped the heiress with all her might, the wine glass in Ellsie's hand fell over the balcony shattering on the down stairs courtyard. As Ellsie landed violently on the ground.

"How could you do such a thing Mother?" Ellsie looked up at her in tears. Confusion spread across the Duchess' face, at that moment a young blonde boy about 14 ran over to Ellsie picking her up. When he lifted his head.

"Eric?" The Duchess looked at him in horror, how much had he seen? How much had he heard?