Chapter Four

When Anastasius left his father's office hall, he came face to face with Giesbach.

" What a coincidence, dear brother" Anastasius smirked mischievously but his eyes emotionless.

" It seems so brother. I was called and happened to meet you" Giesbach responded with a small nod with the same emotionless eyes.

" What would father need for your presence?" Giesbach questioned with a layer of annoyance noticeable in his eyes.

Anastasius smirk widened and explained" He called for the selection of brides for my betroth"

" May I ask who might be the unlucky bride?"

" Oh! That? We settled on Mallory Shimizu, Count Shimizu's only daughter." Anastasius replied with a flat tone, dismissing Giesbach's description of "unlucky" for the bride.

" Incest" Giesbach muttered in a unnoticeable whisper.

" Pardon?"

" Oh, nothing"

" Well, I congratulate you " Giesbach give a small smile that isn't a smile.

" If you excused me I will be attending father" he said with impatience.

" Alright, see you around" Anastasius give a small wave to Giesbach's leaving figure.

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Banmaden Castle, In the terrace of the second prince headquarters

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" My lord, the lady is here" Anastasius's trusted attendant Delroy informs his master. Anastasius glances up from his cup of tea and gazes at the person who arrives with Delroy.

Beside Delroy stand a woman who has white wavy long hair with blond tips reaching to her hips, skin as soft as silk, golden eyes which held intelligence, and a beauty mark under the tip of her right eye.

She was wearing a navy blue and chalk white gown. The top part consisted of white lace reaching over her collar bones to her neck with sliver fastening and she wore long indigo-capped sleeves with white lace ruffles. The middle was a fitted bodice with ink blue sides featuring silver borders and embellishment and a white section which is part of the neckline. The bottom of the dress was a white slim skirt with indigo ruffles at the ends reaching to her ankles.

She also wore white lace gloves reaching a little above her wrist, light pink lipstick, and black high heels.

" I, Mallory Shimuzu, Greet your highness," the woman said bowing to Anastasius respectfully she was afraid to even look him in the eye.

" Yes, you may sit, Lady Shimizu," said Anastasius with a nod, ' This person is the one I am marrying later, she looks better than the ladies I have seen'

"Thank you" she replied softly. Mallory sat down on the seat in front of Anastasius. He eyed her elegant movement.

" It seems you have been doing well, Lady Shimizu?" He was not expecting any answer as it was merely pleasantries.

" Yes, your highness, I have been doing well thank you for your concern" she replied respectfully.

"It is a lovely day today right my lady?" Anastasius said with a smile, he make sure to not look intimidating since he knows his face is sharper than any of his family members.

" Yes, your highness it is a pleasure to have an audience with you," Mallory said with a bit of flattery lace on her lips.

" Well yes, it is" Anastasius followed her flattering tone.

" Your highness you look as sharp and dignify as the rumor says" Mallory flattered him.

" Well, I give my gratitude for the compliment." Anastasius expressed " Now as for the engagement that father has arranged for us, father was about to bestowed upon me a noble title and a territory since there are arrangements for my older brother to be crown King" he explains keeping some of the information concealed.

Mallory's shock was evident as the words lace on her face. She calm down, pulled herself together, and asked," Your highness as you said if you will be titled I will have to attend the responsibility as your wife?"

Anastasius chuckled" Yes, Lady Shimizu. You guessed it right"

" I am not sure I have the ability for it but I am honored by your acknowledgment for my abilities." She responds with a bit of happiness visible in her eyes.

Anastasius eyed her figure, Mallory was sitting gracefully on her seat but she seems to want to say something even so she does not seem to want to say it.

" If you want to add something you can speak about it" Anastasius gives a smile.

"Your highness I want to make an agreement with you, concerning our engagement," Mallory said straightforwardly, losing her face of flattery to a serious impression.

" Oh, I see. Go on." Anastasius chuckled. ' She wants something.. maybe? She is not dumb after all ' he was amused and curious.

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Mallory's Pov

I got news of my engagement with one of the first blood founders from my Father. He was lecturing me to carry favor from one of them a long time till this day, it seems he was happy to be able to have connections with them now through me.

My Father requested an audience with my betrothed after two months of confirmation, he said that it is for me to have bonding time with my soon-to-be husband so don't disappoint him.

I was in shock when I heard of this engagement what is most surprising is my betrothed:

Anastasius Tsukinami, The second-born son of the Founder King. He was very well known in the clan.

Whenever his name was mentioned or spoken of, there will be cries of terror, admiration, and respect.

He was known to be mysterious, cunning, powerful, knowledgeable, and a Black magician. His level of understanding of the mysterious black magic rivals that of the experts. He only attend social gatherings or balls when it was an important event but mostly rare, he never shows his face often opposite to the firstborn and the third.

There was also a rumor that goes around about him resurrecting himself with black magic when an unknown assassin killed him. Resurrection pairing to his name. Considering his achievements he was a very suitable candidate for the throne. Nevertheless, the firstborn Giesbach was the crown prince as he was the older one as tradition goes by.

As for his appearance, there are ladies who spread rumors of him being very handsome and manly.

The ladies in question described him as - " He resembles the late Queen having blond hair as soft as cherry blossoms. Eyes as magnificent as Amber sovereigns. Feature as exquisite as silver. He who has painted blood on his hands having not the late Queen's personality "

I was only able to know about him with rumors or gossips that spread from those ladies when I attend social gatherings.

There are a lot of ladies and even gentlemen who are attracted to Anastasius. Nonetheless, because of this engagement, I can't imagine how many of them will be heartbroken.

I hope my betrothed does not treat me like my father treats my mother.

I arrive at his highness Anastasius's terrace. I dare not look him in the eye. He has a smell similar to father's I don't know why. His gaze does not hold lust or any type of malice that my father exudes when he looks at my mother this is a relief.

I will try my best to flatter him to have good terms with him or should I make an agreement with him? Yes, I should do that I don't want to be like my mother who dies without having any benefits.

End Pov

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" I want to set terms for our engagement," Mallory said fearlessly, she knows she has to be brave to be able to stand beside him as a fiancee and later wife.

" State your terms. I will accept them if it is not too excessive" Anastasius replied with a flat tone, 'she was quite amusing, to say the least.'

Mallory took a short deep breath and said

" I request you put me as your equal.

I will attend my duties as your fiancee and later wife but I will not interfere if you have an affair or take in another woman as I will still be your first wife.

And I request the child that I will give birth to be the rightful heir."

" Oh, I see" his deep voice sounded beside her left ear. " Ah!" her eyes widened. Mallory was surprised by the sudden sounding of his voice, it send cold shivers down her spine.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed her chin facing her to Anastasius whose face was a few inches near hers.

" I accept your terms. You don't have to worry about me having an affair, you should also hold on to my trust if not you will be as good as dust. " his voice echoed in her head, her face was pale.

" Y-yes..you-your..hi-highness" Mallory replied trembling in fear and shock.

" *chuckle* You don't have to address me formally. Since you are my soon-to-be wife and as you requested my equal. You can address me with my name, my dear" Anastasius smile changing his address to Mallory from ' Lady Shimizu' to 'My Dear'. This time his smile was alluring and his voice was soothing to the ear, calming down Mallory who was trembling in his hold as if the previous event never even happened.

" Yes, I understand your-no Anastastsius" she nodded, her face going back to the original color.

" Good " Anastasius smiled and patted her head.

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A few days later,

In the training ground of the third prince.

A young teenage boy can be seen on the training grounds.

"Brother!!" Felzein called out to a man who has parted blond hair to the side his hair being medium length with sharp golden eyes who was observing Felzein's training.

" Brother Anastasius look!! I master this technique! I can do this about 10 times now!!" the young boy excitedly exclaimed to his older brother, his eyes begging for praises.

" You did well. Train hard!! " Anastasius replied chuckling.

Felzein was happy when he was praised " Brother!! Can we take a walk around the castle together? I am almost finished with my training!!"

" Alright, Felzein" Anastasius replied smiling.

The two brothers walk around peacefully but they encounter an unexpected male and a female partner.

" Well, well, well. It is a nice evening to run into you, Anastasius" the man said ignoring Felzein's presence, he has rusty strawberry blond hair, fierce golden eyes, seven inches shorter than Anastasius who is 6'7, this person is of course Giesbach.

Felzein was quite annoyed to run into him but that feeling disappeared when he saw the woman with Giesbach.

Beside Giesbach stands a woman, a few inches shorter than Giesbach. She has white hair with purple tips, her hair braided to the left side, pearling skin, similar-colored eyes as Giesbach. She wore a standard velvet dress. Adoring a calm temperament.

She was the most beautiful woman Felzein has ever seen, he was captivated, but Anastasius was not affected since he have seen many beautiful ladies who surpassed Krone's appearance, he even thinks Mallory is more beautiful than Krone.

" It is pleasure to see you, Lady Mikazuki " Anastasius give a curt nod to Giesbach and was about to reach out to the lady's hand and greet her with standard etiquette but Felzein beat him through it.

" What a fine lady you are Lady Mikazuki " Felzein kissed gently on the smooth surface of her hand. A small unnoticeable pink tint can be seen on the lady's face.

But Anastasius managed to catch a moment of it. ' What an easy woman to please like my dear Mallory but she is still a naive lady how exciting to know that she will realize what Giesbach's true colors are' he thought amused.

" Thank you" Krone replied softly. Giesbach was enrage by Felzein's flirtation but he keeps his emotions in check.

Anastasius was about to greet her as well after Felzein finished greeting her but Giesbach stops him.

" You don't have to do that Anastasius. Aren't you engaged?" he spoke with hidden venom. Giesbach tightly circles his right arm around Krone's waist possessively.

Anastasius smirked " Oh, I am just doing the basic etiquette Giesbach. But you are right my dear Mallory will be quite sad when I interact with an engaged woman."

Giesbach scoffed in his mind ' This bastard telling me that Krone is still engaged to Burai and I don't own her as he does to that woman!' he was able to contain his displease and just fake smiled.

Felzein was mostly focused on Krone his gaze never leaving her figure. Krone felt a stare from Felzein and couldn't help blushing.

Krone who was staying quiet was aware of the hidden meaning of Anastasius's words, she glance at Giesbach apologetically and worriedly.

" I see.... Well, we will excuse ourselves, Anastasius" Giesbach said ignoring Felzein again. He grasps Krone's hand and disappeared leaving the two brothers.

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