Chapter 275: Snow’s declaration



“From my understanding, I am certain you are aware of Riley’s current ties with my family, Your Highness…” the Duke’s tone was calm, but each word carried a weight that felt heavier than the serene surroundings of the garden.

“Yes, I am aware,” Snow replied evenly, her blue eyes meeting his unwaveringly.

“Then you must understand how absurdly problematic your words are right now,” the Duke pressed on, his crimson gaze sharp and unyielding. “Riley is my daughter’s fiancé, Your Highness.”

Snow’s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile as she leaned back in her chair, the golden sunlight catching the sheen of her snow-white hair.

“I believe there’s a clearer line in certain relations, Your Grace. Just because Riley is betrothed to Liyana doesn’t mean certain… connections can’t be formed around him. After all, they’re not married yet.”

The Duke’s fingers tensed against the edge of the table, his composure cracking ever so slightly. “…She’s your cousin, Your Highness.”

“Fufu~”

Snow’s soft chuckle seemed to echo mockingly through the garden, her expression remaining calm but unapologetic.

“Indeed, Liyana and I are cousins, and I can’t say we’ve had much opportunity to truly develop a familial bond. But I’m sure she’ll understand where I’m coming from, especially since we seem to have fallen for the same man.”

11

The Duke’s silence was deafening.

His jaw tightened, and for a fleeting moment, his expression betrayed the rising storm of frustration beneath his otherwise collected demeanor.

The tension between them was palpable, stretching across the table like an unspoken challenge.

Although the morning had dawned peacefully, the atmosphere now bristled with an intensity that belied the calm of the imperial garden.

Snow was fully aware of how unreasonable her words might have sounded to the Duke, or to anyone else for that matter.

She knew the audacity of openly declaring her intentions toward Riley, especially in light of his engagement to Liyana, who was not only her cousin but also someone the Duke had every reason to protect fiercely.

But even if her words were audacious, even if they defied the norms of etiquette and

propriety, Snow understood that this confrontation was inevitable.

This day would have come sooner or later, whether she willed it or not.

The truth of the matter was undeniable: Snow was at a distinct disadvantage when it came to claiming Riley’s ties.

No matter her station, no matter her confidence, the cold reality remained.

Riley was betrothed to Liyana, a fact sanctioned by both imperial decree and family ties.

In the Empire, it wasn’t uncommon for individuals of high status to have lovers outside of their betrothals; polygamy was accepted, even encouraged in some cases, as a means of strengthening alliances.

Yet even within such a system, there were lines that weren’t meant to be crossed. Pursuing a relationship with someone who was not only betrothed but also related by blood to one’s family was a moral and ethical tightrope-one Snow was treading with full awareness of the scandal it could provoke.

“Your Highness… no, Snow,” the Duke began, his voice slow and deliberate, his tone heavy with the weight of his words. “You do understand what you’re trying to do here, don’t you?”

“Of course. I’m fully aware of the consequences. And I’m sorry if my actions create complications for Riley’s future marriage. But I am not backing out on this one, Your Grace- no…. uncle.”

The slight pause before she called him uncle was deliberate, a subtle but pointed reminder of their shared blood.

Yet it was also a shield, one that Snow wielded to reinforce her resolve, even as the tension between them thickened.

Countless scenarios had played out in Snow’s mind in preparation for this moment.

She had anticipated this confrontation, envisioned every word and reaction, and in all those imaginings, one constant remained: the Duke would likely deny and attempt to sever her connection with Riley.

After all, she knew all too well just how obsessively protective the Duke was of Liyana. Snow had learned that lesson early in her childhood, back when the Duke would visit her family.

He wasn’t just a loving father-he was a force of nature, the kind of man who would burn the world to ashes if it meant ensuring his daughter’s happiness.

The type who would stand atop the ruins of empires, who would sever bonds and destroy futures, all without hesitation if it served Liyana’s best interests.

Snow saw that side of him clearly even as a child.

To some, the Duke was the perfect father, the paragon of paternal devotion.

To others, he was nothing short of a devil, a man who would sacrifice anything and anyone for

Liyana.

Snow could imagine him abandoning his loyalty to the Empire, disregarding the wishes of the Emperor himself, all for the sake of his daughter’s happiness.

‘But that in itself is your weakness, Uncle…’

Snow’s gaze softened for a moment, though her resolve remained unshaken.

As formidable and unyielding as the Duke appeared, Snow knew that his love for Liyana wasn’t his only defining trait.

She fully believed that, deep down, the Duke wouldn’t bring himself to do something that would hurt her either.

After all, Snow wasn’t just some distant relative.

She was the cherished daughter of his beloved late sister, the last living memory of the woman he had adored and lost.

Snow’s presence carried the weight of family, of blood ties too deep to sever, no matter how complicated things became.

To the world, the Duke was a towering figure of strength-the man who had ascended to the peak of power, standing above all others.

But to Snow, he was just a frail, soft-hearted, kind man beneath the veneer of power and

authority.

And that was precisely why this upfront approach was so critical.

Snow knew her actions might seem manipulative, even despicable, in the eyes of others.

She was leveraging his kindness, his inability to truly harm her, as her advantage.

But in a battle like this-where love and future happiness were on the line-she couldn’t afford to take a passive or submissive role.

Not against a man like the Duke.

Her sincerity had to be clear, her determination undeniable. If she faltered even a little, her carefully crafted plans for a life with Riley could crumble.

“Snow-“

Before the Duke could finish his thought, Snow interrupted, her voice steady but laced with

emotion.

“I know what you’re going to say, Uncle. But I love him. I love Riley, nothing will change

that.”

She placed her hand over her chest, her crimson eyes glinting with both defiance and vulnerability.

A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she continued, her voice softening at the edges.

“He’s the only one for me.”

Snow’s mind briefly wandered to the memories she shared with Riley-moments of quiet understanding, fleeting touches, and words that lingered long after they were spoken.

Despite the brevity of their relationship, those moments were precious, etched into her heart with a permanence that left no room for doubt.

“I’ve thought this through,” she added, her voice firm once more. “And I’m ready to fight for him, no matter what it takes.”

The Duke’s expression remained unreadable, but Snow could sense the weight of her words

sinking in.

She wasn’t a child anymore, and this wasn’t some fleeting infatuation. This was love, raw and uncompromising, and she was prepared to stake everything on it.

“Since when did it start? … How did you fall for him?”

The Duke’s voice was calm, almost too calm, as if he was deliberately tempering his

emotions.

His deep blue eyes bore into Snow’s, not with the veiled hostility or frustration she had seen

earlier, but with genuine curiosity and a desire for understanding.

Snow blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

She had expected resistance, anger, or even a stern dismissal.

But this?

This felt… different.

For a moment, she stared at him, her crimson eyes wide, before a small, knowing smile crept

onto her lips.

‘You’re still so gullible, Uncle.’

She wasn’t sure what had made him change his approach-perhaps it was the faint glisten of

tears she had allowed to pool in her eyes or the unguarded sincerity in her voice when she declared her feelings for Riley.

Whatever the reason, the walls he had carefully built around his emotions seemed to have softened, and Snow wasn’t going to waste this opportunity.

Her smile grew warmer, tinged with a hint of nostalgia as she lowered her gaze momentarily, gathering her thoughts.

This wasn’t the time to hold back. If she wanted to convince him, she needed to lay everything

bare.

“Honestly…” Snow began, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. “I don’t know when these feelings started to bloom. Was it the first time we met? The first conversation we shared? Maybe it was when my curiosity got the better of me and I couldn’t stop thinking

about him.”

She paused, her hand subconsciously drifting to her chest as if trying to still the rhythmic pounding of her heart. “Or perhaps it was later… when I experienced genuine warmth and honesty from someone for the first time. When we were partnered together, and he treated me not as a princess or a noble, but simply as Snow.”

Her voice softened, the memories playing vividly in her mind. “Or maybe it was that day… when he saved me during General Auvin’s assassination attempt. I remember the way he stood in front of me, fearless, unwavering… like I was the only thing that mattered to him in

that moment.”

Snow chuckled lightly, a bittersweet sound that echoed in the quiet garden.

“But honestly? None of that really matters, does it?”

She raised her eyes to meet the Duke’s once more, and this time, they were filled with

unwavering determination.

“Because no matter how or when it began… my heart…”

-Thump!

The sound was almost audible in her mind, her chest tightening with the intensity of her

emotions.

-Thump! “…belongs to him now.”

The Duke, who had listened to Snow’s heartfelt confession in silence, let out a deep, almost

imperceptible sigh.

There was no mistaking the honesty in her words-every syllable came from the heart of a

young woman deeply, almost recklessly, in love.

Not a hint of deceit lingered in her tone or expression.

Her feelings were raw, genuine, and unwavering.

And therein lay his dilemma.

He knew he was being unreasonable, if they forced their relationship to stop.

After all, Riley was not a pawn for him to control, nor could he dictate Snow’s heart.

If he were to direct his frustrations at anyone, it should be at Riley-somehow, the boy had

not only captured his daughter Liyana’s heart but had also managed to entangle himself with

Princess Snow.

‘There’s also that Brilliance girl as well….’

A part of him wanted to march straight to Riley and demand answers.

And probably choke him at the same time as well…

‘How had he let things come to this?’

Was he oblivious to the chaos brewing around him, or was he fully aware, calmly navigating

the storm with that infuriating charm of his?

But another part of the Duke knew the truth, one he was reluctant to fully admit: youth was an

unstoppable force.

No matter how much he tried to control it, to safeguard it, love would bloom where it willed, unconcerned with rank, propriety, or even his protective instincts.

He had seen it countless times before.

Liyana, Snow, and the other young noblewomen he’d encountered in his life-eventually, all

would find someone to fall in love with.

It was a reality he could not bend to his will.

And trying to forcibly deny or suppress it would only drive them further away, leaving wounds

that might never heal.

“Is Riley aware of what he’s doing?” the Duke murmured, almost to himself, his voice tinged with weary resignation.

Snow’s lips curled into a soft smile, her crimson eyes glimmering with amusement. “Fufu- Don’t worry, Uncle,” she said, her tone light but confident. “Riley is keenly aware of

what he’s doing and just how dangerous the path he’s walking truly is.”

Her words, though calm, carried an undeniable weight of conviction. “But…” she continued, tilting her head slightly, her expression softening with a hint of guilt.

“It was all due to my influence, so don’t blame him too much.”

The Duke raised a brow at that, his piercing gaze sharpening as he studied her.

Snow didn’t flinch under his scrutiny; instead, she held her ground, her expression unwavering.

“I see…” the Duke finally said, his tone measured, though the tension in his shoulders remained.

He leaned back slightly, his hands resting on the armrests of his chair as he regarded her thoughtfully. “…I understand that you love Riley, but are you certain he shares the same feelings?” The Duke’s voice was calm yet probing, a calculated inquiry that carried a hint of skepticism.

After all, Riley had never shown genuine romantic interest in anyone other than his daughter, Liyana.

And from what the Duke understood of Riley, he wasn’t the type to be swayed by mere appearances.

“Yes… I’m sure of it, Uncle,” Snow replied confidently, her crimson eyes unwavering.

The determination in her gaze caused a sharp pang to pulse through the Duke’s temple, as though a hammer had struck his head.

That same unyielding look-it was far too familiar. His mind uncomfortably wandered back to his late sister, Snow’s mother, whose stubborn resolve could rival any force of nature. “Looks like you inherited her stubbornness…” he muttered under his breath.

‘Or perhaps it runs in the family? After all, both Liyana and I share that same infuriating

trait.’

“Pardon me?” Snow asked, tilting her head slightly.

The Duke merely shook his head with a faint smile. “Nothing,” he said dismissively, though

his tone carried the weight of his contemplation.

He closed his eyes, leaning back slightly as he pondered his next move.

The room fell into a tense silence, seconds stretching into what felt like hours as he wrestled

with the complexities of this situation.

On the surface, it was a mess-a tangled web of emotions and relationships that defied easy

resolution.

But in truth, the solution wasn’t entirely out of reach.

When the Duke finally opened his eyes, the throbbing headache brought on by this

conundrum seemed more manageable.

The real challenge wasn’t his consent but the consent of another-Liyana. “Alright,” he said at last, his voice firm but not unkind. “You may keep your relationship with Riley. However…”

Snow’s eyes lit up with hope, though she remained silent, waiting for him to continue. “You’ll need to have a conversation with Liyana if you’re truly serious about marrying Riley.

This is not a decision you can make lightly or without addressing her feelings. Do you understand?”

Snow’s smile widened, her face lighting up with a mix of joy and determination. “Of course,

Uncle I’m actually quite excited to have that conversation with Liyana,” she said with a hint

of playful confidence.

The Duke raised an eyebrow, a flicker of doubt crossing his features.

Was she genuinely optimistic about this discussion, or was she underestimating the potential

chaos it might unleash?

Liyana’s obsession with Riley was no secret to him, and her intensity could border on dangerous when it came to matters of the heart.

‘I’m sure they’ll find a middle ground at some point…’

The Duke muttered this to himself, his voice heavy with doubt but tinged with reluctant

optimism.

Rising from his seat, he prepared to make his way toward Riley, intending to have a conversation with the young man before his journey and to contact Liyana later on and inform

her of this sudden development.

But as he took a step forward, a realization struck him like a lightning bolt.

A critical piece of this puzzle, one he had half-heartedly overlooked, resurfaced in his mind.

It wasn’t just important-it was crucial.

Turning sharply, he faced Snow, his expression a mix of gravity and uncertainty.

“Snow…”.

“Hm?”

“Are you prepared to abandon your position as a princess?”

Snow blinked, the question catching her off guard. “What?”

“You know that sacrifices must be made if you truly want to be with Riley, in order for you to

marry into the family, you can’t hold a higher position than Liyana. She’s bound to be Riley’s

first wife. That’s simply how things are both tradition and hierarchy demand it.” Snow stared at him for a moment before breaking into a soft chuckle. Then, with an air of supreme confidence, she smiled-a serene, almost mischievous smile

that hinted at her unshakable resolve.

“What are you talking about, Uncle?” she said lightly, brushing a strand of her pure white hair

behind her ear. “Why would I need to abandon my position and title as a princess when I’m going to be the first wife~?”

The Duke froze, her words hitting him harder than any spell or blade could.

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