Chapter 97: Chapter-97

“Probably. She spoke of many people. I don’t specifically remember.” Elara kept walking, pace steady. “But it doesn’t matter. What matters is that everyone in that room now believes I’m pursuing this marriage out of genuine respect rather than political calculation.”

“So you lied.”

“I provided the narrative they needed to hear.” Elara turned a corner. “The truth—that I want military resources and political protection—would have caused immediate opposition. But respect? Admiration? Honoring my mother’s memory? That’s acceptable. Noble, even.”

The fox knight was quiet for a moment. “You’re very good at this.”

“At what?”

“Telling people what they want to hear while pursuing your actual objectives.”

“That’s just basic communication efficiency.” Elara stopped at a window overlooking the palace gardens. “People process information through emotional filters. If you want them to accept a proposal, you frame it in terms that satisfy those filters. Simple.”

“Most people would call that manipulation.”

“Most people are inefficient communicators.” She resumed walking. “Now come. We need to prepare for the actual proposal to Duke Romian. The public performance is complete. The private negotiation will require different approach.”

“Which is?”

“Direct. Honest. Strategic.” Elara’s expression didn’t change. “Duke Romian is a military commander. He’ll see through emotional appeals immediately. When I approach him, I’ll present the marriage as what it actually is—a mutually beneficial alliance.”

“So you’ll tell him the truth you didn’t tell the court.”

“Exactly. The court needed theater. Duke Romian will need substance.” She pulled out a small notebook. “I need complete intelligence on him before we meet. Military record, political positions, current challenges, potential vulnerabilities. Everything.”

“I’ll contact our intelligence sources.”

“Good. We have perhaps three days before he expects me to approach him. I want to be thoroughly prepared.”

They reached Elara’s palace. Inside, several beast knights were still working on cleaning and restoration. The place looked better than it had two days ago, but still showed signs of months of neglect.

Elara walked to her study and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper. Started making notes.

**Duke Romian Ashford – Key Points:**

– Age: 63 (approximately)

– Position: Military Commander, Imperial Advisor

– Status: Widowed 40 years, no children

– Reputation: Loyal, strategic, incorruptible

**Why he might accept:**

– No heirs = no succession conflicts

– Military resources + commercial wealth = stronger combined position

– Age difference means he likely won’t interfere with my operations

– Marriage provides him with young capable manager for his estates

**Why he might refuse:**

– Age difference (social stigma)

– Emotional attachment to deceased wife

– Sees no benefit in marriage at his age

– Doesn’t want involvement in succession battle

**Approach strategy:**

– Present as strategic alliance, not romantic entanglement

– Emphasize mutual benefit and autonomy

– Offer to manage his civilian affairs while he focuses on military

– Guarantee no interference with his existing commitments

She studied the notes. The logic was sound. Now she just needed to present it in a way that convinced a sixty-three-year-old military commander that marrying a nineteen-year-old princess he barely knew was worth the complications.

Should be interesting.

The fox knight appeared in the doorway. “Your Highness? There’s someone here to see you.”

“Who?”

“Duke Romian Ashford.”

Elara went completely still.

“He’s here? Now?”

“Yes, Your Highness. He arrived five minutes ago and is waiting in the entrance hall. He says he’d like to speak with you about your… proposal.”

Elara set down her pen carefully. Processed this new information.

Duke Romian hadn’t waited for her to approach him. He’d come directly to her residence immediately after the throne room session.

That was… unexpected.

Either he was intensely curious, or intensely offended, or he’d already made a decision and wanted to communicate it immediately.

“Show him to the sitting room,” Elara said. “Offer refreshments. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The fox knight left. Elara stood, adjusted her suit jacket, checked her reflection in the window glass.

She looked composed. Professional. Young, but not childish.

Good enough.

Time to negotiate a marriage contract with a man old enough to be her grandfather.

This should be efficient.

—

# Scene 5: The Duke’s Proposal

The sitting room had been one of the first areas her knights had cleaned and restored. It looked presentable now—furniture uncovered, windows open, afternoon light streaming in.

Duke Romian Ashford stood by the window, looking out at the gardens. He didn’t turn when Elara entered.

She’d seen him before at various court functions, but always from a distance. Up close, he was exactly what she’d expected—tall, still broad-shouldered despite his age, with silver-white hair and a face marked by decades of command. He wore simple military dress uniform, dark blue with minimal ornamentation. No pretense. No unnecessary display.

Efficient.

“Duke Romian,” Elara said. “Thank you for coming.”

He turned. His eyes were pale gray, sharp and assessing. He studied her for a long moment without speaking.

Then he smiled slightly. “You’re younger than I expected.”

“I’m nineteen, Your Grace. That’s documented.”

“I meant you look younger. Almost like a child playing dress-up in adult clothing.” His tone wasn’t cruel. Just observational. “Though I suppose the same could be said of half the nobles in this palace.”

Elara gestured toward the chairs. “Please, sit. Would you like tea?”

“No. This won’t take long.” But he sat anyway, settling into the chair with the careful movement of someone whose joints ached. “I came to discuss your… proposal.”

“I expected you’d wait for me to approach you formally.”

“I’m sixty-three years old. I don’t waste time on formalities anymore.” He leaned back, studying her. “You requested permission to marry me. In front of the entire court. That’s either remarkably bold or remarkably foolish.”

“Bold,” Elara said. “Foolishness implies I didn’t calculate the risks.”

“And did you? Calculate the risks?”

“Yes. There’s significant chance you’d refuse, which would damage my credibility. But the potential benefit outweighed the risk.”

“What benefit?” His eyes narrowed. “What could you possibly gain from marrying a man old enough to be your grandfather?”

Here it was. The actual negotiation.

Elara sat down across from him, meeting his gaze directly. “Military protection. Political legitimacy. Access to your estates and administrative networks. And most importantly—autonomy.”

Duke Romian’s eyebrows rose. “Autonomy?”

“You’re sixty-three, Your Grace. You have no heirs, no succession ambitions, and no interest in managing commercial operations. I’m nineteen, building independent businesses, and fighting for survival in a succession battle where multiple sisters want me dead.” She kept her tone matter-of-fact. “We don’t compete. We complement.”

“So you want to marry me for protection.”

“I want to marry you for mutual benefit. You provide military resources and political cover. I provide commercial wealth and estate management. We each maintain separate spheres of operation and don’t interfere with each other’s priorities.”

Duke Romian stared at her. Then he laughed—a short, sharp sound. “That’s the most pragmatic marriage proposal I’ve ever heard.”

“It’s honest.”

“It’s transactional.” He leaned forward. “You’re not even pretending this is about affection or compatibility.”

“Why would I? You’d see through that immediately.” Elara tilted her head slightly. “You’re a military strategist. You understand resource allocation. This is an alliance, not a romance.”

“And the fact that I’m old enough to be your grandfather doesn’t concern you?”

“Age is irrelevant to function. You’re healthy, mentally sharp, and politically powerful. That’s what matters.”

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