“They say, King Aleksander the First built this castle out of the bones of his enemies.” Elias’ eyes lingered on the maiden before turning to the moonlit garden below. “At night, the halls are said to moan in retribution.”
The wind howled through the crisp night air as if it was on the Grand Duke’s command.
Katarina found no entertainment in the Grand Duke’s tangent, clenching her teeth at his lack of urgency.
“Ghost stories hold no interest for me.” Katarina quipped. “What does, is the Grand Duke seeking marriage in the home of the Marquis." She paused as she eyed the towering figure before casting away her gaze. "News too intriguing to turn a blind eye to.”
Katarina shook her head as she imagined numerous young ladies cursing her name since the breaking gossip. The gaze of the public on her every move, limiting Katarina’s actions in every conceivable way.
The topic of engagement may have been her father’s idea, but envisioning the Grand Duke discussing her lifetime event over cookies and tea was hard for Katarina to swallow.
Disgust roiled in her abdomen. Katarina wanted to slash that intolerable smirk the Grand Duke wore right off his face. The pain in her finger was to no effect.
The need to shout appeared but settled, realizing that the Grand Duke was the only viable way to avoid the thing called ‘Royal Succession’.
Katarina felt her trembling hands tight against her body. The sick smell of gardenias lingered in the air, incapacitating Katarina for all but a moment that seemed to stretch for an eternity.
‘You’re Katarina Adaline De Costa!’ Katarina’s mind shouted. ‘Stop trembling!’
“Your words, I will take them as a compliment!” Elias spoke, ignorant of the inner turmoil that Katarina put herself through.
The Grand Duke watched Katarina’s actions and reactions. Her inky black hair coiled to her nape that uncovered her slender face but it was her eyes that mesmerized most. Catlike, in the hue of honey.
“Compliment or not, I find the method a bit ham-fisted.” Katarina spat. Gossip was hard to control. Once released in the salons, it transforms itself into a torrent, not even the King can reign in.
“By your tone, it seems the gesture isn’t welcomed?” Elias’ eyes narrowed. Not bothering to hide his displeasure as he glanced toward the young lady.
"Not particularly." Katarina took a breath and allowed a light smile spread across her face.
'IT ISN’T WELCOMED!' Her mind shrieked but her face didn’t betray her. Perceiving the condescension in his tone. His imperious eyes provoking her.
“Being a shield for Young Lady De Costa and her house.” Elias' languid tone was filled with no seriousness. “I thought you would be overjoyed?”
“No need to posture Grand Duke.” Katarina retaliated, offended by the Grand Duke's words as if they were not in the same boat.
“King Richard has been eyeing you for a while.” Katarina’s whispers were sharp as knives. “Princess Elenore is of age and in need of a husband. But I suppose the title of Prince Consort would wound your pride."
The stab was childish but Katarina could not help but feel spiteful. Her index finding her thumb, a sharp pain shot through her hand.
'Inhale for three seconds. Exhale for four.' Katarina reminded herself.
“If you marry the Princess, King Richard will have you under his thumb. If you married me. At least you will maintain a semblance of freedom.” Katarina remarked as the words; lustrous and libertine crossed her mind.
“Do tell.” Elias' eyes peered at the girl no older than seventeen, speaking of matters a seventeen-year-old should not speak of.
“Your house is in need of a proper Lady, not a rouge-wearing courtesan who is enraptured by your flower-scented whispers.” Katarina stabbed. “Someone who is able to take charge of your home, with a reputable social standing.” She spoke.
“You are well informed.” Elias smiled. Not flinching as Katarina ruthlessly exposed his rogue-like behaviour taking a half-step forward as she mirrored him. Taking another step back.
Katarina was no fool to clandestine relationships. “The social circles are equally as fearsome to a battlefield,” Katarina replied. “But at least on the battlefield, your enemy is clear cut. In high society, you don’t know who holds the knife.” She breathed. “Haven’t you ever heard: Today’s friend could be tomorrow’s enemy.”
Katarina’s comment earned her a small chuckle from the Grand Duke as he wasn’t in any hurry to respond.
The conquest of Grand Duke Devoncourt was the most talked about topic in Salons and tea shops alike.
There was never a day when Katarina didn’t go without overhearing plans and attempts of young ladies to attract his attention.
Katarina wasn’t so ignorant to believe the Grand Duke turning away something that would plop into his lap.
“I need to know who is sleeping with my future husband so I can prepare accordingly.” Her words were finite with no room for jokes or excuses.
Elias’ eyebrows moved subtly by the straightforward approach of Young Lady De Costa. He didn’t find the need to empathize with the young maiden’s plight but her words were sharp enough for him to consider.
“I will engrave this lesson in my heart, My Lady.” Elias half-heartedly answered. He watched her eyes side glance toward him but remained as still as a pond.
Katarina could easily describe the Grand Duke as someone as stoic in manner. She could also see the cunning in his eyes. Looking over his proper posture and sharp chin attached to his unrevealing expression.
“Your reason to marry is your own prerogative, My Lord.” Katarina ignored his flippant retort. “As to the unsavoury histories you have, I am well aware.”
“Really?” Elias took a step closer. Katarina stepped backward to meet a marbled column at her back. Freezing in place as she didn’t dare to meet his gaze.
Katarina’s fingers gripped the railing as the closeness between man and woman beat down on her chest. She felt as if she was submerged in deep water and her lungs were searching for air.
“I am not one to judge.” The light in Katarina’s eye receded, ignoring the lingering scent of Redwood and Cedar that edged her nose. “Although abrupt, I am not entirely opposed,” Katarina responded.
“Pardon my words, but I am surprised.” Elias stared at the young maiden. “I did not expect the Marquis to hand his flower-like daughter to me on a silver platter.” He chuckled.
Elias was certain Marquis De Costa did not lack intelligence. The Marquis mostly likely knew of Elias' sordid lifestyle up until this point. So why?
'Why is the Marquis De Costa willing to marry his only daughter to him?' Elias wondered.
The only logical reason was because King Richard’s deterioration and two of age and unmarried Princes. With the return of a certain Duke during this year's debutant season on than did Marquis De Costa's decision made sense.
Katarina would be viewed as an adult. With the close ties the De Costa household shared with the Royal family it wouldn’t be a surprise if she became a princess. Elias' thoughts drifted.
Katarina shoved away the Grand Duke's coarse words.
Elias’ closed-off expression was impressive but that could not hide away his inquiry.
“It makes sense, given the situation.” Katarina crossed her arms, cutting off Elias’ train of thought.
“The King has three grandsons of marriageable age,” Katarina commented. “With each passing year, we as subjects are graced with spending another season with our righteous King but time is our greatest adversary.” Katarina snapped on a casual smile.
“Anyone who doesn’t sense the oncoming storm is short-sighted—I for one, do not prescribe to such a perspective.” Katarina quipped.
'The young lady is not a pretty flower but a carnivorous one.' Elias thought as the edges of his lips tugged to one side
“My father wishes to remain neutral, what better way than to take shelter under the Grand Duke’s imposing visage.” A side glance from Katarina made Elias’s eyebrow raise.
“I could swear, that I am talking to the Marquis himself.” Elias joked. His deep laugh resonated in the space, attracting the ears of curious nobles edging closer toward the 'secluded' couple.
“Flattery is unbecoming of you, Grand Duke,” Katarina remarked.
“Most young maidens would dream of becoming a princess.” Elias thought logically about his experience with young ladies and the fantasies they held onto. As he grew up around the kingdom’s young princes and the starry eyes of maidens they would leave in their wake.
“You would be surprised that most girls are blinded by the power and not influenced by fairy tales, as some men choose to believe,” Katarina said plainly. “Being a princess is too bothersome, especially if there is more than one.” Her tone was steady but revealing as she continued. “Being the Grand Duchess however has its benefits.”
Elias gestured toward Katarina to continue.
“In the social circles, there is only one above me, and that is the Queen.” Young Lady De Costa's speech was measured and soft.
“Unlike the royal court, where power depends on the King’s favour. In the Dukedom, there can be only one Grand Duchess by law.” She stared into the night, not bothering to receive the gaze that she felt on her face. A light smirk etched across Elias’ lips, he nodded wordlessly accepting her off-the-cuff terms.
“You are thinking far ahead Young Lady De Costa,” Elias teased but his tone was frigid as ice.
Katarina refused the instinct to recoil at the threat disguised as a passing comment. The maiden rebutted with conditions non-negotiable.
“I am not asking for devotion or undying love,” She voiced. “But mutual respect and understanding.” She demanded, not taking her eyes off the darkness sporadically scattered away by bursts of moonlight.
“I will marry you and be willing to spend the rest of my days with you, Grand Duke. Your extracurricular activities are your own.” Katarina paused finally meeting his gaze before continuing.
“But I take utmost priority.” She decreed. “No matter how many mistresses you decide to have or the number of children you bring back to the manor. I should always take priority.” A slight tremble found its way to Katarina’s fingers. Clenching her hand into a fist to banish the wretched feeling as she had to stand her ground.
“I assure you, Young Lady De Costa no matter the rumours, I am a man of honour,” Elias replied in kind.
“And I am assured by actions.” Katarina quipped. “Not words.”
Katarina would be considered a fool if she didn’t take the Grand Duke’s rake-like tendencies into account before joining houses.
The young maiden smiled before going stone-faced. “I will be most important. If you make a fool of me you will deal with the consequences.” Her voice was thick as she forced herself to gaze at him.
Throughout the night Young Lady De Costa’s eyes never rested in one place until she spoke her conditions. Peering her gaze into the Grand Duke.
“Is that a threat?” Elias asked, looking at a maiden who was not old enough to be out without the presence of her parents, and yet her words were daring him to challenge her.
“More of a promise, My Lord.” Young Lady De Costa fixed a light smile on her face. “Do not treat me as a fool, I am quite privy to extracurriculars within a marriage, it comes with the territory.” Elias’ ears picked up the crudeness of Young Lady De Costa’s speech.
To the Grand Duke’s knowledge, Katarina was blessed in a household where the Marquis was hopelessly in love with the Marchioness.
So his eyes examined her closely to catch even a sliver of hesitation but to his disbelief there was none.
Not a twitch of the eye. Or a hair out of place. Even the monotonous fidgeting of nail to thumb ceased.
“You can have as many mistresses as you see fit, but not one should be put before me,” Katarina said in all seriousness. “I take precedence—” She said as she squared her shoulders. “Am I Clear?”
“Crystal.” Elias’ eyes narrowed at the young maiden's fearsome temperament but resigned himself to her terms. The music in the hall was in full swing and all couples made their way to the floor.
The hundreds of ruffles and bows that bombarded the ballroom were enough to make a person dizzy. The pungent smells of artificial flowers that wafted across the floor caused Elias’ eyebrows to pull together.
He looked toward the Young Maiden who emitted a crisp apricot aroma. It was underwhelming compared to other smells but it lingered around him before being defeated by the harsh perfumes drenching the hall.
“T—take my hand,” Young Lady De Costa ordered, lifting her hand in front of Elias. His nose caught the subtlety of the Osmanthus flower as notes of fresh fruit drifted off the young maiden.
Elias took in the scene in front of him, as Katarina lifted her hand in his direction. Her sharp eyes were mellowed by the light hazel irises, as a few strands that framed her face fell back and forth delicately with every motion she took.
Katarina watched with unease as her hand was suspended in the air. Her breath hitched in her chest wondering if she came on too strong. A slight tremble at the tips of her fingers indicated her lack of confidence.
“It is my honour.” The Grand Duke spoke, catching Katarina’s hand as he sent a chilling smile her way. The small gasps in the crowd forced her mind to focus on what was in front of her.
Observing his gentlemanly gaze that gave nothing away. Katarina felt unnerved as her hand rested in the Grand Duke’s oddly chilled palms but allowed him to guide her back into the golden-lit ballroom.
“As it should.” Katarina stabbed her index into her thumb. All eyes were on the young pair.
Unspoken, all the other couples made space for the two, not daring to obstruct their path. The image of the Grand Duke Devoncourt and Young Lady De Costa standing side-by-side was seared into the minds of the gallery as the night grew darker so did the envy.
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