When I met the prospectus duchess near my father’s studio, my only thought was to end this stupid engagement. For a year, my parents have tried to get me married to any lady who would take me. They didn’t expect much of it and there weren’t many requirements: a noble lady, the higher the status the better; they should agree to abdicate the status of princess and don’t seek the throne; they should support the heir appointed by the king, in various ways, including but not restricted to monetarily; they should be aware that this relationship may never produce an offspring, and even if it does, they’ll have no claim to the royal status. I already expected this: the King wishes to exile me in any ways possible. And by marrying me to someone else he wishes to cut any relationship with me and put all responsibilities on my bride. I already conceded to all that. In everyone’s eyes, my life is already over. But it is not fair to drag someone with me.  

However, after talking with her I concluded that this girl is... interesting. Her hobbies are unique, and she has been to many places I only dared to dream about. She speaks of things I haven’t thought, and she regards me as a general, a strategist and a powerful magician. I don’t remember the last time someone saw me like that. I have been so full of self-loath in the last years, I basically gave up. And her last request is unexpected.  

“We are already getting married. What do you mean?”. I asked her.  

“Yes, but this is in our father’s terms. You may not know, but I have barely seen my father in these two decades. I was a newborn when I went to live with my aunt, and that’s is something I’ll always be grateful. Father is a stupid and immoral man, capable of selling his own daughter. And, based on the words we heard before, your relationship with your father is not better than mine. Nevertheless, they are trying to squeeze all they can before throwing us away. I don’t want him to get even a dime from me”. Her expression was serious, almost malicious. When I was in the battlefield, I was unstoppable; a fierce beast with undying blaze for a heart. Her words reignited that feeling.  

“What is your plan?”, I asked, getting closer, as if she would whisper some big secret.  

“To take from them everything they tried to take from us”.  

“I’m interested”. My family has tried their best to make my life a hell. Maybe I should give some of that torture back. 

“I never wanted to get married; I’d rather retain my freedom, so that I could study and train as I always did. But, if I find a husband who agrees to let me keep this life I’ve made for myself, I’d have no trouble in taking him. However, I wish father wouldn’t get anything out of it”. She stopped. A mischievous smile in her face. “Of course, my husband should get something too. If you could realize your wildest dreams, what would you wish for?” 

“Hmmm”, I haven’t thought about dreams or ambitions. But she asked me to go wild. “Well, in the best outcome, I would wish to keep the title and properties I’m entitled. The main objective in this arrangement was to drive me away and keep me out of the dispute for the throne. If it was to enrage the king, that is probably the best option”.  

“That doesn’t sound like enough. You’re the legendary general, you can dream even bigger!”. Excitement overflown from her eyes.  

“If you are talking about military power, if I want to go really insane in my demands, I’d wish to be reconduct to my position and be given back the command of the troops. I have some friends in the military who are still loyal to me.”.  

“That’s what I’m talking about!”. 

“But that is an insane demand. Without my legs, no one would take me seriously”.  

“Then I’ll be your legs”. She jumped in front of me and hold my hands. She surprised me again. Considering that she has been training the thousand sword technique, there may be some potential.  

“Okay. This sounds fantastic, but how do you plan to do it?” 

“A contract!” 

“That’s still vague”. 

“Your parents pursue a bride and even offered a reward for any girl who accepted it because they believe you can’t find one on your own, right?” 

“Correct”.  

“So, I’ll propose a bet. Imagine if you could find someone who would accept to marry you in, let’s say, twenty-four hours, without any compensation? What would the king give to see that happening?” 

“I see. You really are interesting. And you expect that with both our fathers drunk they will sign whatever we want, right?” 

“Is my supposition correct?” 

“Maybe, if we give them a push”. Things were really taking a fascinating turn. I never imagined our conversation would lead to such discussions. And her words just reminded me of a special paper and ink set that I saved from my general days. I rolled my chair close to a cabinet and grabbed it. She looked at me expectantly. “I think this will be a great use for this”. 

“What is that?” 

“Many military documents need to be filled in a special way to guarantee that all parts will fulfill their obligations”.  

“You mean a magical contract? I never thought I would see one of those”. She looked surprised and her eyes glimmered with awe.  

“The king would do anything in his power to invalidate this contract, and even the highest courts would be by his side. But if it is a magical contract, not even the pope can annul it. We just need to be really smart about the terms”.  

It was about six o’clock when we sat to decide the terms of the contract. Duchess Astrea asked for a trustworthy servant to send a message to her friend, Countess Sybil Kovač, so that she could arrange the witnesses and the minister to celebrate the ceremony. We established a different contract between the two of us defining the terms of marriage and that she would receive no compensation in case she married me, and will be left with nothing if she left me. That was to be assured that Duke Fursey Conwenna wouldn’t try to break our marriage and take the money; and that the divorce money couldn’t be considered a reward of some sorts for contract purposes.  

The terms of proposal for our “bet” were carefully thought. If I married someone in 24h without the royal family having to pay anything as compensation to the bride or her family, I would be able to keep my title and will be considered a candidate to the throne. By keeping my title, I will be entitled the lands, Ministeries, properties, money and every other responsibility – on the words used by the royal documents - attributed to the third prince and the Second General (my previous military position). I proposed we should add that those words should refer to the specific decree, at a specific time, so that they couldn’t change it later. I should also be reconducted to the position of Second General, with the respective commands.  

“What about you? Don’t you want anything?” 

“I’m afraid if I ask for anything they may be suspicious. And I will get a lot from what you asked”. 

I didn’t think that was fair. She had the idea, and planned everything carefully. Still, I was the one being directly benefited.  

“What about something from the duke? We could say it was a gift to the bride”.  

“Well... I would love to keep the house I grew up in with auntie. It has been my home for so long, it’s the only one I know”.  

“That will do”.  

By 7 o’clock we finished the contract. Now it was time to use my acting skills, that were not well developed, but I hope it would be good enough to fool two drunks.