"Your Majesty, if I may, why do you want me to marry the Duke?, do you have an ulterior motives?" Lady Clementine sitting in a separate chair glaring to His Majesty Emperor Bertran.

"As wise as ever, you never failed to amaze me Lady Clementine. As you can see, The Fenwood Dukedom lost its color and became the fearsome Dukedom out of all estate of the empire due to the blood thirsty Duke Fenwood. If you somehow managed to restore it's color, the Duke will cooperate in my plan to evade the neutral territory of Lindor, for now the Duke is a thorn I'm my side." His Majesty Emperor Bertran explaining his plan to Lady Clementine as he hold a cup of tea. 

"Out of all the ladies, why did you choose me Your Majesty?, there are far more beautiful than me." She said to the Emperor with a cunning gentle tone.

"Lady Clementine, as the rumors said, Duke Fenwood declined all the marriage offer from countless ladies, you are the only one who's not interested with Duke Fenwood so I thought It would be fine to start as strangers." His Majesty replied.

"I will accept your proposal Your Majesty but in return you must elevate the status of my family. Father please bring me a spare pen and paper. A contract is needed to ensure that betrayals are not present in the future." Lady Clementine's eye brows forrow as she wrotes the contract.

"Clementine what are you doing, you are not going to the Fenwood Dukedom, You will put yourself in danger of you will agree to this proposal." Count Claudius Wyrmsley stand up as his eyes angrily gazes to Lady Clementine.

"Clementine, this matter needs thinking, are you sure of your decision Clementine?." Countess Claudine with an anxious face looking to Lady Clementine.

"I already decided Mother, I will accept His Majesty's proposal besides this is for your own good too father, mother." Lady Clementine grabs both hands of her father and mother and talks with a soft tone.

Lady Clementine write the condition and clauses to the proposal to prevent betrayals from the Emperor. Emperor Bertran Orlando Zaperia was know for his Cunning behavior, he see's his people as a toy that if he got bored, he will disposed it. Count and Countess Wyrmsley was strongly oppose of the proposal but they can't do anything as their daughter already decided to do the proposal. Countess Claudine can't resist the feeling of worriednes to her daughter as Duke Fenwood was known for its cold hearted nature.

"Your Majesty, how is the condition?" Lady Clementine handed the contract to His Majesty Emperor Bertran with a serious face.

"I like the condition Lady Clementine, although it mainly favors the Wyrmsley. I suppose there is no problem with that since it's a reward for your service Lady Clementine." His Majesty writes his signature and the official seal of the Empire to the contract while talking in a calm tone.

At the Fenwood Dukedom, Duke Heinrey was talking with Baron Edmund Elesten about the public budget to be given by local business owners in the Dukedom. The house of Elesten and the house of Fenwood had a strong alliance since the Dukedom was established. The house of Elesten are known for helping the Fenwood Dukedom for century, it is said that they're only pledge their loyalty to the Fenwood Dukedom and not the Empire. Countless Emperors tried to win the Elesten Barony but they all failed due to one reason; they swear to pledge loyalty to the Fenwood Dukedom.

"Your Grace, I regret to inform you that the revenue of the Dukedom has experienced a decline in recent times, falling short of the figures recorded in the preceding month. Conversely, the mining guild of Calix Vicounty is seeking to extend their contractual agreement, which, if successful, would undoubtedly prove a considerable boon to the Dukedom's financial interests." Baron Edmund estated the budget revenue of the Dukedom in his table at the side of the Duke's table. 

"Edmund, my diligent assistant, I entrust you with the task of compiling a comprehensive record of the budget allocation from the preceding year to the present date. Ensure that your ledger is meticulous and precise, detailing every expenditure and revenue stream.

"Upon completion of this task, I require you to reserve a suitable interval in your schedule, for you shall be attending a meeting with the esteemed leader of the mining guild. The purpose of this meeting, as you are well aware, is to negotiate the extension of their contract, a development that promises to bolster the Dukedom's financial prospects.

"See to it, Edmund, that you are thoroughly prepared for this meeting, armed with all necessary documentation and a keen understanding of the terms we seek to agree upon. Your diligence in this matter will be most gratifying." Duke Heinrey Fenwood talks to Baron Edmund as he read a document in his table. 

"Your Grace, I take the liberty of inquiring whether you are apprised of the forthcoming arrival of a lady from the Wyrmsley Countdom, who, by virtue of an imperial decree, shall reside within our manor for a period of three months? Might I solicit your sentiments regarding this development, sir?" Baron Edmund gaze at Duke Heinrey as he talk in his table.

"Ah, Edmund, I was duly informed of this development yesterday, when the royal messenger delivered a letter to my hand. The contents of which intimated that Lady Clementine Alice Wyrmsley shall reside within our dukedom for a period of three months, pursuant to an imperial decree. As is only prudent, I shall not presume to question the Emperor's will.

"See to it, Edmund, that Lady Clementine's chambers are situated at a discreet distance from my own apartments. She shall be afforded the liberty to conduct herself as she sees fit, provided she does not presume to trouble my nephew. I must confess, Edmund, that I find the circumstances surrounding this imperial decree to be somewhat... enigmatic. Let us exercise a degree of vigilance with regard to Lady Clementine's activities, lest we find ourselves compromised by her presence." Duke Heinrey replied while signing a document in his table.

"Your Grace, if I may be so bold, the subject of your matrimony has been a topic of considerable speculation amongst the nobility. At five and twenty years of age, one might expect a gentleman of your standing and distinction to have already secured a suitable union. Your striking features, including those piercing red eyes that are the hallmark of the Fenwood lineage, have captivated the hearts of many a lady throughout the empire.

"Your countenance, with its chiseled features and raven tresses, is nothing short of captivating, and your physique is a testament to your noble bearing. It is a wonder, Your Grace, that you seem to eschew the attentions of the fairer sex, despite their evident admiration for you. Might I inquire as to your sentiments on the matter, sir?"

"If you still fail to secure a suitable union within the forthcoming year, Your Grace, I fear that the whispers of scandal may tarnish the noble name of Fenwood. The sobriquet of 'the impotent Duke Fenwood' would be a most... distressing appellation, one that would reflect poorly upon your family's esteemed reputation." Baron Edmund and Duke Fenwood gazes interlock as Baron Edmund eyes widen as if he's waiting.

"Edmund, I must confess that matrimony holds little allure for me at present. My paramount concern is to uphold the formidable reputation of the Fenwood name, a lineage synonymous with unyielding ferocity and unrelenting resolve. The ignoble notion of domesticity must take a backseat to my overriding imperative: to avenge my brother's untimely demise and ensure the proper upbringing of my nephew.

"My focus is singular, Edmund: to satiate the hunger for vengeance that burns within me, and to mold my nephew into a worthy successor to the Fenwood legacy. The fearsome and bloodthirsty Duke Fenwood shall not be swayed by sentimental notions or frivolous indulgences." Duke Heinrey said with a serious face.

"Edmund, I daresay you would do well to tend to your own affairs, rather than presuming to offer counsel on mine. Your own status as a bachelor Baron of Elesten, I might add, renders you scarcely more qualified to speak on the subject of matrimony than I. Perhaps, dear Edmund, you would do better to focus on your own romantic entanglements, rather than attempting to guide mine?" Duke Heinrey gently chuckles as he calmly teases Baron Edmund.