“You admit it readily enough. That certainly simplifies matters.”
The Emperor released a heavy sigh.
“This incident destroyed the marriage negotiations between the Count's family and the Second Imperial Princess. And I imagine it will be difficult to find another match worthy of the Imperial Family. She is, after all, a child burdened with many imperfections...”
Speaking as though she were not present, he glanced briefly at her pale face before continuing.
“You must assume responsibility for that loss. Break your engagement to Aila Roem Gwirta and take the Second Imperial Princess, Talia Roem Gwirta, as your wife.”
Talia stopped breathing.
For several seconds she simply stared blankly at the Emperor.
She could not fully comprehend what she had heard.
Then her gaze slowly shifted toward Senevier.
A smile like a serpent that had just swallowed its prey rested upon her face.
A chill ran through Talia's entire body.
Cold sweat ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) erupted across her skin.
She could not bring herself to look at Varkas.
Instead, she lowered her head.
There was no way he would accept such nonsense.
Varkas was the son of a sovereign ruler.
No matter how powerful the Emperor was, he had no right to impose such a demand upon the heir of the Grand Duke of the East.
Naturally, he would refuse.
Talia gripped her skirt so tightly her hands trembled.
Several agonizing seconds passed.
Then he spoke.
“If Her Highness the Second Imperial Princess agrees, then I shall do so.”
Talia's head snapped upward.
He looked down at her as though piercing straight through her.
Slowly, deliberately, he added,
“I will take Your Highness as my wife.”
For a moment, her heart seemed to stop.
Talia stared at his lips with vacant eyes.
Had those words really come from him?
Had she imagined them?
Yes.
Surely she had misheard.
There was no way Varkas would ever say he intended to marry her.
“So it seems, Princess.”
The Emperor's low voice dragged her confused mind back to reality.
“If you agree, the position of Grand Duchess of Siorcan will become yours. Well? What is your answer?”
Strong mockery lurked beneath his words.
Only then did Talia realize that the Emperor wanted her to refuse.
Though he had proposed this marriage under pressure from the Empress, he clearly had no desire to see his illegitimate daughter married to Aila's fiancé.
Perhaps Varkas had spoken those words because he expected her to reject the proposal in outrage.
No.
That had to be it.
Suddenly, her thoughts became clear.
If she accepted, the man she had desired her entire life would become hers.
But was that truly what she wanted?
Her eyes lowered to the leg hidden beneath her skirts.
Just imagining having to reveal this body to him made her stomach twist.
If she ever saw even a flicker of disgust or revulsion on his face, she would truly lose her mind.
She might break even further than she already had.
Talia looked at him again.