Chapter 3: Fateful Meeting, Changing Lives

“Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you as well,” Prince Mathias said, greeting her with a bow.

When they both looked up at each other, the prince was stunned to see how beautiful she was.

“Is there something wrong, your highness, " she asks with concern.

“Now, please take a seat. We have much to discuss.”

They took their seats and this meeting can finally get started.

“Yes, let us begin,” Prince Mathias said, taking his seat.

As the prince takes his seat, Lady Aurora notices something different about him, but she does not know what it is. Maybe she will find this out during this meeting, so in the meantime she asks the maid to bring in tea and some sweets they can enjoy to pass the time.

“So, your highness, what is it you wish to talk about that it cannot wait for a later date,” Arch-Duke Diamaint begins to ask.

“I would like to begin by apologizing for my sudden appearance in your home, but there is much to discuss,” Prince Mathias begins by apologizing, as he cannot stop staring at Lady Aurora.

“It is not a problem at all your highness, but what is this business you wish to discuss?”

“Very well. I wanted to inform you, many of the nobles have agreed to support me in my bid for me to succeed the throne,” Prince Mathias begins.

“Is that so? And how many are supporting you right now?” the Arch-Duke asks, rubbing his chin.

“Three and counting. With your support and leader of the Neutral Faction, I would have enough support to be able to run against my brothers and put Duke Rubis in his place for reaching way too high,” Prince Mathias explains.

“And what will I be getting out of this?”

“You will be part of my council and personal adviser. Your family will also raise in station with this new position as well granting more land to your territory," Prince Mathias explains, trying to convince the arch-duke.

“All of this is very tempting, but what will you get in return?”

“As I said before, all I need is your support, then the rest of the Neutral Faction will join us in our cause. If they see you joining me, then the others will come, but there is one other thing I would like to complete this deal.”

“And that is?”

“I would like to marry your daughter.”

“Pppfft… Cough, cough. What?!” Lady Aurora shouts out as she spills out her tea before she chokes on it.

“Are you alright, Lady Aurora?” Prince Mathais and Rion asked, coming to her aid.

“Yes, I am fine, thank you,” Lady Aurora responds as she reclaims her posture.

“Your highness, I would like to ask, why do you wish to marry my daughter, if you will have my support with your cause.”

“It is because I will offer her protection from anyone who wishes to marry her and use her because of her title and the work she is doing to improve our medical field.”

“How do you know about that?”

“I have done my research and heard rumors.”

“I am not too sure about this idea of you having spies and knowing everything about my family.”

“Sir, it is for your own protection. I do not wish to see your family harm or even my brothers getting involved with the Neutral Faction. I promise if I marry your brother you will have the best protection and the prince’s word that you will get everything you so desire.”

“As a loyal subject to this empire and your father, as well as yourself, I will have to agree to your terms and the marriage to my daughter. From this day forward, you will have my support in your claim to the throne,” Arch-Duke Diamant agrees to the terms.

“Thank you, your grace. I promise your daughter will be well taken care of and no harm will come to her.”

“Yes, of course. I put my trust in you, your highness.”

“Yes, to finalize this. I have drawn up the papers to make this official, so if you please sign this.”

“Of course,” The Arch-Duke said, ready to sign the documents.

Prince Mathias turns to see Lady Aurora still confused about the situation, so he thought to reassure her.

“My lady, I can assure you, you will be safe under my protection and no one will bring you harm and to make sure that happens, you will also have to sign the contract as well.”

“Yes, I understand, but if father and yourself give me permission, I would like to speak to you in private before I sign.”

“Yes, of course dear, you may speak privately to the prince, but not for long.”

“Of course, father.”

“If that is the way you want it, then please escort me to a place where we can talk privately."

“Of course, please follow me.”

Lady Aurora stands from her seat and escorts the prince out of the room they were in to a different room close by. She opens the door and lets the prince inside. She closes the door behind her, so no one will be listening in and wonders what is the deal with the prince suddenly wanting to marry. If she remembered from the novel, Prince Mathias never married and didn’t care about the empire, so why now she wonders.

“Right, your highness, we are alone, so I would like the real reason as to why you wish to marry me,” Lady Aurora said, getting straight to the point.

“I want to marry you because your father is an old friend of the emperor and I wish to protect your family from anyone trying to take advantage of all of you,” Prince Mathias replies out of fear.

“That is such a political answer. How about you cut the niceties and tell me the real reason as to why you want to marry me,” Lady Aurora says, starting to get angry.

“Very well, I wish to marry you because you are different from the other noble ladies I have ever met in my entire life.”

“Right, is that all?”

“No, I also like the idea that a woman can be independent , smart, beautiful, and challenge a prince’s authority so bravely.”

“This is the first time we ever met, what makes you think of all of that of me.”

“I heard about you through gossip and from your father. I also heard you are responsible for creating a guild and potions helping to improve our medical research. I must say, you really are quite the talent.”

“And how do you know all of this?”

“My informants and Rion told me about all of your success and the growth of wealth your family recently gained in these past few weeks. I even have my valet Rion checking up on a few things as we speak.”

“Well, that explains him rushing out so quickly.”

“Well, care to hear the rest of my plan?”

“Since you know so much about me, I have no choice but to listen to you.”

“Thank you. Now this is what I intend, we have a contractual marriage where all of this is political. Meaning your family will rise up from your ranking as promised you and your family will have protection from anyone who tries to kill your family for supporting me. I will even send my own private guard to your home for protection. I promise I will always protect you, seeing as of today you will be my fiancee.”

“If this is all political, why do you need me?”

“To show the noble class, I have your family support and are serious in defeating my brothers to the throne. This way we both get what we want. You have your freedom to continue studying medicine and me having a bid for the throne.”

“If that is the case, if you offer protection and my freedom, then I will agree to your marriage proposal.”

“One more thing, why did you decide to do this?”

“I figured as a noble lady, with an education I could be using this for good and not hide it away from the world. I wanted to find new ways to help the medical knowledge of the Arcenciel Empire to help people in need and make sure others can prosper and continue to gain some wealth and better health.”

“Huh, it seems you truly care about the people of this kingdom, not like the other ladies I have met.”

“I guess not, your highness.”

“It seems I have made the right choice after all.”

“Propably so.”

“Very well, then let’s go sign the contracts.”

As they both reached a deal, they were both heading towards the door and ready to meet the Arch-Duke to tell him the news, but it seems he was already there.

“Oh, father,” Aurora said.

“Arch-duke Diamant,” Prince Mathias said.

“What’s this talk about a marriage contract, Aurora,” Arch-duke Wolfrik Diamant said.

“It is nothing father, Prince Mathias is simply explaining to me about the marriage contract and I am ready to sign the document,” Lady Aurora explains, trying to cover up the conversation they were having. “Oh, is that it, you are holding in your hand?”

“Oh, um, yes, it is,” her father said, holding the contract to her.

Lady Aurora grabs it from her father’s hand and walks over to the desk and signs her name on the contract. Then she hands it back to the prince and the contract is officially done.

“Now that everything is taken care of, we will announce the engagement and our new partnership in a few weeks time at a ball we will be hosting here. Does that sound good to you, your highness?” Arch-Duke asks kindly.

“That is perfectly fine with me. I will leave the details to you and I will handle the guest list,” Prince Mathias explains.

“Of course, I am looking forward to working together with you closely, your highness.”

“And I as well, your grace.” “I must be going now. I have overstayed my welcome.”

“I will escort you out,” Lady Aurora offers.”

“Thank you, my lady,” Prince Mathias kindly replies.

Lady Aurora kindly escorts him out of the room, through the halls with many pieces of art gifted from many families proving their loyalty, and back to the foyer towards the door. Before reaching the exit, Prince Leonidas begins to speak, “Thank you for supporting my cause and playing along. You have to promise me not to mention the contractual marriage to anyone. This is simply business after all.” “I understand, I don't see it as nothing more than a contract between us and nothing else, so long as you protect my family like you promised.”

“You have my word on that, but there are a few conditions I would like to run by you before I leave.”

“Very well, please go on.”

“Number one, keep this marriage contract a secret until we get the emperor’s approval. Number two, no falling in love. Number three, we are free to do as we please, but we must be present for all public outings and festivities. Finally number four, we tell no one about our secrets, even if we are forced.”

“You have my word, your highness,” Lady Aurora said as she bows to him.

“Good, until we meet again, my lady,” Prince Mathias kindly says as he bows and kisses her hand.

Then he begins walking out with Rion and they were alone for a brief minute.

“This sure was an interesting visit.”

“Yes, you managed to accomplish everything you wanted in one meeting, That is very impressive,” Rion compliments.

“Yes, I didn't think it will go this smoothly and now having the Arch-Duke on my side, we will have the rest of the members rallying at my side and I will have the entire Neutral Class on my side.”

“Yes, your highness.’

“Now we can begin the next part of my plan.”

“Yes, your highness.”

Not long after they finished their conversation, the carriage of Second Prince Leonidas arrived and came to a stop next to his carriage. Then Prince Leonidas steps out of his carriage and sees his brother smiling, knowing something was achieved.

“You are too late brother. The contracts have been signed and I got my bride of choice. Better luck next time brother. Perhaps maybe get faster horses if you want to beat me in something for a change,” Prince Mathias said, bruising his brother’s ego and walking over to the door of his carriage.