Now what?

This is uncomfortable.
"I guess I found the one who would reject and run away from the duke, how brazen." I am not sure if he is just amused or if I am on my last legs. At times like this I can only be grateful that the only external help I used was his guild's.  I know for sure, having the novel as experience, if one of my friends would have helped me even in the slightest bit, they would have met a terrible ending.
"Do I have a chance in convincing you that this is not what it looks like?" His laugh is a bit rough, but melodic to the ears.
"Humor me, what kind of excuse did you come up with?"
"Would you believe me if I told you I knew about your connection with the guild and I did everything intentionally?" 
"Unquestionably, you were not surprised when you saw me at all, but why?" 
"To go on a date, of course." 
"A date?" 
"With you, I heard this is a romantic trend between young folks this days." He's laugh sounds like pure joy. Did I manage to save it?
"Always a surprise, Elenore. Good enough, I'll give it a pass."
"Then shall we?" 
"After you, love." I hold he's arm and exit the house. Falling on two feet is the goal in the end for tonight. Dealing with the rest will become tomorrow's problem. Leaving the empire is not an option for now. He will be more on guard then before. This was indeed my only chance... for now at least. 

Then, I should at least enjoy the festival. Eating his money as compensation and filling my stomach. Caramelized apples, glazed donuts  or covered in icing sugar, mountains of pastries and pies, meat and meat related, boards full of cheese and all kinds of drinks...
"This must be paradise, prepare yourself Christopher, today is eat or die, we are gonna pull out all the stops."
"Not only for music, but also a food enthusiast. With what should we start?"
"Meat and then sweets, as many as we can."
Stopping at each and every store to try what their selling, I might enter soon in a sugar rush, but when will I have the chance to if not tonight?
"It feels so pretty, Christopher how do you like it?"
"Quite sugary, but it was to be expected, that's what cotton candy is." 
"Exactly, it just melts in your mouth and is pink at that. O, try this on!"
"Bunny ears?" 
"Yes, yes, I will put on the cat ones. you will look so cute, I know for sure. It will suit you well, for such a handsome face, it would be a waste not too. Come, hurry, hurry!"
With pinkish cheeks he tries them on. I was so right, he is so cute. I pay for both pair, take he's hand and walk further.
"Do you like it? The festival I mean?"
"It's cute, I do."
"The festival? I guess it is cute, they decorated nicely."
"I meant you, you look cute and are with me, so I like the festival."
Mischievous, flirting with this handsome face, unfair this pretty ogre. 
"Let's, let's go over there, looks like people are dancing. Would you be interested?"
"Whatever you wish for, love." 
"How about something you enjoy?" 
"Chatting with you, how about a walk in the roses garden ?" 
"Do you perhaps prefer quieter places ?" the uncomfortable look on his face was enough, "Thought so, then take my hand. I love roses as well."  
"You don't seem to hate me, why are you opposing to this marriage?" 

Marriages between people who don't really know each other aren't strange. It is a well known practice . Eventually I would have married someone my parents would have acknowledged. In the book I entered the marriage somehow naturally, he courted me for a period of time, got engaged and then married. I felt trapped about it, but at the time there wasn't an actual reason to refuse and  the true troubles came afterwards. That's why I am so confused of all this rushing and subtle threats, if it was the novel I would still have time to change plans.

"You talk as if I would have the power to do so..." 
"You don't, but you behave as if you would have. I wonder why?" 
"I want to be the next marques. Choosing someone with a lower status is better for absorbing him into the family. This is the reason for my bitterness." 
"I see, then why run away?" 
"Run away for a couple of years until you marry someone else, come back and become marques."
"What about the law?" 
"There is nothing wrong with, there is nowhere mentioned that I can not inherit my dad's title. The son being the chosen one is just an old practice not a law." 
"And if I never merry someone else?" 
"As if you would still propose to me." 
This should be enough, I gave a reasonable motive and it's not like I'm lying, being a marques was at some point my goal. It was not approved by my parents but I can still find lingering feelings regarding it. 
"Of course I would, I never waver." My heart stops for a moment. Being so close to him is dangerous. Being handsome isn't enough reason to trample on someone's else's will. 
"We can hear the music even from here and because of the roses there's a nice fragrance in the air, dance with me. I'll let it slide for today, but I intend on marrying you. Don't force my hand love, I mean it, no more tricks or silly escaping games." 

One last try, I desperately have to think of something. Go for an affair?...haha do this and he will start killing people. Coaxing my parents it's not the case, they are eagerly arranging the marriage. Then how to run away? I evidently can't use the help of another guild, in fact I can't use anybody's help. I am completely on my own. Should I just impulsively run away? Lay low for a few weeks until he let's his guard down, steal a horse and see what happens? I might die on the way, but my book's ending wasn't any better anyway. Die now, free of anything, or later, with nothing left. At this point, why not?