Kael's eyes locked onto Stephania's as he fall on his knees, his expression etched with genuine remorse. "Forgive me, my princess," he whispered, his voice laced with sincerity. "I shouldn't have attacked you. I was blinded by my own desires and fears."
Stephania's gaze narrowed "You're the one who's been injured, and yet you're asking for forgiveness, what a fool you are," she said, her voice tinged with amusement.
"I'll make a fool of myself every day if it means earning your forgiveness, my princess," he said, his voice low and his eyes never left hers.
curled into a sly smile. "And where exactly do you plan to take me after our marriage, Mr. Asher Dov vorganski?" she asked, her voice dripping with intrigue. "To Calonia, or perhaps to Vorga, ?"
Kael's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise dancing across his features before he regained composure. "I should have known you'd discover my secret sooner rather than later," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "You're intelligent, resourceful, and beautiful. You're going to make me fall harder with every passing moment."
Stephania's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I'm looking forward to it , your majesty ," she said . "But tell me, what's your plan now that I know your secret. The secret that nobody knows that you are the ruling emperor of Vorga. Asher Dov Vorganski?"
"Are you going to kidnap me or perhaps you are going to give up on your silly little plan now that I've discovered your true identity?" Her voice was filled with sarcasm, and she couldn't help but enjoy the cat-and-mouse game they were playing.
Asher's expression remained calm and collected, his eyes never leaving hers. "I have no intention of giving up on my plan, Your Highness," he said with a determined voice. "But I assure you, I will never resort to something as disgraceful as kidnapping you. That would be beneath me."
Stephania raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Asher's confidence. "Then what exactly do you plan to do, your majesty?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Asher's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes burning with intensity. "I'm going to convince you to marry me, Your Highness," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "I'll request your hand in marriage, and I'll do everything in my power to make you see that it's the right decision."
Stephania's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. "And why would I agree to marry you, Mr. Asher?" she asked, her voice cool and detached.
Asher's expression softened, his eyes filled with a deep sincerity. "Because you need to understand that my people and I need you, Your Highness". Stephania wasn't sure what to make of it, but she knew one thing - she was intrigued
Stephania's eyes narrowed as she studied Asher's expression. "Why are you acting as if you're in love with me?" she asked, her voice filled with skepticism. "We've only met a few times, and briefly at that. It's not like you fell for me at first sight."
Asher's face twisted in a mixture of pain and longing. He looked as if Stephania's words had wounded him more deeply than her sword. "You never know, princess," he said, his voice low and husky. "Sometimes, the heart recognizes what it wants long before the mind does. And mine... mine has known for a very long time."
Asher's eyes burned with intensity as he took a step closer to Stephania. "I didn't fall for you at first sight, no," he continued. "But every moment I spent with you, every glance, every word . it all added up to something more. Something that I couldn't ignore, no matter how hard I tried."
Asher's voice dropped to a whisper, his words tumbling out like a confession. "I feel like I've known you my entire life, princess. Like I've been searching for you, waiting for you. And now that I've found you... I don't know how to let you go. "
Stephania's heart skipped a beat as she met Asher's gaze. She saw the sincerity in his eyes, the depth of his emotion. For a moment, she felt like she was drowning in the ocean of his passion, unable to escape the undertow of his words
"I don't have any feelings for you, Asher," Stephania said, her voice firm. "All your feelings are one-sided. I respect your emotions, but I won't reciprocate them."
Asher's face fell, but he nodded slowly, as if he had expected this response. "I knew it was a risk, lying to you initially, But I had to try."
"I'll proceed with the marriage," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "I have no control over this situation. If I told my father everything, he'd start a war with Vorga without hesitation. And with Calonia's alliance with Vorga, Eldrida's downfall is inevitable."
Stephania continued, "A war would destroy the peace and lives of innocent Eldridians. So, I'll let you proceed with your plan, and I'll do my part to protect my people."
"I hope you'll respect my plan, your majesty. I won't interfere with yours, and I expect the same in return. Let's keep our goals in mind and work towards them, without getting in each other's way."
The air was thick with tension as Asher nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Stephania's face. "I understand. I'll respect your boundaries, princess. For now."
At Stephania's palace:
"What just happened?" Stephania asked herself, still trying to process the conversation with Asher.
"How can I agree to marry the King of Vorga, despite knowing his plans to overturn the royal family."
"But what choice do I have? Father would start a war with Vorga without hesitation, and it would destroy our people."
She is doing this to protect your people, to ensure their safety and well-being. And who knows, maybe this marriage will bring her more than just a better life - it could bring her freedom. Freedom from her father's rule, from the limitations of being a princess.
Her inner voice said, "You've always wanted more, Stephania. You've always wanted to make a difference, to have a say in the matters that affect our kingdom. Maybe this marriage is an opportunity for you to gain more power, more influence."
"But can I trust him? well, mother raised a warrior, not a delicate princess. If he failed to keep his promise I will just kill him on his sleep. "
Stephania's lips curled into a cold smile as she thought about the possibilities.
For now, she would play the role of the dutiful bride-to-be. But behind the scenes, she would be working tirelessly to achieve her own goals.