"I refuse your offer."
Clint's voice echoed cold through the room, firm as steel.
Iris stared at him in silence for a few moments. Her gaze burned like embers, but when she finally spoke, her words were calm and calculated.
"Refuse?" she repeated, leaning forward as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard. "Do you have any idea what you're throwing away?"
The only sound filling the silence was the faint crackle of the candle flame on the table.
The princess's eyes gleamed with something between anger and amusement.
"Marriage with me is not just an alliance," she continued, her sweet tone dripping with venom.
"It would be Duke Ravenhart—the most powerful duke in Kamira—offering his heir as the next king of Kamira. You would have the throne. You would have the power to change the world. The mightiest army on the continent under your command. The respect of all… even of the neighboring kingdoms."
She paused, letting the weight of her words sink into Clint's mind.
Then she lifted her chin, as if ready to deliver the final blow.
"Tell me… what more could someone like you possibly desire beyond that?"
Clint held her gaze without blinking. The frost in his eyes stood as a wall against such temptation. He answered, simple and direct:
"Love, princess. I'm in love with another woman."
A mocking laugh slipped from Iris's lips. She looked him over from head to toe, as if he were a naïve child speaking of fairy tales.
"Love?" she repeated with derision. "The Duke may have dragged you out of the streets, but it seems he forgot to teach you how the world really works. People like us don't have the right to such luxuries, Clint. We don't marry for love. We marry for power, for convenience, for politics."
Silence fell between them like a sword drawn from its sheath. Then, slowly, she rose to her feet, the shadow of her dress stretching across the floor.
"I will await your father's proposal of marriage," she said, each word laced with veiled threat. "Reconsider your decision. Because if you don't… I fear you won't survive the consequences."
She took a few steps toward the door. Before crossing it, she turned her face slightly, without meeting his eyes.
"Oh… and as for your beloved," her voice came soft, almost a whisper, "she will soon learn not to stand in my way."
The door shut behind her with a dry thud.
Clint remained seated, staring at the untouched food on the table. His mind was boiling.
Love? Did I really say that?
He clenched his fists.
I need to learn how to lie better… much better.
He grabbed the wine glass, took a long drink, and finally stood up.
Iris's words still echoed in his mind as he descended the stairs.
In the hall, Alucard was waiting, leaning against a column, a smile of sarcasm on his lips.
"Courting the princess of Kamira, are you?" he teased, laughing softly.
Clint shot him a murderous glare.
"This isn't funny, Alucard," he replied, voice dry as ice. "It's more serious than it looks."
Alucard raised an eyebrow, surprised by his tone.
"Serious, then?" he chuckled again, still mocking.
Clint wasted no time.
"I need someone to pretend to be the love of my life," he said at once, his voice cold as winter.
The laughter caught in Alucard's throat. He went silent for a moment, then burst out into louder laughter.
"The love of your life? You?" He shook his head, incredulous. "Tell me you didn't actually say that to her."
Clint didn't answer. He simply stared at him—his silence saying more than words ever could.
Alucard stopped laughing. His expression grew more serious.
"You really said it…"
Clint finally spoke:
"Iris wants to marry me. She dug into my past and is blackmailing me. That was the only excuse I could come up with at the time."
Alucard laughed again, though this time the sound was strange—almost bitter.
"You? Marrying for love?" he provoked, narrowing his eyes. "I just can't picture you as that kind of man."
Clint cut him off, his voice sharp with frost.
"What's so funny? Do you think I'm incapable of love?"
Alucard held his gaze for a few seconds before shrugging.
"That's not it," he replied. "I just think you were born for greater things than wasting time with feelings. In fact… why not just accept her offer?"
Clint kept silent. He didn't need to speak. His look alone was enough for Alucard to realize he was pressing too close to a dangerous line.
"I see…" Alucard muttered, stepping back slightly. "Forgive me."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"But back to the matter… why not use your maid? Emylle. She's beautiful, always at your side, clearly loyal. It would be convincing."
Clint closed his eyes for a moment before answering.
"No. Iris isn't naïve. She'll try to eliminate any rival. Emylle can't die… not yet."
Alucard smiled, pleased by the reasoning.
"In that case, only two options remain: invent something unlikely—which she'll uncover easily… or use someone who already has ties to you."
Clint thought for a few seconds until a memory surfaced.
"There's a girl. Iris Vossen. Daughter of a noblewoman close to my father. She tried to get close to me when I took etiquette lessons with her mother. She's clever. She'll realize I plan to use her. But she's smart enough to accept the risk in exchange for a chance to approach the Ravenhart family."
Alucard's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Then it's decided. Your beloved will be Iris Vossen."
Clint stood, resolved.
"I need to plan my next steps. Thank you for the help."
He turned and walked down the corridor. His footsteps echoed until they vanished into the distance.
Alucard remained where he stood, staring at the place where Clint had disappeared.
The smile on his lips wasn't one of joy, but of someone deeply dissatisfied with what had just transpired.
"Did you hear that, John?" he whispered softly. "Our boy doesn't intend to become king. That needs to be… corrected."
From the shadows behind the column, a figure materialized.
A tall man, cloaked in dark garments that blended with the dimness. His hair and eyes were black as night. He knelt before Alucard, head bowed.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
His voice was deep, steeped in obedience. One hand rested on the medium-length sword at his waist, as if already awaiting the order to strike.
Alucard smiled in the darkness.
"The game has only just begun."