The dim glow of candlelight flickered across the grand study, casting long shadows over the heavy mahogany table where Karlheinz sat, his eyes as cold and calculating as ever. Across from him, Richard Weston—a powerful and influential businessman—smiled confidently, though there was a nervous edge beneath his composure.
Karlheinz leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "So, Mr. Weston, what makes you think this merger will be beneficial to both our families?"
Richard shifted slightly but kept his tone steady. "My business empire has grown strong, but with the influence of your family, it could become unstoppable. Together, we can control the financial future of trade"
Karlheinz raised an eyebrow, considering. "And in return, what do you offer me that I cannot take for myself?"
Richard smiled, the gleam of ambition in his eyes. "An alliance—bound by blood. My daughter, Annette, will marry into your family. A union between our houses that will solidify our partnership for generations to come."
There was a brief silence, and then Karl Heinz's smile sharpened. "You propose to offer your daughter to me?"
The businessman's eyes widened for a split second before he regained his composure. "Ah, no... I apologize for the confusion, Lord Karl Heinz. My offer is for your heir—Shuu, your oldest son. I believe he has come the age, and so has Annette. She would be a fitting bride for him, and together they could secure the legacy of both our families."
Karl's expression remained unreadable, but behind his eyes, a thousand calculations unfolded. Shuu—the son who carried the burden of being the eldest, yet who had always been so indifferent to the power and expectations thrust upon him.
"This could be... interesting," Karlheinz mused aloud. "Though I wonder how Shuu will feel about this arrangement. He is... difficult to persuade."
Richard gave a nervous chuckle. "I'm sure your influence will help guide his decision."
Karlheinz leaned forward slightly, his gaze narrowing. "Influence... yes. But let us not forget, Mr. Weston—once a deal is struck with my family, there is no turning back."
The weight of the unspoken threat hung heavy in the room, but Richard Weston simply nodded, his confidence returning. "I understand, Lord Heinz. The merger will happen. Annette will marry your son, and both our legacies will endure."
Karlheinz stood, the conversation clearly over. "Then it is decided. We will discuss the finer details at a later time."
As the doors of the grand study closed behind the businessman, Karl Heinz's smile slipped into a pensive frown. The foolish human truly believed that offering his daughter to this family would secure their future. How naive. No, the Weston girl would merely be a sacrificial bride. The ennui had set in, introducing a meaningless piece into the game would liven things up. The bride would choose her groom—whether it be him or one of his sons….that is if she manage to make it out alive…