...
Silence fell upon the great hall.
Catherine blinked. "What did you just say?"
Elaric frowned, "What are you implying, son?" He asked, even though he already had a faint idea of why his son was trying to say. Afterall, like father, like son.
Darian stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "The Duke hasn't seen you. He only knows of the 'second daughter' of House Valeborne. That title is… flexible."
Lyanna stiffened.
Marquess Elaric tilted his head, considering. "Go on."
Darian clasped his hands behind his back. "Let her go in Catherine's place. Let her marry the Duke."
Catherine gasped, whirling around. "Are you mad?! You want that... that little wretch to wear my name?!"
"It's not your name," Darian said coolly. "You already wear the Valeborne crest, don't you? Lyanna has no use for it. But she can serve it."
Elaric's eyes narrowed. "And why would she agree to such a thing?" his eyes immediately scanned Lyanna, his eyes burned with the kind of disdain that wanted her gone in an instant.
Darian turned to Lyanna, his gaze piercing. "She came here to beg for her father's life. Let's give her a chance to buy it instead."
Lyanna felt her mouth go dry. "You want me… to take your place? To marry that man?"
"No," Catherine snapped. "He wants you to pretend to be me. Just long enough to fool the Duke. Once you're his, well..." She smiled sweetly. "You're not our problem anymore."
Elaric finally stood, voice cold. "You wanted coin, girl. You wanted shelter. Now earn it."
Lyanna's fists clenched at her sides. Her instincts screamed to run. But her father was dying. This house — this family — had stripped them of everything.
Now, they offered a sliver of hope. Laced with chains.
Darian's voice was softer now. "The Duke gains a bride. We gain freedom. You gain… survival. And even more, the title of Duchess."
Catherine's expression turned sour on hearing the last sentence. Lyanna— a duchess?? There was no way on earth she would want that.
She was about to speak but met Darian's silencing gaze that made her words hook in her throat. Even though they were twins, you could tell who had the authority. And that was Darian.
Lyanna looked between them — her enemies by blood.
Catherine already turned away, as if it were done. Elaric waved his hand dismissively.
But Darian… Darian watched her with that same calculating gaze. Not cruel. Not kind. Just… sharp.
Lyanna swallowed. "I want three things," she said suddenly.
All heads turned.
Catherine snapped, "I'm sorry, I just can't.... I can't do this with you right now. Let me get this straight. First, you soil our precious floors by coming here to...beg. Then, you pester us when we don't agree ..."
Lyanna frowned. When had she ever pestered them? Up until now, she had only spoken a few sentences and didn't pester them. They were the ones who came up with this silly idea.
She only wanted money for her father. But they wanted to marry her off to some old geezer. So, how was she pestering them? In her opinion, she was doing them a favor!
" Then, we finally agree but give you an opportunity to earn your so called favor.... And you begin to lay conditions?? Did you come to beg or order us?"
Catherine was beyond outraged. This was ridiculous. The audacity of this girl. Conditions? She must still be dreaming that she's the young miss of the Vale House.
"Catherine, enough" Elaric scolded. He looked skeptically at Lyanna. "What are your so called.... conditions?"
Lyanna sighed in relief.
"Money. Enough to pay the physicians and get my father out of this land, far away. Second — I want his safety guaranteed. No assassins, no blades in the dark."
Elaric scoffed. "And the third?"
She met Darian's gaze evenly. "I keep my real name. If I'm going to die in that man's bed, I'll die as Lyanna Vale. Not Catherine."
A pause.
Then, to her surprise, Darian smiled — barely. "Deal. But we will only perform the first and third conditions. As for his safety, you don't need to worry if you haven't done anything to be afraid of, do you?"
Lyanna thought about it for a moment. Two out of three conditions was a great deal. As for the third condition, she could use her influence as the duchess when married to transport her father to a safer place and keep him safe and healthy there.
This deal was not bad.
"Deal". Lyanna squared her shoulders. She had entered this house in rags, but now, she was the one holding the reins.
Catherine's lips curled. "You'll regret this."
"I already do," Lyanna murmured.
...
Thus, the pawn was placed on the board — not to be sacrificed, but to strike.
Yet Lyanna Vale had no idea just how fierce the storm ahead would be.
....