When Andrew arrived at his classroom, he was greeted by Manuel Carter and Alejandro Jones.
—Good afternoon, sir —Manuel greeted respectfully.
Andrew turned his gaze toward Alejandro, known as the second strongest in the academy, and asked:—Have you considered my proposal?
—Yes, my lord —Alejandro replied firmly—. I have decided to accept it. I want to become your royal knight. However, I would like to make a request, and I hope you will consider it.
Andrew frowned slightly, intrigued. —Very well, let's find a private place to talk.
As they walked away, Andrew asked:—What is it about?
Alejandro did not hesitate:—If possible, I would like to organize a group to eliminate the Douglas family. It is necessary to put an end to the evil they have brought upon the kingdom.
Andrew stopped, turned to him, and looked at him with disdain. —Listen, right now it is impossible to start a conflict. The Empire has already taken full control of the kingdom of Sylveria, and its eyes are set on our territory. Any rash move would put everything we defend at risk.
—I understand, my lord —Alejandro replied respectfully, lowering his head—. I apologize for my boldness. In that case, I would like to request your help in canceling Emily Carter's engagement to Lusian, a union imposed by the Douglas that forced the Carters to yield to their demands.
Andrew sighed, carefully evaluating the situation.—I will speak with my father to see how we can intervene, but I cannot promise anything.
—Thank you, my lord. I appreciate your willingness —said Alejandro—. Even so, I remain very interested in joining your ranks and serving you with loyalty.
Elsewhere in the academy, Elizabeth walked alongside Lorenzo Denisse, who persistently courted her.
—Princess Elizabeth, please accept the proposal my family has made to you. I promise we will be very happy together —pleaded Lorenzo.
Elizabeth frowned, visibly irritated.—I am not interested in someone like you. This is the fourth time I've told you. If you continue with this useless persistence, there will be serious consequences —she warned firmly.
—Oh, my beloved princess, please give me the chance to enter your heart —Lorenzo insisted desperately. (You'll see, arrogant princess, sooner or later the Empire will destroy this kingdom, and when that day comes, you will beg for my help. I will make you my slave… and I will do whatever I want with you.)
—I do not see you as someone worthy, and your family lacks sufficient prestige. So disappear from my sight or I will make you fly —Elizabeth declared coldly.
When Lorenzo finally left, Elizabeth entered a room and ordered her retinue to secure privacy. There, a young man with yellow eyes was waiting for her, watching with a serious expression.
—Why did you call me, princess? —Lusian asked.
—Don't you like being alone with me, Lusian? You're so cruel —Elizabeth said with a playful smile. (God, he's starting to get to me, and I have very little resistance to his charm.)
—Please, get to the point. If we are discovered, we will have problems —Lusian replied dryly.
—But isn't it fun? —Elizabeth teased.
—No —Lusian answered without emotion.
—You're boring. But if you want to know, I'll tell you. My father is very grateful because you saved my brother's life. He asked me to give you a gift —Elizabeth explained.
—Oh really? Where is my supposed gift? —Lusian asked, raising an eyebrow.
Elizabeth leaned close to his ear and whispered:—Don't you see your gift is right beside you? Or am I not a good enough gift for you?
—That's enough. Let's get to the point. Why did you summon me? —Lusian insisted. (I think I'm reaching my limit.)
—Oh, look how adorable you are when you try to hide your embarrassment —Elizabeth teased, revealing a delicate box and handing it to him.
Lusian opened the box cautiously, distrustful.—Are you proposing marriage to me? You know perfectly well that the blood of the Douglas and the Erkham cannot be mixed —he said, locking eyes with her, trying to counterattack and embarrass the princess.
Elizabeth did not look away.—That is something we might be able to change together.
—Damn it… what does this ring do? —Lusian asked, touching it carefully.
With a victorious smile, Elizabeth explained:—It is a mythical artifact that enhances the dark magic you use. It reduces mana consumption and increases the damage of your attacks. It's a shame you can't train with it in the academy, but you can try it whenever you want.
Lusian stood up, ready to leave, but Elizabeth did not let him go. She kept bothering him until Andrew burst into the room.
—I've caught you, Lusian Douglas! Take your hands off her, bastard! —Andrew shouted.
—Can't you see your sister is the one harassing me? —Lusian shot back with a sarcastic smile—. That's why you're a useless prince.
—Don't make excuses. If you keep this up, you'll have to marry my sister —Andrew threatened.
Elizabeth tightened her grip around Lusian's neck.—See, Lusian? Now you'll have to take responsibility for me —she said with a mischievous smile.
—Enough! Umber, get me out of here —Lusian pleaded, quickly mounting his beast and escaping the room, leaving Elizabeth and Andrew alone.
—It's fine to play with him, but be careful not to go too far —Andrew advised with a sigh.
—Play? Who said I was playing? —Elizabeth replied with a defiant smile.
Andrew looked at her seriously.—Do you really intend to form a relationship with Lusian? You know the Douglas and Erkham families cannot unite by marriage. That rule has existed since the founding of the kingdom, and breaking it would interfere with the roles each family fulfills.
—But Lusian is not the heir —Elizabeth argued—. Technically, it's possible.
(Are you really considering this?)—You know perfectly well Caleb is the obstacle. The duchess will never allow anyone but her son to inherit the duchy —Andrew replied.
—Then I will renounce the Erkham name and become the future Duchess of Douglas —Elizabeth declared without a hint of doubt.
Andrew blinked, incredulous.(...)—If you insist on that madness, help me with something, sister. Do you know Alejandro Jones? —he asked.
—The survivor of the traitors' family? —Elizabeth replied, raising an eyebrow.
—That's right. He wants to become a royal knight, but he also requested the annulment of the engagement between Lusian and Emily —Andrew explained.
Elizabeth smiled with interest.—I don't know Alejandro personally, but I already like him. Still… it won't be easy to break that engagement.
—My father cannot intervene directly against the Douglas. I need you to ask mother to speak with Duchess Sofía and try to cancel the arrangement. You're her favorite, after all —Andrew said.
—Look who's talking: the spoiled child of the kingdom —Elizabeth replied.
—By the way —Andrew added calmly—, I forgot to mention that Alejandro initially proposed a crusade to eliminate all the Douglas.
Elizabeth's eyes flashed with a mix of surprise and disdain.—That insolent man doesn't know his place. We should kill him before he causes problems.
—There's no need. He's a talent worth using. Keep in mind he has already surpassed three ducal heirs —Andrew pointed out.
—Two —Elizabeth corrected him proudly—. Lusian will put him in his place. Did you see him fight? Do you know how strong he is?
—Yes, I saw him —Andrew admitted—. And I'll be honest: I could lose in a duel against him. I'll have to make it clear that he shouldn't challenge me until he finishes the academy. At the very least, I want to graduate as number one.