Vivienne Eiswald... also known as the Cold Villainess of Eiswald Dukedom Known to Kill anyone who dare to even speak of her name without respect.....
"Sigh....El Why did that piece of shit Father of mine forcing me to marry that witch" Alistair asked his maid Eleanor who was with him on the carriage to Eiswald dukedom.
Eleanor, a woman of quiet composure, adjusted the silk curtain beside her seat in the carriage. Her gaze remained steady as she met Alistair's frustration.
"My Prince, your father's decision is final," she stated simply, her voice even and devoid of judgment.
"The Duke of Eiswald has sent envoys to confirm the arrangements. They await your arrival at the ducal manor."
Eleanor after leaving the palace with Alistair changed her demeanor to that of a proper maid.
'It's annoying how she decides to change back to s prim and proper maid in front of others' Alistair thought with a grumble.
The journey wasn't without a few unneeded addition afterall.
The carriage rumbled over another stone bridge, the rhythmic clatter of hooves against cobblestones filling the brief silence between them. Outside the window, rolling hills gave way to dense forests that marked the border between their kingdoms.
"The Duchess-to-be is known for her... particular temperament," Eleanor continued carefully, choosing her words with precision. "Her reputation precedes her even in our capital. They say she has no tolerance for disrespect or weakness."
Alistair scoffed, running a hand through his dark hair in exasperation.
Eleanor's lips curved into a faint smile at Alistair's dismissive sound. She reached across the carriage interior to smooth down a crease in his velvet tunic.
"Such confidence from someone about to meet one of the most dangerous women in the kingdom," she remarked dryly, though her eyes held warmth rather than reproach.
"I've heard stories about Vivienne Eiswald since I was a girl. They say she once had a stable boy flogged for looking at her horse incorrectly."
The carriage slowed as they approached a grand iron gate guarded by two heavily armored soldiers bearing Eiswald's crest—a silver eagle with bared talons. The gate swung open slowly, revealing a long gravel driveway leading to a castle that looked more like a fortress than a ducal residence.
"Your Highness, we have arrived," Eleanor announced quietly, gathering her skirts as she prepared to exit behind him.
"Remember what your father instructed - diplomacy first."
"Alright, alright, I won't kill anyone," Alistair replied, his tone dripping with indifference as he stepped out of the carriage. The cool breeze rustled through the air, carrying the scent of damp earth and impending rain.
He squinted against the sunlight, surveying the imposing castle that loomed before him.The guards stood rigid, their expressions unreadable as they acknowledged his presence.
Alistair felt the weight of their scrutiny but shrugged it off, his mind already wandering to the comforts of wine and the tranquility of his own space.
Eleanor followed closely behind, her demeanor a calm contrast to his casual dismissal.
"You know, My Prince," she said, her voice steady as they walked toward the entrance, "diplomacy doesn't always mean the absence of strength. Sometimes, a show of restraint can be just as powerful."
"Restraint," he echoed, rolling his eyes.
"How utterly tedious."
As they reached the heavy wooden doors, a servant stepped forward to pull them open. The interior of the manor was lavishly adorned, with tapestries depicting the history of the Eiswald family hanging on the walls. Alistair stifled a yawn, already feeling the encroaching boredom of formalities.
"Welcome to the Eiswald Dukedom, Prince Alistair," a voice called from the shadows, drawing his attention. Emerging with a poised grace was Vivienne, her striking red hair cascading around her shoulders like a fiery waterfall.
Her piercing red eyes locked onto his with an intensity that sent a shiver through him, stirring an unfamiliar interest beneath his indolent facade.
"Your reputation precedes you, Lady Vivienne," he replied nonchalantly, though he couldn't help but notice the way her presence seemed to fill the room.
"I trust you are prepared to uphold the responsibilities that come with our union?" she asked, her voice smooth and controlled, betraying none of the lethal prowess rumored to lie beneath her calm exterior.Alistair merely shrugged, glancing around the opulent hall as if searching for an escape.
"I suppose. Just don't expect me to polish the silverware."
Vivienne's expression remained unchanged, but there was a flicker of something in her gaze—perhaps a hint of amusement or challenge.
"I would expect nothing less from you, Prince Alistair."
With that, she motioned for him to follow, leading him deeper into the heart of the Eiswald castle, where the true complexities of their alliance awaited.
"Hmmm... You look better than I thought Alistair would say"
Vivienne paused, turning slightly to face Alistair, a subtle arch of her brow indicating her surprise. "Is that so?" she replied, her voice smooth yet laced with a hint of curiosity.
"I was under the impression that my reputation had overshadowed the reality of my appearance.
"Alistair's indifference was a mask he wore well, but there was something about Vivienne that piqued his interest, if only for a fleeting moment.
He leaned against the stone wall casually, allowing a smirk to play at the corners of his mouth. "It's mostly the stories that paint you as a demon in a silk dress.
I expected a creature more suited for the shadows.
"Vivienne's lips curled into a small smile, revealing a glimpse of the ironclad determination beneath her composed exterior.
"And yet here I stand, very much in the light. Perhaps it is time to reconsider what you know of me, Prince Alistair."
She continued down the hall, the echoes of their footsteps resonating in the lavishly decorated corridor. Alistair followed, his mind drifting to the implications of their union.
A marriage of convenience, yes, but one that could shift the balance of power in ways he had yet to fully explore.
"Don't get too comfortable," he warned, his voice playful yet edged with an undertone of seriousness.
"I do have a talent for annihilation, after all."
Vivienne glanced back at him, her expression unyielding. "And I have my own talents, Prince. You would do well to remember that."
As they approached a grand dining hall, the scent of roasted meats and fine spices wafted through the air, momentarily distracting him from the weight of their situation.
Perhaps this union would not be entirely devoid of intrigue after all.
"So Lady Vivian What made you decide to marry me Someone considered a literal devil in human skin" I asked in curiosity trying to predict her true nature.
Vivienne's laughter filled the cavernous dining hall, a surprisingly melodious sound that contrasted sharply with her ruthless reputation. She stopped beside the long oak table set with golden platters and crystal goblets.
"You mean?" she repeated, turning to face Alistair fully. Her red eyes sparkled with genuine amusement as she studied his bewildered expression.
"My dear prince, did you truly believe your father would allow such a… *delicate* flower as myself to be left unmarried? The political pressure was immense."
She glided toward a chair at the head of the table, gesturing for him to sit opposite her. Servants moved silently to pour wine into their goblets.
"Besides," Vivienne added, taking a delicate sip of her drink while observing him over the rim of her cup.
"Our fathers signed this agreement years ago when we were children barely old enough to walk. It's merely the culmination of their ambitions."
Alistair's mind raced at the revelation, his expression shifting from casual intrigue to genuine annoyance. 'When we were children? That damn old man!'
The weight of the arranged marriage pressed down on him like a leaden shroud.
"How charming," he said dryly, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed.
"So I was merely a pawn in a game neither of us chose to play? I should thank my father for this delightful turn of events."
Vivienne regarded him with a cool, steady gaze, unperturbed by his sarcasm.
"You may choose to see it that way, but this union serves a purpose beyond our individual desires," she replied, her tone unwavering.
"The stability of our kingdoms relies on it, and both our families have much to gain."
Alistair scoffed, swirling the dark liquid in his goblet. "Stability? Is that what you call being shackled to a *living bomb*?" He could feel his indifference beginning to crack, the thought of being tied to a woman whose reputation for ruthlessness almost rivaled his own stirring something deep within him.
"Perhaps," Vivienne said thoughtfully, her voice smooth as silk. "But every bomb must have a fuse, and perhaps together we can ensure it doesn't detonate at all. Or at least, I can keep you from using it recklessly."
A flicker of interest sparked in his eyes. "You think you can control me, Lady Vivienne?"
Her lips curled into a faint smile, unyielding and confident. "I don't intend to control you, Alistair. I intend to match you, to be your equal in all things. Perhaps that will keep the chaos at bay—and allow you to see that there's more to life than mere annihilation."
As she spoke, Alistair found himself captivated by her audacity.
It was a challenge, one that stirred the lethargy within him.
Perhaps this union was not merely an annoyance after all; it might be the spark he needed to stir his indifference and push the boundaries of boredom he so desperately sought to avoid.
"Very well, Lady Vivienne," he said, raising his goblet in a mock toast.
"Let's see if we can dance this delicate dance without stepping on each other's toes."
Their eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them—a promise that this marriage would be anything but ordinary.