Episode 20

The party ended just as Sol had envisioned it. It seemed to be love at first sight. Sol had made sure everything unfolded exactly as she had once seen. The Duke was irritated by the situation because the King sent him taunting glances whenever he could.

Sebastian: Laugh now, cursed King, for he who laughs last laughs best.

The Duke was confident his daughter wouldn't be foolish enough to fall so easily into the clutches of that prince. She had told him she deserved better, and that gave him some peace of mind.

Neither the Duchess nor her daughter were pleased, for they believed themselves victorious after having danced with the prince and having presented him to their father. But ever since the prince left Sandra with the King, he had vanished.

The prince spent the rest of the dance by Sol's side, and Sandra could not leave the King's presence without any reason, since he kept engaging her in conversation.

The next morning, first thing, a letter arrived at the duchy. It requested an engagement between the Duke's daughter and the crown prince. It also emphasized that he should honor his word.

Curses could be heard from the office, something the Duke had never done before, leaving many with their mouths agape.

Sebastian: Damned son of a bitch, I'll cut off his balls and make him swallow them, then I’ll shoot him in the head, mince him up, and dissolve him in acid. Perverted pedophile bastard, to want to marry off a girl to a womanizer older than my princess, no, over my dead body.

That’s when the Duchess and her daughter learned of the marriage proposal, and it was clear that the requested engagement was for Sol; otherwise, the Duke wouldn't be so furious.

Sandra: Mother, it can't be that that damned girl so easily won over the prince; I saw him first.

Sandra, as usual, threw a tantrum before her mother, especially now that she had been defeated by her stepsister.

Maricela: I know, dear, but we have in our favor that the Duke doesn’t agree; perhaps I can convince him for you to be the fiancee.

Sandra: No, Mother, the King won't allow it; I'm almost sure that his chatting was just so I wouldn’t trouble his son with that wretched girl. He was aiding the prince.

Maricela: Then we’ll do it the hard way, even if it means killing that fool. Besides, get ready for when he comes to see that wretched girl, you will take the chance to seduce him and play the victim whenever you can.