Chapter 5

That night's dinner seemed to be even more awkward than that morning's breakfast. Lady Arabel's expression was in every case a great warning, to whom? Well, let's say to her second son, to whom she was considering a scolding after those strong words shared at their previous meeting

The woman could be said to have been obsessed with arranging a marriage for her son herself, as her mother had done with her and her siblings years before. However, Caspian was not Roland and Cassandra was not her. Sometimes she wondered, apart from that hair as black as night, what other quality had either of them inherited from her, because it seemed that all of her late husband's rebellious attitude had taken root in her entire being and that was unpleasant to her

The atmosphere of the place was not the best and Caspian at some point felt sorry that the content of the letter sent by Florian was so light and did not take much time because if it had been so then he would have had a good excuse to skip dinner

— Duke — the butler gave her an exquisite bow and Cassandra let out an embarrassing laugh

— Cassandra — Mrs. Dimitrov scolded her and the girl looked half-way similar, after that the attention was directed to Caspian — How was your day? — she asked suspiciously

— Nothing new from me if that's what you want to know — exclaimed the man — and if with that question you mean some event let me tell you mother that Duke Romain's letter was just a joke from Florian — the lady cut a piece of steak stubbornly

— Master Florian is coming to see us again? — Cassandra's excited voice echoed and Caspian had a headache. It was public knowledge that his mother had at some point in her life tried to turn Cassandra into a Romain, first setting her daughter up to woo Duke Alexander and then with an easier target like Florian, it was a misfortune for Caspian that the girl had been rejected on both occasions, of course with the elegant upbringing that classifies the Romain

— No — said Caspian, making his sister frown — Florian is too busy and harassed by the sun to go out for a walk around our lands — or so he thought, but the invitation he received from him had put him in doubt

— It's a pity, we haven't heard from him for a long time — Lady Arabel spoke after a while — In my opinion, it is very rude of him not to visit our house even though you seem to love the Romain duchy — Caspian stopped eating and looked at his mother

The Romains were no more or less noble than the Dimitrovs, both came from pure-blooded descent from the warriors of the north, one could even say that they were close families, only that the previous Emperor in a bad exercise of power had crowned Albert Romain, grandfather of Florian, as the husband of one of his favorite daughters and according to the aristocracy the Romain duchy had taken a higher level than the Dimitrovs, which led his father to believe that the family that had always been his friend would become an enemy and the choice of the youngest daughter of the Romains over Cassandra Dimitrov for the position of Empress would make things even worse

— My mother speaks bitterly even though she knows Florian's innovative personality — Casian had begun to get upset

— Innovative personality, just nonsense for his erratic behavior. You should teach Mr. Romain a little more about ducal education — Cassandra made an unrefined noise as she dropped her fork on her plate

— I regret to inform my mother that Florian is not the duke of the Romain family, it is Alexander, and unless he dies soon I do not think that Florian will ever become a duke — firstly because he hated that position

— Duchess Romain — Cassandra interrupted — That title is not nice — Lady Dimitrov frowned bitterly

— I remind my sister that Lady Danielle already occupies it — there was a warning that embittered Cassandra

— They always choose the less fortunate to take large families. Lady Danielle is a scared mouse all the time, the other day I ran into her at a ball and she was as usual in a corner with her servant. The poor thing is not funny — Cassandra mocked

— Alexander has chosen her as his wife and the late duke accepted her in life so on this subject there is nothing to talk about. You better show respect for the duchess as much as for the daughter of the Romain — Cassandra had finished

— It's one last one — he asked permission which Caspian accepted and left

The table fell silent again. Caspian asked the butler for a glass of his favorite drink and Lady Dimitrov asked her son to leave for a more private place

The main room welcomed them with the warmth that night had in it. Arabel Dimitrov drank his infusion as every day while Caspian watched her from the window

— It's time to find Cassandra a husband again — the lady said — She's of a certain age and I don't want to hear people's gossip — it was a scared whisper. Caspian understood her, when her father abandoned her she had become the diamond of society and not for the better as her mother always wanted

— Do you have anyone in mind? — I ask

— The second prince is still a single man and the Empress has decided to start looking for a wife for him. Although Cassandra has not become Empress, she may have a future as a Princess — Caspian thought about it

— No — he denied feverishly — I have heard and known the personality of the second Prince and I can say that he is not the husband that a brother would want for his sister — Lady Dimitrov frowned

— What does it matter about your highness's personality? Cassandra would be happy to become a Princess. Since she was a child, she has always dreamed of living in the Royal Castle and carrying the Royal family name. Are you going to deny your sister that opportunity? The opportunity for her future children to be princes and princesses, or in the best case even Emperors? — Lady Arabel did not stop. — Are you thinking of getting your sister a marriage for love and not for convenience? — For a second, Caspian's headache returned

— Love in aristocratic marriages has become a great taboo and I know that my mother wants the best for her only daughter but marrying my sister to a man who practically lives in a brothel and who was punished several times by his own father for committing wrong actions against his brother I do not think is the best decision I can make. Cassandra is still young and there are many more men for her within society — Lady Dimitrov mocked

— As good as a Prince? — I ask

— Men with morals, mother, men who will not have their only daughter suffer any perjury. I will let Cassandra meet a certain list of gentlemen whom I have in mind, if none are to her liking and the Prince's idea prefers her more then I will allow you to make arrangements with the Empress — Lady Dimitrov was tempted to reject that offer but knowing Caspian she knew it was impossible

—It will be in vain because I know Cassandra perfectly but everything is for your peace of mind —Caspian was glad at the apparent end of the conversation

— About your marriage.. — No

— My mother must be tired by now, so I'd better go back to rest. Unfortunately, I won't be able to accompany her tonight. I have some paperwork to finish — Lady Dimitrov smiled suspiciously candidly

— The topic may be closed for now but in three days I will host a dinner with all the future fiancées I have in mind, I hope to see your participation — Caspian smiling without saying anything and Arabel left leaving a vain greeting

As soon as Lady left, Caspian ran to his office. Closing the doors and taking his place at his desk, he refused to sleep late at night and devoted himself to completing certain tasks, including a pleasant reply to Florian, who would be delighted to read the letter from his great friend

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