Aleksander Ronchembert inherited his family's duchy at the age of 15, due to the premature loss of his parents. During the war, he became a ruthless man on the battlefield. At such a young age, when the kingdom of Ferval declared war on his kingdom, Khalix, he and the crown prince, Dylan Jouvelon, had to go and fight, leading their troops with cunning and bravery. Thanks to them, they obtained victory, and Ferval had to retreat when Aleksander executed the crown prince of that kingdom. The king of Ferval had no choice but to withdraw if he didn't want to lose other sons or even his own life.
Thanks to this, Aleksander, along with Dylan, were recognized as heroes of the kingdom, but Aleksander earned the nickname "the beast," not only for his great skill in battle but also because of the power he possessed, one that only soldiers have been able to witness on the battlefield. But now, at 24, the king has told him that he should marry, as he is letting his best years pass him by. Therefore, he recommended a marriage with the daughter of the Levallois family. Despite being part of a family of counts, they possess great wealth and are loyal to the crown, so marrying a Levallois would help ensure they remain an important pillar in the kingdom.
Aleksander did not refuse this commitment and accepted it. Thus, the king put Aleksander in contact with Count Levallois to discuss the engagement. Initially, the count had said that his eldest daughter was the most suitable for him, but recently there had been a change of plans. The count explained that his eldest daughter had been behaving unethically and rebelliously, but that his youngest daughter had said she was willing to take her sister's place. Aleksander accepted this change, as the important thing was to marry and for his uncle, the king, to stop bothering him.
Aleksander was in a carriage, wearing a totally dark suit with a cape and hood, as well as a cloth mask that covered half of his face, giving him that appearance that caused fear in others.
"Ciel Levallois, I have seen her little at events, but she is a beauty," comments Dylan, "more so than the eldest."
Dylan, the crown prince, an attractive young blonde with blue eyes, was with him in the carriage, as he was curious to know how that young woman would react when she was introduced to the most feared man in the kingdom.
"Her appearance is the least of it; if I marry, the king will stop bothering me," replies Aleksander.
The carriage stopped at that mansion, and he got out, of course, locking the carriage, because he wouldn't allow Dylan to enter and cause trouble.
"Alek! Hey! AaaLeeeek! The door is stuck," he complains, hitting the door. "Sshh, hey, you, get me out," he says to the guard.
The guard refuses, saying that he has strict orders not to let him out.
Aleksander continues his way towards the mansion, being guided by the butler who was there to receive him. As he passes through the hall, the maids are startled to see him and step aside, bowing their heads. The man was tall, and with that mask covering half of his face, he seemed rougher.
"Did you see his eyes? They are like those of a beast."
"How scary, poor Miss Ciel."
The maids murmur until the butler turns to look at them and signals them to leave.
Finally, they arrive at a private room, where the butler announces his arrival, and the doors open, letting him pass. At his presence, the counts stand up, bowing, as does Ciel. Aleksander directs his gaze to the girl, who keeps her head bowed. Being of higher status, Aleksander must maintain courtesy.
"So, you are my future wife?" he asks, approaching Ciel. "Raise your head," he orders.
Ciel raises her head, looking directly into his eyes, those gray eyes that look at her fiercely, while Aleksander was surprised by the young woman's beautiful blue eyes, but what most catches his attention is that she was able to look at him without fear.
"Your Excellency, answering your question, yes, I am your future wife, Ciel Levallois," she raises her hand. "It is an honor for me to be betrothed to the hero of the kingdom."
Aleksander is surprised by the girl's words, even the counts look at each other, especially because Ciel was able to offer her hand to the Duke. Aleksander delicately takes the young woman's hand, bowing to leave a light kiss on the back of it, even though his lips are hidden under the mask.
"The honor is mine, to have such a beautiful fiancee as you, Miss Levallois," replies Aleksander.
"I am flattered, Your Excellency," she looks away.
"Your Excellency, we are glad to know that you have gotten along well with our Ciel," comments the count. "If you don't mind, may I ask what your plans are for this marriage?"
The count signals him to take a seat, and he does so. Ciel also returns to her place near her mother, who looks a little nervous due to the duke's appearance.
"I know it may be sudden, but I would like the wedding to take place in two weeks," he asks.
"So soon? Why? If it's not a bother to tell us," asks the count.
"I must leave on an expedition, and I would like Miss Levallois to come with me; of course, she will not be exposed to danger," he explains. "It will take me half a year to return, and it would be unfair to make the lady wait so long, as I will not be here to visit her as appropriate, so during the trip we can get to know each other."
"It's too sudden, two weeks to prepare a wedding, the dress, and all that..." worries the countess.
"Don't worry, madam, I will take care of the ceremony and the party; you could help the lady with the dress," replies the duke kindly.
The count and his wife look at each other, speaking in whispers, while Aleksander keeps his gaze on Ciel, who only listens to her parents speak, until the count decides to ask Ciel about it. Ciel turns her gaze towards Aleksander.
"I have no opposition to what Your Excellency asks; as you have said, we will have the opportunity to get to know each other once we are married," she smiles.
"If Ciel agrees, then there is no problem. I will leave this in your hands, Your Excellency, and if you need help, let me know how I can be useful," replies the count.
The rest of the conversation was only about setting the exact date and where the ceremony would take place, to which Aleksander said it would be at the Ronchembert country mansion, as it has a large hall for the banquet, and the garden is perfect for the afternoon ceremony. With everything agreed upon, Aleksander says goodbye to the family, giving one last look to Ciel, who, in his opinion, is a somewhat unusual girl, and apart from Dylan's girlfriend, is the second girl who is not afraid of him, although her presence is very different from that other girl.
Upon leaving the mansion, his escort mentions that the prince has tried to escape from the carriage, which he managed, but they caught up with him before he entered the mansion and was locked back in the carriage. When Aleksander gets into the carriage, he sees Dylan in a corner with his arms crossed and looking at him angrily.
"I'll tell your fiancee that you wet the bed until you were seven years old," he threatens.
"That's precisely why I don't allow you to enter," he looks at him. "And if you speak, I'll tell Miss Ramont that you still sleep with your baby blanket."
"That's a vile lie," he replies, offended.
"But she won't know," he mocks.
Dylan clicks his tongue and turns to look out the window; he was offended because Aleksander didn't let him introduce himself and meet his fiancee.
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