The Roselle Duchy looked like someone had organized a kingdom at sword-point.
Marcus's carriage rolled through streets that were too clean, too orderly, too perfectly aligned.
Every building stood at attention. Every citizen moved with purpose.
Even the decorative flowers were arranged in military formation.
"It's very... efficient," Marcus muttered.
The driver nodded grimly.
"Duke Roselle believed order was strength. The Duchess continues his legacy."
Duke Roselle, deceased four years ago. Catarina's father.
She'd inherited at twenty-two, Marcus recalled from his research.
That must have been fun.
The ducal palace rose ahead like a fortress pretending to be a noble residence.
All sharp angles and defensive positions.
Beautiful in a "don't mess with us" sort of way.
Marcus was here on official business.
Theodore's engagement to Liliana Roselle had been arranged since childhood.
As the older brother, Marcus needed to make a formal visit.
In reality, he wanted to scope out Theodore's second destined heroine.
The carriage stopped.
A footman opened the door with mechanical precision.
"Lord Marcus Aldridge," a steward announced.
"Welcome to the Roselle Duchy."
Before Marcus could respond, a blur of pink silk and blonde ringlets crashed into his field of vision.
"You're Theodore's brother!
Oh my goodness, you're finally here! I've been waiting forever!"
Marcus barely dodged the enthusiastic greeting.
The girl was maybe fourteen, pretty in a china doll way, bouncing with energy that seemed illegal in such a serious place.
"Lady Liliana, I presume?"
"That's me! Isn't it exciting? A formal visit! I had them prepare the west ballroom.
We simply must have a welcome party.
Do you think Theodore likes pink?
I ordered pink decorations but then I thought maybe blue?
He likes swords, right? Do swords have a color preference?"
Marcus's brain struggled to keep up. "I don't think swords have color preferences."
"But Theodore must! Everyone has preferences!
I prefer pink, obviously. And pearls.
Do you think Theodore likes pearls?"
"Theodore barely notices jewelry exists."
"How practical! Though a bit boring, isn't it?
Not boring! I didn't mean boring! Just... focused? Is focused the right word?"
Marcus was developing a headache. Liliana talked like punctuation was optional.
"My sister says I talk too much," Liliana continued without pause.
"But how else are people supposed to know what I'm thinking?
Sister never says anything at all. Well, not nothing. She says important things.
Political things. Boring things. Not boring! Important!"
The steward cleared his throat gently. "Lady Liliana, perhaps Lord Marcus would like to settle in?"
"Oh! Right! You must be exhausted!
The journey from the capital is so long! I made them prepare the blue guest suite.
Or was it the green one? Does it matter? They're both lovely!"
Marcus smiled weakly. This girl was Theodore's fiancee?
Theodore, who communicated in grunts and sword terminology?
Theodore, who found rocks more interesting than people?
This engagement was doomed.
✧✧✧
The Duchess's office was everything Liliana wasn't: quiet, organized, intimidating.
Marcus sat in a chair that cost more than most houses.
The room around him screamed "competence and power."
Maps covered one wall. Documents stacked with perfect precision.
Not a single decorative element that didn't serve a purpose.
Duchess Catarina Roselle sat behind her desk like a general planning war.
She was beautiful. Marcus had to acknowledge that first.
Auburn hair styled with mathematical precision.
Emerald green eyes that could cut glass. A face that belonged on currency.
But it was her presence that really struck him. She wore authority like armor.
"Lord Marcus. Thank you for accepting our invitation."
Her voice was smooth, controlled, professional.
"Duchess Roselle. The honor is mine."
"Please, let's skip the formalities. We both know this is about Theodore and Liliana's engagement." She pulled out a document.
"I've reviewed the terms. Everything appears in order."
Marcus blinked. They'd been in the room thirty seconds and she was already on business.
"I appreciate your efficiency."
"Time is valuable. I see no reason to waste it." She glanced at the document.
"The engagement was arranged twelve years ago.
Theodore has shown excellent progress at the academy.
Liliana is receiving appropriate education for a noble lady."
"She seems very... energetic."
"Liliana is spirited." Catarina's tone suggested this was a diplomatic understatement.
"She requires guidance in matters of propriety."
"And Theodore requires guidance in matters of basic human interaction."
The ghost of a smile touched Catarina's lips. "Then they have that in common."
Marcus found himself relaxing slightly. Under the ice, there was actual personality.
"I'll be direct, Lord Marcus. This engagement benefits both families politically.
The Aldridge name gains connection to military strength.
The Roselle duchy gains ties to central nobility."
"Very practical."
"Practicality is essential." She set down the document.
"However, I'm aware that arranged marriages work best when the parties involved are at least compatible."
"Theodore and Liliana don't seem very compatible."
"No, they don't." Catarina folded her hands. "But that's a problem for future consideration. For now, we maintain the alliance."
Marcus studied her carefully.
Perfect posture. Perfect diction. Perfect political mask.
But his life coach senses were screaming.
The way she held her shoulders, just slightly too rigid.
The faint shadows under her eyes, expertly concealed with makeup.
The precise control of every micro-expression.
This wasn't perfection. This was exhaustion pretending to be perfection.
"How long have you been ruling the duchy?" Marcus asked.
"Four years, two months."
"That's young to inherit such responsibility."
"My father prepared me thoroughly." No emotion in her voice.
"Thoroughly doesn't mean easily."
Catarina's mask flickered. Just for a second. "It was necessary."
"Necessary isn't the same as manageable."
"Lord Marcus, I assure you I am managing perfectly well."
But she wasn't. Marcus could see it in the way her left hand clenched slightly.
The way her breathing was too controlled, like she was manually managing something that should be automatic.
"I'm sure you are," Marcus said carefully. "Managing a duchy while raising a younger sister can't be simple though."
"Liliana is my responsibility.
As are the fifty thousand citizens of this duchy.
As are the military forces that protect the eastern border."
Her voice remained level. Professional. "I handle my responsibilities."
"I don't doubt that you do."
"Why do I feel like you're analyzing me?"
Marcus winced. Too perceptive. "Old habit. Sorry."
"Are you a student of psychology?"
"Something like that."
Catarina regarded him with those sharp green eyes.
"You're different than your reputation suggests."
"People change."
"Do they? How convenient." She stood, signaling the meeting's end.
"I'll have staff show you to your quarters.
Dinner is at seven. Formal attire."
Marcus stood as well. "Thank you for your hospitality."
"It's politically necessary." She walked him to the door.
"Lord Marcus?"
"Yes?"
"Whatever analysis you're conducting, keep it to yourself." Her tone was ice again.
"I don't appreciate being studied like a project."
The door closed firmly behind him.
Marcus stood in the hallway, processing.
Catarina Roselle was exactly what the novel described: perfect, competent, untouchable.
She was also running herself into the ground.
He'd seen it a thousand times in his previous life.
High achievers who prioritized everyone else until there was nothing left for themselves.
She needed help. But she'd never ask for it.
This is Theodore's problem, not mine.
She's supposed to fall for him. I'm just here to facilitate.
But even as he thought it, Marcus knew it was a lie.
Because Catarina had looked at him like he'd seen something no one else bothered to notice.
And that look had been tired, vulnerable, and desperately lonely.
"I'm in so much trouble," Marcus muttered.
Again.
.
.
.
A/N:
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