Evelyn left the Duke’s office quite numb. Her Hunting Party had just returned from that day’s hunt. Lukas had seemed slightly distracted but assumed that was because their party had grown to eight members and as the ‘tactician’ of their group, she had assumed that he was struggling slightly to effectively command them.

But the hunt had ended well, with only minor injuries, which she was able to heal herself. They had encountered several groups of Goblins and even a pair of Orcs. The Goblins had been a good experience in fighting multiple opponents while the Orcs were the opposite.

With their immense strength and fortitude, they were a challenge for Adepts, but even the Orcs could not defend against a well-prepared party that outnumbered them so much.

Liam had broken his shield defending Felix from one of the Orc’s attacks. Felix himself was a Level six Spearman. At such a low Level, he had no right to be fighting against an Orc, but with a party, he had done well enough.

Currently, the party was out in the city, get their gear repaired or replaced, but mostly just relaxing. Evelyn had been planning on joining them, but after they returned to the Duke’s Estate to wash up after the day’s hunt, she had been called by the Duke.

There, she had a conversation that had, in a sense… paralyzed her. She was not even twenty. She was not a Noble. And yet, the Duke of Lissura, direct relative of the King, had offered his son’s hand in marriage to her. And apparently Lukas had not been opposed to it either.

She was no fool. She knew what the other Nobles were like. She knew the rumors they gladly created and spread. She also knew what sort of power those rumors had. But she had not put much stock in them. After all, there was a large difference between the rumors of children about who liked who, and the rumors that dictated the course of nations.

Evelyn finally reached her room and closed the door behind her. Falling face first onto the mattress of her bed, she wished it would just swallow her whole. At least then she wouldn’t have to deal with the complicated chaos that was suddenly her life.

She rolled over to her back, covering her eyes with the crook of her elbow.

What was she supposed to do? She liked Lukas, but she didn’t know if she liked him in that way. Duke Redmond had assured her that regardless of her decision, he would support her. But she was not a fool.

She knew the Duke wanted this marriage to happen. She knew the sort of benefits that would come from such a union, for everyone involved.

The Royal Family themselves remained isolated in the Royal Castle, only the Duke and a select few were allowed to see the King. Even the guards and servants that attended to the Family were prohibited from leaving the Castle. The King had only made four appearances in the last decade.

As such, there were many Nobles that claimed that he was unfit to rule if he refused to show himself. Of course, none dared to voice their opinions publicly.

The Duke was a fierce supporter of his cousin. However, he was also the most favored to succeed his cousin, if the Royal Family ‘happened’ upon an accident. Many believed the Duke to be the most suited for rule, over his cousin.

Unlike what many believed, or was seen from the surface, the political situation was turbulent. Evelyn incidentally held the power to help calm the waters a little bit.

She was well liked by everyone, having no enemies. And by not having a family, especially a Noble one, she had no baggage behind her. She was powerful for a Novice, her healing alone was a valuable resource. Everyone had great hopes her.

All of that, and her potential for further growth, compounded to ensure that not even the more traditional Nobles would be against her marrying into the Duke's family.

Currently, every family was attempting sell their daughters off to the Duke as his son's bride. After all, for all appearances, and for all many of the families know, the Duke runs the nation. The marriage would unite the two families, essentially granting the bride’s family peerless influence in the Kingdom.

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Each family was attempting to convince the Duke that their daughter, or in some cases, daughters, should be the one to wed the Duke's eldest son. The situation was so vital to some that there were even assassination attempts in order to reduce the competition.

Evelyn's unique position was such that if she did marry Lukas, the conflict would end, and very few would oppose the union.

The Duke no doubt knew this as well, and wanted the two to wed. But he had said that he would support her decision. The problem was, Evelyn did not know her decision.

It was a decision that would effect the rest of her life, but it was also one that would undoubtedly effect countless others. But did she even care about the others? Should she take them into consideration?

Evelyn grabbed one of her pillows and screamed into it, only for her frustration to remain.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Evelyn sat up, clutching the pillow to her chest.

“Who is it?”

“Sofia.”

Evelyn sighed, not really wanting company, but knowing it would be rude to turn away the Lady in her own home.

“Come in.”

The Lady gently walked in and closed the door. She walked over and sat down on the bed next to the young girl.

“How are you feeling?”

Evelyn folded her legs, still holding the pillow close to her chest.

“The Duke told you?”

Sofia smiled softly, “Of course dear. He doesn’t tell me much about his work, but not even he would dare to make a decision about our son without my say so, even if he isn’t my son by blood.”

“So, then what do you think I’m feeling?”

“I suspect the same things I did when I offered to marry Daniel.”

“I doubt it.” Evelyn scoffed, resting her chin on the pillow.

“Don’t be too sure. Worry, concern, crushing pressure, even fear. Do you love him? Do you not? But then what about everything else? After all, he is a Noble! One of the highest Nobles! What would change if you married? What wouldn’t? Would it be good for the Kingdom? Do you care?” Sofia laid a soft hand on Evelyn’s head, slowly smoothing her hair, “Something like that?”

Evelyn hesitated before sheepishly responding, “Yeah.”

Sofia chuckled, “Tell me dear, do you care for Lukas?”

“Yeah! He is my closest friend. I just don’t know if I care for him in that way.”

“I thought the same about Daniel at first. We were actually friends when we were your age. Not close, but we were friendly and enjoyed each other’s company. But then our individual duties pulled us apart. When my father offered my hand to him just a few years after his first wife’s passing, I felt all of the same things you feel now, but it was all compounded by his late wife.

Would the people accept me? Would his children? Would he? He still deeply loved her, but he also knew that as the Duke, he could not simply be a widow, especially not with young children.

So, he instead offered something different. For two years we would court each other, away from the prying eyes and ears of the other Nobles. He and my father began extensive business dealings in order to cover up why we were spending so much time together.

Two years, where we tried to love each other. If neither of us had any issues at the end of two years, then we would wed.

Despite his grief, he truly did try, but at the end of the two years, he did not love me. But nor did he hate me. I on the other hand, had fallen for him. So we married, if only to secure his political position. But then he saw me interact with Lukas, treating him as my own.

I think he saw his first wife in me, and slowly, he began to accept me, slowly, he began to love me.”

Evelyn glanced over at the Lady, “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I am suggesting something similar. Most of the young Noble men and women your age are already engaged, but none of them will marry until they are eighteen years old.

If you do not know whether you wish to marry or not, why not enter a courtship? The two of you can pursue the evolution of your relationship without pressure. If it doesn’t work out, that is no problem as it would not have been announced.

But, if it does work out, and the two of you do wish to wed, then we announce it, and very few would be surprised anyway.

This way, there is less pressure on either of you.”

“Why do you care so much about this?”

Dutchess Sofia continued to calmly pet the young woman, “Because I see both of you as my children. I wish you both to be happy. I see how happy the two of you are simply being friends, so why not encourage even more happiness?”

“So, if we did this, no one would know?”

“I’m sure that most already suspect it. After all, the two of you already spend a lot of time together, and even hunt together. Of course, the Duke’s guards keep everything about your Hunting Party and locations secret for security reasons, as well as follow you on your hunts.

But the other Nobles aren’t stupid, worse, they are smart enough to create their own lies.

Regardless, what do you think?”

Evelyn snuggled the pillow closer to her face, thinking, “I guess so? But what if we begin to hate each other?”

“And what if you die tomorrow? What ifs are pointless to worry about. Just live each day the best you can.”

“Then yes. Let’s do that.”

The Duchess smiled, “Good. Now, rest up, I know today was stressful. I’ll tell Daniel and we’ll go from there.”

“Thank you Sofia.”