Liliam ran through the castle, her excitement evident in each quick step. Her smile was radiant, and her eyes shone with excitement. She passed through various corridors, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The soldiers and servants she encountered greeted her respectfully, accustomed to the young woman's contagious energy.

"Good morning, Miss Liliam!" some said, while others asked, "Why the rush, miss?"

"Today is a great day!" she exclaimed in response, not slowing her pace.

In a wide corridor, Liliam almost collided with a group of maids carrying large baskets of laundry. "Excuse us, Miss Liliam!" they said, laughing at the girl's haste. Liliam nimbly jumped aside, avoiding the maids and the baskets, and waved in thanks.

Further on, a young servant emerged from a side room carrying some tools. Seeing her approaching rapidly, he stepped back, pressing himself against the wall to make way. "Careful, miss!" he said, concerned, but Liliam just smiled and waved.

At the entrance of one of the castle's halls, a group of soldiers were conversing animatedly. When they noticed Liliam's presence, they stopped talking and quickly lined up, saluting. "Good morning, Miss Liliam!" they greeted in unison.

"Good morning!" Liliam replied, eyes sparkling. "I can't stop, I'm in a hurry!" And she passed by them like a whirlwind.

Ascending a spiral staircase, in a moment of distraction, Liliam hurriedly turned a corner and bumped into a servant carrying a bundle of neatly folded clothes, scattering everything on the floor. The servant, a round-faced young man with a startled expression, looked at the mess in dismay. "I'm sorry, Miss Liliam!" he said, bending down to pick up the clothes.

Liliam hesitated for a second, her eyes showing indecision, but soon determination propelled her forward again. "Sorry!" she said, continuing her run. The servant sighed as he watched her leave.

Finally arriving at her destination, she stopped in front of a simple wooden door, her heart pounding with anticipation. Her breath was quick not just from the effort of running but from the excitement of telling her father she had finally won a duel against Lucius, the trickster. She imagined the proud look on his face, the approval in his eyes. Without hesitation, she forcefully opened the door, entering the office. "I did it, I did it! I said I would do it, Daddy!" she shouted, the excitement clear and loud in her voice. However, it was a young girl's voice that responded.

The baron's office was spacious and practically organized. There was a shelf with a few books and a stand with some decorative weapons on the wall. A sturdy wooden desk dominated the center, with a large chair behind it, where a little girl was sitting, swinging her feet in the air, and a much smaller chair in front.

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"So you managed to defeat your future husband, hahaha, impressive."

Liliam turned to find her younger sister, Celine, sitting in the chair that was too big for her. Celine was an incredibly smart girl for her age, with a mischievous smile that revealed her delight in teasing her older sister.

"Celine, why are you here?" asked Liliam, more out of habit than true curiosity. Celine always liked to spend time there, imitating their father's authority when he wasn't around.

Looking around the familiar office, Liliam noticed her father's absence. Before Celine could answer, Liliam automatically asked, "Where is Daddy?" But suddenly, Celine's words registered in Liliam's mind. She frowned and, in a furious tone, exclaimed, "Wait, what did you say?! Who is my future husband?"

Celine smiled even more, clearly pleased with the reaction she had provoked. "I heard Daddy talking to Uncle Otis about an arranged marriage. It seems you and Lucius are destined for each other," she said, in a sing-song voice that showed how much fun she was having.

Liliam felt her face heat up with anger. "The trickster?! My future husband?! That will never happen!" she exclaimed, crossing her arms and stomping her foot on the floor. The very idea was intolerable. How could her father even consider such a thing? Liliam grew even more furious when she turned her attention back to Celine's smile.

Liliam ran around the desk to grab her sister, but Celine, already expecting this reaction, jumped out of the chair and quickly slid under the desk. The little girl's laughter filled the office as she escaped, agile as a cat. "It's your fault, sister!" shouted Celine, her tone full of amusement. "You told Daddy you would only marry someone who could defeat you in a duel. Uncle Otis was saying that Lucius has the necessary qualifications to be a worthy suitor! That's why Daddy agreed to send a messenger to Count Tiberios to formalize some kind of arrangement and engagement between you two."

Liliam continued to chase Celine around the desk, dodging chairs and obstacles with the agility of a hunter. "What?!" exclaimed Liliam, her voice rising in surprise and frustration. "You heard Daddy say he's already decided to accept the trickster's marriage proposal?"

Celine escaped again, this time climbing onto the bookshelf and jumping to the other side of the room. She smiled even more satisfied and, sticking out her tongue, ran out of the office, her laughter echoing down the corridor.

Liliam stopped, breathless and perplexed, her gaze fixed on the door through which her sister had disappeared. "It can't be," she murmured to herself, her mind racing with the new information. Had her father already decided on the marriage? She remembered clearly the first times she dueled with Lucius. She had lost the first duels but was determined to improve. Until now, her father had not mentioned anything about the arrangement, and Liliam had begun to believe he wouldn't use it to force her.

"What is my father thinking?" Liliam wondered, feeling frustration and confusion growing inside her. Although she knew her father always considered what was best for her, Liliam couldn't accept the idea of being forced to marry someone she considered a trickster. She recalled the times Lucius used dirty tricks in their duels, turning the tide and gaining the advantage. How could her father think he was a worthy suitor?

Frustration gave way to anger, and Liliam left her father's office even faster than she had arrived. Her footsteps echoed down the corridor, heavier and more determined. As she ran, her mind raced with thoughts. "How could he do this to me? I can't let this happen!" she repeated to herself.

She needed to find her father immediately. Celine's words echoed in her mind, increasing her determination. "I will never marry the trickster, never!" she thought as she descended the stairs with a speed that surprised even the guards.