His Help

"Do it?"

Cassandra was confused. "Do what?" She asked in a low voice.

"The marriage." Lord Bentham said with a sharp tone. He looked at Cassandra but did not say anything else as he observed Cassandra's changing expression.

Cassandra was quiet as she widened her eyes before she lowered her gaze in worry.

'Lord Bentham wants to marry me?'

'Why?'

'What will he get from the marriage?'

Cassandra's thoughts were running wide. She could not understand what to think anymore.

"But why?" Cassandra said subconsciously. She didn't know that her thoughts had run out from her mouth.

Lord Bentham smiled as he saw Cassandra close her mouth in a hurry as if she had said something bad.

"Princess wants to know why?" Lord Bentham smiled innocently. "You need to marry and so do I. We both do not have any romantic feelings for each other and are comfortable with each other's presence. Then shouldn't we solve each other's problems?"

"Uh?" Cassandra was shocked by Lord Bentham's words. What he was saying was not completely wrong but to say it so bluntly made Cassandra skeptical.

'Why now?'

'And the reason.'

Lord Bentham said the words without any change in expression. He knew that what he was saying was too fast but it was true. Lord Bentham knew that he wanted to make something clear.

[I do not want Princess Cassandra to misunderstand me.]

[I have to explain.]

Lord Bentham looked down at the now-empty teacup on the table. The tea was done as the sky was turning darker. "Don't misunderstand Princess. You know I am an adopted son of Duke Bentham."

Cassandra nodded as knew about it. Everyone knew that Duke Bentham had adopted his eldest son as he had no son, but soon his biological son was born and yet the Duke and Duchess never discriminated between the two brothers.

"I have a younger brother and I do not wish to fight with him for the position of Duke. The place never belonged to me and I know it but looking at the situation I knew many families want to marry their daughter to me for the power. What do you think will happen if I marry one of them?"

"You will get a backing so that they could make you the Duke and your wife the Duchess," Cassandra said in a low tone. She did not know why she said it but her heart spoke on its own.

Lord Bentham chucked. "Right, and I want to avoid it. So why not help each other. I know I should not say it, but you are powerless in everyone's eyes so marrying you will not put a strain on us both. No one will force you with anything nor will the families come after me for the power."

[We don't have to marry for real.]

[You will get your freedom and I will have some freedom as well.]

[Maybe by agreeing you can get out and meet the Duke without getting caught by the Empress.]

[We just have to act like we like each other and don't really have to marry.]

Cassandra was silent. She was thinking about things that Lord Bentham had said out loud and that he had thoughts.

'Not a real marriage?'

'Can I do it?'

'Will it be okay?'

Lord Bentham saw Cassandra's face full of thoughts. He could tell that she was thinking too deeply.

"It can solve your problems as well, Princess." Lord Bentham smiled. "You can go out without any worry. Knowing Duke Salvador, he might want to meet you again, you can go out without any worry with me then."

Cassandra looked at Lord Bentham whose face was full of confidence.

'That is true.'

'I can go out without any worry.'

'I will not need Amy's help as well.'

'Should I do this?'

Cassandra was silent. Her gaze jumped from here to there without seeing into Lord Bentham's eyes.

"I have to think about it," Cassandra said as she got up from the chair in a hurry as she looked at Amy.

Amy, who was silent till now, came running near Cassandra as she stood behind Cassandra. Cassandra nodded and left without turning back. Her footsteps did not stop as she ran to her room.

Her heart was beating faster as her eyes shivered. Cassandra walked into her room as she looked back telling Amy. "Close the door tightly."

Amy did not wait for a second as she obeyed her master's order soon. She had heard the talk within the Princess and Lord Bentham. Even though Amy did not want to be a part of it, she could not help it. She was near them to avoid suspicion.

"Princess .." Amy called as she saw Cassandra sitting near the window in deep thoughts.

"Amy, never talk about this again. Remember you saw and heard nothing." Cassandra said without any change in expression. Even though her brain was filled with worry, her face did not show it.

Amy nodded as she walked towards Cassandra and sat down near her. "I understand Princess."

Although Amy said it, her mind could not be quiet.

[How can Lord Bentham say such words.]

[Princess has her own life to live.]

[Why would she marry Lord Bentham.]

[He just wants to get other noble ladies out so he approached the Princess. He is selfish.]

[I hope Princess does not fall in his words.]

[And what about giving her a reason to meet the Duke. Lord Bentham is playing.]

[Princess can use me to get out. She can dress up like me and go so why should she use his help.]

"Amy," Cassandra said in a soft tone. She was fortunate that she had such a lady-in-waiting who cared for her.

"Yes, Princess," Amy said as her eyes shivered with Cassandra's words.

"What do you think about Lord Bentham's offer?" Cassandra asked even though she had heard the words.

"Lord Bentham?" Amy's voice trembled. She looked at her master.

"Hmm …" Cassandra nodded her head.

"That …." Amy closed her eyes. "I cannot say for sure."

Cassandra smiled as she nodded. Like Amy, Cassandra could not say for sure as well. Her life was really messed up.