Chapter Six: Shifting Alliances

The Dufort and Montreal families gathered in the grand study of the Dufort estate, the tension palpable. Casper Reed Dufort, Sage's former fiancé, stood by the fireplace, his eyes fixed on his father, Reginald Dufort.

"Father, I cannot marry Elizabeth Montreal," Casper said, his voice firm but respectful. "My heart belongs to Sage, and I will not betray her, even if she... never awakens,"

Reginald's face turned red with anger. "You fool, Casper! You'll do as you're told! The alliance with the Montreal family is crucial for our power and survival!"

Elizabeth Piper Montreal, a beautiful woman with piercing brown eyes and red coloured hair, spoke up. "Father, perhaps we should reconsider. Sage could awaken at any—"

"Silence, Elizabeth!" Melvin Montreal thundered.

Cynthia Dufort comforted Elizabeth as she said to her son and Elizabeth, "Sage is still unconscious, and even if she wakes, she'll be weak and vulnerable. We cannot rely on her to secure our future or yours!"

The room fell silent, the weight of Cynthia's words sinking in. But little did they know, Sage was indeed awake, and her awakening would change the course of their lives forever.

"Everyone, calm down! We did not come here to fight, we came here in order to ask how it went with the Argent family," Rose Montreal, Elizabeth's mother broke the tension as she looked towards the fire. Her light jade-coloured hair shown brightly.

Reginald Dufort cleared his throat, composing himself. "Ah, yes. The Argent family, we have to forget about having a good relationship with the Argent family from now on."

With a frown, Marques Montreal asked, "Would you please recount what happened when you visited them Marques Dufort?"

Sighing Marques Dufort continued, "After we said we were letting our son marry your daughter, Duke Argent gave us back the paper," stopping there, he walked towards his table and pulled out a paper with gold highlights.

Marques Dufort's eyes scanned the room, his expression grim. "This was the agreement we had with the Argent family, solidifying the union between our families. But now, it has been rejected "

Casper's eyes widened in disbelief.

Marques Dufort's voice was laced with frustration. "It's clear they no longer see value in our alliance. We've been blind-sided, and I fear this may be a sign of worse things to come."

Rose Montreal's brow furrowed, concern etched on her face. "This could mean war, couldn't it?"

The room fell silent once more, the weight of Marques Dufort's words hanging heavy in the air, as the families considered the implications of the Argent family's rejection.

"I don't blame the Argent's," Elizabeth's delicate voice rang out in the room, the sound of the cracking fire could be heard in the background.

"What do you mean Elizabeth?" Rose questioned her daughter.

"Their only daughter is in a coma with no signs of waking up. The son-in-law they had picked through a lot of deliberation, could not even wait for three years, and the people they thought the could trust made a deal with another family." Elizabeth looked at everyone.

Each person had a dark expression as they listened. Taking in a deep breath, she continued, "That is why they did that. And from my knowledge, no they would not waste their resources and time on a family they do not have a relationship with any more,"

The room fell silent once more, the weight of Elizabeth's words sinking in. Casper's eyes dropped, his face pale, as he realized the gravity of his parents actions. Reginald's expression turned darker, his jaw clenched in anger, while Cynthia's eyes filled with tears, her gaze fixed on her son.

Marques Dufort's voice was low and menacing. "You're right, Elizabeth. The Argent family has no reason to trust us. We've failed them, and we've failed ourselves."

Rose Montreal's eyes locked onto her daughter, a mix of pride and concern on her face. "Elizabeth, your wisdom is beyond your years. But what does this mean for our families' future?"

Elizabeth's gaze never wavered, her voice steady. "It means we need to reevaluate our priorities and our alliances. We need to prove ourselves worthy of trust to the other families, and we need to do it quickly, before it's too late."

The fire crackled, the only sound in the room, as the families digested Elizabeth's words, and the weight of their own failures.

"Casper, it's not your fault. We did not tell you about the deal, now you might never meet Lady Argent again," Cynthia gentle said as she held her sons hand.

Slowly removing his hand, he excused himself and walked out of the room leaving the atmosphere colder than before.

***

"Thank you for making time to meet me Duke Argent," Duke Marshal elegantly sipped his tea.

In front of him, Duke Argent's white hair shimmered in the sun light.

"Enough with the formal talk Cohen, what brings you to my home?"

Brushing his brown hair back with his palm, he said, "Nothing much. How's Sage, is she still unconscious?"

Putting his hands together Duke Argent nodded.

With a sceptical look, Duke Marshal commented, "You only put your hands together when you're nervous,"

Bring his hand to his mouth, Duke Argent changed the subject, "Okay, tell me the real reason you're here,"

Laughing, he raised his hands up in defeat. "I can not hide anything from you can I?"

Sipping his tea again he continued, "Remember Orien's son, Kieran Luke Ashwood?"

Nodding, Duke Argent sipped his tea.

"He wants to work with you."

Raising his eyebrows, Duke Argent asked, "Why does he want to?"

"With the impending war and the fact you have the biggest army in the Empire, he would like to work with you." Duke Marshal sipped his tea again to wet his thoart before he continued. "Plus your brother, Emperor Lachlon Jagger Argent, support makes things easier,"

Duke Argent's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes gazing into the distance. "I see. And what does Kieran propose to bring to the table in this alliance?"

Duke Marshal set his tea down, his hands steepling together. "Ah, that's the interesting part. He claims to have information about the enemy's plans, and a... unique ability that could turn the tide of the war."

Duke Argent's eyes snapped back to Duke Marshal, his gaze intense. "What kind of ability?"

Duke Marshal's smile was enigmatic. "That, I'm afraid, is classified. But trust me, it's something that could change the course of the war entirely."

The tension in the room was palpable, as Duke Argent weighed the potential benefits and risks of this proposed alliance.

After a long silence, Due Argent placed his tea cup down and said, "Very well, set up a time for us to meet,"

A bright smile filled Duke Marshal's handsome face. "I knew you would agree,"

Rolling his eyes Duke Argent added, "I'll bring my eldest son Zephyr to the meeting so he can learn more,"

With a jovial smile Duke Marshal said, "The more the merrier,"