A Deal with The Devil

Alexander entered the room and stood at the end of the table near Emily. "Good morning, everyone." he said coldly. "It's a pleasure to meet you." He bowed, then gracefully sat down on the couch.

His father looked over at him. "Nice of you to join us, Alexander," he said.

Alexander turned to meet his gaze. "I do apologize for being a bit late, father."

"It's quite alright son." he replied before turning back to Mr. Marlow. "This here is my son, Alexander Leonhard."

Alexander bowed his head slightly. "Greetings, mister and missus Marlow."

"My, what a polite boy," said Mrs. Marlow who raised her gloved hand to cover her mouth slightly.

Mr. Marlow nodded his head to him. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, dear boy," he said.

After the greeting, the two families shared a cup of tea and talked about their day for a bit. Alexander simply drank his tea and closed his eyes. Susan and Emily kept looking over at Alexander, ignoring what the adults were speaking about. Up close, his face is still sharp, but not malicious by any means. With his eyes closed, he looked calm, somewhat docile. Still, his demeanor held a strong sense of pride and confidence, even as his eyes were closed. After a while, Mr. Leonhard stood up. "Why don't we let the two of them get to know each other for a bit?"

Emily turned to look at him. "What? She accidentally blurted out.

Her parents tapped on Susan's shoulder to stop her looking at Alexander. "That's a fine idea. I'm sure they could use some time together." her father said. "Come along now, Susan."

Susan stood up and winked at Emily. "Good luck" she mouthed.

Emily gave her an offended frown. 

His mother then gently took her mother by the hand as they walked. "You must come have a taste of our freshly imported wine," she said. "It is to die for."

Their chatter slowly died out as they left the room. The maids and butler also excused themselves. "If you need anything, young master, please feel free to call us," said one of the maids.

He raised his hand and excused them. He then put his elbow on the arm rest and leaned on his closed fist while crossing his legs. Emily put her hands on her lap, slumping down in awkwardness. The two sat in silence for a while. The sound of the ticking of the hand of the grandfather's clock was loudly echoing through the room. She looked at him. His eyes were still closed with a gentleness to them. 

She tapped her finger on her lap for a moment, wondering if he would speak at all. Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock. Minutes went by, followed by a few more, then another few more. The silence only worsened. The silence being more awkward each moment, she then took the first step.

"Umm, hello there, sir," she said cautiously.

"Just call me Alex," he said, his eyes still closed.

"Well… okay… hello Alex."

"Hello," he said coldly.

Emily pinched her dress a bit, dying inside from the awkwardness. "Umm… My name is Emily. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He stayed silent. Emily looked all over the room. "So, do you and your family live here?" she asked.

"Usually, it's just me," he replied.

Emily raised her eyebrow. "Oh," she said. "So they are only here temporarily?"

He nodded his head. Emily nodded her head slowly as well, not knowing what to do. She then picked her cup of room temperature tea and sipped on it, she tried to imitate Susan and put her pinky up. Her slurping noise caused him to slightly open one of his eyes. Emily saw his mouth slightly wince. "Is something wrong, Alex?" she asked.

He closed his eyes again and sighs before speaking. "Drop the act. My parents aren't here."

Emily's eyes widened, staring down at her lap. "I don't know what you mean."

"You are slurping your tea, you can't even hold a cup properly, you were clanking your spoon on the cup, you blew on your tea, you held your umbrella wrong as well. You are no lady."

Emily looked at him, shocked and not knowing how to even respond. He opened his eyes and sat back, furrowing his brow at her, waiting for her to say something. Emily looked to the table a bit before shutting her eyes tightly. She clutched onto her dainty dress. She then opened her eyes to look at him, her eyes a bit less welcoming. "It's rude to be so unkind to a girl," Emily said loudly.

He slightly softened his look. "So you're the one my parents wanted me to marry," he said. "Not quite the 'noble' they were saying you were."

Emily grinned. "Well, too bad. I guess we are both unsatisfied."

He slightly smiled before frowning again. He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee. "So tell me, what is in it for my parents?"

"Excuse me?" Emily exclaimed. "What do you mean by that?"

He sighs. "What is the deal behind this marriage? What is in it for my parents?"

Emily looked at his stoic face, feeling a slight pressure just from looking at it. "How should I know?" she said, crossing her arms.

He leaned back on the seat. "Oh, so you just wanted to marry me."

Emily looked at him with a side eye. "What? That's not-" 

And before she could finish, he looked at her with his deep black eyes. "Then What is the reason? You know it." His voice was stern and direct, making her feel slight pressure pushing down on her. Seeing her hesitation, he leaned back again while keeping his eye contact. "Fine, you don't have to tell me."

Emily sighs a sigh of relief. "Thank you." she muttered.

"You're welcome." he then stood up and started walking. "I'm calling off the marriage."

She looked up just as his crimson coat passed her. "Wait, what?!" her voice filled with surprise and fear.

He stood at the door, and placed his hand on the door handle. Emily hurried to him, grabbing his hand with hers. She looked into his eyes, her eyes a slight hint of fear leaking through. "You can't just do that!" she yelled.

"I assure you, Emily, I quite can." his hand started to overpower hers, the door slowly creaking open. 

"Okay!" she yelled. "I'll tell you. Just shut the door, please."

He closed the door gently and shook her hand off of his. He then sat back down at his seat, and she took a seat again as well. 

Emily took a sigh of relief. She turned to look at him. "My parents are the owners of some lumber Industry, and your parents are trying to do something new with the lumber industry. I don't know, I can't quite remember what they really said."

Alexander sat there thinking for a moment. "The Marlow family, co-owner of the North Forest company."

Emily nodded her head.

He leaned his head back. "Well, at least that makes sense now."

"So now you know." she said, slurping her Tea. "What now?" 

He looked at her still frowning face. "We are getting married. What else do you think?"

Emily scoffs. "I know that, but with whatever you just said about my family. Now that you know what your family wants."

"Nothing of your concern," he replied, drinking his tea. 

She looked annoyingly at him. "Whatever. I don't care either way." 

She finished gulping down her tea and put it on the small plate. "So," she asked. "What's your opinion on this marriage?" 

He continued to drink his tea. "I don't think anything of it," he said coldly. "Why do you ask?"

"Does it not bother you that you are getting married?"

"Not particularly," he said. "I would just prefer to been seen with a more lady-like woman."

Emily looked at him offendedly. "Why are you so rude?" she asked.

"I'm not rude. I'm just being truthful."

"So are you going to call off the marriage?" she asked. He thought for a bit. She stares at him. "Hey, stop pretending like you are thinking."

He let out a slight smile. "If my parents want me to marry a girl such as yourself, then so be it."

She stood up. "You make it sound like I am such a bad woman."

He looked up at her with a smug face. "Would you prefer I think of you as the dainty and delicate woman that you aren't?"

She opened her mouth quickly, yet refrained. She then sat back down. "Think whatever you want. I don't care."

He finished drinking his tea. He crossed his legs once more. "You don't seem to like me," he said.

She glared at him then looked forward and poured herself another cup of tea.. "Yeah? Maybe because you have been insulting me this whole time we have been talking."

"That's fair. So if I were nicer, you would like me?"

"Tch," she said and took a sip of tea. "In your dreams."

"So you don't want to marry."

She scoffs. "Not by choice, no."

He closed his eyes to think of something. "Then I have a proposal."

She looked at him curiously. "Which is?" 

He leaned forward and interlaced his fingers. "You are free of all your obligations as my wife. All you need to do is look like you are my wife."

She raised an eye. "What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"When we are together in the presence of another, you must act like my wife. Alone, or when not together, you are free to do as you please." he extended his hand toward her. "How about it?"

She looks hesitantly at his hand. "What's in it for you?" she asked.

"I am free of whatever burdens that you might bring to me."

She rolled her eyes. "Tch, fine. I agree." she extended her hand out and shook his hand. He smiled. It was a warm smile, catching Emily by surprise.

He let go of her hand and sat back. "I'm glad you are a logical person. This might be better than I had thought"

She smiled as well. "Same here." she then pulled away her hand and sat back, crossing her legs. "So should there be anything else I must know?"

"Well-" he said, but was rudely interrupted by the door opening. The two looked back and saw both the families standing at the doorway. 

"We are back, my dear," said her father. 

"Have you two had time to get to know each other?" Continued his father.

Alexander gave a warm smile. "Indeed we have, father." he said, slightly looking at her and giving her a sly grin. "She is quite the lady indeed, just as mother predicted." 

Upon hearing his sarcasm, her eyelid twitched a bit. "He is quite the gentleman as well."

He couldn't help but smile at her boldness. The two families looked at eachother, both satisfied with how things turned out. "Thank goodness," said her mother. "It looks like they're going to get along just fine."

Her father also sighs with heavy relief. "That is good news indeed. Here I thought she would hate him." 

The room fell silent and everyone looked at him. Alexander gave him a smile and Emily looked down at her lap, eyes widened. His parents slowly looked at him, wondering if they heard him right. Susan cleared her throat. "My sister is just very picky when it comes to who she is attracted to. It must be a sign if she gets along with Sir Alexander."

Alexander snickered. "Nicely put, milady." he said.

"Ah, that is fortunate indeed," said his mother. "A true match made in heaven."

The two families laughed it off. Susan breathed out a breath of air before winking at Emily. Emily did not appreciate being made out to be a love stricken maiden, but regardless, Susan's intervention ended successfully.

Alexander's father looked out the window. "My, it sure is getting late," he said.

"I suppose it is," answered her father in return. "We should probably head home for today."

His father held out his hand to her father. "It was a pleasure having you here, mister and missus Marlow."

Her father extended his hand in return. "The pleasure is ours. Thank you for having us, mister and missus Leonhard."

"Let us walk you out," his mother offered. 

Her mother called out to Emily. "Come along, Emily," she said.

Emily nodded her head and prepared to get up. Alexander stood up and lent her his hand with a subtle grin. "Let me help you up, milady."

She looked at him, annoyed at his jab toward her. "Why, thank you, Alex."

She glared at him before placing her hand on his. He gently grabbed her hand and pulled her up. She then let go of his hand and straightened out her dress. She then walked to her family with Alexander following closely behind her. The families walked toward the front door while Alexander excused himself from the group. "Do forgive me," he said, "but I have some urgent business I have to tend to." He then turned to walk up the stairs, soon disappearing past the ceiling. 

"Do forgive our son," his father said. "He must be tired today is all."

"Oh, please, no need to apologize," said her mother. "I'm sure he has a lot of work to attend to."

The two families exchanged more pleasantries before her family entered their carriage. Emily looked up at the window, only to see Alexander covering it with the red curtain. "What's his deal," Emily mumbled. The carriage started to move and the Leonhard family waved them goodbye before going back into their estate.

Alexander watched as Emily entered the carriage. He then closed his curtain. "What a girl," he said. Sebastian knocked on the opened door to get his attention. "What is it, Sebastian?"

He bowed his head. "Would you like to join your family for dinner, sir?" he asked.

Alexander walked back and put his coat on the bed. "What did Daisy make?"

"Lamb, glazed with her signature gravy. Mash potatoes, grilled vegetables, and a side of stew. For drinks, we have freshly imported tea, or a freshly imported red wine."

Alexander thought for a moment. "Sure," he replied before leaving out of his room and walking past Sebastian. "Tell Daisy to brew me a cup of coffee and bring it to my workroom."

"Certainly, sir."

The dinner was much like dinner the previous day. The silence of the room was even more deafening than yesterday. After a moment, his father asked him about the meeting. "How is she," he asked while cutting his lamb. 

Alexander held the glass of wine in his hand. "She's lovely," he replied.

"That's good to hear, my dear," said his mother excitedly. "I have a good feeling about the girl."

His father took a sip of the wine. "Try to do your best to make it work, my boy."

Alexander placed back down his glass. "So," he said. "About your new business in the city."

His father continued to eat his food. "Go on," he said before putting the lamb to his mouth.

"I'm assuming you wanted the support of Mr. Marlow, yes?"

His father nodded slowly while chewing. "You are correct. As expected of my son."

Alexander stopped cutting his meat. "Are you sure this will work?" he asked.

His father also stopped eating for the moment. "What are your thoughts?"

Alexander took a moment to organize his thoughts. "Isn't it a bit risky?" he finally said.

"How so?"

"For one, the company Mr. Marlow funding is still rather new to the scene. And secondly, the situation with the capital being involved in the scandal with the Valentine empire. Won't that potentially have impacts on their company? After all, the land the company is relying on is awfully close to the border between us and Valentine."

His father thought for a moment. "I'm fully aware of the risk," he then took a sip of wine. "However, I'm not trying to just get a partnership with Mr. Marlow indefinitely."

"Then what are you really after, father?"

His father's face was plastered with a smile from ear to ear. "Taking out the Burgan's Family."

Alexander looked at him in confusion. "How does marriage achieve that?" he asked.

"A little birdy told me the Burgan family recently invested in the same business as us. In the same way, they will need a good source of lumber. Currently as is, the Marlow family practically own the North forest."

"So you plan on getting the material for cheap to make yourself Monopoly?"

"There you go, my boy."

"But what about the other suppliers? Just because they don't get materials for cheap doesn't mean they will fail."

His father laughed for a moment. "Don't worry. Our family has many connections. With many connections comes many strings. And with many strings, comes control. I have a plan already. You do not need to worry, my boy."

"So what happens after the Burgan Family is knocked out of the scene?"

His father looked at him confusingly. "If you are asking about our business, then the aftermath would be to further inlaid our family into the top ranking nobles."

Alexander shook his head. "No, I meant the marriage," he clarified.

"Oh, that." his father thought for a moment before speaking again. "I plan on marrying you to someone better. The Marlow is rich, sure, but their wealth is much too limited in the end."

Alexander was quiet for a moment. "Yes, father."

His father laid his hand on Alexander's. "Do bear with her for a while, son. Then, we can get you a wife worthy of our family's name." He gave Alexander a gentle smile.

After a while, Alexander finished eating and bid his parents a good night.

In the Marlow household, Emily laid on her bed, staring out the window at the night sky. The moon was full in the sky, like an eye looking down at her. "Cold," she muttered to herself.

Susan walked into her room and closed the door behind her. Emily looked at her and then sat up on her bed. "What is it, Susan?" she asked.

Susan sat on the chair and pulled herself next to the bed. "Just checking on my angry sister," she jokingly replied.

"Oh please," Emily replied, sounding tired.

Susan leaned in, propping herself up with her elbows on her knees. "So how did your one-on-one go?" she asked curiously.

Emily sighs. "I mean, it went, that's for sure."

"Come onnnn I need more details." Susan then went from the chair and onto the bed. 

Emily scratched the back of her head. "Well, ummm." Susan leaned in closer, her eyes glimmering with anticipation. Emily looked at her and sighs. "It went pretty bad if I'm being honest."

Susan's face drooped. "What do you mean bad?: she asked.

Emily flopped back on her bed. "He called me out for not being lady-like enough." she whined.

"Well, you're not. Was he rude about it or something?"

"Rude?" Emily repeated and sprung back up. "It wasn't just rude, it was outright unacceptable how he did it!"

"And how was that?" asked Susan.

Her face twisted to annoyance upon recalling the moment. "He was all ohhh, you're drinking tea wrong, ohhh, you're not supposed to do this and that, and ohhh you can't even hold an umbrella." she said in a mocking tone before falling flat and turning away from Susan, pouting. "And you aren't supposed to hold your pinky up when drinking tea…"

Susan burst out laughing for a good moment or two. "Did you seriously think the pinky thing was serious?!" she said in between her laughs.

Emily put a pillow over her head. "Shut uppp!!"

Susan's laughter slowly died down. "So did anything else interesting happened?"

"Nope." she replied.

Susan leaned in closer and tried to pry the pillow from her sister's head. "Are you sure?"

Emily suddenly let go of the pillow, causing Susan to fall back onto the bed, her legs flinging into the air. "Actually, yeah."

Susan sat up, pouting. "I almost fell off the bed…"

"Shush, anyways, listen to this." Emily pulled Susan closer to whisper to her. "Apparently, he doesn't want to marry me either."

Susan pulled back, her face was rather surprised by the news. "Of course he doesn't," she said nonchalantly. "Why would you want to settle for you of all people?"

Emily looked at her sister blankly. "Why is everyone so rude?!" she yelled out.

Susan Laughed. "I'm joking!!" Susan regained her composure. "So what happened? He seemed pretty gentleman-like when we walked back in."

"We both came to an agreement of sorts. We just have to act like lovers, but outside of that, we can do whatever in the world we want."

Susan stared at Emily with a confused look. "That's awfully complicated. Why can't he just call off the marriage then?"

Emily shrugged. "I suppose he has his reason for the marriage as well."

Susan sighs before speaking. "Rich people. I never understand them." Emily looked at her, confused as to what she was about. "But that's a real shame though. He was quite the looker." 

Emily scoffs. "Too bad, because I don't like him, nor will I ever."

Susan poked the tip of Emily's nose. "Never say never, dear sister."

"Oh, those jokes of yours always miss the marks.

Susan smiled and got off the bed. "In any case, it's getting late. Get some sleep, Emily."

Emily laid down on the bed. "Alright. Goodnight, sister."

Susan blew out the candle. "Goodnight." she said. She then closed the door behind her.

Emily laid in her dark room, only illuminated by the light of the moon.

Back in the Leonhard Estate, Alexander stood in his room, looking out his window. The room was bright, scaring the stars from his sight. He looked down at the garden. The sight of her blue eyes played over and over again in his head. Her stoic face looking up at him, her innocent and curious face. "What a strange girl," he thought. "So rash, so unrefined, so quick to anger, such foul words, such rudeness, such-" he paused, thoughts mingling together into a knot.

He shook his head free of thoughts. He removed his hand from the window, letting the curtain drape down the window. Slowly, he made his way to his bed to lay down. He let out a long sigh. "I wonder when they will leave me be," he mumbled. 

A few days passed since their meeting. Emily was riding a horse around her park while Susan kept an eye on her. "Why don't you join me, Susan?" Emily asked.

Susan leaned against the fence. "I'm wearing a dress right now, Emily." Susan replied. "Besides, that's your past, not mine. I would prefer to enjoy an afternoon nap right about now." 

Emily galloped her horse slowly to Susan. "Oh don't be like that." 

Susan gently pet the horse. "I'm serious," she said. "It's been two days since I had an afternoon nap. I can already see the wrinkles in my skin."

Emily gave her a side eye. "You jest," she said.

"I am," Susan admitted. "But sooner or later I will really see one if I don't get enough sleep."

"Just sleep longer through the night," Emily replied.

She patted the horse's head. "I can't. I'm used to my sleeping schedule." She then leaned in close to the horse. "You seem tired, poor girl. Emily must be too heavy for you to carry."

Emily looked at Susan with slight annoyance. "Excuse me? Rude much?"

Susan laughed. "Not at all. I'm merely being considerate of Lucy here."

"Mind you, I barely eat as is. I would be surprised if I gained any weight."

"Then maybe that's a sign for you to eat more," Susan replied.

"No thank you. I'm eating a fine amount."

Susan sighs. "Gotta keep that figure for your husband, yes?"

Emily scoffs hard. "Oh please, like I would do anything as idiotic as that. I'm doing that for Lily here," she said, petting her back. "Isn't that right, girl?" The horse neighs. "See? She clearly agrees with me."

They both had a giggle. Suddenly, a gentle male voice called out. "My, my. It would appear that my soon to be wife is a knight." 

Emily and Susan turned around to see who it was. Before them was Alexander, wearing a button up and black trousers with a light leather vest. He was leading a black horse behind him. His face was plastered with a warm smile.

Emily looked confused. "Why are you here all of a sudden?" She asked.

He looked at her with comforting eyes. "To see my beautiful soon to be wife." He replied.