Your dear highness

"Go on." he responded.

"Firstly, you were mistaken, I never asked that you propose your father drop the summon." Ian's eyes narrowed upon hearing that statement. "Once again you misinterpret me, if you wish to listen do so wholly." she scolded, once again causing Ian to be amused.

"A royal summon must be honoured, I am well aware of that."

"I would like to solve the problem not create another one that would challenge the monarchy." she said.

"My father will appear in court in two days as asked, however while the case ongoing we will solve the matter behind closed doors." 

"The verdict has already been decided, the title of viscount will return to my father's half-brother, after all that is all he wants although my father will refute at first he will accept because he will be offered a better offer, a better title." she declared.

"Which is?" asked Ian.

"Duke... due to our engagement his title will be changed from viscount to duke in order to save face." Ian did not know whether to be wary or to commend her for thoroughly thinking this solution of hers through.

"Before you speak, wait, I have more things to add." she said seeing he was ready to add his own words.

"Not only will he be given the title of duke, but we will also retain our manor. His half-brother may have his coveted title back but not the house never the house, and if my father insists that he be granted a new house do not answer him, demand that the house remain in his ownership." she said.

"You say that I should insist as if I have already agreed to this little plot of yours." he asked laughing.

"If you are still standing here listening then you already have your dear highness." she responded rather brashly.

"Touché" replied Ian amusedly.

"My conditions for our marriage will be that my father be bestowed the title of duke, he will retain ownership of the family manor, that concludes my requests." she said.

"You may speak now." she added.

"I must say, you are one very brash woman." he said.

"However, your concerns are valid and your requests reasonable." he added.

"Then does that mean we have a deal?" asked Angelica, her blue eyes glimmering in hope.

"We have a deal Lady Angelica. You make a rather compelling argument. I admire your sincerity. Our reasons are plainly spelt out." he said smiling. "I expect no misunderstandings between us." 

"I expect the same as well your highness." she replied, on one hand she was relived that he had accepted her deal, but she was also worried that he accepted her words so easily, it was either he was rather too trusting or he was just playing along and would report her indecency.

"Are you sure? Because it would save us both time and exhaustion if we are clearly in agreement." Ian said pleasantly. "I hope you are not in any way in love with me, because I surely am not in love with you. I want to make this very clear."

"Oh trust me your highness, I am not in love with you... I apologize but I am not like your many adoring admirers." replied Angelica sarcastically.

"Oh really now? Ouch, I thought that every young woman in the kingdom was in love with me." he jested winking and Angelica scoffed.

"Well you are mistaken, every young woman might, but I am not." 

"Then it is settled, we will get married so you can save your family face and I will be able to save the kingdom from the clutches of my half-brother." Angelica was attentive enough to hear the aversion in his voice when he mentioned his half-brother.

"I could not have said it better myself." she replied promptly.

"Should we shake hands to make it official?" asked Ian.

"I do not see the need, we have been verbal and we have reached an agreement like two mature adults, that should be enough." she said. "Besides, I would not want to taint your royal highness hands with my measly outcast nobility ones." she added audaciously.

Ian laughed hard, he could not remember when last he had laughed so genuinely like this, it felt good and who knew that this woman would be full of such crude yet captivating remarks.

"You are very amusing, do you know that?" he asked but Angelica gave him no reply.

"Now that we have an understanding, I would like you to come to my home by dayspring tomorrow." she said eagerly, there was no time to waste, she knew her father well and if she did not act fast he would dispel her plans.

"Dayspring tomorrow?" Ian asked amazed, in his eyes this was being hasty, there was no need to be in such haste.

"Yes, my father is not a patient man, if you do not appear at my home tomorrow, I fear that he would do something drastic." Angelica answered the unasked question.

"I see... since this is urgent, what would you like me to say to your father tomorrow?" he asked, he understood her urgency even though he was in no rush.

"You surely are a wise man, I am sure that you will be able to speak sensible words to him." she replied.

"Truly I am a wise man." he replied as Angelica scoffed. "However, you know your father best. Tell me how to approach him." he added.

"Simply speak to him of your interest to marry me, be resolute but not imprudent, whatever you say before or after that rests upon you."

"Alright. I believe that I will see you tomorrow in the daylight Lady Angelica." he said smiling.

"No you will not, for the sake of the fulfillment of our agreement you and I will not see tomorrow. It will raise suspicion, after all we have never met before and your sudden interest in me will be alarming." she said decisively.

"You are truly thought of every outcome." he said amused. "When will we meet again?" he asked her.

"When my father asks to meet you for the second time, then we will meet."

"It is settled then, it was a pleasant surprise to meet you Lady Angelica." Ian said smiling. Angelica really had nothing to say to that, she just hoped he was a man of his word and he would not delay her.

"I will be on my way now your highness... take care." she said without waiting for a reply as she disappeared into the darkness.

Ian watched as she disappeared into the darkness with a entertained smile dancing on his lips.

"Who was that?" Easton asked suspiciously, he had returned from breaking off the inhumane fight that went on inside when he saw a mysterious woman speaking to Ian casually.

"My future wife." Ian replied simply. Easton looked at him in a very strange manner.