Visitation

"Ian what in tarnation are we doing here?!" whispered Easton, when Ian had woken up this morning and told him that they would be going somewhere, he did not suspect that Ian was being dubious by hiding their destination.

"Easton, can you please relax and if not keep your mouth shut." Ian replied sternly. Easton was not offended, far from it, rather he was worried as to what he would tell the king when asked why his son came to visit a stigmatized viscount who was due to appear in his courts tomorrow.

"I cannot Ian, my duty as your chief guard is to―"

"Stay out of my private matters and follow my orders and right now my orders are for you to keep silent." Ian rudely interjected.

"As you wish... your highness." replied Easton seriously, there was sheer pettiness in his tone but Ian did not have the energy to deal with that right now.

"Good morning my prince." Dariel soberly entered the room, his head held high and an unmistakable wariness.

"Good morning Viscount Dariel." Ian replied sounding relieved, he felt that he had been waiting for longer than he had anticipated.

Dariel bowed in front Ian and kissed his knuckles in obeisance.

"You may rise." Ian replied.

"To what do I owe your sudden visitation my prince?" Dariel immediately asked the question that was on everyone's mind. 

"Is it wrong for me to visit one of the faithful servants of my father?" Ian asked, there was a hint of mocking in his tone.

"But of course it is not my prince, however, this is surprising to say the least, I have never been as fortunate enough to have any of the royal family grace my humble abode." Dariel smiled.

"Well there is indeed a first time for everything is there not?" asked Ian.

"Yes my prince, you are right." Dariel replied. He did not like this discomforting feeling he felt in the moment. Ian sat in his green armchair regally, with his guard standing earnestly behind him. Dariel almost felt like a visitor in his own home.

"I thought I ordered my maids to offer you something your highness, those insolent workers, they do not value their work." sneered Dariel.

"No need to be angry with them viscount, I declined their offers." Ian replied.

"But why my prince?"

"Because being offered food and drink is not the nature of my visitation." Dariel's ears pricked, he was now more cautious than ever. This visit was like walking behind your enemy without knowing what to expect.

"And what exactly is the nature of your visitation my prince?" 

"I come here today to ask your your daughter's hand in marriage." Ian declared simply.

Easton's eyes went wide, he almost broke out of his gentlemanly conduct. Dariel had an even worse reaction, he looked like he was choked, completely speechless. 

Clearly Ian's sudden statement had caused them all to wonder if they were either dreaming or he was insane.

"Par... Par... Pardon?" Dariel could barely speak clearly.

"I ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage." Ian stated again, making it certain that they had heard his previous statement clearly.

"With all due respect my prince... what sort of farce is this?" asked Dariel.

"This is no farce viscount, I am dead serious. I want to marry your daughter Angelica."

"But why?" asked Dariel, this was the worst news he had heard, what sort of jest was this?

"It is no secret that my father has asked me to marry in a few months less my title of crown prince be revoked. I need a wife." Ian said clearly coolly, he disliked having to repeat himself over and over again.

"Any why my daughter?" asked Dariel, his eyes narrowed. Either this was a setup or they all wanted to see him make a fool out of himself, regardless he would not give them their satisfaction.

"Why not your daughter?" Ian responded, almost jeeringly.

"Have you ever met my daughter before?" asked Dariel, Ian could see how quick he dropped the pleasantries and titles, his true colour was starting to show.

"No." Ian lied, somehow he felt that it was better he kept the agreement he had with Angelica between them.

"Surely you lie for you have never met my daughter before, neither have you known she existed, if you have never met her, why else would you come here preposterously asking for her hand in marriage?" Dariel was no longer able to contain his anger, he started to raise his voice.

"I believe that your answer is no then." said Ian.

"My answer is no! I do not know what you and your father and the rest of the council are trying to do, but you surely will make no fool out of me!" Dariel said hotly, just yesterday he had received a summoning letter and now the king's son showed up at his home asking for his daughter's hand absurdly, this was definitely some sort of ploy.

"You know what viscount, I will give you some time to really think and decide on a solution that would favour us both." said Ian, he rose up to his feet smiling.

"You have till tomorrow at this same time, until then I bid you farewell viscount." those were the last words Dariel heard before he was left alone in the room, his mind racing his rage increasing veins popping.

"That impertinent boy!" Dariel shouted through gritted teeth.