CASSANDRA: The Unfavored Princess-Chapter 46: Emperor Approve?

Duke Salvador was staring at the distance towards the door where Lord Bentham and Cassandra had gone.

His hand was clenched into a fist. His mind was running wild as his eyes narrowed.

’Why did he get engaged so suddenly.’

’As long as I know Achard Bentham was never into getting married. That to a Princess.’

’He hated getting involved with the royal family, so why?’

’Does he like the Fifth Princess?’

’No. I can sense he cares for her but not love.’

’’So why so early?’

Aiden closed his eyes as he could not understand what was happening to him. He never cared for his friend, but now, here he was justifying the behavior of his friend.

’Is Achard doing this because the fifth Princess does not have any power?’

’It must be. If he marries her then he does not have to fight with his younger brother for the Dukedom.’

Aiden tried to understand the situation but soon his mood sored. His hand that was on the table, banged it loudly. The teacup on the table fell off crashing into pieces.

"Master ..." The butler came inside the study in fright

It was very uncommon that any voice would transport from the Duke study outside. Duke Salvador liked to work in extreme silence.

The butler could not understand what would have gone wrong. Many possibilities were running in his mind. What if someone had sneaked in the study? What if there was an assassin? Did the Duke get attacked? No matter how hard the butler tried he could not come up with the right answer.

The Duke himself was a very strong man and even if a skilled assassin came, it was unlikely that the Duke would not get hurt in the process of killing the intruder.

’Maybe the Duke has killed the assassin.’ The butler concluded as he rushed into the study with an uneasy breath. But what he saw was beyond his imagination.

The Duke was sitting quietly on the chair and staring at the distance. The butler did not know what was going on as the Duke was unresponsive and he could see that his master’s eyes were focused on something. But that something was unclear to him.

Soon after the butler’s eyes traveled to understand where the noise came and he saw the teacup flattened on the ground into small pieces.

Afraid that his master would get hurt, the butler came in running and called the maids to clean the area. He knew that the Duke hated anyone coming inside his study unless and until he was present in it. The butler made sure that the maids did not make even the slightest noise while doing the work.

But even after the place was cleaned up the butler was still in front of the Duke who was still lost somewhere.

The butler could not help himself but wonder what had gone wrong.

Feeling the stare on him, Duke’s Salvador looked at his butler with the dead gaze. Without giving much thought he said. "Call Blazh."

The butler nodded and went to obey his master. It was a known fact that Blazh was Duke Salvador’s right-hand man. He was only called for major things and looking at his master’s face, the butler concluded that the deed going on in his master’s mind is something of great importance.

Soon a shadow appeared on the window of the study as Blazh entered. He bows down to the Duke, waiting for his master’s command, and soon hears a low husky voice.

"What is the movement at Duke Bentham’s side?" Aiden asked as he raised his eyebrows.

Aiden knew that even though Lord Bentham might have agreed to get married to the fifth Princess, it was very unlikely for his adopted father Duke Bentham to give his permission.

It was a well known fact that even though Duke Bentham and his wife had adopted Archer, they had always loved him like their own son and the two brothers also shared a deep connection.

In a situation like this, Duke Salvador found it hard to believe that his best friend took a decision with his father’s approval.

Blazh swallowed as he said in a low tone. "This morning Duke Bentham had asked for an audience with the Emperor and it was said that he had asked for Lord Bentham and the fifth Princess’s engagement."

Aiden raised his eyebrows in doubt.

’How was it possible?’

’The Duke could not do this.’ 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"The Duke asked for an audience personally?" Duke Salvador asked as he could not believe his own ears.

’Why would the Duke do something like that.’

’It was beyond his personal trait.’

Blazh had a good sense. He could hear the unhappiness from his master’s tone. But he could not find out what was troubling the Duke.

Blazh nodded as he looked up at the Duke who was struggling to control his rage. He could feel the temperature around him increase significantly.

’The Duke is angry.’ Blazh said. He knew Duke Salvador well and looking at the past, Blazh could only hope that the recipient of the anger was alive at the end.

Aiden took some deep breaths as he asked, trying to control the viciousness in his voice. "Did the Emperor approve?"

Even though Aiden knew that it might be true as he had heard it from Lord Bentham directly, he still wanted to know. There was a slight hope in his heart somewhere that he himself didn’t know.

"Yes, the Emperor agreed. He was happy with the news."

Duke Salvador’s gaze turned dark. He could understand why Lord Bentham proposed but he could not understand why the Emperor agreed.

’Shouldn’t the Emperor try to push one of his other daughters towards the Bentham’s? If someone who has the power becomes his wife won’t the Emperor have a greater chance to hold the water mage at his side?’

There were many things that the Duke could not know now. He walked towards the window. The sun started to settle behind the clouds. The sky had an orange-red shade, painting his own study with the same.

So many emotions were playing in his head but Aiden’s mind was still fixed on something else.

’Why would the fifth Princess agree to such an arrangement?’