The Debt Of Fate
Chapter 207: willing

Chapter 207: willing

The tall double doors of the grand hall creaked open, and the Crown Prince of Gube strode in, his steps measured. Following two steps behind were two elderly chancellors dressed in deep purple robes trimmed with gold. Behind them, a line of attendants carried gilded boxes gifts of tribute and goodwill.

King Edward studied the prince carefully. He was young, perhaps no more than twenty and five years, but his sharp eyes and calm bearing showed experience beyond his age. He bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I greet you in the name of the King of Gube, my father, who sends his warm regards and hopes for lasting peace and prosperity between our two kingdoms," the Crown Prince said with practiced formality.

"Be seated, Crown Prince," Edward replied with a faint nod. "We welcome Gube’s goodwill."

King Edward understood that anyone could say nice things, but sincerity was another matter.

After the formalities were exchanged and the tribute accepted, the atmosphere in the hall shifted subtly. Edward leaned forward, his voice low but firm.

"Now, let us speak plainly. What marriage alliance does the King of Gube propose?"

The Crown Prince stood, eyes steady. "My father wishes to strengthen our ties by offering Princess Katrina in marriage to the second prince of Nixel."

A stunned silence fell upon the hall. Even Mary, who had heard many political schemes over the years, felt her composure waver. Anastasia merely looked at the Crown Prince of Gube without reaction. This marriage had nothing to do with her. She was only seated there out of formality.

The second prince blinked in quiet disbelief. He had expected an offer, perhaps even a minor noblewoman but not her. The Princess of Gube was famed not just for her beauty, but for being her father’s most cherished child. Why would the king be willing to offer her to a dying man? He knew the state of his own body best.

Edward’s brows furrowed. "The second prince is unwell. He is not expected to live long. Does the King of Gube know this?"

The Crown Prince gave a small smile. "He does. My father believes that Princess Katrina’s marriage to the second prince is a noble cause. She is willing and has agreed of her own volition. As long as she bears a child, her future will be secure. Gube will support her fully. Moreover, life and death have always been decided by heaven. Who can say who will live long or die early?"

The crown prince looked sincere when he said those words.

Edward exchanged a long glance with Mary. Something about this felt calculated; a political maneuver cloaked in sacrifice.

"Why now?" Edward asked. "A year ago, I heard your father refused even to consider parting with the princess." This offer felt too good to be true. In his opinion, Gube had not fallen to the point they would give away their noble princess for marriage.

The Crown Prince paused, his smile fading into something more cautious. "Time changes all things, Your Majesty. Gube seeks stability. My father seeks peace. And sometimes peace must be secured through a heavy price."

Even his sister Katrina understood this and was willing to take on the responsibility.

The room fell silent once again, the weight of those words settling into every corner.

"I will speak with my brother," Edward said at last. "We do not take such matters lightly in Nixel."

The Crown Prince bowed once more. "We await your decision with patience and respect."

---

Later that evening, behind the closed doors of the royal chamber, Mary turned to Edward. "Do you believe this offer is genuine?"

Edward stood at the window, hands clasped behind his back. "It is too generous. Either they hope to plant influence in our court through her, or... Katrina has her own reason for agreeing."

Mary raised a brow, thinking for a while before speaking. "Do you suspect love?"

Edward did not answer immediately. Then he turned, his expression unreadable. He thought of his mother’s words; love can make people do foolish things. Just like how he knew Dorothy was not as kind and gentle as she appeared, yet, he could not let her go. He had secretly visited her once in the past few days. Even his anger toward her actions had nearly faded, when he saw her tears. He had begun making excuses for her behavior.

"Love... My brother and the princess have barely interacted. Or, brother, is there something we do not know?" King Edward asked the second prince, who had remained quiet all the while.

"I do not have much interaction with her, but we did meet two years ago, when Father sent me as an envoy to Gube. Our meeting was brief," the second prince replied.

He remembered that day vividly. When he had seen her, he had been captivated by her beauty. He wanted to return and ask his father for a marriage alliance, but pressing matters kept him from doing so. Later, when he heard whispers that his father was considering a union, he hoped to make his thoughts known. But then came the news that she was to be offered to his elder brother. He was heartbroken and did not know what to do.

He had considered confessing his feelings to Edward, hoping his brother would pass the alliance to him. But the proposal never materialized, as the King of Gube had declared he would not marry his daughter outside the kingdom.

He was heartbroken then, but still found comfort knowing she would not become his sister-in-law. Now, two years later, the opportunity had unexpectedly returned.

Learning that she had agreed of her own will, he couldn’t help but wonder if she, too, had been drawn to him. Though the possibility stirred his heart, he kept those thoughts to himself.

King Edward studied his brother closely. With Princess Katrina in their royal city, Gube would not dare play tricks—at least, not for a few years.

"Their intentions may not be pure," Edward said, "but this marriage will bring us peace; peace we desperately need. Given the state of Nixel, even a few years would make a difference. But I will not force you. Are you willing?"

The second prince met his brother’s gaze. He knew Edward would reject the proposal if he refused.

"I am willing, brother. We do not marry for love but for duty," he answered.

Prince Lucan was afraid that revealing his feelings for Princess Katrina might make his brother more suspicious of Gube’s motive and withdraw the offer. But he was a dying man, and nothing would make him happier than marrying the woman he had longed for.