Chapter 366: Side Story 7: Marriage

Sasha walked into a small side room of her manor. It was the first time his head had seen Marcus out of armour, the man wearing casual clothing. "Forgive me, General. I’m sure you are busy with work, but Mother won’t let this die."

Marcus smiled and shook his head. "I took a small break. Nothing will change if I leave the Commonwealth lands for a week." Marcus took a seat opposite Sasha and stared her in the eyes.

"Have you given any thought to what has been proposed?" Marcus sighed and leaned back into the couch. Tapping the back of the couch, he looked deeply into Sasha’s eyes.

"I have to ask. You never really explained to me, but why do you want to marry me? It doesn’t seem like you have any affection for me. More than anything, it feels like you don’t even want one here."

"I don’t want to be." Sasha said casually and sighed, "But it is my job as the future Duchess to have a child. You are the only man who has the prestige to be my husband that I feel like I can stand."

"So that’s it. You can stand me."

"I know you won’t stop me from what I want to do." Marcus looked at Sasha and nodded.

"Fair enough." Falling silent, he thought deeply about it. He knew the conditions of the marriage. Any sons they had would take his name, but any daughters would have to take the Godwin name. It wasn’t a bad deal. Looking up at her, he clicked his tongue. "Fine."

"Perfect." Sasha stood up. "We will have the ceremony in two days." Marcus had expected the ceremony to be hosted hastily when he sent word he had a week to discuss. Luckily, he had brought everything he would need.

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Marcus and Sasha danced in the centre of a large ballroom, surrounded by guests who watched the couple with happy eyes. Despite the rushed ceremony and suddenness of the engagement, none felt like it was a bad pairing.

Sasha wore a long white dress that stuck to her body. It was a stark contrast to her usual Admiral uniform, but it suited him perfectly. There was a thin, pleased smile on her face, looking up at Marcus, who returned one. Although the scar across his cheek ruined his looks slightly, no one denied that at the moment, he was handsome.

The two moved gracefully to the music, never messing up, and after a few, the music started to die down, followed by a round of applause. All the guests started to move, and the music started again. Issac walked through the crowd with a pregnant Johanna and smiled seeing Horace.

"Horace." Turning to look at Issac, both he and his wife had thin smiles. It was obvious to everyone that neither wanted to be there, and they were only being polite. "How have you been?"

"Busy." Horace looked around. "I see His Majesty isn’t here."

"The Emperor is busy. He sent his regards and a gift for the two." Horace scoffed and shook his head. "I heard you have a daughter."

Horace nodded, "Yes. Hopefully, she is worthy of Underwell’s legacy." Horace looked at Johanna, "Is this your second?"

Issac proudly smiled, "Of course. We plan to have more, but I don’t want to rush my wife."

"Congratulations," Horace said flatly, and Issac could tell it was an empty. "We must give our congratulations to the bride and groom. Excuse us." Horace took Ameilia by the arm and walked off. Johanna leaned in next to Issac and frowned.

"He gives me the creeps." She said quietly, making Issac smile. Grabbing her hands, he carefully started to lead a dance, making sure to be careful.

"I feel bad for their children. I’ve heard how they raise children in their house. It’s cruel." Johanna leaned into his shoulder and rested herself against him.

"No one can do anything about it. I don’t know as much as you, but I’ve heard rumours."

"The Underwells follow strict traditions. It’s what makes them so effective at their jobs. It’s not mine or anyone’s place to tell them how to raise their kids."

"It should be someone’s" Her voice was full of pity. "Children aren’t tools."

"He doesn’t understand that logic. He sees himself as a tool to be used by His Majesty. Of course, his children will be brought up as one." Issac sighed and looked over at the two talking to Marcus and Sasha, "It’s strange he even took a wife. After all, his father never did."

"He’s a bastard?" Johana asked in surprise, getting a sharp glare from Issac.

"Be careful, my dear. There are no bastards in that family. Every Underwell patriarch has had a child one way or another. Unlike his father, Horace likes to think of himself as a Gentleman. It’s why he went this route."

Johanna thought about Issac’s words and her face went white. Pushing her face deeper into his chest, she shuddered, "What a sick family."

"I know." Issac quietly said, tightening his grip on Johanna. "Stay clear of them unless necessary."

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"You actually got her to marry," William said happily to Catherine. The woman waved her hand at him and watched her daughter with pride as she greeted guest after guest.

"It was a headache and won’t be a real marriage, but I can rest easy now." Looking at the old man, she softly smiled, "How are you finding retirement?"

"Boring." Despite his words, Catheirne could hear how relaxed he was and knew he was enjoying the peace.

"You should be more honest, William. If I could, I would join you." William chuckled.

"Your daughter got married, it’s a step closer." Catheirne stared daggers at him and clicked her tongue.

"She’s a free spirit. I’m afraid that she will only understand the responsibilities as Duchess when I’m dead." Catheirne sighed and took a sip of wine, "Maybe if she gives me a Grandchild, I can use that as an excuse to drop my responsibilities."

"Don’t make wishes you may regret. I find looking after Samuel more tiring than work sometimes. And Issac’s having another."

"Poor you." Catheirne mocked, finishing her wine. Standing up, she held her hand out to him. "Care for a dance, Your Grace?"

William happily stood upon and took her hand, "It’s an honour." The two joined the massive group of people in the centre of the ball and disappeared, blending into the crowd.

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Within the Palace, Alfred looked at the clock and sighed. Getting up, he went over to the sofa and poured himself a drink. Isra walked on as if on cue and took a seat next to him, pouring herself a glass.

"You could have gone to the wedding," Alfred said regretfully, feeling like he kept his wife at home. Shaking her head, she curled up on the sofa and leaned against him.

"It’s fine. I’ll apologise to Catherine, but we rarely get time to ourselves." Alfred nodded and took a sip.

"I heard from Abu. Edward got accepted to the Academy. I thought you didn’t want him to go?"

Isra sighed and played with her glass. "I didn’t, I still don’t. But he’s hurt Alfred. Even after everything I’ve done to try to make him better, it doesn’t work. Maybe when he is around children his age, he will return to his old self." Isra went silent and drank some of her drink. He could hear her quietly grinding her teeth, "I hate them, but when he is with the twins, he is slightly more reactive."

"It’s a good thing." Alfred wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her closer to him. "He will get better. It may not mean he will become the happy boy he was, but I don’t blame him if he never returns."

"The world isn’t fair." Alfred felt his heart sting hearing Isra’s sad voice and rubbed her arm affectionately.

"It’s not." The two sat in silence for a while listening to the birds outside singing. "When does he go?"

"When he’s four. A few years away, but better than nothing."

"It should be around the time Issac sends his boy. Ivan is also sending his daughter."

"Edward’s berothed?" Alfred nodded, and finally, Isra smiled warmly. "If anything, I hope those two get along. It would be nice for Edward to have what we have."

"The twins are going the year after," Alfred said, wiping Isra’s smile from her face. Looking up at Alfred, he shook his head to stop her from saying anything, "They have to. Whatever you or I feel about them, they are still my children. They need to be treated like a Prince and Princess, or it’s an insult to the Lindonfall name."

"I understand." Alfred could tell she was bitter about the decision. Nothing he could say would make her happy about it, so he didn’t bother. They both knew that sacrifices had to be made, and this was the main one Isra had to make. The room went silent again. Neither one of them spoke, simply enjoying each other’s company as they slowly emptied the bottle.