Chapter 52: the future dukedom

" I want to manage the business given by my father"

she wanted her parental properties too. Haa! Why not ask for the whole kingdom at once. If it was in my hand I would have thrown the property papers of her parents on her face, that she would have remembered the result of her blatant insults. But there was a major flaw in the situation which I could not tell her.

My lips turned into a thin line, as I analysed her words. If she got full control over the future heir of the dukedom and all the property of her parents, then she would have both. The highest authority which equals the emperor in many cases and she would also be the richest person in competition with the emperor.

There was a reason that our ancestors had distributed the work among them. Each higher noble family was granted power. We are into administration, we have the power to challenge even the emperor's decision is supported by other nobles.

And her family was in business, they were the richest family in the empire. If mixed together she would have the power to overthrow the emperor too. My eyes widened as the thought

"Ha, so you are still greedy as always" I spoke in a scornful voice when I saw her lost in thoughts.

Had she already started making plans? That day when her father came on my doorsteps I was in a hurry to get married, so I struck a deal with him. Who would have thought I would fall into a bigger trap from the one I was intending to save myself.

Now that I thought her parents never contacted her again. I wonder why? Were they also tired of her crazy behaviour? Look at her, she asked me to give the right of the future duke and all the properties of her parents yet she was the one who was crying.

For a moment it felt like she was bearing heavy grievances. This was the expression I was watching on her face recently. For a while, she would look like a cold-hearted duchess and for the next moment, she would look like a miserable woman who had lost everything and was tired. But no matter how hard I thought, I did not find a single thing which could have hurt her.

Though I did not come to her frequently. I had appointed the best maids, chef and other staff. I had given her the best gems and precious jewels. Just when I thought I should ask her why there were tears in her eyes. Her whole demeanour changed again.

As she spoke "I hope my conditions are easy to fulfil, your highness," her voice was cold and stony.

I chide myself for being a fool to care for this woman for a moment, she was just trying her emotional trick again.

My expressions hardened as I realised I had cared for her, so I hardened my voice too as I threw the reality on her face "Ha, so you think by controlling all your father's properties you will have the power to subdue me?

Or do you think you will control the dukedom in future by taking control of Killian?

You are not only greedy but clever too. I underestimated you in the past Marianne."

As I finished I thought I would see the regret on her face, but look at the nerve of the women, she was too shameless to accept everything boldly, she raised her chin definitely and started sipping wine. As if she was enjoying my predicament, then I looked at the son for whom I had come here in the lair of the snake, his face filled with worry.

But that worry was not for his father but her. It made me furious as my eyes blazed with fire and to put further oil she spoke

"You are free to think as you wish my lord. But those properties belong to my father, and as his daughter, I have complete right over them." well who in the world wanted her properties. But the problem was I could not give her what I did not have in the first place.

As the fury took better of me I spoke which I should not have, but then what choice had she left me with, "You know very well, that all the rights are transferred to your husband after marriage," I knew I have no right to ask for her husband but then I couldn't do her bidding too.

The words than ran through my mind, she spoke them harshly over my face, "His highness, are you not ashamed to ask for the right of a husband. Have I been given the rights of being a wife?" Now I didn't know whether I should be furious as she was blatantly challenging our relationship or should be amazed at her courage.

"No woman had ever asked the properties back, it is not something I can decide over," I said ignoring her words, this was something she could not do anything about.

"I understand your highness, then let me try to request his majesty in this matter, "But for now I wish to take over my right over the management of duchess duties." she said, "I hope it is something we can do"

She thought that I would be angry this time too. But what she did not, she had solved my too big problems unintentionally. At last, she said something responsible, I was waiting for a long time for her to take over her duties but she had always been lazy. She wasted all her days in decorating herself and seducing me.

But I could not show her, so to maintain my facade and stand up. I walked back without even giving a glance to both of them. There was nothing which I had done anyway by sitting there. Since I was sure she had not called Killian to hurt him.

She was playing sympathy cards with him. The way she cried and reacted over minor scratches and then asked for his rights. It clearly emphasised that she wanted to brainwash him so that she could control the future dukedom.

(Hey readers, I saw you have any doubts. So I am back with my offer, wrote a review and get a chance to ask a question from any character. The offer is valid for one day. Thank you and love you.)