The Duchess' Enchantment

Chapter 12

Unfortunately, I injured my fingers this week while cutting my veggies, so I waited a little before posting this chapter. It is also a bit longer than my other chapters, although not too long. Hope this was worth the wait.

BTW, it was our first day back to school for us, and it went really well. Anyway, Hope you enjoy!

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If it was possible, Cassius was even more irritated with his brother's matchmaking efforts. Not just because he set about doing so with the omission of Cassius's permission, but also because he was irritatingly persistent with arranging his own union. Instead, he could have been using all this time and effort into running the country more efficiently, and improving it for the people. And not because of his absurd thinking that Cassius' future wife would soften his hard-headed younger brother up.

Yet, it wasn't possible. Cassius did not tolerate any distractions, especially in the form of one's spouse and children. Perhaps a wife was needed to produce heirs and heirs were needed to continue the legacy, but they were still a distraction. They need not be a part of his life.

And this was exactly what he was trying to convince his brother of.

His brother had not agreed. His sister-in-law was vehemently against his reasoning.

They had argued that it would be beneficial for him to have someone closer to look after him. To share in his dreams, support his endeavours, rejoice in his victories. Someone closer to share everything with and be shared with. Someone to give him little bundles of joy and share in their love.

He had baulked at those last sentences and promptly answered, "If I'd needed any of those I would gone looking years ago."

He then forced himself to take a deep breath and declared.

"I am young and not in need of a family to tie me down because they will not be able to look after themselves. They will be nothing but a nuisance."

Marceline, his sister in law gazed at him softly and replied, "When you find the right person, it will bring you the greatest joy."

Cassius must have looked ready to argue his rebuttal because his sister in law held a finger to his mouth and added, in an even quieter voice.

"I wish that for you."

Cassius was truly touched that she cared about him in that way, although didn't have the heart to inform her that she had misjudged his need for a wife and family of his own. That her combination of exasperation and sisterly affection had silenced him and made the conversation cease. He knew he had lost then. They only had his best interests at heart, no matter how misguided they might be.

Instead, he smiled, careful to make it seem somewhat remorseful, and somewhat apprehensive.

She'd take that as his answer.

He'd begrudgingly agreed to travel as an ambassador, along with a select crew and help. Thankfully, this trip did not involve those unbearable aristocrats, or at least involved a few bearable ones. Those that would know to refrain from voicing their opinions on his judgement. That was a small comfort.

His brother had ensured that everything was ready for their leave. He had also told him what he would have liked to trade and at what prices. While Cassius already knew at least some of this, he was surprised at how much his brother was willing to compromise when it came to the trade. As Goslar was accessed by ship all over the world, it was a trading hotspot. Although, lately the docking and import, export prices had dramatically risen, discouraging many ships from trading their goods and services there. However, there was still a steady stream of trade ongoing at the region, although significantly less than before.