The Prince That Got Away ( A Royal Romance Novel )

My Husband

Emilia's POV:-

" I am sorry can you come again?" I murmur confused.

What I first wanted to say was 'Are you out of your mind?'. But that sounded rude and besides I wasn't sure if I had heard him correctly.

Louis sat looking as dignified and composed as ever in a blue three-piece suit and a black button-down shirt underneath. His tie was missing and his shirt gaped open at the top giving me a slight glimpse of his muscular chest.

" Do you know what the punishment is for killing a member of the nobility? It's either death or lifelong imprisonment. At least this is always the case when the killer is a commoner. "

" I didn't mean to kill him. I only acted in self-defense."

I don't want to admit it but his words have me feeling terrified.

" That would have made a difference if William was not a member of the peerage. Or if you were part of the aristocracy yourself. It's an unwritten code that any crime involving physical violence against a noble has to be punished severely regardless of the reason behind it. The legal system doesn't discriminate in other cases that involve the nobility. But if you assault or murder a noble, they will take the latter's side even if it was in self-defense. "

" That is insane! And wrong on so many levels. Surely you don't approve of this?"
I am flabbergasted.

"It's a consequence of the nobility's fear and paranoia after the Civil War. They believe that allowing the commoners any sort of leeway in such matters would encourage them to commit massacres similar to those during the war. Of course, I don't approve of this. But there's not much I can do about it for now. It would take years, if not decades, for such a change to occur. For now, your best hope is to become a member of the nobility yourself. "

" By marrying you?" I stammer.

I don't know why I feel so shy and embarrassed saying these words.

" Yes. Unless you have someone else in mind who's also a member of the peerage. "

His face is impassive. It looks like he's here to finalize a business deal instead of proposing marriage. Yet I am blushing as if he's gone down on one knee to ask for my hand.

" I don't think it's right of me to ask you for such a huge sacrifice. Marriage is a lifelong commitment. " I say breathlessly.

" It won't have to be a lifelong commitment in our case. We can divorce after six months or so if you are in a hurry. This would solely be a marriage of convenience. You don't have to worry about children or anything else. You can easily remarry once we part ways."

I should be rejoicing at his words, but for some reason, they leave me feeling deflated.

"You don't have to do anything because of what happened in the past. I have already forgiven you for it. "

I had forgiven him for assuming that I was a spy and throwing me out of Ethelred School. What I hadn't forgiven him for was stealing my heart and not loving me back. But I couldn't tell him that.

" I am helping you because it's the right thing to do. Our judicial system is mostly fair and impartial until it comes to such cases. I consider it a failure on my part and my family's that we haven't been able to do anything to bring change." He says seriously.

" Can you marry someone in prison? What about asking the Queen for her permission?" I ask.

" Let me take care of that. You just have to say yes." He smiles slightly, and it reassures me for some reason.