Fate Decides

Chapter 28

Hisui sat in stunned silence as Arman and her father discussed the terms of the new marriage contract. She was utterly amazed. Her father hadn't sent a marriage proposal for Kaleb as she had thought, he had sent an open offer of her hand to any of the Pradesh sons.

He admitted early in the discussion he knew any of Armans now 6 sons would be a wonderful match, the Pradesh family was so well respected, admired throughout Earthland, and a lot of that had to do not just with Armans work, but also the work of the man now sitting across from her.

27 year old Farron Pradesh, Boscan Ambassador and a knighted titled member of the Boscan aristocracy for the last 4 years since he had negotiated to end of the trade embargo between Fiore, Minstrel and Joya.

Many Fioran businessmen owed their fortunes to the young mans work. She had heard though that he was to wed a Pergrande Duchess, though, it seemed he had never formally agreed to the contract, and Arman let the King read it before he, smiling, tossed it into the fireplace they were sitting by.

He put down a thick stack of papers on the table between them smiling at the King. "These are last months marriage offers on Farron, if you wish to sort through them all you are welcome to, but only this one matters since it's why we're here." Arman set another down beside the stack and Hisui saw the Fioran Royal seal on it.

"I understand Farron is a desirable young man, I did not want my daughter marrying some old man to be honest, she's headstrong, I've told you, and some...er...events have made it clear it's important she be matched with a man that can...keep up with her. I don't want to sit around all week wondering either, I want to sign something today and we can announce it at the Ball this weekend if both of you are in agreement?" He looked at Farron firmly, he didn't doubt Hisui, he knew his daughter did not want to marry one of the old men or soft pampered fops that had been sending offers, and she knew damn well that her actions with the Eclipse gate had made her...undesirable, to most of the families with young heirs available.

If she wanted a husband near her age, and, looking Farron over, a pretty decent looking one at that, who had power, political standing and could damn well give him the grandchildren he wanted, Farron Pradesh was as close to perfect as it got. Hell, if he'd had his pick of any aristocrat in Earthland this young man would be in the top 5 regardless.

That Arman was willing to bring one of his sons to consider a princess with Hisuis reputation at all was a blessing. That it was his eldest son? The King would hold Hisuis hand while she signed if he had to.

Farron while their fathers talked, simply watched Hisui. He hadn't expected this, when his father had called him to come to Crocus for this he'd expected to good naturedly watch his younger brother take the Princess for his wife.

Apparently though, as often happened with his brothers, Kaleb had gone and found a world of trouble with pretty eyes and a sad past and he'd fallen in love with her. His taking the marriage offer of Fiore had hinged on the decision of the silvery haired mage that Farron didn't doubt Kaleb was currently fucking senseless somewhere.

Kaleb would marry the little sad eyed mage, and suddenly, Farron was no longer facing proposals from an older Duchess who wanted to make him her second husband because her first was her age and apparently couldn't get her pregnant or do much of anything in bed so she wanted a young husband and was offering hefty political position in Pergrande in exchange for..well..Farrons youth and good health.

He also, of course, could take Princess Kurino, but having been in her bed before, and endured a full night there and the extensive healing the following day to avoid having scars to show for it, that was not high on his list. There was also the Lady Greise of Minstrell, cousin to the king, who had taken a serious fancy to him while he'd been there working out trade agreements.