It's impossible to win when you can't get a word in edgewise.
During the meal with the Duke's family, Aracilla claimed a victory by either interpreting whatever they said however she pleased or by retorting in a way that left them utterly speechless.
She mostly employed two tactics.
"The more you object like this, the more our love will burn".
If they directly or indirectly hinted at opposing the marriage, she would reply like that.
"So, you're saying you don't want to see me after the wedding? I'll do as you wish".
And if they relentlessly picked faults with her, she'd respond with a crestfallen face.
The Duke's Family, having completely failed to gain the upper hand against Aracilla, finally left the dining hall with looks of utter exhaustion.
"I came prepared for a fight. How did I do?"
Aracilla's eyes sparkled as she greeted Demian, who had come out to see her off.
In truth, just before entering the dining hall, she had eavesdropped on the Duke's family's conversation through a slightly open door.
The mention of marrying Iris and Oscar sent a shiver down her spine, and rage surged within her.
How dare they, without any conscience, try to marry off my sister!
Thus, she approached the meal even more aggressively than she initially intended.
"You did well.It seems Lady Aracilla has a remarkable talent for leaving people speechless."
Demian praised her with genuine sincerity. It was the first time he had seen the Duke's Family lose their words so frequently.
Since childhood, he had always faced their absurd stubbornness alone, but having even one person on his side certainly made a difference.
This must be what it felt like to strong support. Especially since the person by his side was the extraordinary Aracilla Hugo.
'Is this why people live in groups?'
He gazed down at Aracilla's face, despite her feigned indifference, was clearly elated by his praise, and he thought.
While he still preferred living alone, having one person in the same space might not be so bad.
It's true I've never been out-talked in my life. If I may offer some advice, sometimes to win an argument you have to abandon reason.
"Indeed, Lady Aracilla did speak like an unbridled clot earlier".
That's the most insulting comparison.
I've ever heard in my life. Do you want to be head-butted by a clot?
As Aracilla narrowed her eyes, the carriage arrived behind her. Demian opened the door and bowed politely.
"I'll decline that offer. Please return safely."
"Yes, have a wretched evening."
Aracilla, holding Audrey's hand, stepped into the carriage and slammed the door.
Demien watched the carriage, with Hugo Marquisate's crest flapping on its flag, depart before slowly turning back.
As he ascended the marble stairs, he paused upon seeing someone appear from above.
Demien, do you think you can take Oscar's place by doing this?
The duchess looked down at her step-son with a chilling expression. Demien let out a faint laugh.
You laugh? Don't get arrogant. Damien Vandermir. You're still a loser.
Perhaps for now, duchess.
Damien slowly ascended the stairs and stood before the duchess.
But if I try hard enough, won't I too someday become a winner like you, duchess? By taking what belongs to others.
You, you...!
The duchess' face flushed crimson.
She had originally been a close friend of the deceased former duchess, but now not only did she betray her friend and steal her husband, she even went so far as to bear a child and, after her friend's death, usurp her position.
The duchess, who couldn't possibly misunderstand that Damien was pointing out precisely that, glared at him with an insulted expression.
Why does he have to resemble *him* of all people?
Her beloved son didn't resemble the man she loved, but the utterly detestable Damien was the spitting image of the duke.
And to make matters worse, his eyes, like melted pure gold, reminded her of the former duchess, which only fueled her anger.
"Well, then I have matters to attend to."
Damien gave a slight nod and passed her, continuing up the stairs.The duchess clenched her fists, glaring at his broad back.
Damien Vandermir, do you think I'll let you marry so easily?
Damn both of you. I won't let either of them get away with this. Her clenched fists trembled as she gritted her teeth.
*****
The Vandermir family tried every method imaginable to appease the Hugo Marquisate.
They offered gold and treasures, proposed lucrative business deals, and extended sweet temptations, promising to grant whatever they desired.
But the Hugo Marquisate didn't budge. On the contrary, they even directly informed the emperor of the marriage, as per Aracilla's request.
Upon hearing the news of the marriage from the family's official announcement rather than an individual, the emperor beamed and summoned both the family heads.
"Hahaha, the marriage between the two families is finally coming to fruition, and a love match at that. Truly delightful news. Congratulations, Duke and Marquis. Your second son and second daughter, respectively, are forming a wonderful bond."
The emperor stroked snow-white beard, a pleased smile on his face.
He had been a close friend of the deceased former Duke Vandermir
This was why the current duke couldn't nullify the political marriage because none other than the emperor himself was upholding the former duke's last will.
"I shall personally attend the wedding. Congratulations once again."
With this, Damien and Aracilla's marriage became official and preparations had to be made without delay.
On their way out, after receiving the emperor's well-wishes, the Duke of Vandermir stopped the Marquess Hugo and said,
"Marquis, I oppose this marriage. More precisely, I oppose my second son. How about our eldest son, Oscar, instead?"
The Duke tried to persuade the Marquiss with great urgency and desperation. However, the Marquess gently pushed the Duke's hand away and shook his head.
"It is your second son who is more suitable for my second daughter".
Through a single meal with Damian, he had realized it. Damian was the only man who could accommodate Aracilla's values and marry her.
Then you can marry your eldest daughter to my eldest son!" Damian caused so much trouble as a child that his wife, after enduring it for so long, even sent him abroad to study. "Are you truly okay with your daughter marrying him?"
"Oh dear," I said, "it's fine."
"So why is it fine?" the Duke, angered by the Marquis, who had a pleasant face but wasn't listening to him, shouted.
"He couldn't let Damian marry like this." But somehow, the Hugo Marquisate people, whether daughter or father, were impossible to reason with.
"Marquis, think carefully. As you know, marriage isn't just about looking at the other person's face.
My wife only looked at my face, though.
" The Marquis Hugo, who had an uncommon love marriage in aristocratic society, did miss the chance to boast, smiling broadly.
His smile was so much like his daughter that it made the Duke's blood pressure sore, reminding him of Aracilla.
Your daughter may be different," Instead, Marquis persuade your daughter to--.
"Duke, it seems you don't know , never having raised a daughter."
The Marquis said, placing a hand on the Duke's shoulder with a serious face.
"They say raising a daughter is usually easier than raising a son, but when the daughter sets her mind on something, no one can break her will."
"Are you saying a child dares to defy their father's command?
Rather than that, at twenty-one both sons and daughters are meant to live independently."
He let out a hearty laugh lightly, patting the Duke's shoulder.
"Anyway, if it's a political marriage, wouldn't it be better now than forcing children who don't want it?"
"But......"
"His Majesty has granted his permission, so let's speak no more of this. I'll take my leave."
The Duke gnashed his teeth watching the Marquis walk ahead with a fresh smile.
Ultimately having failed to persuade the Marquis one last time, only one option remained for him.
To somehow make Aracilla Hugo give up on this marriage.
*****
The wedding date for Aracilla Hugo and Damian Vandermir was set quickly.
The first reason was to prevent the ducal family from interfering and the second was that both of them wanted to marry and divorce as quickly as possible.
Aracilla even so a wedding in a month is too soon, isn't it?
Iris asked, watching her sister prepare to go out from her seat on the bed. Her voice was thick with worry and concern.
"So what ? His Majesty specially offered the Grand Temple as the venue? Why go slow when we can do it fast?"
There truly was no reason to go slowly. The venue was provided by the emperor and everything else could be prepared with money.
Fortunately, both sides had ample funds, so there was no shortage for pushing the wedding through at high speed.
Still, a month is too fast.
Sister, Adrian changed his mind and accepted our marriage in just one day. A month is plenty of time.
Aracilla was not aware of her sister's reluctant feelings about letting her go, but she did not change her resolute stance.
Especially since this was the way to save her sister.
Sorry, I'm meeting the duchess today. I should go now.
Alright, Aracilla.
Iris straightened her sister's slightly tilted head, held her hand and advised her,
If the duchess says anything to you, don't retort every single word. Let slip what you can bear and agree to any reasonable demands. That way they won't cling to you.
This was Iris's advice, having heard from their parents that the ducal family was against the marriage.
Though she still felt a sense of regret and sadness about Aracilla's marriage, she wanted to help her sister since she desired it.
You want to get married quickly, don't you? Then endure it when you need to and don't give them any leeway. Understood?
Yes, sister. Thank you. I'll be back.
After a quick hug with Iris, Aracilla left the house and headed to a secluded coffee house.
Today she was scheduled to discuss the marriage with the duchess there.
She arrived on time for the appointment, but seeing the empty seat, Aracilla sat down first.
Right, I was also three minutes late when I met Sir Vandermir.
And she waited.
The duchess appeared about thirty minutes after the appointment time.
Hello, duchess.
Hello, Lady Aracilla.
The duchess shamelessly sat in the opposite seat without offering an apology. Aracilla was about to say something, but remembered her sister's advice and refrained.
She could let this much slide.
"The reason I asked you to see you today is simply because I have something to give you, Lady Aracilla."
"For me?"
The duchess gestured and the maid presented a document envelope. Aracilla silently took it.
It was quite heavy and thick, indicating many papers inside.
"Read it right now."
"Yes."
The one the duchess handed her was a document detailing the dowry and wedding gifts.
All sorts of jewels, expensive dresses, a new mansion in the capital....
Aracilla was speechless for a moment, her jaw dropping at the sheer scale of the amount.
"Isn't this less like a ducal family and more like a gang extorting money?"