Marry me, Commoner!

A smile of lasting impression

"Scylla, darling, can you repeat that?"

Duke Amaryllis Ver Derule had forgotten about the tea in his shaking hands, spilling the liquid all over his attire. Duchess Rosetta could only watch her husband in worry, it's not as if she doesn't understand where he is coming from.

Priscilla let out a loud sigh before tugging onto the young male's arms to prove her point. "I am going to marry this boy and no one else!"

The said boy being Nyx himself, the crimson-haired male watched the daughter and father stare each other off. He understood the worries of a parent, but it would seem like Priscilla did want to marry him. As to why, Nyx has yet to get it out of her.

"Dear," Duchess Rosetta began once her husband regained his composure, addressing Priscilla. "Are you sure you want to marry this boy—"

"—And a commoner, no less!" The duke cut off, however, a pointed glare from his wife shut him up.

"Weren't you interested in the crown prince?"

That's right, Nyx thought. Alas, the dark-haired girl refused to answer—or at least truthfully, and instead, unsheathed her rapier from its scabbard.

Absolutely refusing to answer her mother's query, the dark-haired girl instead declared, "Father, let's settle this with a duel. If I win, you will permit our marriage without question."

A sudden glint can be seen in Duke Amaryllis' eyes as if a switch was flipped, and he too reached out for his claymore. For a man of his age, the duke showed no struggle in lifting the heavy blade.

"Very well, and if you lose?"

Priscilla showed a smug grin as if whatever she thought of was most brilliant. "I will elope with Sir Nyx."

"What?! Wait just a minute—" Nyx hurriedly intervened. Just what the hell is wrong with this family? It would seem that the rumor he had heard of, about the Derule dukedom filled with muscle-brained idiots who settle everything with their sword, is proven true.

"Elope?" Duke Amaryllis' eyes had blown wide, his eyebrows jumping.

"Calm down, dear." The duchess grabbed her husband's arms before he could do something reckless, all the while donning a smile that Nyx is sure did not convey joy. The duchess then turned to Priscilla, her face unreadable.

"Scylla, are you in love with this boy?"

"Yes!" The said daughter answered immediately, although Nyx noticed the cold beads of sweat rolling down her temples. What a liar, but he was amused nonetheless. "I do not wish to marry if the one I am going to spend my whole life with is not him," Priscilla boldly added.

The duchess raised a brow, as if seeing through her daughter, but even if she did, Duchess Rosetta did not address it. "And since when have you fallen for him? Here we thought you wanted nothing more than to be Prince Ergoth's bride."

"Let's not go over the details, mother! I will marry Nyx Orpheus and if you do not agree, we will settle this with a duel!"

"And follow your unfair conditions?!" Duke Amaryllis bellowed like the doting father he is.

It almost looked comical, but Nyx did not dare laugh lest he finds himself on the receiving end of their swords. The duchess, on the other hand, giggled without care. However, once her laughter died out, her piercing stare quieted the father and daughter.

It was clear who held power in this questionable household.

"Have shame, both of you. Don't you think you're making young Orpheus here uncomfortable?" She scolded, albeit with a smile.

Once the attention is on him, Nyx is quick to don a smile, one he used when on business. "I quite understand why Duke Derule is upset. But I at least want you to know that I am serious about your daughter."

Good, he's on board! Priscilla couldn't help the massive smile that made its way to her lips. Her eyes sparkled and for some reason, it put pressure on the crimson-haired male. But if they want to keep this act up, they must look as believable as they can.

"Make this quick," he managed to whisper while maintaining his smile, and Priscilla resisted the urge to roll her eyes at how believable he looked.

"Father, just know that I refuse to let go of this matter until you give me an answer."

"Dear, Scylla really is just like you, stubborn and persistent." The duchess let out a laugh of amusement, finding pleasure in the unforeseen turn of events. She knew that the problem is not about Priscilla marrying a commoner, but of his youngest daughter—whom he dotes on so much—is soon going to get taken away from him.

The crimson-haired male jolted once cold and unreadable eyes landed on him. Soft pink irises seemed to glow amidst the bright beams of the sun that passed through glass windows. It reminded Nyx of a silent threat, and he knew to tread carefully. This woman, contrary to belief, might be more crafty than what people give her credit for.

It would be hard to fool the duchess, Nyx wouldn't be surprised if she'd seen through them already.

"How about this," Duchess Rosetta began. "Until you both graduate from magic school, three years from now, if your feelings still remain the same, house Derule shall permit your desire for marriage."

"What?!" Both the duke and his youngest daughter exclaimed, one of surprise and one of disappointment.

"Darling, let's trust Scylla. She's already eighteen, she can make her own decisions. And besides," with a pause, Duchess Rosetta turned to Nyx, making the hairs on his body stand up. Her smile broadened, however, it still did not reflect innocent glee. "I trust Nyx Orpheus is just who she needs."

At her mother's words, Priscilla found her eyes widening like saucers. It was as if her words were hinting at something, and it took all of Priscilla to remain calm. The last thing she would want is to have herself explain the bizarre situation she's in.

"I won't disappoint you, Duchess." Nyx is quick to offer another dazzling smile.

Alas, as Duke Amaryllis—who is still against the idea of his daughter marrying—got dragged by his wife away from the parlor, Priscilla could not express her relief as she felt a vice-like grip on her arm.

Gulping loudly, the dark-haired girl turned, only to regret it seconds later. Nyx's smile never faltered, but the cold glint in his red irises told her otherwise.

"What is it?" Perhaps the girl thought she could get away by pretending to be ignorant. Unfortunately for her, the crimson-haired male dropped his act and offered her a glare.

"You still haven't told me what this is all about. Don't you think it's fair to tell me why you suddenly decided you like me after all this trouble you've put me in?"

"I—uhh…" at a loss for words, Priscilla's voice faltered. And when she tried to plead with him, all it gave her was another piercing glare that would have killed her instantly if eyes could kill.

With a sigh, the duke's daughter is left with no other choice.

"Sit down, then. This will be a bizarre tale, I tell you."