The Duke's Surreptitious Ways (Rafael Benedict Valiente)

Chapter 23: Strike

"I'm sorry about my grandson's impertinence," grandpa apologized to the two, and Maria just nodded. Morrison was just staring at grandpa with no emotions on his face.

"I wanted to wring Nikolai's neck for ruining this moment for me. Now, I had to wait and get a chance to talk to grandpa about my plan.

"So what would you like us to tell your father, Maria? I know he can be stubborn," Grandpa said, and Maria sat back down. She looked perturbed, and my heart clenched for her.

"I just want to let him know that arranged marriage doesn't happen anymore. It's the 21st century. Who does that?" Maria sighed, looking down on her lap.

I decided to butt in. "If your father is only after the alliances, I think Nikolai's offer would help you, Maria," I said a little cautiously, and she snapped her eyes up at me, glistening with unshed tears.

"But I want to get married with love, and he hated me!" Maria snapped, and my eyebrow shot up. Maria has been very sweet and seeing her losing her temper, kind of new to me, not that I know her very well. But since I met her, she never loses her temper. Always the prim and proper always has that cool effect to anyone, but now, she seemed out of her character, just like my brother Nikolai.

"Well, even after you said no to him, I don't think it ends there," I said. Grandpa didn't say anything. Maria eyed me with confusion. Morrison was just watching the whole time.

Nikolai is known for his tenacity, for his determination. If he wants something, he gets it. "Expect that he'll talk to your father and offer the marriage. He doesn't take rejection very well, Maria." I explained, and Grandpa nodded.

"Maria stood up. She paces back and forth. She stopped and heaved a sigh. "Nikolai and I had an awful start. I don't think this marriage would even work," Maria explained.

"Well, you have a week to think about it before your father comes for the ball," I said, and she shook her head stubbornly. Her face turned stony, and I just nodded my head.

"If you wish."

"Very well then," Grandpa piped in. "Perhaps Maria and William needs some rest after a long trip. I can ring Ms. Yuliana. She can walk you both to your room." Grandpa piped in.

"That would be lovely, your grace," William quickly stood up and shrugged his shoulders.

Just then Yuliana walked in. Maria gave grandpa a brief hug in which reciprocated with a short peck on her cheeks, then gave at Yuliana a small smile. Yuliana just gave us a brief curtsy before motioning the door at the two, then led them out.

I watched them disappeared into the door before I face my grandfather. He was now staring at me. 

"So what is your plan?" Grandpa asked, motioning me to sit. 

I took the spot Maria vacated, and leaned my back against the backrest. "I'm going to propose to her, and if she accepts it, then I'll announce our engagement on the night of the ball. She can plan the wedding if she wants to, or hire a planner, whichever suits her," I explained. Excitement instantly builds up in my chest. Just thinking her bearing my name, I felt overly happy. No man will ever think of pursuing her. She'll be forever mine.

"Do you have the ring?" grandpa asked, raising his eyebrow at me. 

Just when I realized, I need to pick one soon and planned my proposal. That made me realized why I was here. "I'll go tomorrow morning. For now, I need your help. I don't know how Am I going to propose?" I sighed.

Grandpa smiled. "What do you have in mind?" he looked relax as he eyed me intently. 

I honestly had no idea what to do that's why I came for him. I'm assuming he did it before. "I did not propose if that's what you mean, son. It was an arranged marriage, but later on, we fell in love." Grandpa explained briefly, shifting in his seat, and held a deep breath, perhaps releasing some tension upon remembering his late wife.