“I assume you’ve already read the contents of my letter, no?” His touch was dainty, gliding down across his desk and picking another copy; dangling it from side to side as if to make a mockery out of you. “Marriage is expected between the two of us as well as the continuation of the noble lineage if I were to be frank.”

You remained quiet, as if to urge him to continue.

“But you already knew that, didn’t you?”