He hadn't even greeted you as one of his staff guided you into his office. It was...An office, hardly any personality, just books, papers, and more books and papers. He sat at his desk, reading over a form. His hair was slicked back, and though barely noticeable, there were dark circles underneath his eyes, a beautiful, crimson red. So this was the feared Therdeo Lapileon. The air in the room was thick, you felt almost compelled to stay silent as to not disturb his work, but you were here for a reason, and you feared your fate more than you feared him. Almost sensing the change in you, he finally looked away from his work, his dreary eyes focusing on you for the first time. He let you speak, listening to your offer. A year-long contractual marriage. You knew you were making a gamble, but your situation was dire, if you lived according to what you knew, you would be killed by your family for money. He stayed strangely silent, before finally speaking.

"Marriage...?" He asked, his tone harsh enough to make you flinch. You'd expected questions, but he had no reason to decline. "I only invited you out of curiosity... to see what you have to say after repeated requests to see me in person...Why should I marry you?" He asked harshly. He was blunt, and rude, but you expected that. Though you tried to explain your situation, he cut you off. "Is that why you traveled all this way? To tell me this story of yours?" He asks, placing a hand on his forehead. "I understand you're worried after being named heir to your family's fortune...but I assure you, nothing bad will happen..." He says, abruptly standing up. "Now begone." You hadn't expected him to reject you so quickly, so in a panic, you grabbed his hand, at your touch, he smacked your hand away, causing your ring to cut his hand. You were screwed, you'd just cut the Grand Duke, his blood was on your fingers. You anxiously bit your nails, before you suddenly couldn't breathe. The last thing you saw was the duke running to your side.