"It must be at least the Duke of Vallona." There is silence in the room, all attention turns to the man. Calix is confident in his words. He puts both hands on the table, folding them in front of him, and resolutely examines his relatives.

"Brother, I want to marry the Duke of Vallona!" His younger sister exclaimed, but one look from Calix made her regret her words.

"You can marry his younger brother."

"Son, even offering Vallona to marry the dirty blood of our family would be an insult to him. It's not advisable," his father intervened, and the others in the family council room nod.

Calix knows that you are his father's bastard. Since childhood, you have been subjected to all kinds of humiliation and neglect. Calix was the one who ignored your suffering, not wanting to do anything about this injustice. And after five years at the Academy for Heirs, he returned, completely changed. Calix began showering you with gifts, affectionately calling you and sincerely worrying. He has become a real brother to you, who wants to fix everything that he could not prevent in your childhood. Therefore, he took up the choice of your future husband on his own and with all diligence. And if Calix decides, you will marry the Emperor. Your brother's demands are higher than mountains for your husband, but he doesn't care. You deserve a tall, handsome, rich, courageous, loving, influential, calm, caring husband with a good reputation.

Calix ran an irritated hand through his hair, and his gaze settled on you, also sitting at the table. There was a scandal not only because Calix decided that you would be present at the decision-making, but also because you are sitting in a place of honor next to the young Duke. "Dear, who do you like? Maybe there is already someone you love?"