No permission

“Is everything alright, Miss Chapman?” The handsome man asked, his eyes looking into Mia’s, and her heart was actually most of what she could hear. He approached her further, and as much as she wanted to step back, she could not. Her body was frozen.

"Miss Chapman, the Grand Duke is talking to you," the butler whispered close to Mia, which made her wake up from her trance-like state.

She cleared her throat as politely as she could and smiled kindly at the noble across from her. After a curtsy?, she straightened her dress and looked at the Grand Duke.

"Your Serene Grace, I’m sorry, I wasn’t  expecting your visit," she explained sincerely. 

The man smiled in a seductive but still respectful way.

"There's no need to apologize, Miss. In fact, I should be the one to apologize for visiting you without consulting you first."

"Please, it's an honor to have you," she said and turned to the butler. "Mr. Gordon, could you please bring us refreshments?"

"Immediately, Miss." The butler bowed and withdrew, leaving the Grand Duke and Mia alone, with the double doors open for decorum.

Mia motioned for the Grand Duke to be seated, and he nodded in acknowledgment, taking a seat on the sofa opposite her.

"How may I help you, Your Grace?"

The Grand Duke was known to be an excellent warrior, having won every battle in which he had participated. They called him ‘The Beast’. However, he’d always remained a recluse in his castle and did not attend events at Volia's court. Although none of the younger people had seen him, various rumors circulated about his appearance. The most striking, and from what Mia could confirm, was that he had one eye of each color.

Not that Mia thought it was a flaw, as many people did. But it was, in fact, something peculiar. It was said that only someone touched by the Devil,or even the Devil himself, had eyes like those. Remembering the creature's voice from ten years before, Mia felt a chill run through her body.

"I need to get married, Miss Chapman," the man said, looking straight into Mia's eyes. Before she could respond, the butler returned with two more maids and refreshments were served.

She waited until the servants had left, motioned for the Grand Duke to help himself, then spoke.

"Your Grace, I don't understand how I could help you in that regard."

"I know you have a younger sister. Near marriageable age," he said, then took a bite out of one of the biscuits.

"My... My sister is very young. She's only sixteen, Your Grace," Mia said nervously.

Mia and Lily had been through a lot of hardships together and so they decided that they would only marry someone they both approved of. If one of them said 'no', nothing could be done.

Being the older sister, and in the absence of both parents, Mia was responsible for Lily. And she would never agree to a marriage without first talking to her sister, without first meeting the groom candidate. And no one really knew much about the King's twin.

Lily was the prettiest girl in Volia, having debuted in that same year. This was her first season and clearly a lot of young men had applied to be able to court her. Not so young men also had done so. Considering that the Grand Duke Radna was twin with the king, he must have been approximately thirty years old. It was almost twice Lily’s age!

"Your Grace, I'm honored for you to think of my family, but don't you think Lily is too young?" she asked and he leaned back on the couch, eyeing Mia penetratingly.

“I haven't seen your sister yet, but I hear she's been in great demand. And, since she is the best choice among the ladies this year, I, as Grand Duke, brother of the King, Randall Teivel, believe I have the right to covet the best. Don't you think so?”

"Certainly, Your Grace. But, like I said, she's too young,” Mia spoke politely, but firmly. Lily was a sensitive, dreamy girl who wanted to marry someone close to her age. A free soul like hers—and Mia definitely doubted that a military man like Grand Duke Radna Teivel would be someone who fit Lily's requirements.

“So I think the best way to find out if she and I are compatible, despite the age difference that separates us, is if we get to know each other; don’t you agree with me, Miss Chapman?”

"My apologies, Your Grace, and I'm sorry for the impudence, but I won't allow it.”

Mia saw something flash in his eyes, something dangerous and for a moment, she felt like she should agree to him, but she frowned and pushed that thought away. Mia Chapman was not one to retreat when she had her reasons, especially when it was regarding Lily’s well-being and happiness. 

“Are you really going to say ‘no’ to me, Miss Chapman?” 

She got up from her seat and looked at the Grand Duke with resolution. 

“Absolutely,” she answered, her chin up. 

He got up and walked to her, slowly, and all Mia could think of was that he was being menacing. But then, he was very wrong if he thought that she would be afraid of his status or of his death glare and way of moving towards her. 

“Miss Chapman, I believe you don’t know who you are talking to,” he said and smiled at her. Mia endured his glare. 

“I am talking to the Grand Duke Radna Teivel, someone who wants to court my sister, and, most of all, someone I will not give permission to do so.” 

A low laugh escaped his lips and Mia’s heart started to beat faster. He was, indeed, dangerous, but also, he made her feel weirdly attracted to him. 

“Miss Chapman,” his voice was now more like a whisper, but Mia could feel it reverberating inside her, “Think again. Think better.” 

“I-I already did. And if there is nothing else Your Grace would like to discuss, I must take my leave. I have some errands to run.” 

She did a curtsy and walked to the door, not turning her back to the Grand Duke, as she had been taught. 

“You owe me, Miss Chapman. Or have you forgotten?”