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“What’s this all about?” he grumbles, his voice a low rumble that’s tinged with skepticism.
I meet his gaze without flinching, my resolve solid. “I’ve come to put an end to this, Alistair. The feuding, the tension – it’s only tearing the city apart, and I’m tired of it. I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want this stupid war to happen.”
His brow furrows, a flicker of consideration in his eyes. “And why should I believe you now? What’s changed? You kidnapped my daughter to make this happen. Now you’re the one trying to end it? That doesn’t make any sense to me at all.”
I draw a deep breath, my gaze steady. “Love has changed me,” I admit, my voice unwavering.
Alistair’s gaze narrows, his scrutiny unwavering. He’s a man of many layers, complexities that extend beyond the animosity that’s defined our relationship.
“Love? I don’t know if I believe that love can change anyone. Not in this world,” he says, his tone gruff but contemplative.
It’s then I notice the army behind him, just out of sight as well. But I can still catch a glimpse of them, which means he wants me to see. He wants me to know that I could die here.
“Well, love has changed me,” I continue with a one shouldered shrug. “Lily has changed me. She’s who I want for the rest of my life. She’s more important than anyone else.”
Alistair’s laughter echoes across the field, his amusement unrestrained and infectious. His reaction is not unexpected. I knew my proposition would catch him off guard. But as his laughter continues, I stand my ground, my expression unyielding and my determination solid.
“You expect me to give you, my daughter?” he manages to say between fits of laughter, his voice laced with incredulity. “You’ve got to be crazy.”
The sound of his raucous laughter starkly contrasts the gravity of the moment. His disbelief is palpable, his reaction a testament to the absurdity of my proposal. But as he continues to chuckle, my resolve doesn’t waver. I’m here to put an end to the feud, to find a solution that benefits us both.
The laughter eventually subsides, replaced by an incredulous grin on Alistair’s face. He wipes a tear from the corner of his eye, his amusement giving way to curiosity.
“All right, seriously,” he says, his voice still carrying a hint of mirth. “What’s the catch? What’s in it for you? More importantly, what’s in it forme?”
I meet his gaze, my expression unwavering, and I lay out my terms with a clear and steady voice, trying to ignore how happily he will throw Lily away if he gets something in return. But that’s what I’ve been counting on, so I can’t complain. “I’ll relinquish any claim to the disputed land, and in return, I ask for Lily’s hand in marriage.”
Alistair blinks, his grin fading as his gaze locks onto mine. A mixture of surprise and contemplation replaces the amusement that had colored his features. The air around us grows heavy with the weight of the proposition, the gravity of my words underscoring the sincerity of my intent.
His laughter had obscured the true nature of my proposal, but now, as the silence stretches between us, it becomes evident that I’m not making this offer lightly. I’m laying it all on the line, forging a path that goes beyond rivalry and spite, and the impact of my words begins to settle.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” he says, his voice quieter now, devoid of the earlier laughter.
I nod, my expression unflinching. “Dead serious. This isn’t about power or territory anymore, Alistair. It’s about finding a way to end the cycle of hatred that’s consumed us.”
Alistair’s gaze holds mine, his scrutiny piercing as he searches for any sign that I might be bluffing. But he finds none. Instead, what he sees is the unwavering determination, the commitment to change, and the hope for a future that’s built on unity.
His raucous howling, his initial disbelief, it all fades into the background as he studies me. The tension between us grows, the gravity of the moment settling over us like a heavy shroud.
And then, finally, his expression shifts. The laughter that had characterized our meeting now replaced by contemplation, by something deeper. He studies me for a long moment, as if trying to unravel the truth behind my words.
“You really care about her, don’t you?” he asks, his voice carrying a mixture of wonder and something akin to understanding.
I meet his gaze without hesitation, my affirmation clear and genuine. “Yes. And I care about ending this feud, too.”
Alistair’s eyes hold mine, the weight of our shared history evident in the depths of his gaze. For a long moment, the world around us fades, leaving just the two of us, standing in a field that’s become a battleground for something far more profound than territory.
His laughter had been a defense mechanism, a shield against the unexpected. But now, as he looks at me, it’s clear that he’s grappling with a decision that goes beyond pride and rivalry.
I address him, my voice measured and calm. “Alistair, I understand that this proposition is unconventional, but it’s also practical. Our rivalry has only weakened us both in the eyes of the other crime families. By uniting our houses, we’d not only put an end to the feud but also present a united front that’s more powerful than either of us alone.”
Alistair’s gaze is steady, his expression pensive. He listens without interruption, a sign that he’s genuinely considering the offer I’ve put on the table.
“You’ve always been a formidable opponent,” I continue, my words carrying a note of respect. “But think of the strength we could have as allies. No longer rivals, but partners who share a common goal.”
He leans back, his fingers steepled in front of him. His expression is contemplative, his silence an indication that he’s weighing the pros and cons, considering the implications of a partnership that goes beyond mere business arrangements.
“What do you gain from this?” he asks, his tone cautious but not confrontational.
