I Became the Villain Alpha's Omega (BL)

"Marielle? You want Marielle as your betrothed?"

Across the room, King Alderon leaned back in his seat, watching the Northern Duke with quiet, observant eyes. Iryna sat straight and composed, while Gillian hovered beside her, looking as though he were sitting on thin ice.

In Zarius’s mind, the scattered puzzle pieces of the last twenty-four hours suddenly clicked into place with sharp clarity. Marielle’s unusual restlessness last night, the way her eyes kept darting toward the palace horizon, it wasn’t just hangover fatigue or lingering stress from the poison investigation. Marielle had known. Or, at the very least, she had strongly suspected that this exact conversation was brewing behind closed palace doors.

Zarius leaned back into his seat, crossing one long leg over the other. His tone became measured, deeply analytical, and completely devoid of reckless heat.

"I brought you here today because this matter directly concerns House Valtrane," King Alderon spoke up, his voice steady as he rested his forearms on the desk. "You are a living example yourself, Zarius. When your bond with Cherion was first brought to light, many in court whispered and doubted. Yet look at you now, you are stable, prosperous, and content. A political union between strong figures does not have to be a sentence of misery."

Zarius acknowledged the King’s point with a brief, quiet nod, though his eyes remained fixed entirely on the Solaric princess.

"My personal life aside," Zarius said, his voice dropping into a thoughtful, controlled rhythm, "I am curious, Princess Iryna. Out of all the eligible noble candidates across two grand empires , lords with vast estates, high titles, and deep capital roots, you specifically request her. A woman who, if memory serves, nearly drew a dagger on you during your very first meeting."

Iryna let out a low, musical chuckle, her eyes flashing with genuine amusement as she recalled the memory. "Ah, yes. That was an utterly unforgettable meeting, wasn’t it? She held her ground without a single trace of fear."

The light amusement vanished from Iryna’s face, replaced by a quiet sincerity. She took a step closer to the desk, addressing Zarius not as a spoiled royal demanding a toy, but as one leader speaking directly to another.

"During my stay in Auzelian," Iryna explained, her voice clear and articulate, "I spent more time observing the Northern faction than anyone else in this palace. I have spent my entire life surrounded by court nobles, men and women who wrap themselves in fake compliments, hide their knives behind sweet smiles, and crumble the second a real threat steps through the door. Lady Marielle is nothing like them."

Iryna tilted her head slightly, her gaze unwavering. "She is blunt. She is honorable, exceptionally capable on the field, and fiercely loyal to her people. A political marriage meant to seal a decade of bloodshed between Solaric and Auzelian cannot be built on empty flattery and fragile court manners. It requires mutual respect. It requires real strength. Marielle is the only person in this entire capital who possesses the kind of spirit I could ever truly respect as a partner."

Gillian cleared his throat softly, adding in a measured tone, "Solaric is fully prepared to offer Lady Marielle complete autonomy and highest honors within our court, Duke Valtrane. This is not a bid to diminish House Valtrane, but to anchor our peace treaty to something indestructible."

Zarius sat in quiet contemplation for a long moment. He didn’t erupt into anger, nor did he blindly dismiss the proposal. As a seasoned leader, he recognized the immense geopolitical weight of the offer; a union between House Valtrane and the Solaric royal line would effectively freeze any future border disputes for a generation.

Yet, as a brother and head of the house, his duty lay elsewhere.

"I understand the strategic logic behind your request, Princess," Zarius spoke slowly, his deep voice filling the quiet room. "And I appreciate the honesty with which you present it. However... House Valtrane does not treat its family as helpless bargaining chips to be traded across a map."

He kept his posture grounded, resting a heavy, gloved hand on the armrest of his leather seat as his jaw set in a firm line.

"I will not make this decision for her," Zarius stated firmly, his tone carved from iron. "Marielle has bled for the North, and she commands her own life. The ultimate choice rests entirely with her. I will return to the estate, present your proposal to my sister clearly, and allow her to give her own answer."

Iryna didn’t flinch. Instead, a faint, knowing smirk touched the corner of her lips.

"I have already presented the idea to her," Iryna revealed smoothly, taking a slow, unhurried breath. "And Lady Marielle did not reject me. She said she would consider it."

Zarius remained perfectly still, though his dark eyes narrowed imperceptibly.

She didn’t reject her outright? The thought echoed in his mind, sharp and heavy. Marielle was never one to mince words or beat around the bush. If she disliked an offer, she would tear it down on the spot without a second thought.

So why hesitate now? Was she seriously weighing the political duty to the North? Or was she silently waiting for Zarius to make the call for her, hoping her Duke, her brother, would step in and bear the heavy weight of turning down a royal princess?

Zarius leaned slightly deeper into his seat , his dark gaze locking onto Iryna as he kept his voice steady.

"If she is considering it, then that is all the more reason for me to speak with her directly," Zarius said. "Though I must ask... if Marielle hears your proposal in full and ultimately chooses to say no... I trust Solaric will not consider her answer a declaration of hostility against your peace?"

"How could I possibly take offense, Duke Valtrane? I am a woman of my word, and I respect strength above all else," Iryna replied, her tone smooth as silk. "If Lady Marielle looks me in the eye and refuses my offer, Solaric will honor her decision. We will not consider a brave woman’s refusal an act of war."

She paused, taking a slow step closer to the heavy ironwood desk. The faint smirk playing on her lips sharpened into something altogether more dangerous, her eyes gleaming with an intense, thrill-seeking fire as she looked down at Zarius.

"However..." Iryna purred softly, her voice dropping into a lingering, deliberate murmur that seemed to hang in the silent room. "I do not think you need to worry about her saying no. Because deep down, Duke Valtrane... I suspect your sister wants to say yes far more than either of you are willing to admit."

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