In the mansion of the Crocus Ducal family, Celestine sat quietly, contemplating the heavy words her father had just spoken.
"So, they want me to marry Rest..." she murmured, her eyes briefly closing in thought.
Her father had just broached the subject of a potential marriage proposal between her and Rest Clover, a classmate and friend. Rest had distinguished himself during the recent civil war with great feats, so much so that his status as an earl and the lands he governed were deemed insufficient rewards. The royal family, wishing to secure Rest's loyalty, had proposed the idea of marrying Celestine, who bore royal blood, to him.
Until recently, Celestine had been engaged to Rodel Aywood, the third prince, due to a magical contract forged by the Queen Dowager and her grandfather. However, with Rodel's betrayal and subsequent execution by poison, that engagement had been dissolved. Now, in the wake of that event, another marriage proposal was on the table.