The Bloody Demon of the West.

  That was what they called Elio.

  His full name and title was Duke Elio Grandark of Weston. A harsh man with dark hair, brooding gray eyes, and a body covered in scars both from his role as the greatest general under the command of the Eternal Kingdom, and from a life of violence that led him to his current position.

  It was a life and title that Elio accepted whole-heartedly. After all, he thrived on the battlefield and rose to become Duke through killing his father. A man who was like a polished steel bde, used without hesitation again and again on the battlefield.

  But even the finest steel rusted without proper care.

  Elio resisted the urge to sm his fist against the table. Instead, he just gred at the man seated across from him. "What did you say, Edmund- I mean, 'Your Majesty?'"

  King Edmund vi Eternia met Elio's harsh gaze with firm blue eyes. He idly adjusted his crown over his golden hair and said, "You are not returning to the battlefield, Elio."

  That time, Elio couldn't resist. He smmed his hand down against the table, cracking the sturdy oak top. Then he gnashed his teeth and said, "It is just a scratch!"

  King Edmund sipped on a gss of wine and calmly said, "A scratch that began to fester and only just healed. But even so, a scratch that proved even the Bloody Demon of the West is not immortal or invincible."

  Elio gred and said, "My home is on the battlefield, Edmund. It is with a bde and hand and blood on my body, not... sitting in a stuffy manor overseeing trifling things like budgets, reports, such!"

  King Edmund nodded. "I understand. However." He looked at Elio with a firm gaze and serious expression. "We have made my decision. Duke Elio Grandark. Until you have married and have an heir, We forbid you to return to the battlefield."

  Elio stood up and swung his arm out. "I am the only reason those invaders from the west do not overrun us! Do not tell me you truly believe the Eternal Kingdom will survive without me!"

  King Edmund slowly stood up as well and said, "We understand your worth, Duke Grandark. But you must understand as well." His blue eyes turned icy. "We are looking to the future, not the present. And if your bloodline ceases to be, We are all doomed."

  Elio trembled, wanting to refute King Edmund's words. But it was true.

  The Grandark bloodline was special. Those born from it carried natural prowess with the bde and an affinity to sense malice.

  And since the previous generation and colterals had been exterminated by Elio after they fell to corruption instead of their proper duty, Elio was the only one left alive from that family.

  They had a duty to the Eternal Kingdom. Not only on the battlefield, but also outside of it. But...

  Elio clenched his fists and barely held his emotions in check.

  King Edmund looked at Elio and then quietly said, "I have already found you a willing bride." The king's expression was carefully neutral as he continued and said, "She will be arriving within the week at your duchy. Welcome her properly and make the preparations to be wed by the end of this month."

  Elio snapped, "You expect me to make the preparations and take responsibility even after you forcibly assign me a woman to take as a wife?!"

  King Edmund's eyes turn cold. He looked for a brief moment like there was a lot he wanted to say. But he held himself back. And after a moment, he carefully said in a level voice. "You should be fortunate that she is willing to marry you. With your reputation, maidens would rather choose death than accept you as their husband, Elio. And the woman who agreed..." He narrowed his eyes. "You will treat her properly. You will be a proper husband. And you will accept her into your life as you wife. So We have decreed."

  Elio gnashed his teeth. But seeing the resolute expression on King Edmund's face, he stiffly bowed and said, "As you say, Your Majesty."

  King Edmund nodded and said, "You are dismissed, Duke. Return home to your Duchy and prepare. We will handle the Western Front personally."

  "...Understood." Elio bit his tongue and then raised his body. Giving King Edmund one more look, he spun on his heel and stalked off, smming the door behind him.

  ===

  A blur of a horse ride from the royal pace to the Grandark Manor.

  Elio drove his horse until it colpsed, and then grabbed another one and repeated the process until he arrived. Then leaving his horse for a random stable hand to tend to, Elio stalked through the halls of the manor, barely giving a nod to the staff he met along the way.

  Ornate decor. Polished marble floors. Goldleaf and other luxurious goods...

  Elio ignored all of it as stalked towards his office. And once he arrived, he threw himself into the chair behind his desk, scowling.

  It was a childish response.

  Elio knew it. How he was acting now was nothing more than how an entitled child would react to being denied his way. And Elio was a grown man. One who was already twenty years of age, and one who had proved his mettle as a man since the time he cut the rebellious and corrupt Grandarks to the st man at the age of sixteen.

  But it couldn't be helped.

  Elio's pce was on the battlefield. His heart sang when he had a bde in hand and faced against the strongest foes. He felt alive cshing against skilled warriors and leading his men. Not seated behind a desk like this and forced to oversee his duchy.

  A knock echoed on the door to the office.

  Elio gnced over and then gruffly said, "Come in."

  A handsome young man wearing gsses stepped in. His green eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as he took in Elio's expression, and his crimson hair shifted as he walked in.

  Elio clicked his tongue and say, "Wipe that grin off your face before I do it for you, Rond."

  Rond chuckled and said, "Sorry, Duke. Of course." He made a show of fixing his bck uniform, as if to become presentable, and then put on a neutral expression. Even so, there was no hiding the mirth in Rond's eyes as he said, "I take it King Edmund denied your... heartfelt request?"

  "Shut up." Elio grumbled. "They're all idiots." Remembering King Edmund's words and decree still gave Elio a headache even now.

  Rond nodded. "As you say, Duke. Then I'll not dwell on the matter. Instead..." He looked concerned and said, "Is it true that the king assigned you a bride?"

  "...It is." Elio said the words with a bitter taste in his mouth.

  A bride. Presumably a young maiden sent to become the Duchess of Weston. The wife of the Bloody Demon of the West.

  His wife.

  Elio rubbed his face and muttered, "It's unbelievable."

  Rond nodded. "It really is. What kind of crazy woman would want to marry you, Duke?"

  Elio gred.

  Rond coughed. "Apologies."

  Elio sighed and leaned back in his chair. He waved his hand and said, "I presume Edmund sent you information about this... woman I'm to marry?"

  Rond pulled out a stack of papers from his bag and said, "The Royal Pace did send some information, yes. But... it's quite scarce."

  Elio snorted. "Of course. Edmund insisted I be a 'proper husband' to this woman, so he likely wants me to meet her without any preconceptions."

  Rond nodded. "That does sound like the king..."

  Elio sighed and said, "Tell me what you have. Surely we at least have her name and appearance?"

  Rond nodded. "Yes. It seems that Duke will be marrying a young maiden named Hope. She is said to have, and I quote, beautiful sky blue hair and matching eyes. She will also arrive tomorrow, according to the test reports from the royal mages."

  "Hope?" Elio let out a wry chuckle. "Interesting name... And sky blue hair?" He frowned. "Strange."

  Rond nodded. "It is. But we will see. The royal mages said they will gather more information and send it to us early tomorrow morning to prepare for Hope's arrival."

  Elio snorted. "Of course. That bastard Edmund would purposefully leave everything to the st minute."

  Rond adjusted his gsses and said, "I knew this already about Duke, but... you really don't fear Lese Majeste, do you?"

  Elio ughed. "Lese Majeste? If not for us, Edmund wouldn't even be on the throne, Rond."