Chapter 170 - The Deal

Mason got to his feet, watching his brother in confusion. He was quick across the floor and snatched the letter from Daniel's hand. He paced back and forth as he read and reread the words with a frown on his face. Delaney and the others watched him expectantly, waiting to understand what was going on.

At last, he dropped back into his plush seat and slumped over, letting his head rest in his hands. He sat there for a long time leaving the others on edge as they waited for an explanation. Vincent slid his hand over to take Delaney's and give it a little squeeze as he watched her staring at the prince with worry.

"Mason, what is it?" she asked quietly, "What on earth does the King of the Red Lands want with you?"

The blonde prince looked up at his older brother who sighed and nodded. Mason leaned over and held out the letter to Vincent. He took it and sat back to read it. Meanwhile, Mason propped his elbows on his knees and dropped his face into his hands. Daniel pressed his palms to his eyes as if he was just as tired as his sleep-deprived younger brother.

No one was watching Mason and Daniel for now though. All eyes were on Vincent, waiting for him to announce what he had discovered from the letter. After he had read it a few times, he folded it up and placed it lightly beside his leg on the couch. He looked slowly around the room, meeting each person's gaze with a sad but serious one of his own.

At last, he landed on Mason and cleared his throat, waiting for the other man to look up at him. When he made no move to do that though, Vincent took a deep breath to steady himself.

"The King of the Red Lands will only agree to release your siblings and keep the two lands at peace if Daniel agrees to have Mace marry the princess of their lands."

-

The group all sat quietly after that announcement, no one quite able to meet the eyes of any of the others. Vincent absently ran his thumb over his wife's hand as his mind whirled with thought.

At last, Delaney could handle it no longer, "What are you going to do Mace?"

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked, sitting up, "There's nothing he can do. He can't marry that princess."

"Why not?" Ilona asked with a frown, "Surely she can't be any worse than who he's set to marry now."

"Watch what you say about my wife's sister," Daniel said coldly although Mason looked over at the pirate woman with an amused smirk.

"Wouldn't it be better for your people?" Ian asked, "If he married the princess of the Red Lands and secured peace with their Kingdom? What do you stand to gain if he marries the other woman?"

"The Red Lands are no threat to us, "the King said evenly, "And I will not be sending my brother there to marry anyone. He is promised to marry a Princess here already."

"I can't stay in this room any longer," Mason stood suddenly, looking annoyed now, "I'm not going to just sit here and listen to my future be discussed around me."

He didn't look back as he walked to the door and left, closing it hard behind him and making everyone jump. They sat looking after him for a moment in surprise. Delaney felt her heart ache for Mace. He was too wild and carefree to be forced into a marriage with a stranger in a faraway land or with a horrible woman here that would make him miserable. She wished she could help him.

"I don't understand what the big problem is," Ilona crossed her arms, "He's a prince. It's his duty to get married. I'm sure the Princess of the Red Lands is just as good as any other."

"There's more to it than that," Vincent explained, "The princess is only fifteen now. It would be years before they could get married. And the King demands Mace come live with them in the court of the Red Lands until they can marry."

"What is so terrible about that?" she shrugged, "So he will go spend a few years in a foreign court. That will give him time to get to know the girl and then once they're married they can return here to his home again."

"No they can't," Ian shook his head as he suddenly realized something, "The King was only ever able to have one child. The princess is his only heir. Once he dies she will become queen and Mason would become King."

"Then he will never be able to come home," Delaney said quietly, looking to her husband with worry.

They all fell quiet after this revelation. Everyone was lost in their thoughts about what would be best for Mason to do. Neither option seemed promising.

"We should go," Vincent said after a while, standing and helping Delaney to her feet, "Mace likely won't feel like discussing this for a while and I don't want us all hovering around and making him feel pressured."

"Wait a moment," Daniel stood and they all turned to face him, "I want to make something clear. The four of you aren't to discuss this business again. Mason is promised to Anna and that's that. There's no reason to bring this up and upset anyone."

"You really won't even think about it?" Ilona questioned with a look of desperation, "I know you love your brother but you would be making him a King in his own right by sending him to marry the princess."

"I'm sorry Captain Black but my mind is made up," Daniel answered firmly, "I will not be sending my brother away. I will prepare a letter for you to take to your King however. I'll have it brought over tomorrow."

"I don't want a kind little note," She declared, "I want my siblings to be able to leave the dungeon where they are being held."

"Ilona!" Ian hissed at her.

"Come on let's go," Vincent said seriously to Ian, "Before your sister gets thrown into a dungeon as well." 

They all said quick, proper, goodbyes to Daniel before leaving out the door together.

-

They made their way through the crowd of nobles and out into the courtyard where they found their carriage waiting. They all loaded in and the door was closed. They sat stiff and proper until they were out of sight of the castle. Then they all collectively let out a huge sigh of relief.

"I hate that place," Ilona said quietly, and Delaney nodded in agreement from where she sat happily next to her husband again.

"Thank you both for going with us," she continued, looking up at the duke and duchess, "Even if they don't agree to what the King asks and we're not successful in getting our siblings back... We are still so grateful to have had your help."

"Of course," Delaney replied with a small smile, "Don't give up just yet though. Mason is a good man. He'll do what he thinks is right even if Daniel doesn't agree. You still have a little chance."

Ilona and Ian both looked relieved to hear that and sank back into the seats. Beside Delaney, her husband smiled down at her fondly and she leaned up to give him a quick kiss.

-

The rest of the day they all mostly kept to themselves except Vincent and Delaney who stayed close together as always. Everyone was still thinking about what had happened that morning but there was nothing left to discuss.

They started to go to the dining room to eat but Vincent was still stiff from the day before so instead, they decided to eat their meals in their rooms. 

At last, once they'd finished, they were undressed and helped into night clothes. Delaney climbed in bed and curled up next to Vincent, feeling his comforting heat. It wasn't able to fight away her worry though.

"What do you think will happen to Mace?" she asked him anxiously.

"I'm not sure," Vincent sighed, "I think all we can do is wait and see."

Delaney nodded, "I just hate that he's under so much pressure and has to quickly choose someone to be his wife forever."

"Well he's lucky, "Vincent chuckled, "We weren't able to pick our husbands or wives at all."

"That's true I suppose... I think I'm lucky too though. I'm deeply in love with my husband even though he was chosen for me."

"Good," he grinned and kissed her lightly, "I know I'm lucky to have my beautiful wife as well."

"Who do you think you would choose to marry if you were him?"

Vincent was quiet for a moment as he thought over her question.

"I would choose the princess of the Red Lands. Anna has turned into even more of a snake than the last time I saw her. If he marries her she will make it her goal to make him miserable every day."

"That's what I think too," Delaney sighed, "Do you think there's any chance Daniel will reconsider?"

"No," Vincent shook his head with a sad expression, "He won't give up his brother."

"What can he do then love?"

Vincent sighed, "I don't know."