As Alaric continued speaking with her father, Daphne noticed that he had a habit of refilling her plate.
The servants would bring new dishes to the table, and without a word, Alaric would take the serving spoon and place a portion of her favorite roasted potatoes, and then the herb-crusted chicken, onto her plate.
She hadn't said a word, yet he knew.
He knew which foods she preferred, which ones she had only tasted and then left untouched.
The gesture, small as it was, spoke volumes. She wondered just how much this man knew about her.
Her Father's gaze narrowed. He had been so grateful just a moment ago, but now a seed of suspicion was taking root.
He watched Alaric's every move.
This was not the Prince he knew, the ruthless, distant General who never involved himself in trivial social gatherings, who was always cold and unapproachable.
The General's reputation was one of unwavering duty and a detachment that bordered on inhumanity.
Yet here he was, doing things that were completely foreign to his reputation.
He remembered how Alaric had supported their family in court, how his elite knights had protected Daphne, and now this, his simple, attentive gestures at the dinner table.
He looked at Alaric, trying to read the unreadable expression on the Prince's face.
However, Alaric remained completely unbothered, his composure as solid as ever.
"I have some news," he announced, his voice carrying an authority that silenced the entire room.
All eyes, turned to him. The air grew thick with anticipation.
He looked directly at the duke and duchess Elizabeth. "I have spoken with the Emperor. He has agreed to grant Lady Daphne her freedom from joining the royal harem."
A collective gasp filled the parlor.
Lord Thomas' jaw went slack, and Lady Elizabeth's hand flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock and immense relief.
Daphne felt her own heart stop.
She had known this was his plan, but hearing him say it aloud, in front of her family, made the reality of it all the more exhilarating.
The room was silent for a long moment as everyone processed the news.
Aidan simply watched, a ghost of a smile on his face, observing the chaos that Alaric had just unleashed.
"However," he said, his voice dropping, "there were conditions."
Lord Thomas', his initial relief warring with a growing sense of dread, was the first to speak.
"Conditions?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. "What conditions, Your Highness?"
Alaric's gaze was unyielding, meeting the Duke's eyes directly. "The first is that Lady Daphne must win the Imperial competition. There can be no other outcome."
Finn, who had been listening with rapt attention, looked at Alaric with a deep awe.
He had always respected the General for his military prowess, he saw the Prince as a master of political maneuvering, a man who played a game with the highest stakes.
Their Father, however, looked stricken. "But the competition is fierce! What if she doesn't...?"
"She will win," Alaric said, his voice cold and unwavering. "That is not a question. It is an expectation."
He then paused, letting his words sink in before he continued.
"The second condition is more... complex. The Emperor's harem is facing a significant infertility problem. The most renowned physicians in the empire have been unable to solve it." He paused, his gaze moving from the Duke to Lady Elizabeth, and finally, to Daphne.
"The Emperor has tasked Lady Daphne with solving it. He believes she has a rare understanding of medicine that could succeed where all others have failed."
Lord Thomas and Lady Elizabeth stared at Alaric, their faces a mask of utter bewilderment.
The relief they had felt moments ago was gone, replaced by a terrible realization.
Daphne was not simply being saved from a gilded cage. She was being thrown into a dangerous game.
Lord Thomas slowly turned his head to look at Daphne, his eyes searching hers for answers.
The shock was evident in his gaze. "Is this true, Daphne?" he asked, his voice a disbelieving whisper. "Do you truly have such knowledge?"
Daphne took a deep breath, her gaze calm as she met her father's searching eyes.
The secret she had held so close for years was now being laid bare.
"Yes, Father," she said, her voice steady and clear. "I learned medicine when I was in Eidstone."
The Duchess Elizabeth's hands were clasped so tightly they were white at the knuckles.
"And you said nothing, my love?" she asked, her voice laced with both wonder and hurt.
She was realising how little she knew about her daughter.
Daphne simply nodded. "I did not think it was important. It was a hobby, a way to pass the time."
"And you believe she can do this?" Lord Thomas asked. "You believe she can win and solve a problem no one else can?"
Alaric moved his hand under the table, his fingers finding Daphne's.
Her eyes widened in surprise as his hand met hers,giving her a light squeeze.
"I have no doubt, Your Grace," he said. "I have put my faith in her, and I will not be disappointed."
He then looked to Daphne, his expression a mixture of challenge and unwavering trust. "Lady Daphne, do you believe you can do this?"
Daphne met his gaze, a sense of resolve settling in her heart.
She looked at her parents, her brothers, and her sister-in-law, seeing the worry and fear in their eyes.
She knew what they were thinking. This was an impossible task.
But for the first time in her life, she felt a flicker of hope.
She was not just a pawn in a political game.
She was a weapon. And she would not be defeated. She would not lose her freedom again.
"Yes, Your Highness," she said, her voice clear and strong, her eyes filled with determination. "I can do this. I will win."
"You'll be leaving to stay in the palace with the other contestants in less than a week. This is your chance to infiltrate the harem." Alaric added.
The word hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the true nature of her mission. This was no longer just a competition for a title; it was a covert operation.
With a final, meaningful nod, Alaric said, "I will provide you with all the resources you need."
Daphne's heart fluttered, but she held her gaze steady. "I understand, Your Highness, thank you." she replied, her voice firm.
Alaric freedom her hand, then stood, the family rising with him.
"Thank you again, Your Grace, for a delightful evening," he said, his words a model of courtly decorum. "And I must thank you, Lady Elizabeth, for the fine meal."
He then turned to Daphne. "Lady Daphne."
He then turned and strode out of the room, Aidan following close behind.
Just before stepping into the hallway, Aidan glanced back at his sister and gave her a teasing wink.
The sound of the front door closing echoed through the silent manor.
Daphne stood there, the warmth of Alaric's hand still a ghost on hers, the weight of his words a new reality on her shoulders.