Mated To My Ex's Dead Brother

Cassie POV:

The next morning, I was summoned back to the Elder Council chamber. Same room, same people. But today, I was here to flip the board.

I wore a simple, unadorned dress of high-quality linen. My hair was pinned back flawlessly. There was no trace of sorrow on my face, only a cold, absolute resolve.

Kile looked at me with open irritation, as if silently demanding I hurry up and read my lines. Journey offered me a look of deep sympathy, though the corners of her mouth twitched upward in a suppressed smirk.

Lord Morgan sat at the head of the table, his face stern. "Cassie Stein. A day has passed. What is your decision?"

Every eye in the room locked onto me. To them, I was a helpless Dragonless girl. I had no family, no backing, and no choice but to swallow the dirt they fed me.

I took a deep breath, met Lord Morgan's gaze directly, and spoke in a clear, ringing voice. "I refuse."

The chamber plunged into a dead, suffocating silence.

Kile was the first to snap. He pointed a shaking finger at me, his face flushing red. "Are you insane, Cassie? Do you think you have any other options?"

Lord Morgan's expression darkened. The heavy, oppressive aura of a high-ranking Dragon-born filled the room, making the air thick and hard to breathe.

I ignored Kile entirely. I kept my eyes on the Chief Elder, my voice unwavering. "It is true I have no other options here. But I can choose not to accept this humiliation."

I paused, letting the silence stretch for a heartbeat before dropping the bomb. "I will not be a lesser consort to the Golden branch. However, to preserve the dignity of both our families, I am willing to fulfill my original engagement contract—by marrying into the main House Richmond."

Kile let out a harsh, barking laugh. "Marry into House Richmond? Marry who? My father already has a Duchess. Do you plan to—"

"I will marry Lord Ayden Richmond," I cut him off, biting off every syllable.

The words hit the room like a physical blow.

Journey's fake smile shattered. She stared at me, her eyes wide with shock, looking at me as if I had lost my mind.

Kile's face went from red to a furious purple. "Ayden is dead! Has your grief rotted your brain? You want to be a widow?"

"Marrying a dead hero is better than marrying you and living as a disgrace," I fired back, my voice dripping with ice.

Lord Morgan slammed his hand on the table. The loud crack echoed off the stone walls, but the pure rage in his eyes was suddenly mixed with a calculating gleam.

I pressed my advantage. "I have heard that Duke Richmond is struggling to answer to House Hathaway regarding Lord Ayden's unfulfilled marriage. I, Cassie Stein, may be Dragonless, but my family was once a recognized vassal of the kingdom. My status is sufficient to complete this ghost marriage. It will appease House Hathaway and save Duke Richmond's face."

I laid out the logic piece by piece. With every word, Kile and Journey looked sicker. They had designed this entire trap to crush me under their boots. Instead, I was using their trap to become Kile's legal sister-in-law.

Lord Morgan and the other elders leaned in, whispering furiously among themselves. It was a loss of face for the Golden branch, yes, but it neatly solved a massive political headache for the main House Richmond.

Finally, Lord Morgan looked at me. His eyes were complex, unreadable. "We will forward your proposal to Duke Richmond."

I knew right then. I had won.

I turned and walked out of the chamber. The silence behind me was absolute. I could only imagine the look of pure nausea on Kile and Journey's faces.

By afternoon, the news had exploded across the noble circles of the capital. Everyone was whispering about the mad Cassie Stein, the girl who chose a corpse over a lesser title.

I came out of the parliament hall and refused the carriage arranged by Kile "kindly". I would rather walk back alone, at least when I walk, those hypocritical eyes will not stick to my back all the time.

The shortest way back to the apartment must pass through the lower city-where the lanes are narrow and smoky, pubs and blacksmiths are crowded together, and the air is mixed with the smell of cheap ale and coal ash. I gathered my shawl and quickened my pace, just trying to get out of these dark streets as soon as possible.

When I passed a pub with greasy doors and crooked windows, I inadvertently glanced inside. A man sat at the table near the corner, wearing a rough linen coat, and his dark hood was so low that he almost covered half his face. There was a heavy barley glass in front of him, and his fingers knocked casually on the rim.

Several businessmen at the next table are patting the table and talking about my marriage. Their tone is full of curiosity and ridicule.

And the hooded man seems to be listening.

Just as my footsteps were about to pass the window, I saw a playful smile on his lips. “Ayden Richmond... Cassie Stein... How interesting.”

I didn't stop.

The whole city is full of people who are shocked, sneering or watching this. What should a drinker in downtown care about?

I looked back and walked on, leaving the pub and the shadow behind me.

Later that evening, the official raven arrived from House Richmond. They accepted the proposal.

I heard that Kile smashed every piece of porcelain in his room. Journey, for the first time, cried real tears of bitter frustration.

I stood by my window, holding the heavy parchment sealed with the imposing dragon crest of House Richmond.

Father, Mother, I am on my way. The first step of my revenge is complete.