Alisa was shocked to hear what her brother had said. Since when is the duke my betrothed? Did he not see me almost marry Kirin? Her thoughts were trying to understand the situation. Her questioning eyes met the dukes, and he smiled back at her reassuringly.
He leaned down and offered his hand to help her up. "Don't worry, as my future duchess, no one will be able to lay a hand on you. Not even your brother. Once we return to Orla, I will make arrangements for our wedding. It will be even grander than this one." Duke Orla reassured her.
"What? I never said that I would marry you. I am marrying Kirin. I decide who I marry, no one else!" I whispered furiously to this oblivious duke! Couldn't he see my wedding dress? I was practically already married. How dare they interrupt my wedding and decide my future for me! My thoughts became more enraged, but I tried to speak calmly to the duke. I knew that I could reason with him, unlike my crazed brother.
The duke looked hurt and confused at my words. "Your brother told me about the wedding arrangement with the Count from Stanarussi. As a higher-ranking noble, I offered to take you as my bride. Not only will this absolve your previous wedding arrangement, but it will protect your honor. If you marry an unknown man without your family's consent, your reputation will be tarnished." He explained in a low, calm voice, as if he were speaking to a disobedient child.
His explanation enraged me again. I struggled to keep my calm in the situation. I was currently outnumbered and at a disadvantage. If I could get the duke to understand that I was my own person and could make my own decisions, he might help me to escape my madman of a brother.
I explained in a calm and quiet voice, "I escaped the arranged marriage because I never agreed to it. My father and brother hated me since I was born because of my mother's death, which I had no control over. I was a baby when she died! When I left Stanarussi, I left my noble status behind. I am now a citizen of Kanta. Here, men and women have equal rights. I can choose to marry for love, which is why I will not marry anyone other than Kirin."
The duke pondered my words with a hurt expression. I knew that I was being blunt, but I did not intend to lead him on or make him think that my brother could control my marriage or my life. I am my own woman!
After a few seconds of contemplation, the duke's eyes dimmed as he responded, "I see." He then turned away from me and looked toward my brother. I don't know what he was thinking, but I had to use this opportunity to plan my escape.
I noticed the mechanism used to steer the airship was partially exposed. Wires and pipes were accessible, so I inched myself closer toward them without my brother noticing.
The duke went towards my brother to reason with him to allow me to return to the wedding. "She doesn't want to marry me. We should let her be happy with the groom of her choice. I can pay for the damages, and still uphold our deal to buy any useful inventions you can create."
Alexander was furious, "She doesn't have a say in the matter! I am either taking her back to the Count in Stanarussi, or you can marry her. Either way, I will not allow her to marry for love." He snarled the last word as if it disgusted him.
As they argued, loud and dazzling fireworks shot up towards the airship. Alexander was momentarily distracted and moved the airship away from the village. He peered over the edge and saw 3 men shooting fireworks towards the airship.
"Hah, they are not doing any damage. They can try their best, but it will not matter. I can destroy this entire village if I choose to." Alexander laughed and taunted them.
Duke Orla was appalled by Alexander's nonchalant attitude towards destroying the village. Katie was still down there! "I will not allow you to destroy this village. We should surrender, and I will settle the bill with the clan leader. We are well-acquainted."
Alexander and Duke Orla continued to argue about the next course of action, and I used the opportunity to disable the rudders. The ship stalled after it suddenly jolted forward. Alexander looked in my direction with a murderous gaze.
The duke held him back as I backed away from both of them. I noticed the new flying machine out of the corner of my eye. Hope swelled in my heart as I saw Zed, Blaise, and Kirin inside the basket.
Zed steered, while Blaise used a mining pick as a grappling hook to attach the ships. He used a rope to swing over and landed on the airship. He subdued Alexander and was about to fight the duke, but I shouted, "Don't hit him. He was trying to talk some sense into my brother!" Blaise nodded at me and motioned for me to head to the other flying machine.
I went towards the other hot air balloon and grabbed onto Kirin's hands as he helped me over the edge. "Don't worry, I've got you!" He reassured me as he held me tightly in his arms.
Blaise ordered Alexander, "Take this ship down, you are under arrest by the order of Kanta." He released his grip on Alexander just enough for him to operate the controls of the airship, but Alexander slipped out of his grip. He pulled a knife from a hidden pocket and slashed at the air.
"You will never take me alive, we will all die together!" He screamed as he moved to steer the airship towards the village. The duke and Blaise fought with him, but he pulled out another bomb.
"Watch out!" I shouted as I threw a rope towards them. Blaise caught it and grabbed the duke as they swung off the airship. The bomb exploded behind them. The momentum from the bomb separated the airships and caused the hot air balloon to float backwards.
Alexander began to laugh maniacally as he tried to steer the airship into the village, but the rudder would not cooperate. He looked down and screamed in frustration. "Aghhh!" It was too late, the explosion and the disabled rudder caused the airship to go out of control.
Blaise and the duke managed to climb onto the hot air balloon as the airship went off the cliff. A few minutes later, a large explosion could be seen! My eyes widened in surprise as I searched for any signs of possible survival.
Kirin pulled me into his arms and pushed my head into his chest to shield my eyes. "Don't look. He got what was coming for him." The others silently agreed.