Villains also get Second chance

Marianne pov contd.

He had spent so much money, just for watching a show. If that was not enough to shock me, his next words were enough to do that.

"Are you planning to chip in money?" Cassius asked me, making me glare at him further. 

"I don't think I could afford even one percent out of it to include, your highness," I replied back, as a forced smile formed on my lips. With the options of my working as a businesswoman being denied out and also i was not the archduchess anymore, i wondered if i could myself make so much money again. 

"Don't look so gloomy, What is mine is yours now. You don't have to hesitate if you need or want to buy something, Marianne," in the past i would have been happy about it but not now, i wanted to be more independent now. I  still wished I would earn my own money, but depending on a man for money was not something I wanted to do. 

"Do you think it is bad to wish that I want to be equal to men, to be equal to you in our marriage?" 

"I don't think so. We all have ambition and goals. I must say though, I am very flattered to hear that I am the goal point. At the same time, it won't be easy to be who I am," Cassius De Luca, the biggest narcissist in the world, spoke.

He then said, "I think you are doing much better than I am already. Not everyone had the courage to stand in front of the emperor and speak like you did, helped the empress, who was the first woman of the nation, stand for herself. Not everyone has the courage to face anyone that is against them. Money is a very small thing in front of what you do, you are doing great things Marianne." he walked towards me, picking up my hands which were resting on both of my sides,

"You have a lot of faith in me suddenly," a small smile formed on my lips, the way he said those words made me feel special. 

"I do. You are my wife, and I believe you would do everything right, Marianne,"  the way he was using wife these was sounded more of an endearment, "How many noble ladies in empire have the courage to fight with outlaws in woods, or stand in front of emperor or slap their husband in front of everyone?"

"Is it even a good thing to compare?" I asked as slapping your husband was not something a woman should do unless the reason is extreme.

"You have given me courage too, Marianne, you have brought me out from the darkness i was hiding in. you have created new hopes in me." he rubbed his thumb over the back of my hands, "I know your heart goes out for a few things but some things are better to be left alone for now. But i will make sure to fulfill your every wish in the later part of my life"

Soon, the music started from the front of the stage. It started with soft and slow music but soon it picked up the face filling the whole room. The sound was melodious and pleasing to the ears.

The actor and actress came out as the curtains were pulled apart from either side. Wearing rich clothes that resembled any other elite who normally come to witness and enjoy the play here.

With the music and dialogues which I could hear, My eyes glued to the stage. A few people knew that I loved the stage the most. If i would not have been a noble, i would have tried to act in a play too.

So i was surprised as It was a play that I had never heard of which made me curious about where the story was going. 

When they were into the play for ten to fifteen minutes, it was then that I noticed that there were no book pamphlets of the play which was in the room.

It was common for the book pamphlets to be handed to the guests during a play but with the lack of it, it slowly started to sink into my mind where I came to realize that this wasn't the usual play. 

My throat suddenly felt dry as reality sank in. I took the wine from the side table and started taking big gulps of it.

"The wine is strong, Marianne does not drink so much," Cassius warned me without moving his own eyes away from the stage as if he was concentrating on it. And only then did I realise why he had spent a hefty amount to book the whole theatre.

"Cassius,'' I called the man who was sitting there innocently as if he did not know a thing. His whole attention was on the couple who were acting on the stage and the music in the background following their emotions.

"Is this not a regular play?" 

I was looking at him rather than on stage, my whole concentration was on his expression. Now I finally understood what was so different in the theatre and why I had a sensuous vibe since the moment I came here. 

"What do you think?" He asked with a smirk and that was all I needed in a reply.

"I thought the night theater took place only at the time of midnight." he finally looked at me with the smirk getting wider.

"I got it moved." he replied with a proud tone.

"Moved?" did he just rearranged the whole show.

"Yes," he replied back to my question with a smirk "I got the timings changed for today to fit our schedule. I needed more time with you and midnight seemed to be too late. Isn't that good?" 

I stared back at him, "They agreed just like that?"

"Money makes the world go round, Marianne," Cassius replied back to say, "How are you finding the play so far?"