"As you know, the Desdemonas are also the main problem for your father," Ethan said. "And even though I don’t want to get into his scuffle with them, Stark Industries is now positioned in a way that places me against that family."

He paused before adding. "We’re going into a legal battle. That much is certain."

Bella said nothing, but listened intently.

"I expect it to stay that way, and nothing more," Ethan continued. "But I don’t know how far it could go with the Desdemonas involved."

He exhaled slowly.

"And because of that, I’d be lying if I said I’m not hesitating."

Bella’s gaze lowered slightly, she understood where this was going.

Ethan glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road. "If I say no to the King now, I’m closing off an option. One that might end up mattering depending on how things unfold."

He let that sit for a moment before continuing.

"I’m considering asking for more time. Enough to understand just how far this situation with the Desdemonas can go. To see what we’re really dealing with before I make a decision."

Bella didn’t respond right away. She kept her eyes forward, but there was this sadness in them that Ethan noticed immediately.

"Hey, hey," he said softly, while turning his head to face her. "I know the real concern is with the whole marriage thing."

He reached over with his hand to cup her chin gently as he guided her face toward him.

"Look at me."

Bella lifted her gaze, and their eyes met.

"I want us to be on the same page about this," he continued, his voice steady and warm. "I’m not telling you because I’ve already made up my mind. I’m telling you because this is something we decide together."

He paused, letting that settle between them.

"If you don’t agree or if you feel strongly about it, just say so and I will meet your father with a refusal....I only just felt like it was something I needed to talk through with you first."

His hand remained on her chin while he traced his thumb gently around it.

Bella stared at him for a moment. Then, slowly, a smile formed on her lips.

"Thank you," she said softly. "For reaching out and wanting to talk with me about it."

She took a breath, then nodded.

"It’s fine. You can ask for the extra time," she said. "I understand where you’re coming from. And it’s okay."

Ethan studied her face carefully, searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. "Are you sure, my love?"

She nodded again, this time with more certainty. Her smile softened, and her voice returned to normal. "We’ll figure the rest out. We always have."

Ethan held her gaze for a second, then nodded. He leaned in slightly and pressed a kiss to her forehead before pulling back.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she replied.

Not long after, Bella stepped out of the car and continued on foot towards the palace. Although Ethan was headed the same route, they still kept their relationship a secret from the palace.

-

Much later...

Ethan found himself standing before the King once more, back in the same private study.

King Carson sat behind his desk, and when he asked for his decision regarding the alliance, Ethan did not give him a yes or a no.

Instead, he asked the King for more time.

"Hm..." Carson’s lifted his brow, then leaned back on chair, considering the request.

"More time," he repeated, almost to himself.

Then he let out a short breath. "I’m not keen on extending it past a certain point," Carson said. "What about seven days, then. This is the much I can offer?"

Ethan nodded. "Seven days is enough time."

"Very well then," the King said, leaning back once more.

—

That evening, Mr. Oswald, the Stark family’s advocate, was already at the residence, seated with Ethan in the living room.

He was a man in his late thirties, with a briefcase resting by his feet.

"I was able to secure the injunction," Oswald began. "But Crypco’s advocate responded quickly. The Court Warden has now set the hearing for tomorrow."

Ethan nodded. "Alright."

Oswald hesitated before continuing. "But I tried to have the hearing pushed back a few days. I cited a personal emergency, but their side objected. They argued that it’s a straightforward hearing and that delaying it would only incur unnecessary costs. Since it’s primarily about presenting evidence, the court saw no reason to postpone." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

He exhaled slowly. "I won’t be available tomorrow."

Ethan turned to him with a puzzled look. "Why not?"

Oswald met his gaze with an apologetic expression in his eyes. "My wife is due for a delivery tomorrow. The midwife says it could happen at any time now, and I need to be there. I can’t risk missing it."

There was a brief pause.

Ethan nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I see."

Oswald continued. "I can recommend another advocate if you’d like. Someone who can step in on short notice. It won’t be ideal, but—"

"Then I’ll appear in person," Ethan said, cutting him off.

Oswald looked at him in surprise. "You’ll appear yourself?"

Ethan’s expression remained calm. "It’s not a full trial. There’s no need for extensive argument. I can handle that."

A hearing was quick court session before the full trial where the court warden decided on one specific issue. In this case: "Should the injunction stay in place or be lifted?"

Oswald studied him for a moment, rather caught off guard by how easily he said it. Most clients would have panicked at the idea of representing themselves, especially against a company as powerful as Crypco.

But Ethan spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Mr. Stark," Oswald began carefully, "are you sure? Crypco will have one of their best advocates there. This isn’t something to take lightly."

Ethan continued in a steady tone. "I understand that. But this hearing isn’t about winning the case. It’s about making the court see that there’s enough evidence to justify the injunction. I can present the patent. I can show them Lucy’s inheritance of Isaac’s work. I can argue that Crypco had no legal right to build that mecha and how it affects my business."

In his previous life as a lawyer, he knew the patent laws and also knew it shared some similarities with this world’s.