How many years has it been?
2000? 2500? Maybe more than that.
No human should have ever lived this long. If they do, they would go insane.
However, I prefer insanity than sanity if I lived this long. I've never questioned my motives because thinking about consequences does not alert me any more and things are not much of a concern for me unless I am interested, as if I am just a reader reading a book.
But there are a few things in life, that I secretly wish. Love. A love that comes from a family, a lover, friends. However, love is the only thing that hurts me.
That is because I could never be with them. The pain of separation numbs me. I am afraid.
If I received all this love in this short life of mine, will I have to witness their deaths? Just like how it was for me for the first ten reincarnations of mine?
"Daughter?,"
I blinked my eyes, getting myself out of my daze. I glanced at my dad who was peeking through the stack of documents. Caspian, too, is looking at me worryingly.
Ah, I am at their office.
And today is the day I finally have lessons with Vance again.
Before planning to prepare Vance for the throne, I need to get things sorted out with my family first. That's why I am here at the office to discuss the matters at hand.
I never realized though that both my father and brother is busy with paperwork. I noticed that my father skipped the victory march to see me quickly but because of that, he also got into his paperwork quickly.
"Sorry, both of you must've been busy," I said. "But I need to go to the concubine's palace and tutor the 6th prince today,".
Caine exchange glances with Caspian. "I heard the gist of it from Caspian. Is there a reason for you to tutor the retarded prince?,".
I scratched my cheeks nervously. I've been hearing the same question so often from people but I still, to this day, couldn't find a proper answer for it. Yes, I was impulsive, but impulsiveness comes from a deeper intent.
Curiousity? Bored? To show my power?
It could also be thanks to Vance's handsome looks.
But of course I could never tell that to anyone.
"Aspera had always remain neutral...but the fight for the throne between crown prince and the 2nd prince seems to be so messy that we had no choice but to intervene," I quickly made up a reason.
Caspian clicked his tongue in annoyance at remembering something annoying. "That crown prince. He keeps asking me when you're free to see him. I've been wanting to slice his neck,".
Caine glared coldly, hearing something unpleasant. He just got to see his beloved daughter after she went into a coma. Now, she is taken away by some immature, weak man? It irked him. "Caspian, I don't mind if you do something worse,".
"Duke, I am flattered. Of course, I can protect my beloved youngest here better if you give me your tittle as soon as possible,".
"Ho? Unfortunately, you still need to win many wars to have this seat. In the end, I am the only capable person to protect my dear daughter," Caine smirked at Caspian. Caspian's fake smile that he always plastered towards his father twitched a little.
Sensing this uneasy aura between them, I got a little uncomfortable. I never realized that Caspian and Caine had this little rivalry going on between them.
"Both of you, let's get to the topic at hand okay?,"
Caspian and Caine turned towards me. "As brother said, the crown prince had the intention to get rid of Aspera's power once he wed to me and ascend the throne. And the second prince seems to want to get rid of aristocracy by marrying a nouveau riche, which at the end, threaten our standing as the most powerful duchy next to the imperial family,".
I took a deep breath, then continued, "what do both of you think about the 6th prince ascending the throne?,".