"Henrietta, I hope you understand that I am doing this for your own good." He cleared his throat and his face reverted back to wearing his aloof expression. "You are bethroted to the second prince. The official engagement may have not been announced but I know you are well aware that the whole empire knows about this. You've already come of age, you are now a lady and you must act like one."
I lowered my head, "I understand, father."
Henrietta and Alaric's engagement will be officially announced after the Emperor's birthday, which is next month. This is a memoravle event in the novel because it is what would strengthen the affection between the main couple.
Next month is Alaric's birthday. Although the celebration is not as grand as the emperor or the first prince's birthday, many nobles are still required to attend. Of course, Adelia will also be staying in the capital until Alaric's birthday. The engagement will be announced without informing Alaric. Adelia, who was not aware that the person she's starting to grow affection for was already engaged, felt sad. Then she left the ball early but Alaric went after her, and assured her that he has no intention of marrying Henrietta. Because of this event, Adelia confirmed her feelings for Alaric and vuce versa.
This engagement to the second prince is more of a death sentence. Because after this, Alaric began to treat Henrietta harshly whenever this little brat flocks over him. And this is where disaster began.
I only have a month to come up with a plan. Alaric is easy. It's the nobles that bothers me.
"The resident physician conducted a check up on you while you were still unconscious. She said you were fatigued and have been starving yourself." I was cut off from my train of thoughts when the marquis spoke again.
I smiled, "I have decided to change my diet. I believe it was the reason why I lost consciousness."
He nodded, "She also said there's something strange with your mana core. She was unable to pinpoint what it is, so she suggested you visit the temple."
I remembered. This world has magic. Although it wasn't a high fantasy novel where mythical beasts and impossible things exists, it's world setting still has magic.
Everyone in this world possesses a mana core which is equivalent to a person's soul. Only gifted people can see it, like the resident physician and the people in the temple. Having mana core does not mean you are able to possess magic. Only those with the blue mana core can cultivate mana in the surrounding. The ones who have white mana core are normal people who do not possess magic.
Oh, and the golden core. They are said to be bestowed by the Sun God himself on a particular group of people. Those who possess this core are able to absorb immense amount of mana. It's strength unimaginable and can destroy an empire as big as Sunniva. This group of people are the royal family.
Their golden eyes and golden hair are the evidence that they possess this special core.
The novel didn't talk much about magic since most of it's characters are possesses white cores.
"Stay in the capital for a month. It is near the temple, so after the Emperor's birth anniversary take a visit and ask them to check your core."
"Yes, father."
After our conversation, I was escorted by the head butler to the mansion's library. The Marquis was surprised when I brought it up. Henrietta was not the reading type and would rather flaunt her peacock feathers in parties and chase Alaric than fill her head with knowledge to at least not get fooled by swindlers. The Marquis didn't ask anymore questions. He must've been surprised by his daughter's sudden change.
The mansion's library is located on the third floor of the house. The library was huge as expected. It took up almost a quarter of the storey. Every corner of the room stood massive bookshelves made from dark oak wood. There was only one massive chandelier inside the room and it was situated above the small reading area. Beside the couches were small tables with reading lamps on top. If one wishes to read in comfort, one can sit there. There's also desks and chairs in the other side of the room. The same with a normal library.
The room has no windows and aside from the massive chandelier, the room was illuminated by torch lamps placed on the walls.
"Milady, would you want me to stay and help you with finding books?"the head butler asked.
I shook my head, "No, I'll be fine."
The butler didn't say more and just bowed his head before leaving. The door in the library shut loudly and after that came silence.
I walked towards the bookshelves and the smell of dust, old books, wooden bookshelves mixed in the air. This was obviously a really old library. It was obviously well-maintained but because it was huge, it was impossible to clean the whole place everyday.
I immediately went to the shelves that holds records of the Lovell Marquessate. After choosing the records that was relevant to the flow of the novel, I went to the reading area. Just as what the head butler said, there were paper and quills in the drawers.
I sat down on the chair and with a quill in hand, I started my survival plan.
Alaric is the least of my concern. He hates Henrietta and breaking off the engagement would mean removing one of chains around his neck.
Based on the records in the family library, the Lovell Marquessate is one of the founding family of the Sunnivan Empire. The Lovell heads fought side by side with the past emperors in expanding and strengthening the empire. They were supposed to be granted a ducal title, however, their influence on the people grew stronger and this became a threat to the royal family. That's why the Lovell family was granted a title a rank lower than a duke, a marquis. They were also given the barren land of Hutchrene to suppress their emerging power.
Despite all the methods to suppress the family's influence and power, the Marquessate of Hutchrene remained strong and impenetrable and even turning a once dead land into the most prosperous province in Sunniva. Every Marquis Lovell won victories and conquered territories that later on became a part of the Sunnivan Empire. The people sees the family as the hero who protected the empire feom invaders. To say that the citizens trusted the Marquessate more than the Royal family is not exactly wrong.
It was during the reign of the Emperor Ignacius Soleil that the military power was stripped off from the hands of the 6th Marquis Lovell. The 6th Marquis entered the battlefield at a very young age and won war after war. He has been in the battlefield and only returned after becoming a cripple. In the records, it was stated that the accident that befell on the 6th Marquis was an ambush caused by enemy spies. But in the novel, it was Emperor Ignacius who ordered the assassination of the Marquis. Fortunately, the Marquis escaped death losing only his legs. But this wasn't a total loss on the Emperor's side since he now have a reason to remove the military power from the Lovell Marquessate. Since the Marquis was young and unmarried, he had no heir to inherit the title and enter the battlefield immediately. And all generations of the Lovell family only have either one or two children. The 6th marquis being an only child and with his uncles who have already died during the war, was left with no choice but to relinquish his authority and return to the capital to continue his bloodline.
But after having an heir, the military power that was in the hands of the Lovell Marquessate for six generations never returned. It was an obvious indication that the royal family has turned their back on their once loyal dog afraid that it would bite the hands that feed them.
The Lovell Marquessate has been weak and silent since then. They've remained neutral, neither joining factions or supporting possible successors. They supported whoever sat on the throne. Their influence on the empire grew dimmer each passing year until all of their radiance became trapped in the small land of Hutchrene.
It was only when the current head's rule that the radiance trapped inside a small jar started to break free and seep through its crack. The current head was Henrietta's father, Hendrich Cecil Lovell.
He was a brilliant person ever since he was young, which is a given when it comes to Lovell Marquises. He became friends with the current emperor when they were young after he saved the once little prince from an assassination attempt. He then became the emperor's personal bodyguard and bossom buddy. They've fought side by side and have accomplished countless expeditions. It was on the current Marquis Lovell reign that the Lovell Marquessate started to shine on the empire once again.
Knowing that the Marquis of Hutchrene was greatly favored by the current emperor, the nobles could not stand by and watch as hibernating beast awakes from it's long slumber and starts biting everyone. The nobles knew that they must suppress the power of the Marquessate.
They're the reason why despite being favored by the emperor, the military power which was desired by many noble family never returned to the Marquis' hand. I mean, I have to agree with their desire to possess such power. It is a well-known fact that it is the military that symbolizes the strength of a country. Being able to control all the soldiers in the empire grants you power that could rival that of the emperor. That's why it cannot fall into the hands of corrupt and selfish people. Well, one thing you could do with military power is start a rebellion. It is understandable for the emperor to feel threatened.
The Lovell Marquessate is more than capable at starting a rebellion. First, they have great influence on the empire's citizen. Second, all the heads of the Lovell Marquessate have been gifted with excellent capabilities. And last but not the least, they are able to get back up after hitting rock bottom.
This is the reason why in the novel the nobles are so intent at eradicating this family. These nobles were so happy when the next head, Henrietta's brother, started a rebellion in the form of an assassination attempt to kill Alaric, who was at that time the newly declared successor to the throne. But they failed miserably because Alaric saw through their plans and he possesses the emperor halo.
He then ordered his knights to annihilate everyone in Lovell Marquessate. The Lovell family was small to begin with so the execution was done in a day. And the only remaining descendant that time was Henrietta. Alaric was not one to forget what people did for the welfare of the empire. So as his thanks to the past Lovell Marquises for protecting the empire, he spared it's remaining descendant, Henrietta Eloise Lovell, to continue the bloodline. But he tied her by his side so that the next heir of the Lovell family would have his blood and he would be able to completely swallow the Marquessate. Such a jerk move, I must say. But it is done to strengthen one's grip on the throne.
The nobles did everything they could to prevent the birth of a new Lovell Marquis. But Henrietta jumped into the flame herself.
Since I am not Henrietta, I will not do that. Alaric and Henrietta's stupidity has been crossed out. It's only the nobles I have to fight.
The Marquessate was untouchable even without the emperor's favor or the military power. But it doesn't mean it has no Achilles' heel. This Achilles' heel I am referring to is the current marquis' children. A spoiled brat and a selfish scum. And this selfish scum will start a rebellion a year from now.
I smarck the table with a grin on my face, "I just have to overthrow the selfish scum."
If Henrietta's brother becomes the heir of the Marquis title, then he will bring the family into it's downfall. I just have to stop it from happening by becoming the Marchioness Lovell of Hutchrene. But to become one, I must become a knight. All Lovel Marquises were knights and masters of the sword. It was a requirement if one were to inherit the title.
But I was a soldier in my past life. I lived in a world with modern warfare. I've held different types of firearms, even learned how to be a sniper. How hard can holding a sword be?
I closed the book before standing up. I looked at the giant chandelier with a determined expression.
If I want to change my fate and survive in this world, I have to become the Marchioness of Hutchrene.
-
"No, no, no, no, no!" the Countess Fletchburn said in a high pitch voice with her hands on her waist and her chin held high. "A woman must never hold a sword!"
I lost track of time yesterday and only left the library at night. This morning when I woke up, Giselle helped me get dressed as usual. While fixing my hair, Anna entered the room informing me that my etiquette tutor arrived for our daily lessons. I was surprised when she then asked if I wanted to dismiss the tutor. It seems like Henrietta skipped her lessons all the time and the maids have gotten used to it.
But since I am not Henrietta, I told her I would attend the lesson.
Henrietta's tutor was Countess Victoria Fletchburn, the wife of Count Silvester Fletchburn. Their family is known sucking onto the Lovell household. No wonder the countess doesn't scorn Henrietta like the other nobles.
Countess Victoria was a middle aged woman with brunette hair and wore a lot of rogue. She also wears a lot of accessories that made her look like a bird squawking for a male bird's attention. Just like ther feathered headdress with flowers and beads and laces. Her corset were tied tightly that made her waist looked too narrow that her chest bulge up giving her a weird posture.
Merely staying in a room with her was sufforcating because aside from her perfume and the smell of lead on hr face, she was incredibly annoying.
"A woman's body is sacred and is made for her husband. Holding a sword will only damage milady's skin. If ever you married the second prince and your hand is rough to hold, how do you think he would feel?"
/He would be delighted. He will have a reason to divorce me.
"He would feel disgusted! How could a woman have a much rougher hand than him who has been in the battlefield all his life?" she said with her brow arched.
"I think you are exaggerating, Countess," I said. I raised a tea cup and place it near my mouth.
"No, I am not, milady." She opened her fan and started fanning herself in a demure and conservative way. "Ladies do not do what men do. What we do best is learning etiquette, embroidery, managing a household, looking pretty, and giving birth to children. It is our responsibility to take care of our husbands and our families. It is our responsibility to ensure the our bloodline continues. We do not hold swords, that's very unladylike."
"Are you implying that I, as a woman, cannot become anyone I want to be?"
She looked at me while nodding, "But you can become a duchess or a princess if you want. But of course, everything happens through marriage."
I forgot. This novel was based on the past were men rule the world. This world also discriminates against women. That's why in the records of the Lovell family, there were no Marchioness who lead the family, only Marquises. How could I forget such an important thing?
In this world, the moment noble girls reached their coming of age ceremony, they will soon make their debut in high society. Debuting means you are placing yourself on a shelf as a display for men to gawk at you. In short, you will be entertaining suitors and will be ready for marriage. In Henrietta's case, she debuted because she wasn't officially engaged with Alaric yet. Even so, no suitors entered the Lovell mansion's drawing room because the whole empire knows of her and Alaric's relationship. Well, even if Henrietta wasn't betrothed to Alaric, no suitors would want a brat like her.
I looked at myself reflected in the smooth and hot surface of the tea.
Even if you are a princess in this world, the possibility of being a queen is slim. Your status would either fall from being a princess into a duchess or a marchioness or even a baroness after marriage.
Women here are marginalized, stereotyped and objectified. Women are nothing more but a tool to raise one's status or breeding horses.
I gritted my teeth. So, despite being a daughter of a marquis, I am powerless. Just because I am a woman.
"You are a noble and a lady at that. You must fulfill your duties as one. I hope milady does not get any more ideas that would ruin your chances of marriage. Marriage is everything to us, please remember that."
Night fell and I couldn't sleep a wink. I can't believe such a perfect survival plan would be shattered by one unfortunate and infuriating fact.
Being a girl.
The sheets rustled the moment I sat up. Moonlight seeped through the curtains and illuminated the room.
I was too confident that I would be able to become the Marchioness and change my fate. Everything seemed easy. I know the novel's flow and I have the knowledge of a person who lived in a more advance period than here. I forgot that this was still a world inside a novel and will always be constant with how the author built it. I immediately considered the people here as real human beings and not as— no I never considered them as merely characters from a book in the first place.
But I should've thought of it first before getting cocky thinking I'd be able to do what I want in a world where everything is already predetermined.
I stood up and went to the vanity table. I opened the drawer and took out the sheets of paper containing a detailed summary of the events that will greatly impact the novel. I flipped through the papers and stopped at the one containing a well-thought plan.
A smile appeared on my face.
But even if everything in this world is predetermined, my arrival in this world already means everything can change.
And I am not a military strategist if I don't have an alternative plan.
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