"I will tell my father and the emperor that I would like to break off our engagement. But on one condition."
Alaric hated his engagement to Henrietta. The Lovell House is neutral and stands firmly on their conviction. To never enter the conflict for power. They would support whoever sat on the throne and would oppose if there's an abuse of power. This is why many common people looked up to the Lovell Marquessate.
Marrying the daughter of the Lovell House may seem like a good idea. It may not be as powerful as the other ducal and marquis families, but it's influence on the common people which makes up 70% of the empire's population is no joke. However, Alaric won't gain anything from it. As long as he's not the emperor, he won't gain the House's support. In addition, most of the noble faction despises an overly righteous family.
To ascend the throne, what he needs is a strong House and has good relations with the other nobles. Someone equal to the First Prince's biggest supporter which is the ducal family, Ambergard. Especially now that the First Prince is also engaged to another ducal family, the Coulson. In this fight for power, what would Alaric gain from a neutral family with a problematic young lady? Besides, Alaric already found the person he wishes to spend the rest of his life with. He would prefer not to gain support throught political marriage.
I stared at him, waiting for his reaction. His face gradually brightened but he still remained expressionless.
That's it. You think this offer is great, right?
He sighed a breath of relief, "What made you want to break off our parents' agreement?"
Wow, this guy never holds back at expressing his dislike. He's clearly emphasizing that this engagement is nothing more than verbal promises made by two old people to satisfy a spoiled young lady's wishes.
"It's simple, your highness. I fell out of love for you," I answered.
He didn't seemed moved. He just wore that "please proceed, don't trail off" expression. Well, I didn't expect other reactions from him so I continued.
"I realized in these past two years that I didn't see you... that you are not that great at all. That you lack chivalry and you would evidently show your disgust for a lady." ...was what I wanted to say.
I knew how much Alaric mistreated Henrietta and despite this, Henrietta continued chasing after him. But experiencing first hand Alaric's unpleasant attitude towards the original soul last night and today, it really makes one feel offended.
No matter how much how I wanted to slap him with the fact that not every girl is captivated by his cold and detached demeanor, I must restrain myself. My goal was to get on his good side.
"I realized in these past year that we've been separated that you are not... my type."
Still unaffected, he replied, "I see."
He picked up his sword from the table before standing. "Then, we shall go with what you wish. Is there anything else?"
I pinched my thigh, my mind was desperately trying to hold the two threads of sanity together. He really is like a stone wall that's hard to penetrate. My face that was all smiles a while ago twitched. The smile I had was still there but it's genuineness was long gone. In my head, all I could think of was to throw all the plans I wrote in the past week and just go die again instead of dealing with this person.
Did he not hear what I said? Was he too overjoyed that he forgot something? Or did he purposely scratch out the last sentence?
I cleared my throat, "Your highness, you seem to have forgotten something. I said, under one condition."
"Then, make it quick," He said without looking at me. He stood across the table with his intimidating height while tying the sword to his waist.
I sighed. Talking to someone who sees me as someone insignificant is draining my life span.
"I will break of our engagement, but in return I want you..." I looked at him with eyes full of determination. "... to make me the Marchioness Lovell."
The wind blew and there was moment of silence. Alaric looked at me as if I had grown another head. He sighed before pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I can't do that. Unless you marry your own father or brother you would be able to," he said in a monotonous voice.
I almost choked on my own saliva. Despite his cold and aloof appearance, he still have the ability to play dumb. I did not expect that from the male lead. In the novel, he was never the joking type.
I chuckled, still maintaining a calm composure. "I didn't think you are a person who would take things literally."
He took out a gold pocket watch from his inside, obviously expressing his impatience.
The smile on my face disappeared. "I know Your highness knows that there's one way to make my condition happen."
The annoyance I felt was overthrown by an anxious feeling. Under the covers of the table, I clasped my hands.
"An emperor has the power to do and change anything under the sun. His words are the rules. One verdict can shatter a thousand years worth of tradition. Even making a woman lead her family," I continued.
Once again, Alaric's face darkened. He closed the pocketwatch before throwing an ominous glare towards my direction.
"What are you implying, Lady Lovell?" he asked. His voice were
This is it. I will be entering a field of land mines. One wrong step and I might lose my life earlier than scheduled.
Alaric has no regard for people that tries to get in his way. Anyone who tried to oppose him didn't get to see the light of day again. He doesn't hesitate to cut down anyone he sees as a thorn. In this world, nobles can get away with murder, even more so a prince.
The body I possess right now has no importance to Alaric. If I continue with my plan, I'd either die or get out of this alive.
I met his gaze which was sending chills down my spine. It's making me want to surrender.
I clenched my teeth and balled my fist. But I'm already here. There's no turning back. I already died anyway.
"You wish to be the emperor right, your highness? You wish for the throne so badly that you decided to raise a secret troop to lead a rebellion if everything didn't go the way you wanted—"
The sound of a sword leaving its scabbard resounded throughout the whole gazebo. As if it was unsheathed to cut off all the noise the surrounding produced. The whole place became eerily defeaning.
The sun completely sunk in the horizon, its orange rays trailing behind. The shadows created by the gazebo's structure loomed over, covering Alaric's figure in darkness. Yet his golden eyes were glowing reflecting the remnant of the setting sun.
I gulped when my gaze landed on the tip of the sword pointed at my throat. He held the blade even,
Although I expected this kind of reaction, suddenly pointing a sword against someone is too much. My heart immediately raced. It hammered against my chest so much, it felt like it wanted to cut its way out and leave me alone to face this grim reaper alone. My brain seemed as if it was yelling at me, telling me to run and abandon this route.
My stomach clenched and my hands started to go cold and clammy. I tried to fight off the rising panic.
"Careful with your words. People who slander any member of the royal family never gets to see the light of day again. This sword might cut off your tongue."
I clenched my palms where sweat was slowly soaking through my gloves. I forced myself to get it together. This person... the look in his eyes...
Why do I feel like this? I never felt like this when I bullets were fired towards me. I never felt this way when I was rescuing people with the risk of losing my life. I had died once. But all I felt was regret. Why... why am I suddenly so afraid with the thought of dying again?
A sword is pointed at me.
Bullets hurt more. Explosives hurt more than sword yet why... why am I trembling at the sight of it?
Is this Henrietta's reaction?
Or was it also mine?
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I confronted the pair of piercing golden orbs.
"Did I lie though? Am I merely trying to slander you, your highness?" I said with a grin. My face was stiff yet I have to appear as if I wasn't affected by his threat. "The spies I sent to the west to watch you were indeed incapable of carrying out their tasks."
The grin on my face grew wider. But god knows how stiff it was. "But, how do I say this? I was fortunate enough to meet a young man who had the capabilities of a perfect spy. He was so good at his job that aside from not getting caught, he even found out about the troops you are raising in the mountains in the western border that you disguised as a land for quarrying."
I took advantage of Henrietta's schemes. Because of her possesiveness, she sent spies to the western border to see if there are other girls flocking around Alaric. But each spy she sent were caught by Alaric and were beheaded.
Of course, what I said was a lie. A spy did not tell me about the secret troops he was raising. It was all because I knew the novel's plot.
My heart was still beating faster and my stomach was still churning. But...
This is Alaric's weakness. The dirt he's been trying so hard to hide. This information will lead to him getting beheaded for treason and for desiring for the throne. Being able to grasp this information can use Alaric.
Knowing I have the upperhand managed to calm my nerves a little.
I admit, being a transmigrator is a cheat. But I have to utilize everything I have to ensure that I'd be able to live this new life without any regrets. Running away may be the best option, but as long as I have the Lovell blood running through my veins, I will never be able to escape.
His grip on the hilt of the sword tightened. His face grew darker and blaze in his eyes was even more threatening. As if he wanted to burn me alive.
"Being the second prince and a son of a concubine, your highness truly have no chance to succeed the throne." I mocked and the distance between the tip of the sword and my throat narrowed.
Unwavered, I continued, "I can only guess this much but, your original plan was to take the throne by force. By starting a rebellion, using the troops you've raised and drench the path to the throne with blood of those who tries to oppose you."
I caught him off guard. Everything I said was on point. I know everything that's going to happen. The information alone was enough to stir the his emotions. Despite his cold appearance, it was evident that he still wasn't able to recover from the shock of someone discovering his secret. It was unable to act nonchalant about it. I could see how perplexed he was. His brows furrowed and emotions stirred in his eyes, as if melted gold continuously being stirred in a cauldron.
How does it feel? To have someone know your wekness?
"Shut up," he warned in a deep voice. "Whether or not what you said is true, this can still be considered as slandering a prince."
Alaric who was always stone-faced finally showed an expression. But it was not a pleasant one.
Darkness started to envelop the sky, yet the pair of golden orbs glowed even brighter. A silver light flashed on the sword's blade then a menacing smirk appeared on Alaric's face.
"You are merely a daughter of a marquis. I can kill you right now and make you disappear without a corpse intact along with the information you know. As if you never existed at all."
Those words made the hair on the back of my neck stood up. This is the male lead. This world and everything in it is on his side.
I should be retreating right now but...
"So, you admit it, your highness?"
He's already following the flow of conversation I wanted.
"Even if you kill me, the spy who gave me the information may spread what he saw." I said. The smirk on his face gradually shrank. "I instructed him that if I didn't return today, he'll tell the whole empire of what he knew along with the evidence I gathered. The moment you slit my throat, the dirt you're hiding would soon spread like wildfire in the entire land of Sunniva."
Lies. The spy is nonexistent. As well as the evidences.
"What do you want, Lady Lovell? Do you also wish to see me fall and give up my fight for the throne?" he sneered.
Using a finger, I pushed the tip of the sword away from my throat. Since I was wearing a thick gloves, the blade didn't hurt me. And by doing so I was able to breath easily.
"It seems you have underestimated my affection for you, your highness. One's affection does not easily fade especially if it's been there for years," I chuckled.
Alaric seemed to have grasped the situation. He withdrew his sword then he removed his gaze from me.
"What do you want?" he asked while putting the sword back to its scabbard.
I rubbed my throat, trying to ease the tingling feeling that remained after Alaric withdrew his sword.
"I wan you to make me the Marchioness Lovell," I answered.
He sighed, "I said, what do you exactly want?"
"I meant what I said, your highness. You are the person who would help me achieve what I desire."
Once again he looked at me, "And what makes you think I'd be able to help you?"
I stiffled a laugh, bringing my right hand to cover my mouth. "I'm sure you already know what I mean. Become the Emperor and make me the Marchioness Lovell."
He stared at me, amusement flashing in his eyes. He pulled the chair and once again sat across me. "In exchange for the information you acquired?"
I nodded with a smile on my face.
The tension in the air started to decrease. The night was slowly embracing the surrounding and we were both sinking in the darkness, as if the gazebo was trying to hide us from the rest and from each other.
"I find it quite unfair. I will do all the work to climb the throne while you wait on the corner to claim your title." He leaned on the chair and crossed his legs. "If we did go with this agreement, what made you think I would fulfill the your condition? What if I found your spy even before I sit on the throne?"
I took the teacup and placed it on my mouth. The temple must have placed a spell on this cup. The tea was still cold despite sitting there for a while with the cold spring breeze blowing from the lake's direction.
A drop of tea soothed my dry throat. "You will benefit the most from this agreement, your highness."
"Care to explain?" he challenged.
I smiled. I placed the teaacup on the table before averting my gaze towards the direction of the lake. The lights in the crystal building on the summit were lit and was glowing even more beautifully at night. Across the lake, lights were being lit one by one.
"The whole empire already thinks of you as the succesor to the throne, your highness. The first prince's faction won't sit still and watch an illegitimate prince become the emperor. They will do everything they can to destroy you and your reputation in front His Majesty. If they do not succeed in assassinating you, they will rip you off of your merits. And if they still fail to do so, they will do what you planned to do before you took over the military power... start a rebellion." I stated.
"Quit stating such obvious facts. Do you think I am foolish as to not be prepared in such matters?" he said without hiding the impatience in his voice.
I looked at him, "I am only reminding you, Your highness, as someone who wishes to pledge allegiance with you."
He stared at me for a moment then he scoffed, "So, is this the benefit you said I'll get?" He tapped his fingers on the armchair. "I find faults in this allegiance you offer. The Lovell Marquessate has been neutral ever since. Our engagement was merely because of you. It doesn't mean that the Marquis wanted to support me. Why are you suddenly doing this?"
The smile on my face disappeared. It would be easier if I told him that I wanted to prevent my death which was already predestined to happen. But it would still be hard to convince him. The real reason itself seems impossible despite being in a world where magic exists.
"The Lovell Marquessate has always been neutral. But the same principle does not apply to my elder brother." I answered while rubbing the teacup's handle.
"Henry?" he asked.
In the novel, Alaric and Henry were normal acquaintances. Nothing was connecting them and they would only express formalities whenever they met. Alari does not think of Henry as a threat. Henrietta's brother after all was the total opposite of herself. If Henrietta likes attention, Henry hates it. His character was mysterious but I know he was intelligent enough to be able to assist the first prince with the rebellion.
I nodded, "My brother's coming of age is in a few months and it means he will be the new head of the household. Once my brother receives the marquis title, he will take full control of the Lovell House. From here onwards, inside the Lovell Family, his words will be absolute. We may not have the military power anymore but I'm sure your highness is aware of my family's influence on the common people of this empire."
I took a deep breath before once again confronting the pair of golden eyes that was now intently staring at me.
My heart thumped but I know it was Henrietta's body reacting and not mine.
"My brother's plan from the very beginning is to make the first prince the emperor. The Lovell Marquessate taking sides would stir a commotion. And the trust of the people that you tried so hard to earn in the past years would crumble the moment the most noble of all nobles expressed its support for the first prince."