"Your highness, could Sir Leonardo leave us for a moment? I would like for our conversation to be completely a little more private."
Another person who can read my expressions like a book is Leonardo Harpen, my palace chamberlain and confidante.
"You have my undivided attention now, lady Florette."
It has been a while since Leo left the room, yet she has not uttered a single word. Every passing second feels irritating. If she's here to talk about our impending engagement, she's wasting her time, for I plan to file an official appeal to cancel the whole charade before I leave.
"Um… your high-"
"Brother!" exclaimed a familiar voice as she rudely kicked the doors open.
Lady Florette's facial expression quickly shifted as she was now glaring at the intruder.
"What business do you have barging into an occupied private sitting room, Princess Yurivera?"
"That was rather harsh, prince Zen. And here I thought you would be happy to see me." she replied while proceeding to sit next to me.
"Pardon me, your highness, the prince and I were in the middle of…"
"We have not seen each other in nearly two years, my prince. I missed you terribly." She whined while clinging to my arm.
"The least you could do upon your arrival is to visit me. I've been stuck in this palace for as long as you've been gone, you know. I'm not even allowed to hold tea parties or partake in any fun activities until my dear brother stops being angry about a mere childish prank."
Lady Florette let out a loud scoff as she irritably folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes at the princess. Yurivera, however, did not even so much as acknowledge her blatant reactions and continued to prattle on. I was told by Leo that their friendship had long dissolved when Yurivera's name appearedon that list. Seems it was all true, judging from their attitudes towards one another right now. Whatever is going on between them, I want no part in it.
"Oh, by the way. I submitted another marriage proposal to the empress a few days before your arrival. I hope you take it into consideration this time, brother." She exclaimed cheerfully.
*sigh* Not this again. I suppose I should pay a visit to the empress tomorrow. I'll put an end to everything and leave for Chilsela as soon as possible.
+++++
~The Next Day
Empress Marnouse Von Alkaraz, formerly known as Lady Hockstein, was the eldest daughter of the late Marquis Hockstein. She was carefully selected by none other than duchess Gwendolynn, who used to oversee the imperial bridal selection and the concubines. However, when lady Hockstein became the empress, the role of imperial matchmaker became her responsibility, leaving duchess Gwen with the meager task of selecting the mistresses. From that point on, their friendship started dwindling while their rivalry escalated as time went by.
Despite living in the same place, she and I rarely meet face to face as we prefer to communicate through letters. Today will be the first time in a while that we will hold a proper conversation.
~Meanwhile, the empress' Quarters.
"Your majesty, I am rather concerned about your meeting with the crown prince. He is, after all, hailed as an emotionless tyrant who will slay anything or anyone who irritates him. What if…"
"Viscountess Fresia, I suggest you watch that mouth of yours. How dare you speak of the crown prince of Alkaraz in this manner?"
Her voice cut through the air like a blade, and her glare was equally menacing. I shuddered in fear and my legs became weak as I fell to the ground. I pleaded for forgiveness, as if my life depended on it. For a moment, it felt as if she would slit my throat if I had uttered another word. I don't understand. I was told that the dynamics between the two are comparable to that of a feline and a dog, but why is she speaking in his defense? Is she not the one who's been smearing his name this entire time?
"His highness, crown prince Kazein has arrived." announced a guard from the other side of the door.
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"Florette, quit nibbling on your nails and have a seat."
She continued to pace in frustration while biting her nails, as if she did not hear a word I just said. What could have happened between them last night for her to be acting this way?
"Princess Yuri, princess Yuri, princess Yuri!" she screamed as gripped and pulled her hair angrily.
"I hate her! I hate her! I hate her! Mother, I hate princess Yuri! I hate her!"
"Florette! Get a hold of yourself!"
Her condition has not improved one bit, as her bouts of anger outbursts are becoming more frequent. However, it's better for her to express her frustration in this manner rather than harming herself. Meanwhile, I will do everything I can to fix her. Even if I'll have to crawl into the depths of hell to make her normal again, I will do it.
"Florette, Florette! Get a hold of yourself!" I shouted as I firmly gripped her arms.
"Breathe in, breathe out slowly, that's right. Slowly. Listen and repeat after me."
As I held her tearful face, her eyes were blazing with rage and resentment while she quivered in my hands. You can lay your worries to rest now, my love. Mommy will fix you no matter what it takes. Even if I have totransform those emotions of yours into a weapon.
"Florette is strong. Florette is beautiful. Florette is powerful. No one will stand in her way. Florette will become the empress of Alkaraz no matter what happens."
I made her repeat those words over and over until she finally came to her senses.
"Mother." she called in a quavering voice while wiping the tears off her face.
"Can't you make Princess Yurivera disappear? You have been making all of my problems vanish since I was a child. What's one more? Hm? Please mother?"
*sigh* Florette. My sweet Florette…
+++++
The tension in the atmosphere is so tangible that one can cut through it with a knife. They have been quietly staring at one another for quite some time, yet neither of them seems eager to start the conversation. And the longer this last, the more anxious we became.
"You may all leave."
"Yes, your majesty." replied the maids while bowing.
"You too, viscountess Fresia."
Thank goodness! I thought I was going to explode for a moment there.
"A rare concoction imported from Nyxteria, said to leave a lasting aftertaste upon consumption. I hope the flavor is to your liking, your highness."
The sweet scent of berries permeated the air as the dancing steam rose from the teacups. The empress elegantly took a sip of her tea and instantly let out a soft sigh. I became curious; thus, I too took a sip, and nearly reacted the same way. It had quite a distinctive flavor, one I've never tasted before. It seems the rumors hold true, after all. In the matter of tea and alcohol, no one can hold a candle to the kingdom of Nyxteria.
"Now then, shall we begin our conversation?"
I nodded in her direction as I placed the teacup on the saucer.
"I hope you are aware of the gravity of your request, your highness. Your engagement to lady Florette is not one that I can break off so easily. It was an agreement made by both of your parents therefore, it will be difficult to dissolve it without their approvals."
Is the empress implying that I involve the emperor in a matter that has yet to become official?
"However, obtaining a consort all on your own would automatically put an end to your forthcoming engagement with lady Florette."
"I see…" I pondered.
"As the crown prince, you were born into many privileges that you have yet to take advantage of. For example, you could ask the empress to cease the bridal selection for an extended period. Or you could simply trust me to find you the most qualified consort in the world. The choice is yours and yours alone, my prince."
I can't tell if she's trying to help or merely trifling with me. For someone who's been trampling on my reputation ever since she stepped foot into the palace, I expected nothing less. However, if she won't take this matter seriously, I will have to do things my way. What a waste of my precious time. I'll just wrap things up quickly and leave.
"It seems you are misunderstanding me yet again, your highness. Shall we clear the air once and for all? I would hate for our meeting to be a fruitless one when we have not seen each other for such a long time."
++++++
Her composure was like nothing I have ever seen before. Not even my mother had such an imposing presence when she sat on that seat. Her mannerisms were as graceful as that of a swan, yet it felt as though she would thrust her fangs into my neck if I so much as overstepped my boundaries. She read my expression rather easily, which means she had been observing me ever since I walked in. How did Duchess Gwendolynn subdue someone like her?
"Is everything alright, your highness? You have been in a daze ever since you left the empress' quarters. Did something happen?"
He seems to be in a foul mood, which means his meeting with the empress must have ended on a sour note.
"Leo." He called in a serene tone as he halted in his steps.
"Yes, your highness."
"What is the situation in Lithiar?"