The sun of the Lesser Empire, Crown Prince Kyle Macquell, sat in quiet contemplation as he meticulously read the letter before him. The duchess's official seal glinted in the lamplight, piquing his curiosity.
"Please attend the Duchy of Locron at your earliest convenience for an urgent matter. Signed: The Duchess."
He read it once, then again, and finally a third time. His expression was a curious mix of confusion and disdain. For the first time in his life, his sister had written to him.
With a sardonic smile tugging at his lips, he muttered to himself:
"She must have finally lost her mind. But if this letter carries the Duchess's seal, then it means there's a problem—or a scheme brewing in that madwoman's mind."
Raising his eyes to his aide, he gave a curt order:
"Have the carriage prepared. We depart for Locron immediately."
The aide hesitated, his voice uncertain as he replied:
"Your Highness, it's already quite late—"
Kyle cut him off sharply, standing as he clutched the letter in his hand:
"It doesn't matter. This is the first time my sister has summoned me. I need to see for myself what she's planning this time."
At Locron Manor, Olivia stood near the grand gates of the estate, her steps restless, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. When she finally spotted the carriage approaching, a slight shiver ran through her.
Kyle descended the carriage with his usual grace, each stride exuding the confidence and authority of a crown prince.
"Greetings, Duchess of Locron," he intoned formally.
"And greetings to you, Your Highness," Olivia replied, her tone calm but her expression betraying a tinge of unease.
They stood facing one another in silence, a tense exchange of unreadable glances. At last, Kyle's patience began to wear thin, and he asked pointedly:
"Your Grace, are you not planning to invite me inside?"
Olivia blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. For a fleeting moment, she appeared flustered before recovering:
"Ah, yes... of course. Come this way. But not through the main hall."
"What?" Kyle's brow furrowed in confusion as she grabbed his arm.
With an urgency that bordered on paranoia, Olivia began leading him away, casting furtive glances at the manor's windows as though wary of prying eyes. She guided him through narrow passages and secluded corridors until they reached a discreet back door that opened into her private chambers.
Kyle followed in silence, his expression darkening as he observed her peculiar behavior. He said nothing, merely stepping into the room as she closed the door behind them.
Once inside, Olivia quickly dismissed the servants, even Kyle's loyal aide, with a wave of her hand. She let out a long sigh, as if shedding a heavy burden, but her expression soon shifted to one of simmering anger and disdain.
"Your Grace," Kyle began, his voice dripping with mockery. "What was the purpose of your earlier theatrics?"
"Theatrics?" Olivia shot back sharply. "Forget the formalities for a moment. Let's speak as siblings, not as nobles."
Kyle let out a derisive laugh:
"Well, well! Have you run out of schemes against Locron or the imperial family? Exhausted all your tricks? Is this your new ploy—appealing to the goodwill of your dear younger brother?"
His voice grew colder, his words laced with scorn:
"Do I look like someone who's interested in your petty dramatics, sister?" He spat the final word with pointed disdain.
Olivia crossed her arms, her tone as icy as his:
"Are you done with your baseless assumptions? If so, let's get to the point."
"What do you want?" Kyle snapped, his frustration boiling over.
"You think you're the center of the universe, don't you? That everyone is out to get something from you. Get your feet back on the ground, Kyle—you've flown too high," Olivia shot back coldly.
Kyle's anger flared. "Why did you send me that letter?"
"Finally! We're back to the matter at hand."
Olivia reached for the necklace resting against her collarbone, lifting it slightly. The silver pendant gleamed in the dim light.
"Kyle, this necklace… Mother gave us matching ones, didn't she? Where's yours? Speak."
Kyle hesitated, his confident demeanor faltering. "It's in the imperial palace. Why are you suddenly interested in it?"
Olivia arched an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
"In the palace, is it? I wasn't aware that Mother's keepsake had been mass-produced and distributed for anyone to wear."
"I don't understand what you mean," Kyle replied, his voice tense.
"Kyle," she said, her voice quiet but cutting. "Admit it. Where is the necklace? Or should I tell you where it is?"
"I told you, it's in the palace!" Kyle snapped, but a bead of cold sweat betrayed his composure.
"You won't admit it? Fine."
Olivia took a step closer, her tone soft yet brimming with menace.
"Then let me tell you a story. About a man who married a woman named Leila, left her with Mother's necklace, and never returned."
Kyle lunged forward, gripping Olivia's shoulders tightly.
"Olivia! How do you know about that?"
She shoved him off, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Get your hands off me, or I swear I'll break them!"
Kyle released her, though his piercing gaze never left her face.
"Have you grown tired of trying to unseat your husband and decided to meddle in my personal affairs instead? Have you gone mad?"
Olivia let out a bitter laugh.
"Your personal affairs? Oh, Your Highness, this isn't personal—it's a scandal. And on top of that, her? You chose her? Mathias's sister? Have you lost your mind?"
"This has nothing to do with you," Kyle growled. "And why do you know about her anyway? What do you want from me?"
Olivia's patience snapped, her voice rising in exasperation.
"What do I want? I want to live in peace! But you keep destroying everything! What am I supposed to tell my husband? That my little brother married his sister without knowing? And don't tell me he doesn't know the truth. He doesn't, does he?"
Kyle froze, her words hitting him like a thunderbolt.
The tense silence in the room only amplified the storm brewing in Olivia's chest. She paced the room, her footsteps echoing with her frustration as she berated Kyle.
"Just answer me this: You knew she was his sister, didn't you?"
Kyle, looking like a chastised child, muttered, "Yes… He mentioned her once."
Olivia whirled around, her anger escalating.
"And why didn't you tell him? Explain that to me! I know they don't meet often, but you knew the truth. Why didn't you say anything?"
Kyle's voice wavered as he tried to defend himself.
"She asked me to keep it a secret from her brother. She said he had done enough for her already and didn't want to burden him further."
And is that a reason for you to marry her? Tell me!"
He raised his head, his voice carrying a mixture of sorrow and anger:
"You wouldn't understand..."
She crossed her arms and interrupted him:
"What wouldn't I understand? Speak, so I may see!"
He took a deep breath before words burst from him:
"I love her. I have loved her since the moment I first saw her with Matheus when she came to visit him at the camp. Even when I was injured, I went to the hospital where she worked—not to seek treatment, but to see her. I followed her steps to her home. How do you expect me to reject her request for marriage when I've loved her for so long?"
Olivia stopped in her tracks, her gaze fixed on him in disbelief:
"You... loved her?"
"Yes, I loved her... and I still do."
"Then why didn't you go back to her?"
He looked down, as if ashamed to admit:
"I did go back, but her mother told me she had gone with the baron. I couldn't stand in her way. So..."
He didn't finish his sentence, as Olivia suddenly slapped him hard.
"What's wrong with you? Why did you slap me?"
Her eyes burned with fury as she said:
"You couldn't stand in her way? She's your wife, you coward! You just let her go with another man? Are you insane? Have you lost your mind?"
"Yes, I've lost my mind! I just wanted her to be happy, even if it wasn't with me."
"Happy? She's your wife! Your responsibility! How could you not even consider ensuring that she made this decision willingly? Why assume she betrayed you without even asking her?"
His voice dropped, drained of energy:
"Because I knew she only married me for her mother's sake and her work. It didn't mean anything more to her than a contract."
For a moment, Olivia calmed down. His words carried a painful truth. But she quickly regained her composure, asking him more seriously:
"And the child? Were you not aware of her?"
"What are you talking about? I don't understand."