“…Your Highness?”
“...”
“Your Highness.”
Only after being called again did Cabelenus turn his gaze.
Veloa sat across from him, her expression tinged with discontent.
“Just now, what did you say?”
“It seems Your Highness was lost in thought, even with me sitting right in front of you.”
With a faint smile, Veloa raised her teacup.
The delicate aroma of the tea gently brushed her nose, but her mood was far from calm.
Cabelenus showed no interest in her, and Zerpheus was slowly pulling away, acting now as if he had never once promised her the world.
At this rate, things were becoming problematic on multiple fronts.
If she returned empty-handed, it was obvious what people would say about her.
Especially her older sister, who had always warned that arrogance would one day come back to bite her.
She didn’t like being looked down on by anyone, but when it came from the sister who was just above her, it was intolerable.
A sister who wasn’t better than her at anything, yet always tried to lecture her — it was truly an eyesore.
“It wasn’t just anything, I simply said I would give Your Highness what you wanted.”
“What I want?”
“Of course, that’s on the condition that Your Highness gives me what I want in return.”
She had considered stepping back if necessary, but that no longer mattered.
Cabelenus’s terms were exceptional.
It would be nearly impossible to find a man with a better offer.
No matter what it took, she had to secure him.
“Go on and speak.”
“Propose to me. Publicly. Make it grand and extravagant — enough that everyone knows.”
“That’s all?”
"And until we’re married, please send me flowers and gifts every week, and come visit me from time to time. I want everyone to believe that Your Highness is completely smitten with me and hopelessly devoted. That’s all I ask for."
Veloa gave an innocent, pure smile.
Of course, that wasn’t the only thing she wanted — but for now, it was enough.
Just having a relationship with Cabelenus would give her the power she needed.
“Then, what will you offer me in return?”
“I’ll give you the mages under my command.”
"Mages?"
"I’ve heard that while Schwarhan has magic stones, it lacks the proper techniques to use them effectively. If Your Highness accepts my proposal, I will send the mages under my command to pass on the necessary skills to Schwarhan’s mages."
“Can you actually do that?”
Cabelenus narrowed his eyes.
"There are fifteen mages under my command. Each of them is highly skilled, so they will surely be of great help to Your Highness."
“...”
“The terms aren’t exactly bad, are they?”
It was definitely a solid offer.
Since mages had to be born with an innate ability to handle mana, they were few in number, and because their power varied greatly depending on their talent, it was extremely difficult to find one capable of properly handling magic stones.
Even if they counted every mage in Schwarhan, they still didn’t add up to ten.
"I doubt the princess’s father, the king, would permit it."
Magical knowledge was just as valuable as the mages themselves and was fiercely guarded.
Despite continually coveting the Christie Kingdom’s magical techniques, they had never been able to obtain them, precisely for that very reason.
In fact, Cabelenus was still surprised that Zerpheus had managed to drag Veloa here in the first place.
"There’s no need to get permission. Currently, the king is unable to attend to his duties."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
“My father’s health is in decline. Even managing basic affairs is a struggle for him.”
"What do you mean?"
"Currently, the Christie Kingdom is embroiled in a struggle for the throne, and my eldest brother Bernie is considered the leading candidate for the next king."
"Are you allowed to share that with me?"
"I believe Your Highness wouldn’t miss this opportunity. If not during this chaotic time, it would be difficult for Your Highness to get what you want. Surely, you know that better than anyone else, don’t you?"
Veloa tilted her chin with haughty confidence.
A smile of victory was already on her lips.
Everyone knew that Schwarhan had long thirsted for magical knowledge.
“I hate beating around the bush, so I’ll get straight to the point.”
“Love me.”
Veloa added as she smiled softly, placing a hand over her chest.
“I never thought the princess would say something like that.”
“Love isn’t anything grand. It’s just giving someone what they want.”
The diamond bracelet on Veloa’s wrist sparkled under the lights.
The bracelet, strung with large diamonds one by one, was so dazzling it could unsettle the hearts of those who saw it.
"I despise love that’s all talk and empty words. I want a love that I can actually see."
Veloa leisurely stroked the surface of the jewels.
Even when her nanny read her fairy tales about pure love during her childhood, she felt little emotion.
No matter how many flattering words about her beauty or sweet things she heard, she felt no joy at all. There were many things in the world more beautiful and captivating than that.
Veloa never forgot the feeling she had when she first wore a jewelled necklace.
The necklace was so heavy she feared it might weigh down her neck, but it stole everyone’s gaze and made her the object of envy and admiration.
That day, Veloa learned that beauty and power weren’t so different after all.
The larger the jewels she wore, the more renowned the designer of her dress, and the more exquisitely she adorned herself beyond others, the greater the power that bolstered her presence.
“I don’t care how Your Highness truly feels about me, but others must believe you’re in love with me.”
“The princess seems to hold herself in rather high regard.”
“Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”
Veloa shot Cabelenus a slightly sour look.
"As far as I know, the princess is not on good terms with her siblings."
“And what does that matter?”
"From what I understand, there are generally two ways to handle unpleasant relatives: kill them or use them."
“...”
“But since the princess is young and beautiful, constantly being courted, it makes sense they’d choose to use you rather than kill you.”
"Isn't that right?"
Cabelenus slowly stroked his chin with his thumb.
He was already aware of the situation in the Christie Kingdom from his investigations.
"When the first prince ascends to the throne, the very first thing he will push for is the princess’s marriage. He will choose a partner who can pay the highest price but is foolish enough not to threaten his own position. Isn’t that why the princess risked coming to me?"
“So what if I did?”
"What I’m saying is that the princess’s situation isn’t very good. And usually, people who find themselves in a crisis end up losing out in deals."
Cabelenus glanced briefly at Gazeff, who was standing silently behind Veloa.
Given the timing, it seemed only natural to assume that Zerpheus had approached Veloa first.
However, according to intel from his highly competent aide, it was actually Veloa who had made the first move.
It wasn’t difficult to deduce how dire her circumstances must have been.
"So you’re saying you want something bigger than what I have offered?"
"The princess isn’t my saviour — if anything, it’s quite the opposite, isn’t it?"
"That depends on how impressive the mages I have are."
Even with her situation exposed, Veloa showed no sign of shrinking back.
"If the princess speaks like that, they must be quite exceptional."
"Of course. One of them is a 5th-circle mage."
Cabelenus’s gaze shifted briefly.
The ‘circle’ system used to classify mages ranks their skill by number — the higher the circle, the greater the ability. The difference in skill between the circles was substantial.
Even mages of the lower circles were considered talented, so a 5th-circle mage needed no introduction.
"I doubt someone as interested in magic as Your Highness would be unaware of what the circles signify."
"Wouldn't it be even more difficult to extract a 5th-circle mage?"
"Not at all. And if Your Highness agrees, I can offer not only the magical techniques but also the mage themself."
“...”
"Of course, it depends on how well Your Highness agrees to my demands."
Cabelenus’s brow furrowed slightly.
It was certainly a far more tempting offer than before.
From experience, he knew it was better to recruit one truly exceptional mage rather than several mediocre ones.
Even in Schwarhan, magical research was centred on one 3rd-circle mage, supported by others.
"Don’t overthink it. As Your Highness knows, I don’t have much time left, but many desire me. Even if I covet the seat beside you, it wouldn't be difficult to secure another. Schwarhan isn’t the only place starving for magic."
“...”
"If you’re still undecided, I’ll grant you a three-day grace period. During that time, I will teach Your Highness one method for crafting magical tools each day."
"Are you really willing to hand over the secrets of crafting magical tools so easily?"
Veloa’s proposal posed no real loss for Cabelenus, but suspicion still lingered.
Veloa revealed her weaknesses without hesitation — but it was clear she hadn’t yet laid all her cards on the table.
The reason she could hold her head high and speak her mind boldly was that, in the end, she still had a breath of escape.
He needed to uncover the schemes she had carefully hidden away in that little mind of hers.
“It doesn’t matter. They're all common methods in the Christie Kingdom anyway, and more than that — I’m confident.”
“Confident in what?”
“I know Your Highness isn't someone who stops after just a taste.”
“...”
“Once you’ve tasted it, you would swallow it all the way. If you’re not even capable of that, why would I bother holding onto Your Highness?"
Veloa’s eyes curved gently in a soft, knowing smile.
Zerpheus, drunk on his role as the devoted older brother, might not realise it, but the Cabelenus she saw was not someone destined to be a subordinate to anyone.
If he were truly nothing more than a loyal hound, there’d be no reason for him to look at Schwarhan with eyes like that.
"I’m very greedy. And I like people who are just as greedy."
“...”
"I will fulfil Your Highness’s desires, so I ask that you do the same in return."
She didn’t know exactly what Schwarhan meant to Cabelenus.
But one thing was certain.
The man who had always been indifferent to her was obsessed with this frozen land.
And beneath that obsession, clear as day, was a hunger he couldn’t hide.
Knowing that, Veloa found Cabelenus all the more to her liking.
And she had never once failed to obtain something she wanted.
・・・・・
"You’re working even harder than usual today."
"Since His Highness has agreed to be the model, I plan to practice a bit more until then."
Alicia’s pen moved smoothly back and forth across the canvas, drawing lines.
The scratchy sound of the pen felt familiar now, and finishing the sketch was no longer difficult.
It was simply about drawing what she wanted and pouring all her love into finishing it.
"He’s busy right now, so it might be difficult, but soon enough..."
Just mentioning Cabelenus made Alicia excited and chattered happily, but she quickly shut her mouth when she felt the gaze on her face.
Though she said it wasn’t true, James still seemed to be misunderstanding.
“James.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Alicia stared at him quietly.
It was hard to pretend it was just between them when his eyes were so full of tenderness.
But that affection wasn’t for her — it was for the sister he had failed to protect.
That realisation pricked at her heart.
James reminded her of herself, someone who couldn’t protect her mother.
In the end, Alicia couldn’t hold back and put down her pen.
“Madame Morco.”
“Yes, my lady?”
"I want to eat some fruit. Could you bring me some?"
“Of course. I’ll bring it right away.”
Madame Morco beamed with delight.
Just knowing that Alicia had found something she wanted to eat brought Madame Morco great joy.
"Now we can talk comfortably, right?"
“...”
“I’ve said it before, but I wanted to make it clear that it’s not like that. His Highness has formally decided to take me as his wife...”
"Currently, the princess of the Christie Kingdom is staying at Schwarhan Castle.”
James interrupted Alicia’s words and quietly stared at her.
He had hoped he was wrong.
Even though he knew full well the nature of the nobles, he hoped Alicia wouldn’t get hurt.
He didn’t want to see those honest, trusting eyes utterly shattered.
“Even if the princess is staying at the castle, that doesn’t mean anything.”
Alicia shook her head firmly.
Cabelenus had clearly told her there was no other woman but her.
And she believed him.
More than a hundred words, she knew his tender gaze and every action were sincere; she had never even thought to doubt him.
"Even if His Highness is buying countless jewels, dresses, and all sorts of luxury goods for that princess?"
“There must be some misunderstanding.”
“It’s no misunderstanding.”
“Rumours can be fabricated.”
"It’s not a rumour; it’s the truth."
“The truth?”
Alicia’s eyes hardened, but instead of stopping, James looked her straight in the eyes and continued speaking.
“Yesterday, there was an announcement about the upcoming engagement ceremony between His Highness and the princess.”
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