“Have you tried contacting the First Prince of Christie Kingdom?”
“Fortunately, he was receptive to our proposal. Everything should proceed smoothly.”
"I wouldn’t call it fortunate. There's almost nothing to gain from a relationship with him."
Cabelenus’s lips curled into a grim line.
In an effort to minimise the losses, they even reached out to Veloa’s eldest brother, but as expected, it was still not enough to gain any real benefit.
The prince wasn’t pleased about Veloa and Cabelenus’s engagement, but that was all.
The terms the First Prince offered in exchange for breaking off the engagement fell far short compared to what Veloa had proposed.
"It can’t be helped. The one who will rule the kingdom and the one who will leave it are bound to see things differently."
Gazeff gave an awkward smile.
The First Prince, who was considered the leading candidate for the next king from the start, was in a position where he had little to lose.
Even if Cabelenus had actually gone through with the engagement to Veloa, the First Prince would have done nothing more than feel regret that he couldn’t sell his sister for a high price.
"I should count myself lucky just to be able to deal with the nagger without much trouble."
Cabelenus let out a short sigh and pressed his hand to his forehead.
His head started to throb again as he recalled Veloa’s whining like a child when he told her to cancel the engagement.
“By the way, the princess has requested a meeting.”
“Reject it. It ’s already been settled.”
“Since I anticipated that, I went ahead and declined on my own for now. However, it seems the princess still cannot accept Your Highness’s decision.”
“She’s a princess who’s been arrogantly acting as if everything belonged to her from the very start, so of course she would.”
It was only natural that Veloa was displeased by the sudden reversal.
But it wasn’t something he could keep tolerating — her opposition couldn’t be indulged forever.
After all, noble marriages were something that, until actually finalised, could change repeatedly depending on the circumstances.
There was even a saying joking that a true noble’s engagement had to be broken off at least a dozen times before it actually lasted.
Since the engagement was only made verbally, breaking it off couldn’t really be contested.
Veloa herself was surely aware of that fact as well.
“She’s acting like that because she knows there’s no other way but to raise her voice. Just ignore her to some extent and help her leave smoothly. To ensure the deal with the First Prince goes well, she needs to stay unharmed.”
Cabelenus crossed his legs and casually flipped through the documents.
Gazeff pretended to organise the papers while cautiously watching his superior’s expression.
It was truly unusual for Cabelenus to reverse his decision, especially when it meant giving up obvious benefits.
Even though he knew it was an impossible hope, he couldn’t help but hold on to a glimmer of possibility.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect Your Highness to make such a choice.”
"I didn't know either. That I, of all people, would be blinded by emotions and make such an obviously foolish choice."
“...So, do you regret it?”
"No."
Surprisingly, the answer came without hesitation.
Gazeff mustered up a bit more courage and spoke.
“Even though Your Highness’s plans have been delayed because of this incident?”
“...”
“You’ve been preparing for this for a long time.”
"I don't know since when you've become so talkative."
"I-I apologise!"
Cabelenus stared intently at Gazeff, then finally set the pen down.
He could have simply ignored it, but staying silent felt too suffocating.
“She said that if anyone laid a hand on the child, she wouldn’t be able to guarantee her own life.”
“...Are you talking about the young lady?”
“Yes. No one else but her.”
Cabelenus let out a long sigh and pressed his hand to his forehead.
He had expected Alicia to comply quickly, but her resistance was far stronger than he had anticipated.
No matter how much he tried to persuade her, her stubborn gaze never wavered.
“Her attachment to the monster is growing deeper and deeper. We have to separate them as soon as possible.”
"..How about observing a little longer?"
"Observe? What?"
Cabelenus let out a short, bitter laugh.
"It hasn’t been confirmed for certain that it’s a monster."
"That may be true.”
“Then—”
“What if she ends up harmed because of that mere possibility?”
Cabelenus clenched his hand tightly.
Through his slightly spread fingers, cold, hardened eyes could be seen.
“I’ve been through a similar situation. Back then, the monster started using its power while still a fetus, and because of that, the mother ultimately died.”
It wasn’t a power that was easily created.
Countless failures were repeated for a single success.
Experiments continued in pursuit of artificial power, and with each experiment, corresponding records were left behind.
"It was a rare case. Something that happened with an extremely slim chance. That’s why I never even considered it. I never imagined that the monster, my own child, would beat those odds."
It was such a rare occurrence that it was summarised in just one line during the actual experiment, but the odds were cruel.
Just like in the experimental records, the child in Alicia's womb was using its powers even as a fetus.
"Yes. Maybe the child really is just an ordinary one. Maybe using its powers might not be such a big deal. But what about the opposite possibility? How can you be sure the same thing won’t happen to the mother like it did before?"
“...”
“I have no intention of gambling with her life.”
Everything was like a game of chess: pieces could be sacrificed or taken depending on the situation.
As long as they achieved checkmate, no matter the form, victory was theirs.
But Alicia was not a pawn to be moved on the chessboard.
She was special.
From the very moment they first met — and still now, always.
Cabelenus’s thumb slowly rubbed the furrowed crease between his brows.
In hindsight, he fell for her surprisingly easily.
He was naturally shaken and weakened because of her.
But now, such thoughts were meaningless.
He had already made his choice.
"That child has to be a monster."
Because thinking that way was the only way to avoid lingering attachment.
Cabelenus picked up his pen again, wiping away the remaining thoughts from his mind.
However, no matter how much force he applied, the pen broke in two after only a few strokes.
The jet-black ink that leaked from the pen soaked his hand thoroughly.
“The child looks a lot like me. They really like Your Highness.”
“No matter how harsh Your Highness’s words are, it seems the child keeps wanting to see you.”
“The moment you see them, you’ll know. That they are our child.”
Even though he had already made his decision, Alicia’s words kept echoing in his mind.
Why was it that, even knowing it couldn’t be true, he kept imagining a child that resembled her?
Cabelenus squinted at the documents before him, but it was no use.
The documents, smudged all over with thick ink, were such a mess that they were nearly impossible to read.
・・・・・
「Your engagement was broken off; you’re in quite a predicament.」
“A predicament? Are you saying that while clearly knowing how ridiculous my position has become?”
「Getting worked up won’t solve anything.」
"Your Majesty."
「There’s nothing we can do. Even force can’t change a person’s heart.」
Beyond the communication mirror, Zerpheus leisurely sipped his tea.
Unlike Veloa, whose face flushed bright red with frustration, Zerpheus showed not a trace of agitation.
In the end, Veloa lost her patience and slammed the table hard.
“Is now the time to be talking so casually?”
「Why not? Nothing’s changed anyway.」
“Nothing’s changed? Even though I’m in such a miserable state?”
「Failing to win over my brother is ultimately the princess’s shortcoming, isn’t it?」
Zerpheus smiled brazenly as he savoured the aroma of his tea.
"Are you mocking me?"
Veloa clenched her teeth tightly, glaring fiercely.
「That’s not it. I simply want to clarify the terms of our agreement.」
“Haa…“
「It seems the princess has forgotten our deal. Our agreement wasn’t about whether or not you would be engaged to my brother. It was simply this: if you removed that slave woman from him, I would grant you the place that became vacant.」
Only after finishing his tea did Zerpheus set down his cup and look at Veloa.
Despite having involved others to separate his brother from a slave, he remained unnervingly relaxed.
“Are you trying to play word games with me now?”
「I’m simply clarifying the terms of our deal. It seems the princess, driven by greed, is trying to claim what she wants without fulfilling the conditions.」
“So, Your Majesty, you intend to stand by and do nothing about this situation?”
「It’s the princess who has to meet the terms of the deal, not me.」
Zerpheus smiled gracefully.
But the green eyes glimpsed between his curved eyelids resembled a bottomless swamp.
“...So you’re telling me to handle it myself?”
「What kind of empress can’t even handle a single slave?」
“...”
「I’m sure I told you before — no matter what method you use, just take that slave away and that’s all I ask.」
Seeing Veloa’s trembling eyes, Zerpheus’s smile grew even wider.
「It’s not something that was difficult to begin with.」
“Not difficult?”
「There’s only one cause behind the problem.」
“...”
「Once the cause disappears, the problem disappears too.」
「The princess must already know the answer, right?」
When Zerpheus cast a subtle glance, only then did a satisfied smile spread across Veloa’s lips.
"In that case, lend me someone immediately."
「That might be difficult.」
“What did you say?”
Veloa’s face darkened again after briefly brightening.
She leaned toward the communication mirror, narrowing her eyes.
「It’s only natural to feel uneasy seeing you unable to protect even your own position. Of course, if the princess needs proper help, it’s not like there’s no way to provide it.」
“You’re really trying to toy with me, aren’t you?”
「I figured it might be wise to have a small gift ready in case my younger brother gets upset.」
“...”
「How about it? Shall I lend it to you?」
Zerpheus’s curved eyes reminded her of a snake’s tail.
Veloa clenched her fists tightly and forced herself to swallow her anger.
Even in this situation, the emperor’s way of flaunting his superiority was utterly obnoxious.
"No. I don't need it."
「There’s no need to overexert yourself.」
“Didn’t Your Majesty say it yourself? That I shouldn’t be aiming to become empress if I can’t even handle a single slave.”
Looking at that sticky gaze, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped in a swamp — but it was already too late to turn back.
Veloa forced down her discomfort and ran a hand through her dishevelled hair, trying to smooth it out.
“I have never once failed to obtain what I desired.”
「That’s a commendable mindset.」
She vowed that the moment she became empress, the first thing she'd do was cut out that three-inch tongue. [1]
Veloa glared at Zerpheus, who was beaming, before abruptly cutting off the communication.
“...”
"...Princess?"
"What about the Grand Duke?”
"He didn’t grant permission for a meeting—"
Crash–!
The vase rolled across the floor and shattered into pieces.
Veloa glared irritably at the drenched escort before roughly pushing him in the chest.
"Repeat what you just said."
“Th-that… the Grand Duke has nothing more to say to the princess.”
"Ha! You call that news? Did you think I was bluffing when I said I’d kill you if you didn’t bring the Grand Duke to me?"
"Of course not! But the truth is, I'm just a mere knight — it's not exactly easy to drag the Grand Duke of Schwarhan here by force..."
“Still as useless as ever!”
Veloa snapped at the escort and kicked the tea table angrily.
The room had already fallen into disarray, unable to withstand her frustration.
“What do you intend to do? Are we really going to return home like this?”
“No. That can’t happen.”
“But the Grand Duke’s side has already made up their mind…”
“Can’t they change their mind again after already changing it once?"
Veloa glared sharply at the escort and huffed in frustration.
She had only taken him in as a favour to her nanny, but an escort who did nothing but skulk around and act all flustered was utterly useless.
“This problem doesn’t need solving. I just have to think about it simply.”
She just needed to eliminate the root cause.
Veloa’s heel pressed down firmly on the jagged shards of broken glass.
A mad smile lingered on her lips, reflected in the shards of glass
“Yes. I’ve been too lenient.”
“...”
“She’s a woman who needs to be dealt with anyway. Just think of it as taking care of her a little earlier.”
“What if that angers the Grand Duke?”
“Let him get as angry as he wants. I'll make sure it's quite the entertaining spectacle."
At the thought of that proud face twisting in anger, her seething frustration slightly eased.
Veloa took a deep breath, then gracefully lifted her chin.
“...Are you going to handle this yourself?”
“It’s definitely better for me to take action than to rely on a useless fool like you.”
Damn annoying Blanche.
Veloa irritably waved her hand through the air.
Suddenly, a staff much taller than she was appeared in her hand.
“Just you wait. You’ll pay dearly for making me dirty my own hands.”
Translator's Corner:
[1] The Chinese idiom "three-inch tongue" describes someone eloquent and persuasive. A related Japanese saying — "the tongue is but three inches long, yet can kill a man six feet tall" — emphasises the power of words to cause harm, urging mindful and responsible speech.
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