The morning felt different than usual. Typically, I would be occupied with my duties as the grand duke in my study. But now that Louvienne and I are engaged, my focus shifts to aiding her in readying herself for the role of the grand duchess, commencing with the arrangements for the upcoming wedding.

It has been several days since the rather clumsy and unplanned proposal happened, and with each passing day, the concept of marriage weighs more heavily on my mind.

Part of me still can’t move on with the doubts, ‘Did I do the right thing? It’s Louvienne, we grew up together. We know each other well. But why do I feel like I’m doing something wrong? Even our parents wanted us to get married ever since we were young. They saw this coming.’

The repeated thoughts distract me from the things I should focus on aside from the wedding preparations.

In the stillness of the boutique’s lounge, footsteps on marble floors sounded loud and clear as the tailor and Louvienne entered the room to meet me.

“Ah, I feel so great today! I don’t shop this much often, although it feels like it’s too much …” Louvienne’s voice was lively, yet exhaustion was obvious in it. That feeling, however, didn’t stop her from expressing what she feels from within with that smile of hers.

I put my documents aside to converse with her, and she sat next to me.

“Oh please, stop acting humble. It doesn’t suit you. It must be more exhausting to pay this place a visit than them bringing us what they’ve got,” I too, can feel the exhaustion. Except that I don't have the right to say that, because I was sitting in the waiting area the entire time while she was trying from one dress to another.

Louvienne pouted at my words, like a child who was defeated by an older playmate’s argument.

“Do you want to get more?” I offered, and her eyebrows raised upon hearing my words.

“How can you say that? We bought almost everything in the boutique.”

“No. I mean, the boutique itself. I can buy it for you if you wish.”

“Do I look that materialistic to you? You must have a lot of money to burn.”

“Yes, I have. I make money by just breathing. Why do you think would I make Herzoyona Eskal tax-free and give huge portions of my income to charity? I own mines outside the region. Those pieces of jewelry you're wearing are probably from that mine itself,” I paused, and she did the same as she gave my words some thought. It’s something I wouldn’t tell in casual talks.

Silently, I stood up, and Louvienne mirrored my action, understanding my unspoken cue to depart. The shopkeeper offered a bow of gratitude for selecting their boutique.

True to my initial statement upon our arrival, they are well aware of the procedure – to dispatch the selected dresses to the Halvekia manor, including those that are still undergoing alterations, once they are completed.

Upon receiving the receipt, I tendered the exact amount corresponding to the stated price. The transaction highlighted the level of luxury enjoyed by women in high society, where a dress typically starts at 90,000 Mereous.

That can feed an entire family of three for about a year or so.

As the future grand duchess, Louvienne perceives these expenditures as essential. Each dress design is crafted uniquely, with no duplicates produced.

My aim is for her radiance to outshine every other individual in the room. It is imperative that she is not underestimated, thus rendering luxury a requisite.

We stepped outside the boutique with a carriage waiting for us, and I extended my hand to aid her in boarding, and once she was seated comfortably, I followed suit.

The moment we sat across each other; I continued the conversation.

“The imperial palace isn't aware of where I'm getting all the money. Thankfully they’re fools who are thinking that the money I’m giving them monthly affects me, but those are not different from coins in my perspective. The empress demands each duchy to give 2,500,000 Mereous monthly.”

“You’re getting that amount from the mines alone?”

"No. I own twelve islands, and I get money from the residential area. People rent houses, and I get some income from it. The population of those islands is about 900 to 1,500 each. I'm telling you all these things because you'll be the grand duchess, but you need to refrain from sharing that information. Someone might take advantage of my wealth.”

Louvienne crossed her arms and shifted her gaze into the window. “I thought I know a lot about you, but it seems like I didn’t. Where did you get all those properties?”

“The late king of Eskal, my adoptive father, was the owner. I only inherited it," She shifted her gaze to me and placed one of her hands on her mouth.

“Ohoho ~ way to define lucky. A disowned son of a marquess who was adopted by a king and inherited his wealth. Things aren't as bad, no?" she looked at me with an amused grin – or perhaps it's more like, she's happy for me knowing that I had a rough childhood, and yet things are a lot better than they used to be. Anyone who'll experience that would feel that it's all luck.

“You’re not marrying me because of money, right?”

“Good grief you idiot, no! How many times do I have to tell you that I had feelings for you ever since we were in the orphanage?”

"Shh. Lower your voice. Nobody should know about us being orphans. I think it would be better if we'll speak in Eurhyian when in public. After all, that was the language I taught you, and it will help us to avoid people from understanding what we’re talking about.”

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“Vynifzya.” (Alright.)

I leaned my back on the seat, satisfied with her response. At least we settled that agreement.

Our encounter with Eviona is fast approaching, merely three weeks away.

It is essential to maintain our inner dialogues in Eurhyian, as Eviona possesses the ability to hear the thoughts of those around her.

Unless she opts to wear the translation device disguised as a gold bracelet, communication may prove challenging.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

The rays of the westering sun streamed through the window of my study. In the silence of the room, a wavering light appeared in front of the window, revealing the figure of an acquaintance I’m least expecting to meet.

"Normally, people who want my audience would send a letter of notice instead of appearing out of thin air, Your Highness," I commented, but he remained silent, his expression quite sullen. "You weren't sent here to spy, aren't you?"

He covered his face for a second out of frustration and made my words slide. "Let's set the formalities aside if you don’t mind. I chose not to send a letter because I’m sure you’ll refuse my request due to the recent events.”

He’s right. He made a scheme to kidnap Thyra, and had her imprisoned which demanded me make a move by looking for her.

My ally's enemy would be my enemy as well. And yet, he had the audacity to show his face here.

Is it something that urgent? It's not like him to barge into this place, especially because he's protecting his title as the second prince. His unannounced presence can be viewed as trespassing.

“Don’t beat around the bush. Even if you’re a prince, you know more than anyone that I’m not pleased to see you here.”

“I know that I tried to turn you into an ally, but I was also the reason why that alliance was broken. All tables were flipped ever since Eviona forced the empress to abdicate the throne. Everything was too easy for her, but most of the noblemen who heard of the recent changes made them question who she is, to begin with. She didn't win the trust of high society yet. Because of that, I've been sneaking into the late empress' chambers at night to discuss matters about her."

His rationale failed to provide any compelling justification for me to heed his words. The mere knowledge that we’re breathing the same air pisses me off. Despite the temptation to raise my voice, I have to restrain myself to avoid escalating the situation and sparking conflict.

“So? Such imperial issues have nothing to do with me. As long as I’m giving what the palace asks for, it should be fine. My purpose is to handle my duchy alone. I’m not responsible for the dramas of the imperial family.”

“The late empress wanted Eviona gone. She ordered me to issue a joint statement with the dukes of the empire. A Persona Non-Grata, where the empress will be forbidden to enter the dukedoms of the empire. This also includes refusing the empress' orders, so that the regions will be independent and will be under the full control of the dukes. That will make Herzoyona Eskal free from the grasp of the Ruivenfiere Empire and turn this territory to its former glory – the kingdom of Eskal.” I sense the sincerity in Hervouet’s words, but it’s hard not to be skeptical.

He deceived us once, and what’s the guarantee that he won’t do the same method twice?

“You’re saying that the dukes are rebelling against Eviona, only because they didn’t know her?”

I recall the intense animosity Eviona harbored towards her mother upon her exile. She remains a figure shrouded in mystery, as she never underwent a traditional coming-of-age ceremony.

When inquired about her daughter, whose name eludes the memory of many, the empress repeatedly asserts that her daughter is dead.

This discrepancy likely contributed to the nobles' suspicions, leading them to speculate that she was an impostor who coerced the former empress into relinquishing the throne.

I don’t have the slightest interest to rebel like them, because this will cause civil war.

However, Hervouet is right. If I’ll participate, I can get my territory’s freedom once Eviona gets overthrown.

It’s not hard to tell that Hervouet decided to meet the dukes in secret with the same motive that when Eviona gets overthrown, he'll be crowned emperor.

At first, it was he who was opposing the crown prince. Now, he's opposing his old ally, his sister. Just how long will these people fight over the throne?

Come to think of it … if the reports of the former empress aligning with him hold true, there is a possibility that his promise regarding Eskal's restoration to its former grandeur may hold weight.

It is worth considering that the empire can endure without Eskal, thereby potentially opening avenues for its revitalization.

Furthermore, his presence here may offer an opportunity for me to gain insights into the workings of Rhinecrest.

It pains me to acknowledge that harboring two royalties in my castle weighs on my conscience daily.

While they hold no ill intent and do not seek to burden me, the reality remains that I bear accountability for the situation.

"It's rebellion since we're going to disobey Eviona’s orders. As far as I know, you’re Eviona’s weakness and since the meeting between duchies and the empress is around the corner, it would be the best time to test the waters. You’re going to be in the meeting and the banquet, right?”

I looked away after he mentioned what I am to Eviona. It’s beginning to piss me off.

“I can go, but it’s not my priority. All of those aside, I want to ask you one thing,” the second prince looked at me intently, as if my tone caught his attention. “How does the Rhinecrest work?”

His jaw dropped upon hearing the question. “H-How did you know about the Rhinecrest?”

"I see you're giving me a question instead of an answer," I let out a breath as I try to compose the right words. "Let’s say I know someone – a red diamond Izavene like you, who created a Rhinecrest to save someone. But the person who’s known to be the one who can unseal the Rhinecrest after some time became unconscious, yet alive. How will the two of them go back to their normal state of life?”

Hervouet averted his gaze and gave my words some thought. "I don't know why you're asking this, but the only person who can awaken an unconscious red diamond Izavene is someone with a stronger power. The one who sacrificed consumed their life force, but not entirely. However, their body isn’t strong enough to recover, causing them to be in an indefinite state of unconsciousness. The red diamond ring of the unconscious Izavene created a Rhinecrest of its own to save the owner, except that it only appears like a normal body from the surface.”

Azriel is in a Rhinecrest himself? If someone with a stronger life force can wake him, can Hervouet do it, or … Eviona?

No. There’s no way Eviona will share her life to awaken the crown prince, her rival. Should I disclose the information I know to the second prince?

“How about the other Rhinecrest? How can the recovering person inside return to normal?”

“Though some say that the person who created it is the only person who can unlock the Rhinecrest, the truth is it will free the person on its own when the person sealed inside has recovered enough. Anyway, why are you asking me this? I thought you weren't interested in matters relating to us?" He narrowed his ocean-blue eyes, filled with curiosity and suspicion.

“The crown prince has been missing for two months now, correct? The situation I just told you about is his current state. He's been unconscious after creating a Rhinecrest to save the Eurhyian princess," Letting the truth out of my mouth felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, but saying it won't necessarily lead to a solution. The man in front of me wanted his brother gone, so knowing the truth from him at least gave me an idea of what I can do.

“You know where they are and you’re hiding them all this time?” His reaction was a mixture of shock and disbelief but at this point, it was his choice to trust me or not.

If I’ll tell him that I’ve been keeping the two, I’ll get in trouble.

If I’ll tell him simply that I know where they are, it can still lead to the suspicion that I’m involved here. Little difference.

“Yes, because His Highness asked me to do so before he closed his eyes filled with sorrow.”