As I stood in front of the wooden door, I felt like I was standing on the frontline. If this was a normal story, this would have been the ending. I took a deep breath. The original owner of this body, might have just died today. Ah, I'm kind of getting nervous now.

"Hey, Estella do you know which child is engaged in the kings family?"

"This is not hard to answer, everyone who's not married, yet. Well, I guess the third prince isn't engaged to anyone."

"Is that so."

"Yes, they get engaged pretty early after all."

"Okay, I understood, let's go."

Estella nodded and opened the door, together, we enter the throne room.

A solemn atmosphere filled the place.

I have been here on my first day already, but this time, it's is different. Last time, the person I met was only a prince. A not yet matured brat. The man sitting on the throne right now, held the real authority.

He, well, he looked like a king would look. He was a middle aged man, wearing a crown. Of course he was also wearing different kind of ornaments and decorations, but these are not important. Only the crown symbolizes his standing. The crown is what separates him from me.

With a sharp glint, he analyzes me from head to toe.

I instinctively lowered my head and spoke, "this one is honored to be graced by your presence, your highness."

"Pay it no heed, my child. What is your tidings, on this day? Hath the likes been plagued by the engagement? Does thou not know, I am a busy man?"

Getting straight to the case, I replied, "the third born hath just annulled the marriage, your highness."

"Whence?"

"Now."

Although subtle, his face twitched a bit. Ah, I want to go home.

"Speak, no, stay and tell me more."

"I was certain his highness had already found out about it?"

"Such information is of no small matter. Tell, and I shall compare it to the testimony of my son. I warn thee, that a single lie will cost thy head."

"I pray that the story is to your liking then."

"What has been the cause?"

"The cause has been very much me, sir."

I have made many plans in my head, and I believe this current option to be the most suitable.

"Thou are quite honest. Does thou believe I will not beat you to death on the spot."

It is also the riskiest, though. It felt like the temperature had dropped a dregee.

I lowered my head even more and said, "this one was just following orders. This one asks not for forgiveness, but hopes his highness would allow me to impart the story, objectively."

"I hath already told you to speak your mind, child. Your judgement shall be postponed to afterwards."

Okay, the first lock has been opened. With this I know that he is not a foolish king who resorts to useless violence. If he was, the whole plan would crumble and I had to show them the speed I had attained trough running away from the police.

"His highness is merciful. Firstly, I wish to make clear, that I want nothing but the best for this country. Thus I had deemed it as disadvantageous for an internal marriage, between me and the prince."

"Elaborate."

Now, comes the second lock. It all depends on if he swallows my lies.

"Yes, At the moment, we face three major problems. First we have the famine. It has come to my notice, that the goddess of fertility is not on our side this year. Secondly, there are the neighboring countries. I hear there's a high possibility that they will choose this time to invade us. The last one is a consequence of the two above. That is the citizens unrest."

At least that is the information I got from my day outside.

"What hath this to do with thy marriage?"

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"A lot, my majesty. To solve these problems, I propose an external marriage. A marriage with the princess of Erdsbrug to be exact. I understand that his highness wishes to strengthen the royal blood, and bond the aristocracy in the times of uncertaincy, still I believe it is not a wise decision, to carry on with the engagement, between the prince and I."

Actually, I have been thinking about this, since the time I planned on meeting the king. If the prince marries someone else, soon everyone will forget about me. Still, the external factors had to be right. If anyone else was free for marriage, I didn't know what to say. That's why I confirmed it with Estella first.

"You dare question my will, don't you know that women have no place in politics?"

"Oh, but I hath only annulled the marriage with the prince. It has nothing to do with politics. No, as a matter of fact, it was the prince who had annulled the marriage.Thus, it will not harm the royal prestige, and my household would not care about a child like me either. On the surface, it will seemeth as if me and the prince had a fallout. Of course, the truth, we will hold next to our hearts," I send him an mischievous smile.

Here comes the lie. After saying everything I wanted to say, my throat felt itchy. Meanwhile, the King seems to be in deep contemplation. I wait for him to answer.

"What if the princess of Erdsburg rejects the idea?" He asked.

"Possible, but I believe it's unlikely."

"What brings you that confidence."

"The commoners, his highness. Rumors say, that the second princess is fond of the third prince. Those rumors, they do not spawn without a cause. I believe that it is worth corroborating.

If we have the support of another kingdom, our problems might just be relieved."

"If we should fail?"

"Then we fail. It is unfortunate, but not a loss. However, from moving nothing, there is no place to arrive," I said, meeting his gaze to show my determination.

The king began to smile, creepy. What is that smile supposed to mean.

"I have understood your story, and I find your idea to be intriguing. We shall build upon this idea. You have earned a selfless merit, dear. Speak, what do you desire in exchange?"

Okay, great, I got him. I take a deep breath, this is the last lock, an all or nothing act.

"The service in loyalty, by acting out, pays itself, your highness. However, there's one thing that I wish for."

"What is it."

"The servant over there, her name is Estella, I wish for her to be by my side."

I point towards Estella, and she suddenly tensed up.

Of course that's not all I want, still, I have to show that I do not care about materialistic needs. Or else, everything I build up would crumble. But if I were to leave empty handed, I will surely die from the hands of my household. Now, this is the time to show how wise you are, king.

"If it is that much, I can grant it. Still, do you wish for nothing more."

Yes, yes so close.

"No, that is all."

"Your magnamity impresses me. Still, I cannot leave you empty handed, thou may have said, that the Duke will not care about this matter, but I think otherwise. I believe, that he would not receive you with much hospitality."

He at least understood that much. I swallow my saliva, and felt my sweat drenching my garment.

"That might be the case. However, I believe in the idea of one for many, and me for the country. If that's what it takes for our kingdom to florish, than it is only a small price to pay."

"That would not bode well for me, to lose such a talented sprout. You have no need for money, as the greed of aristocracy would rip a tender one as you apart. You have no need for land, as the mangament will overwhelm a youngling.

So I will confer you a title. I confer you the title of an Archduke."

YE- wait, huh? Archduke? What's that. I'd rather have money. No you can also give me some land too, just give me something so I can live independently.

A slight commotion broke out. Apparently everyone knows about it, except me.

Suddenly, one of the butlers argues, "Your highness, is that not too rash?"

That butler looked like he could be my grandfather, still he exuded more elegance than a bonsai tree. Anyways, grandpa, go tell him how this is not a good idea.

"It is only a title, I believe that she is worthy of such honor. Today, she had thoroughly earned my respect," he said," the title of an archduke, is the only title higher than the duke. Unlike the other titles, it cannot be passed from generation to generation. It will act as a protecting halo, on your way home. Is that not the perfect title?"

No, what am I supposed to do with that. That title is absolutely useless to me. You want me to eat the title or what. Just give me a little bit of money. The butler too, seems to have something to say. You do you grandpa.

"But-"

"Have I grown lax, that you can talk back to me now. The decision hath been made. This child has risked everything for her country, now I also wish to do something eccentric."

"I, I understand."

Why are you so weak you damn butler.

"At the forth-night, the title will be officially yours. Tell only your grandfather about this, and no else. I do not want rumors to spread, understood?"

"Yes, your highness," I may be smiling on the outside, but I'm crying on the inside.

"I will be leaving then. The maid over there, stay with her."

"Yes, your highness," Estella answered and bowed deeply. At least she is happy.

After he said his words, the king left with his servants and guards. Grand entrance and grand exit, I guess.

My knees immediately gave up after that. My body swayed and I fell to the ground. From the periphery of my eyes, I see Estella approaching me, her eyes glowing.

"That was magnificent, Agnes. I did not know you were such a patriot. To sacrifice yourself for the kingdom. How noble."

"Patriot your mother. Do I look like a patriot to you? As if I'd sacrifice myself for the nation. It can go to hell for all I care. I can always find another place to live, but I can't find another me."

"Huh, but you said-"

"Obviously it was a lie."

"What, you mean, you lied to the king?"

"I guess."

I hear Estella's voice raising, "that's even more daring, to have even gotten the title of an Archduke from that, you must have been the youngest in history to get it."

"Uhh, don't remind me." Thinking about it made me feel like spitting blood. To have only obtained something like a title. This wasn't everything or nothing, this was everything for nothing.

Just leave me on the floor to rot.

While wallowing in my sorrow and listening to Estella's praises, I realize that I have finally completed the first event.

Timing: A

Skill: S

Ingenuity: A

Reward: Junk.

Or something like that?