It was their first meeting to discuss the details of their possible engagement, and Lucille had already shown that she was far too trusting while being ready to agree to all his demands. It felt a bit like he was selfishly using some innocent for his gain.
Cedar didn't point that out though and just showed her a soft smile. “I sincerely thank you for offering your trust to me. I shall not disappoint you. Though, remember that I am no omnipotent power. I will do my best to make the best decisions, but I can fail as well. You can voice concerns to me in private. In fact, I would encourage you to do this. I hope that you will share all your thoughts with me. I will do the same as much as possible to ensure your safety. If I ask specific things of you, you should ask for the reasons, and I will gladly give them to you.” At least as long as he could. There might be complicated matters he didn't want to share with anyone.
Lucille probably didn't think that far. And if everything went well, she wouldn't have to get used to such topics either. It might be foolish, but Cedar hoped to keep her out of everything dangerous as much as possible. Whether that would work was a mystery, but he could attempt it.
For now, Cedar just continued with his part of the contract. “I would also request to be able to use your father to my liking. I will not harm him or his businesses, but I wish to steer our economy with his influence and wealth. It can only benefit you in the future when our capital is stable again, so I take that he will not mind. He will gain money with it too.” Cedar had a lot of money, but he couldn't insert that into his favored businesses without letting his enemies find out what he had been doing. So, this was the best method.
As expected, Lucille understood that the doubled prices for cosmetics and perfume had a specific reason that might spread the price increase and could imagine that the emperor would have to get involved. She quickly nodded. “Of course. My father might be skeptical, but if he likes your plans, he will certainly work with you. He...never rejects a chance to gain more influence.” She almost sounded dejected while saying that.
It made Cedar feel a bit bad, but he had no way of addressing this now. They had to go through the contract first, and the next point on his list was truly important. So, he reminded her once more. “Good. My last request, the most crucial one, is that you do not challenge the authority of my mother. Not because I trust that she is experienced and will do the best for our nation but because she is unstable and may hurt anyone she sees as a threat. She may play power games with you and expect you to follow her orders when she voices them. Everyone is well aware that the empress has the same rank as the dowager empress, but I would still ask you to act like she can control you. Do not criticize her and instead play along with her games as long as they do not endanger you. Tell me about everything she said and asked you to do later. Never talk back directly but involve me no matter what.” That sounded strict, but it was truly important.
The last influential person that had talked back to Camille openly had been executed after being framed for treason. Surely, Count Besseta had never been a good person with his criminal background and even the secret human trafficking ring he had been involved in, but the consequences had definitely weighed heavy.
Lucille didn't seem to see this as a threat. She seemed rather calm about all of this, even though she was risking a lot. As Cedar mentioned his mother, she just nodded slowly. “I am not a very confrontational person anyway. I don't mind any of this. I will just be polite and kind to her while remembering to listen to her orders.”
“Thank you.” Cedar felt like a person like Lucille might overdo it though. He didn't wish for her to hold still while she was abused. “I do not wish to offend you either, but I shall honestly say this. My mother will never like you no matter how kind you are to her. She despises many people for no reason, and since she will see you as a threat just because you are my wife and hold an influential position, she will never even hold a hint of affection or even indifference toward you. She will dislike you deeply. That is why you only have to pacify her a bit. Do not try to bend until you break in an attempt to change her mind. It will not work.”
Lucille shrank a bit in herself while seeming rather unwell. “I see. I will keep that in mind.”
All of this really seemed to worry her. Why was she even still agreeing? Cedar felt like she would be better off picking some other nobleman that would treat her kindly and be her fake husband. She had no reason to go with the insane prince that had just killed his brother last year. Though, she didn't seem like she wished to change her mind.
Cedar took this as his sign to continue. “Good. In front of her, it is important to keep your distance from me too. As I said, my mother will see you as a threat otherwise. That is all in regard to her for now. And I admit that these rules are quite limiting. I wouldn't blame you for rejecting this. I know that this is quite unfair, so allow me to give something back. In return for remembering those rules, I offer you safety and a luxurious life while you can do what you enjoy most without anyone trying to control you the entire time. You may have as much money as you wish for, and I shall ensure that you always have a full bank account prepared for the worst-case scenario, in which I would quickly send you to a house in Travuan with enough money to keep you afloat for the rest of your life. I will not risk your safety carelessly.” It might be difficult, but he would probably find a way to get Lucille out of this.
This was all he had to mention in regard to this contract. So, he slowly laid the paper on the table. To Lucille's confusion, he put the pen down as well before pushing both over to the other side of the table.
Cedar showed her a little smile. “Write down whatever you wish for.”
Apparently, Lucille hadn't expected that. She just blinked at him. “Pardon?”
Cedar felt like he had truly picked a far too innocent person. She should at least ask for some things in return. Now he even had to coax her into making requests herself. “As I said, this contract is much more helpful for me than it is for you. That is why I wish to make sure that your desires are met too. I added my requests. Now you can add yours.”
Lucille looked at the paper for a moment before helplessly meeting his gaze again. Seemingly, she had no idea what to write. It was rare for someone not to have a single idea when being offered anything by a truly influential person. It seemed like being taken away from her home was enough for her at the moment, so she hadn't come up with other conditions.
That was too unfair for Cedar though. “You can truly add anything you desire. I shall do my best to fulfill your wishes as long as they are within my capabilities.” He wasn't sure how far her requests would go, but he should be able to do a great deal. At least if Lucille didn't suddenly demand something outrageous, but he doubted that she would.
Even after being told that she could put anything here, Lucille was far too hesitant. She stared at Cedar for a moment while looking more than unwell before she suddenly lowered her gaze. Lucille didn't seem to be entirely sure whether she could admit this, but her expression gave away a lot. She had no idea what to write.
At least for a moment.
Then Lucille seemed to remember something. She tensed before she lowered her gaze. She stared at the paper for another minute and then carefully picked up the pen with shaky hands. Lucille began writing so slowly that it felt like she was waiting for Cedar to interrupt her. She did force herself to write everything she wished to share though, even if she did it while glancing at Cedar every few seconds. It took her much longer because she seemed so uneasy, but in the end, she finished a couple of lines.
Cedar carefully held his hand toward her so that she could give the paper to him. He accepted it and then turned it to read as Lucille just got more nervous. The first thing she had written already upset him. She had really explicitly asked him not to hurt her in any way. Domestic abuse seemed to be something she truly worried about. Cedar felt his smile widen, but he forced himself to put on a serious expression to avoid making it seem like he was laughing about her misery.
Lucille already seemed to understand why he stared at her though. She hugged herself while she tried not to meet his gaze. She felt the need to explain. “Please do not...be offended by this, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to... It... It is not like I expect you to hurt me. This is...” She could barely bring out any words here. “My father...”
She honestly expected Cedar to be mad because she told him not to abuse her. It seemed like she was used to being blamed for things.
That feeling wasn't too new to Cedar either, but he only caught himself comparing their situations for a second. Then he already spoke up to calm her. “You do not have to tell me anything sensitive if you are unwell. I understood already. I am quite uneasy with the thought of having you fear me.” First, he had to tell her that the fact that she made this request was fine. Now he had to ensure that Lucille wouldn't worry about this anymore. Cedar let his smile disappear completely as he rested a hand on his chest and spoke while looking right into her eyes. “And naturally, this is not a concern you need to hold. I swear that I will never harm you on my name. I would rather give up on my life than raise my hand against an innocent person I wished to protect. I promised to protect you, so I will be the last person to do you harm.”
It wasn't a special promise in the slightest. Any person should offer those around them this security. Still, he could see how Lucille relaxed as soon as he said that. “Thank you.” She sounded so weak even now. It made Cedar worry about her circumstances even more. Lucille didn't seem like the type to cause trouble at all, so it made him wonder why her father felt the desire to hold her in such a mental choke-hold. Or had this treatment made her so meek?
Either way, Cedar would break that cage open for her now. He couldn't quite present himself as the good one here when he would put her into another cage instead, but he would guarantee that this one wasn't going to hurt Lucille. He quickly read the paper again to check what else she had written. Cedar only found two other rules. “You asked for the right to keep seeing those dear to you. I assume that you mean Lady Lamont. You are her close friend, correct?”
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This question made Lucille a bit more lively as she hurriedly nodded. She probably balled her fists under the table, but she tried to be confident here for certain. “Yes. Fiona and I get along very well. That is why...”
Cedar already understood. Showing Lucille a soft smile, he replied. “Her father works well with me. I believe their family is one of the most trustworthy ones in this nation at the moment. I have no need to intervene here. In fact, I believe it would be wonderful if we become close allies with the Lamonts in the future. Please do meet Lady Lamont often. As she joins many minister meetings, she shall have enough chances to speak to you as well.”
That alone seemed to satisfy Lucille a lot. She hurriedly nodded for a moment before lowering her gaze and just smiling to herself a little. It seemed like she needed few things to be happy.
That only made Cedar more determined to fulfill those wishes in return for bringing Lucille into a far too dangerous situation. But he didn't say that out loud for now. He just read the last request Lucille had written down. He expected something like extra protection, only to find something else. This part actually confused him a bit since it seemed quite irrelevant. “You wish to be informed should I have a lover?”
As he glanced up, Lucille seemed quite embarrassed. She even got red, but she hurriedly nodded in response. “Yes. I know this isn't a real marriage, and you are naturally free to...do what you wish for. But...I worry about problems that might arise if there is a mistress and I...am still here.” She wasn't exactly wrong about this.
The last two generations hadn't had much luck with the presence of a legal wife and a mistress. In both cases, the empress had killed the other woman. Once, because she had been jealous and had wished for power herself. And once, because she had seen the other woman as a traitor. One could see why Lucille didn't want to get drawn into matters like this. Luckily for her, Cedar had no desire to be in a relationship with someone that would either end up dead or just wanted to use him.
“There is no need for us to make rules for this scenario.” Cedar showed Lucille a soft smile. “After all, I will not have a mistress. This marriage may be based on a beneficial contract for us both, but we will still be spouses. I will not forbid you from doing what you wish for as long as you do it discretely, but I can promise that I will respect you as my wife in all regards. My only wife, specifically. I do not plan to take in another woman. I will not have a lover no matter the circumstances.”
Somehow, even those empty words seemed important to Lucille. She couldn't know that he was truly serious, but she believed him. She even affirmed what he had said with a reply of her own. “I...won't either. Have a lover, I mean. Thank you for being so...respectful toward me.” This seemed special to her? She hadn't had many pleasant encounters recently, had she?
Cedar didn't plan on letting her have any further negative experiences in this regard. He hoped that they could work together smoothly. “There is no need to thank me for that. You will be my wife. Respect is the foundation for any working relationship, even when you can see us as business partners.”
Lucille seemed to be happy with that. Cedar was too. After all, his plan seemed to work exactly like he had hoped that it would.
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As Cedar returned to his office after finishing a few drafts for their contract, he was already met with someone working on other documents. As he entered, he was addressed immediately.
“How did your meeting go?” Leonard was quite intrusive with his questions, but he needed to know all of this, so it should be fine to share already.
Cedar took off his cape to put it on his chair while he replied. “I gained a trustworthy fiancée that will not trouble me and play along with whatever plans we need.” Carefully sorting the papers he had written today, he glanced up to ask the more problematic question. “It seems you were successful too. After all, I managed to meet with a woman without my mother chiming in.”
Leonard already stood up to get closer to the desk. “It was quite hard to busy her for so long. She almost slapped two people while you were gone and yelled as much as always. The worst part is that this was the easy half. The future will be much worse.” He didn't sound annoyed, which he always was when he interacted with Camille. That was the first sign that something more serious was going on. Leon's voice was quite grim as he added the rest. “Your mother will kill that poor girl.”
It would be so much better if Cedar could laugh at this, but that was a valid concern. “If we aren't careful, she will.” He had to tell his mother that he would get engaged now, and as soon as she found out, Camille might as well rip Lucille to pieces. Cedar didn't want to witness that. He gave the order before even thinking about it. “Give Lady Valerian the best guard we have. If necessary, you will trail her too. I won't take any risks.”
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Merely a week had passed before Cedar decided that it would be best to share his plan with his mother. If he didn't do it now, she would find out rather soon and think he had planned to hide it. So, he picked out the best words for him to share this with someone that might blow up upon hearing it. He didn't fully trust that he could get out of this without facing a tantrum though. That was why Cedar waited until they finished their dinner and then sent the servants away.
The silence was almost oppressing now, so Cedar didn't wait for long. “Mother, I believe there is something we should discuss. If you do not mind, I would like to do it now while we have our privacy.”
As expected, Camille was well aware of the authority she held. As she sat on her chair and calmly sipped her tea, she wasn't nervous in the slightest. She did watch Cedar with a cold expression that made it seem like she had already found out though. “Speak freely.”
Cedar fully prepared for a tantrum and hoped that he wouldn't have to replace too many vases today. Of course, he didn't speak freely either way. He tried to pick the softest and most gentle way of saying this. “As you know, it is about time for me to have a wife so that I can keep the nobles from worrying. But I am not interested in letting someone that will cause trouble into the palace. Instead, I hoped for someone that would be my wife in name while staying far away from politics. I believe I found a good individual that could fill the spot of the empress.”
Camille didn't throw her fork immediately. That was a good sign. Her cold expression wasn't too pleasant though. When she met his gaze, she seemed rather dismissive of what he would say. Then she spoke and revealed the biggest problem quickly. “Is it Lucille Valerian? You met her often these days.” She had people spying on him. Of course. That was why she knew that he had seen Lucille two times last week.
Cedar was a bit upset that he couldn't do anything without his mother knowing, but he didn't say anything. He merely smiled at her. “I will not deny it. I apologize for keeping it a secret, Mother. It was not my plan to leave you in the dark. I merely wished to find out whether that woman is suitable to be my puppet before introducing her to you. It seems that she fulfills my criteria. Lady Valerian is meek and shy with little presence. Her father is rich and would grant us many business opportunities, but he has no political power. So, Lady Valerian would be incapable of going against my will with her lacking connections and ambition. I believe she should be endurable since she speaks little too. An obedient and almost invisible puppet is all I need as an empress, so she should be fitting.”
Camille didn't reply. She just stared at him for a moment. Then she reached for her cup and drank slowly. It took a while during which she still didn't say anything. A part of him felt like she hoped to unsettle him by staring alone.
It certainly worked. Cedar knew what his mother was like after all. He didn't let her delay the response for too long. “Mother, I can tell that you are upset that I did not inform you before. Though, I have not made any decisions yet. I will naturally discuss this with you before making any more concrete plans.” What a lie. He had already signed a contract with Lucille.
Camille didn't know though, and that was better. After all, she once again gave away that trying to gain her approval was impossible. “I will be honest. I dislike her.” Lucille never spoke during balls or any events. She had probably never exchanged more than a greeting with Camille. How could the dowager empress dislike her for that?
It was likely that this response would have come for every woman Cedar could have mentioned. He couldn't change that anymore. He had to work with it now though. Putting on a soft smile, he quickly spoke again to calm his mother. “May I hear why, Mother? I would like to have your reason to consider it in my plans.”
As expected, it didn't take long for Camille to start cursing out someone that had never even hurt her. “That girl acts far too shy for it to be convincing. The way she averts her eyes around you and tries to make herself helpless made me aware that she is quite interested in power. Most vixens seem innocent at first glance. Like that whore your father took in. I bet that woman is the same. It won't take long until she becomes arrogant if you give her too much attention. She'll want to take power away from you soon.” Had she even met Lucille? She said such strange things about someone so meek.
Cedar would say that he could read people more than his mother, who saw dangers in all women around them. That wasn't special though. Camille never bothered to examine her surroundings. She just hated everyone that couldn't be used by her. Women close to the royal family seemed to be her most hated target. She had even thrown maids out of the palace for talking to Cedar too often. First, she had claimed that they wanted to take her child away before later beginning to say that they were trying to seduce her son. Needless to say, those poor women had just tried to take care of their emperor's child like it was their job. None of them had ever cornered Cedar.
But saying that would have made his mother blow up. So, Cedar had always kept his mouth shut and had just asked his father to give those maids some money before sending them away. The emperor had never controlled his wife much either, so he had just agreed to that without bothering to chastise Camille for threatening the palace staff.
The situation was similar with Lucille now. Cedar couldn't defend her without upsetting his mother. He still tried to limit the damages by making sure that Lucille didn't become his mother's main target. “That is why I will not spend a lot of time with her. Sure, it is needed to win her over for now, but after that, I do not have to waste time with her anymore.”
This should have been fine, but Camille didn't give up. Instead, she narrowed her eyes at her son. “Why do you want that woman anyway? Both your father and brother got enchanted by a witch that acted so innocent despite wanting nothing but power. Do not fall for someone disgusting like they did.” There she went and said such horrible things again for no reason.
Blanche wasn't disgusting. Althea hadn't been disgusting either. But Cedar knew that trying to defend them wouldn't end well.
As always, he ignored the awful things his mother said and showed her a bright smile. “I never said that I was personally interested in Lady Valerian. You misunderstood me, Mother. I merely think she will be a fitting tool for my political goals. That should be fine, right? I will make sure that you do not have to meet her too often.” So that Camille wouldn't hurt that poor woman. “Please do not believe that I would care for someone so pitiful. In front of her, I might have to take her side a few times to make her trust me, but there is no personal connection here. I just wanted to warn you so that you wouldn't worry. Naturally, I am not content with this either, but it has to be done to ensure her loyalty.”
That explanation should have been good enough for Camille, who knew well that her son had never been in a romantic relationship. But she still seemed a bit too skeptical for his taste. “As long as you do not forget that this woman is your toy and nothing else. Crush her once she gets too frustrating to deal with.” She said that so coldly that it already showed that she hated Lucille.
Cedar wasn't glad about that at all, not when he hated how his mother spoke about other human beings that had never hurt her. But naturally, he couldn't talk back. “Of course. Don't worry about anything, Mother. I will take care of this.”