The discussion proceeded smoothly.
Based on the materials Patricia had prepared in advance, Alex skillfully guided the conversation.
The Emperor looked satisfied and after the conversation he believed it was for the best.
He cared deeply about Alex, his heir.
***
“It’s not right! That just means you took the young lady’s power from the side—it’s not truly the Crown Prince’s!”
“Emma, don’t say such things lightly. Everything is by His Highness the Crown Prince’s own strength.”
“But…”
Emma, the wet nurse’s daughter and Patricia’s attendant, wore an expression of disbelief.
Perhaps she knew how much time it took to compile the documents given to Alex.
The Emperor had also told her to support the Crown Prince, and it was better that he take the forefront.
He appears in public while Patricia supports him from behind.
That’s the ideal arrangement.
“You’re too modest, my lady. Even everything up to now… it’s all been through your power.”
“That’s not true.”
Emma’s displeasure was obvious on her face when another maid knocked and entered the room.
She handed Patricia a letter and then promptly left.
“Where is this from?”
“Avalon Kingdom.”
Avalon, the neighboring country.
Though relations had once been tense, they were now on good terms.
A letter sent privately from that nation.
Breaking the wax seal and reading inside, Patricia saw the familiar handwriting of an old friend.
[ To my beloved White Lily, Patricia.
I hope you are well.
The days without seeing you are dull, and the world appears faded to my eyes.
I want to see you.
With only that thought, I endure the tedious studies each day.
If I behave well, Father might allow me to visit Laureran, right?
Are your days peaceful?
I pray we will meet again.
K]
“Heh. Absolutely… unchanged.”
Patricia returned the letter to Emma, who, as if used to it, placed it carefully inside a beautiful box displayed in the room.
Inside, dozens of similar letters were treasured.
“Princess Chloe really doesn’t give up. The letters to you are practically love letters.”
“You’re just teasing me. I’m clueless about those kinds of things.”
Though they were old acquaintances, Chloe was a princess of another country.
Writing a prompt reply wouldn’t hurt.
Just as Patricia was about to ask Emma to prepare stationery, the butler entered and said, “My lady, the head of the family, requests your presence.”
“Understood.”
Patricia glanced at Emma, who immediately began preparations.
No matter that it was her father, he was the Duke of Frentia.
To avoid offending the duke, who valued etiquette highly, Patricia quickly changed into a calm blue rose-themed dress before heading out.
***
“Father, Patricia has arrived.”
“You’re here. Sit down.”
She obeyed and sat on the sofa to face the duke.
Patricia resembled her father; aside from the eyes, she had inherited nearly everything from him.
‘I wonder if, as I grow older, I’ll develop a few wrinkles like him’, she thought.
Lost in thought, she was brought back by a loud cough.
“I didn’t call you for anything else. It’s about His Highness the Crown Prince.”
She lowered her gaze, as expected.
Though Alex was the legitimate heir, he was not the Empress’s child.
His position as Crown Prince was thanks to the duke’s influence.
To make his daughter the Empress, he had allied with Alex’s mother, a former concubine.
The duke’s power was so strong in this country that with his backing alone, the Crown Prince was decided.
The current Empress’s aversion to conflict also played a role.
There was no way such a powerful man was unaware of the happenings within the harem.
Both the relationship between Patricia and Alex, and that between Alex and that girl.
“The Crown prince has been intimate with a slave’s daughter.”
“…That appears to be the case.”
“Did you know?”
“The other day, in the palace garden.”
“Foolish.” With a heavy sigh, the duke’s words, though not directly aimed at Patricia, felt like blame, causing her shoulders to tremble.
His anger was so intense he had no time to notice her reaction, tapping his folded arms repeatedly with his index finger he said, “Do you understand your position? You’re not yet ready. Lord Clive is capable, with the strong backing of the Empress’s son. Don’t you see that if you offer him bait, he’ll devour it immediately?”
“This is due to my own failings.”
“…It is not your fault.”
Though the duke was strict and formal, this was why people said he was soft on his daughter.
Somewhat comforted by his kindness, Patricia also felt guilty for causing him such worry.
“But if I hadn’t failed to win His Highness’s heart, none of this would have happened.”
“That’s not your fault either. He simply lacks discernment.”
Calling a member of the royal family, especially the Crown Prince, that would be considered treason if overheard.
It was fortunate the servants had left the room.
“You’ve always been diligent and outstanding. If you were a boy, you would have been my proud successor. But a girl cannot. That’s why I pushed for you to be Crown Princess, so you could at least showcase your abilities…”
Patricia loved studying since childhood, and her talents grew rapidly.
Knowing this, the duke bestowed upon her her current status, to let her talents bloom.
Patricia was content with it.
She had secretly wanted to attend school and learn many unknown things.
But she knew her position forbade it, and appearances mattered.
In this country, even now, women were discouraged from learning, gaining wisdom, and earning status.
Knowing this, she had worked hard to become the Crown Princess, hoping to use her knowledge.
But…
“That was my mistake. I was foolish to flaunt my strength.”
“Foolish? You are no ordinary noble lady. As the future Empress, it is natural to possess wisdom and strength. There is nothing more frightening than a ruler without knowledge.”
That was true, but the crown prince had rejected Patricia for that very reason.
Seeing her lower her face, the duke gasped sharply, “…I’m sorry. I became too heated. I’m not blaming you.”
“I understand. Thank you, Father.”
“…If you wish, I will allow you to break the engagement. His Highness the Crown Prince also has that ‘incident’.”
Now renowned as the future Empress, Patricia knew that if she broke her engagement with the Crown Prince, it would be difficult to find another suitor.
A daughter who remained unmarried for too long was a burden to the family.
The duke’s kindness warmed her heart.
“I will try a little longer.”
“…Very well. I will also try to do something.”
With a light farewell, the duke left the room.
He did not yet understand how important that slave girl was to Alex.
Even the current Emperor had a concubine.
It would not be strange for such a person to appear again.
No matter how much she captured and attracted his heart, she was ultimately a concubine.
Patricia’s status was too different from hers in the first place.
“…That’s right.” She steeled her heart by thinking so.
She had vowed since childhood to become Empress and devote herself to the country.
Therefore, she had to endure this much.
“It will be alright.”
For now, it only hurts inside.