Don't trust anyone

"I've accompanied Lady Selah until she gets a carriage, Your Highness," Azel reported after returning.

Aeneas smiled at that. "She's not being bullied anymore, is she?"

"No. As long as I accompany Her Ladyship, all is well."

"Very well then. From now on, watch over and treat Lady Selah well, Sir Azel. She will be my wife soon."

Azel stared at the master he had served for almost 8 years. A beautiful brave lord, almost lousy in combat but has excellent escape skills. "Very well, Prince Aeneas. From now on, I will look after and treat Lady Selah well."

***

Selah wasted no time knowing Duke Dulcia wouldn't be coming home that day. So when she got home, Selah immediately left again. This time the destination was Baron Tullia's townhouse.

"Keep this a secret from everyone, Janette. You know what happens when someone finds out," Selah threatened her lady in waiting.

"O-of course, My Lady," Janette replied fearfully.

Duke Dulcia didn't like it when her daughter met Baron Tullia. The cause of course, is the Tullia Mine. Just like any other man, Duke Dulcia also wanted the mine. That is the reason why he married Helena, Selah's late mother.

"Lady Selah, I didn't expect you to come unannounced," Baron Tullia greeted warmly. "I can guess why. Would you like some tea and a snack?"

"Just tea, please. I've just been force-fed," Selah answered tiredly. "This will speed things up then. What has Prince Aeneas been telling you? I didn't think you would entrust the Tullia Mines to someone else so easily."

Baron Tullia let out a long breath. He also looked just as tired, if not more.

His wife and son died because they were killed a dozen years ago. Baron Tullia himself also almost died but was able to survive after going through a critical period. The motive is of course, the mine. The money-hungry nobles have looked for many ways to get their hands on the mine, from trying to get close to Baron Tullia to plotting an assassination.

Selah was also one of the targets of the assassination. She was even sure that her father had already thought of a way to kill her if Selah did something someday. For this reason, Selah accepted Blair's proposal. At least, the crown prince's fiancé status kept Selah's life safe from death threats. People will not be able to kill her carelessly.

But considering Blair's affair… He may kill Selah someday too.

"You know Queen Consort Catalina, right?" asked Baron Tullia.

"The mother of Prince Aeneas?" Selah replied unsure.

"Yes." Baron Tullia nodded. "She and Helena… used to be close friends. No, even more than that. They… loved each other more than anything."

"I… didn't know that," Selah said quietly. She doesn't remember much about her mother other than that she was a strict woman who often scolded Selah when she couldn't do something.

"Prince Aeneas said he wanted to save the Tullia Mines to fulfill his mother's wish. And I thought, isn't that our goal too?" said Baron Tullia. "At first, I doubted why, but His Highness also promised your safety. Then, most importantly…" Baron Tullia looked both sad and in disbelief. "There is something His Highness will tell you later."

"You already know why Prince Aeneas wants the king's position?" Selah investigated.

"Yes. It's not something I deserve to tell you myself."

Selah snorted in disgust. "It seems people like to keep things secret from me."

"I understand you will feel that way. Therefore, this time try reading Helena's diary that I have given you," Baron Tullia requested. "There, you will find something."

Selah doesn't hate her mother. It's just that remembering Helena's attitude and treatment of her in her past life...

"Okay. I'll try later," sighed Selah. "This means that you and Prince Aeneas trust each other and I can trust him too?"

"Yes, compared to Crown Prince Blair cheating on you," said Baron Tullia hatefully. "I forgot to add that Prince Aeneas also promised he would never cheat on you. Later let me take the oath so that he treats and looks after you well."

"It turns out that you already know about that…"

"Anyway, don't trust anyone, Selah. You can only trust Prince Aeneas and me. His Highness… really doesn't have any ill will towards us."

The conversation finished quicker than Selah had expected. She also made it home safely and without anyone but Janette noticing. All that remained in her now were various burdens on her mind.

She doesn't know where to start. Which should she worry more about: marrying Aeneas and entrusting him with the Tullia Mines or an imminent coup?

Then what about Blair? What should Selah say to call off their engagement? Her father would also be furious.

"Today is full of surprises," Selah muttered while staring at the ceiling of her room. With so many surprises, she had forgotten her anger with Blair.

Remembering her uncle's words earlier, Selah took Helena's diary from the bottom drawer of her nightstand. The book felt cold against her skin.

The first page is dated decades ago, when Selah was not yet born.

[Catalina was taken by the King. Seems like she would be a queen. But can that be? The Queen died 2 years ago and now the King intends to make a woman from the common people his wife?

Catalina comes in crying. Me too. But there really is nothing we can do. Escape, but where?]

The next page was written shortly after the previous page.

[It's true what brother said; men always want something from women. Catalina has been taken away to the capital, and now a duke's son is about to propose to me. He must want my family mine.

But I'd better say yes to get him off this land. After all, if I married him, I could become a duchess and live in the capital. There I was able to meet Catalina again.

Catalina, how are you now? You are a very fragile woman. I hope you are doing well there.]

Selah then flipped through randomly. On every page, Catalina always mentioned.

"Actually, how close is Mother's relationship with Queen Consort Catalina?" muttered Selah.