The conditions

Being locked in a dark prison for two weeks made Selah's eyes slightly sensitive to the sun. That day she could not leave the building because her eyes hurt.

Besides, where am I going with a bruised face like this? Selah thought while looking in the mirror.

But to be honest, her appearance was better than Selah had imagined. Her body wasn't that weak, either. It looks like the pastries that Aeneas brought were not ordinary pastries.

"I have to thank him…"

Selah was lucky because the day of her release coincided with the departure of her father and other royal ministers. Otherwise, Selah would definitely be forced to kneel and beg on the spot. Hopefully, it's a long business, and her father won't return in a few days.

"His Grace didn't leave a special message for you, Lady Selah. Looks like you can get right back to your work," Jeremiah said when Selah asked.

"His Grace is not usually like that," she said. "Did something happen?"

"His Grace didn't say anything to me. As far as I know, he left in a hurry a few days ago."

Since Duke Dulcia left with the other ministers, it must have something to do with the king.

Could it be that King Tristan died?

No, that's not possible. Aeneas said that King Tristan would not die this winter, Selah thought. But how can Aeneas be so sure? Aeneas is heard to have planned this long before this.

Terrifying. So far, Selah and many people must have mistaken Aeneas as a prince who loves the family…

That day, Selah immediately returned to her job of taking care of the residence and mine. Until noon, suddenly Janette knocked on her door while trembling.

"Prince Aeneas has come to visit, My Lady."

Selah could only exhale a long breath. "Bring His Highness here, Janette," she said.

And it turns out that Aeneas really stopped by. He casually said, "I happen to be passing by here. So I thought of dropping by as well."

He said that as if he was dropping by a friend's house just to play, Selah thought.

"Why look like that? I promised that I would drop by more properly," said Aeneas after just the two of them.

"I just wonder how you can be this relaxed," Selah said. "I have indeed asked to break up with Crown Prince Blair, but the official announcement has not yet been made. If anyone finds out you stop by here alone, bad rumors might spread."

"Well, you bring me yourself into your room," said Aeneas seductively. He leaned in closer. "What do you think your maids will think?"

"My apologies." Selah massaged her temples. "Because I haven't fully recovered yet, I don't think about getting there."

Aeneas chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Since my visit with Blair that time, your maid should have guessed I'm attracted to you. I gave you a bouquet of flowers and kissed your hand in front of many people. So now I'm dropping by alone with my own bouquet of flowers."

"You are a very calculating person. Was King Tristan's death like that too?" Selah asked carefully.

"Wow, you're really curious about that, huh? I'm sure Baron Tullia already said that I'll tell you everything later. But not now." Aeneas smiled. "Duke Dulcia left, right? He and the other ministers are called by Blair."

"Why?"

"King Tristan woke up a few days ago. It seems King Tristan ordered Blair to do this and that."

Selah wasn't sure about King Tristan's current state. But seeing how Aeneas describes the condition of the father he is about to kill so casually horrifies her.

"That time you told me, we will write each other's terms at the next meeting, right?" Selah said.

"Yes." Aeneas hands her a piece of paper. "And that's my real goal."

After giving the terms of her share, Selah began to read Aeneas's terms.

The contents are not much. In essence, Aeneas only needs support from the Tullia Mines, the Tullia family, and the nobles and people behind the Tullia Mines. Moreover, Aeneas asks to be allowed to invest in the mine.

After reading the investment section carefully, none of the numbers surprised her. Aeneas invests as if he indeed supports the welfare of the people who live around the mine.

But that was precisely what made Selah anxious.

She just had to wait to see how Aeneas would react to her terms.

"You don't need to write this one. The part you want to be the sole owner after Baron Tullia. The mine is indeed yours," said Aeneas casually.

"What?" Selah couldn't believe Aeneas said it so easily.

"Ah, you still don't believe me, do you?" teased Aeneas. "Okay, just write it down then."

So what exactly did he marry me for?! shouted Selah in her heart.

She continues to read the conditions put forward by Aeneas. Last point…

"You want us to have children right away?!" asked Selah in shock. They weren't even married!

"I thought you would mind. You can refuse, but please listen to me first," said Aeneas raised his finger. "Children will strengthen our position and status. Unlike us, Blair cannot just marry a woman. Unfortunately, no other woman is as powerful as you in this Balthasar. If his brother marries and has kids first, imagine the pressure Blair will be under."

The demands from society are terrible. If Blair ascends the throne to become a king without a queen, Blair may make the wrong decision and create new enemies. Blair's position as king can easily be shaken and taken over by Aeneas.

"Is there any guarantee that Crown Prince Blair won't immediately find another woman to marry?" she asked. "There are still some other names, right? Lady Evanthe, for example?"

Aeneas snorted in amusement. "Lady Evanthe? Well, she is beautiful and quite cunning. But what does it have besides that pretty face? Lady Evanthe is just the daughter of a viscountess without any influence."

"You have another plan to get rid of him, right?"

"Yes. But I guarantee you don't want to hear it."

Cout d'etat.

"I want my safety, future child, and uncle to be guaranteed when the coup occurs."

"That means I can do anything to Duke Dulcia?"

"...Yes."

"Okay. Let's rearrange all these conditions."