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"If she never bears an heir, you say...?" Dolores muttered under her breath.
Regina silently took a step closer and began to gently stroke her shoulders. "Even if she does, Lord Miguel will be known for many generations to come as a potential heir of House Escalante. Surely, this is why Her Majesty wishes you to join him in a marriage, to elevate your standing," she cooed. "He is the empress's noble nephew-he is anything but a pauper, my lady. And fortune has favored you further with Viviana Castagnary's passing."
At this, Dolores scoffed. "Have some respect for the deceased, Regina."
"All events can be interpreted in different ways, my lady. I am merely attempting to view her death in a way that benefits you most. You must realize that Her Majesty wants nothing but the best for you."
Dolores clenched her teeth together as she slowly sank back down onto her seat. "You can make it sound as enticing as you want... but in the end, I will be nothing more than a replacement for Viviana."
"Not quite, my lady," Regina replied. "She was the daughter of a prestigious noble family, which means the two of you have always been... different."
"Different?" Dolores's voice rose in sharp anger as she brushed Regina's hand away. "Pray tell, how were we different?" she gritted out.
Regina gave her a kind smile as if to dispel any misunderstandings. "You, my lady, are His Majesty's daughter," she said in a sweet, consoling tone.
Dolores waved her hand in irritation, then heaved a great sigh of despair. "I would rather be some elderly lord's second wife than become somebody's replacement. If I marry Miguel, I will spend the rest of my life as 'Lady Dolores'. Only if he had any title of his own..."
"You will have your chance to seize greater things-a perfect chance, in fact," Regina said in a low, knowing tone. "Above all, Escalante is Her Majesty's house. And you love her, do you not?"
"Of course I do!" Dolores's voice was tight with frustration. "But... why am I to marry Miguel in place of a dead woman? Why should I bear a child in place of Inés if she remains barren?"
"That could not be further from the truth, my lady," Regina soothed. "You are not replacing anyone. You are seizing a golden opportunity."
Her words failed to reach Dolores, who only shook her head stubbornly. "Am I to rejoice over a life of picking up scraps left behind by others? You call that an opportunity, Regina? Worse still, there is no certainty-I might not marry Miguel, and Inés might produce an heir. I refuse to waste my entire life hoping that I will be able to do something in place of someone else!"
"But you do not have to waste your life on it," Regina responded calmly.
Dolores narrowed her eyes. "What?"
"Why wait when you can simply seize what you desire? Take hold of your own fate, my lady." Regina's voice dropped to a dangerous hush. Although there was still a warm smile on her face, her dark blue eyes were gleaming like shards of ice. "Fear not, for I am here to help you. This can remain our little secret."
A hint of temptation appeared in Dolores's eyes, but she still hesitated.
Regina pressed on, her voice taking on a persuasive tone. "As you must know, Her Majesty cherishes her own kin above all. I do not doubt that she loves you, but she will always favor the heir of Escalante and the only daughter of Valeztena over any offspring you may produce with Lord Miguel, since that child will be faultless in her eyes. You must understand...for someone who is as perfect as Her Majesty, bloodline trumps even love." Doubt began to cloud Dolores's eyes. "You were only gifted with an opportunity to be a part of Escalante because of Lord Miguel's pitiful state. Why do you think Her Majesty paired you with the inferior shadow of Lord Cárcel? Why did she not even make an attempt to create a rift between Lord Cárcel and Lady Inés for your benefit? Perhaps... it is because the stain of low birth prevents you from marrying the true heir of Escalante."
Finally, Dolores's resolve crumbled, her eyes swimming with unshed tears. Sensing her triumph, Regina reached out to cradle Dolores's trembling frame, soothing her with a maternal touch.
"I know Her Majesty proclaimed that you are the most noble lady in all of Ortega... but you can only hope to fill the void left by Viviana Castagnary. Even that wouldn't be possible if you were not hiding in the shadow of Prince Oscar's wedding and Lord Miguel's fractured mind." Regina paused to peer at Dolores's expression, then continued, "I have stood by you ever since you were a child, my lady. I care for you as if you were my own daughter. Let me be the hand that guides you through these troubled waters."
Trembling, Dolores buried her face in the lady-in-waiting's dress. Regina's smile twisted into something dark as she bent down to place a gentle kiss on the top of Dolores's head.
***
"This is simply the wisest course, Uncle," Oscar said with a shrug as he steadily gazed at Duke Escalante.
"What harm has Her Majesty done by arranging a match for Miguel? She has hardly condemned him to a life of misery and scorn. I believe you will benefit from setting your pride aside."
Juan Escalante de Esposa was a tall, muscular man with a stern face-a look that he shared with his father and sons, even though he had never been a military officer himself. The irritation that briefly flashed through his eyes was the only evidence of the stress he had been enduring lately.
After a short pause, he responded, "Miguel is in no state to enter another engagement."
"It will be quite some time until he actually marries Dolores."
"Even then, he is unworthy of a union with your noble sister."
"Ah..." Oscar slightly raised an eyebrow. "It sounds like you are implying more than what is said."
"Not at all, Your Highness."
Oscar hummed and shook his head in a display of his disapproval. "Personally, I believe it is possible to mourn for too long. Let me see... how long has it been since Viviana passed?"
Juan ran a rough hand over his face.
Seeing this, Oscar leaned forward slightly. "You must show the world that House Escalante still stands as steadfast as ever. Do not worry too much about Miguel. He is a good son and shall find his resolve in time. Dolores, too, will become much more ladylike once she becomes a part of your esteemed family."
Juan clenched his jaw, a storm of unvoiced rage darkening his eyes. "His heart still belongs to Viviana, Your Highness. Furthermore... I must remind you of how cruel Dolores was to Viviana in their youth."
"Childish squabbles, nothing more." Oscar waved off his concern. "Dolores was quite distraught when she heard of Viviana's passing, sobbing for hours. Now, I have heard enough excuses from you, Uncle. Dolores is no longer a mere illegitimate child-Her Majesty has essentially taken her in as her own daughter."
Juan's disgust seethed behind his silence, but his voice was edged with steel as he said, "Dolores is not the daughter of Empress Cayetana, Your Highness. In truth, I would hesitate to even call her your sister."
Although Oscar would have been justified in taking offense to his words, he simply smiled generously.
"Be that as it may, she is the emperor's blood, who is well beloved by both Her Majesty and myself. Truly, this marriage would be the perfect testament to your undying loyalty."
A muscle twitched near Juan's jawline, but he stayed silent.
Oscar slowly walked over to the window, eyes drifting across the imperial gardens below, where the emperor was taking a leisurely stroll with the young heirs of the five dukes. His gaze fell on Cárcel Escalante first, as if regarding a prized possession. Then he cast an emotionless glance at Dante Ijar, trailing close behind Cárcel. "The great House of Escalante," Oscar murmured, "would welcome the emperor's worthless little love child as a great honor..." His eyes brushed past the son of Duke Helveth to land on Luciano Valeztena. The prince's blue eyes-much darker than those of the empress and her kin-flashed with something steely and lethal.
Luciano Valeztena... The name hung on his lips as he held his gaze for a moment longer. At last, he continued, "Poor, broken Miguel... But it is a boon for him to be granted such a beautiful bride. Even I must admit that Dolores has a face like an angel."
"Your Highness-"
"Miguel's suffering will not last forever, Uncle."
"If Cárcel..." Juan paused to clear his throat. His voice was cold and brittle when he spoke again, as though speaking of a stranger. "Cárcel is the rightful heir to House Escalante and a soldier who has dedicated his life to Ortega. As the head of the house, I must consider several possibilities. Cárcel may die before siring an heir, or it could take years, even generations before the bloodline is secured..."
Oscar simply smiled and nodded as if he could see right through Juan's facade. "Ah... I see. You wish for Inés and Cárcel's highborn children to continue your bloodline, instead of the inferior lineage that Dolores will produce."
"You cannot deny the possibility of the latter. I will not allow Escalante to be tainted by the stain of His Majesty's indiscretion."
Still smiling, Oscar responded, "Her Majesty would not desire such an outcome, either. She feels but a fleeting pity for poor Dolores, and she doesn't believe Miguel can be a proper husband for her. She only wants the prestige of the name Escalante, not Escalante itself."
"What..." Juan muttered, confusion evident on his face.
"I do not mean to say that Her Majesty lacks affection for her children. However, she has always prioritized power and duty when necessary. even when it came to me." A bitter smile crossed Oscar's face, but it was gone in an instant. His lips twisted slightly as he continued, "Despite everything, Dolores bears His Majesty's blood. Do you truly believe I would wish to see Miguel shackled to some baseborn girl? I regard your sons as my own kin."
"Of course, I know you care for them dearly. However-"
Oscar cut through Juan's protest like a knife. "Enough of this talk of Miguel's fragile state of mind. You must perceive his actions for what they are-a simple tantrum. While we know that this is only a fleeting phase, every single guest at my marriage ceremony would deem him a madman. There would not be a single noble house among the Grandes de Ortega willing to give their daughter to Miguel. Do you not see? Her Majesty is offering Dolores for the sake of your sons."
Juan stared at the back of his nephew's head, looking completely unconvinced by his explanation.
Then he slowly walked over to stand by Oscar's side and silently gazed upon the emperor and the young lords. Grief flashed through his eyes as he was reminded of Miguel's absence once again.
The silence continued for another moment until Oscar remarked, "His Majesty has always been quite fond of Cárcel, even though he is only Her Majesty's nephew."
The duke nodded slightly. "Indeed. It is a great honor."
"Do you understand his reasoning?" Oscar asked innocently.
"Well... perhaps His Majesty began to care for him when he was younger, since Cárcel was Cayetana's only nephew back when Miguel wasn't born."
Oscar shook his head. "No, Uncle. It's because he closely resembles his grandfather, who never hesitated to sacrifice himself for the sake of Ortega."
Juan fell into a troubled silence.
"Although His Majesty firmly believes in Cárcel's loyalty, he still doubts that Escalante will give up their eldest son for him. His Majesty may be trying to test the fidelity of Escalante by sending Cárcel to war... but will it be enough of a test for you?"
"Perhaps, if the sons of Duke ljar go to war with him. Duke Ijar is the one who stubbornly pushed for the conquest of Las Sandiego," Juan said mockingly.
Oscar simply laughed under his breath. "This particular conquest will be much deadlier than the others, Uncle."
"Cárcel is an honorable officer who has sworn his allegiance to His Majesty, and he can choose whether or not he wishes to go to war."
Even though Juan acted like he only cared for his nephew and his eventual rise to the throne, Oscar knew he loved his son too much to allow him to die in battle-an attitude that was disgustingly typical for most fathers. This is your biggest flaw, dear Uncle, Oscar thought, and it's the reason why you will always meet your demise around this time.
He whispered slyly, "But Cárcel does not need to have a choice in the matter. You see... I do not want my dear cousin to die such a meaningless death. I think you'd prefer to prove your loyalty by pushing Miguel into an unwanted marriage instead of losing your first son."