Chapter 98

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It's been a while since that person appeared...

My voice was hoarse and trembling. The words, dry as they were, echoed unexpectedly in the silence. My eyes were drawn to him. Emotions clashed within me. The sorrow of my father's death resurfaced, the joy of seeing his face again, and the despair of knowing that my father was in this man's hands.

"...Father"

"Yes, that's right, Your Highness. He is your father.

I heard you couldn't attend the funeral, and you were very distressed about not being able to see him afterward."

Anger made the world before my eyes turn from red to black. Could it be that he desecrated my father's grave after the funeral!? That's insane! It's a desecration beyond measure!

"How impudent! Let go of Father! No, give him back!"

"Careful, don't touch me! I might accidentally drop this bottle containing Owen."

"...Coward"

If hatred and anger could kill, I would have killed this man first. Clenching my fists, I spat out the words with a strained voice, but the smile on Duke Maximilian's face only deepened. He held the container with my father's head firmly in both hands. It would be difficult to take it by force. Duke Maximilian looked confident, with an unpleasant expression, and then handed the container to the man behind him, extending his hand as if to make a grand gesture.

"Your Highness, are you willing to talk to me now?"

"...Yes, I understand. What are your demands?"

"Oh, no need to rush."

"I hate being kept waiting. What are your demands? Money? A title? Or the right to be my husband?"

"I appreciate your straightforwardness. I would like you to recommend my son, Van, as a candidate for your betrothal.

It seems the Faustura family's candidate is causing some trouble. If you wish it, Latitche and my son will be safe."

If I had my gloves on, I would have slapped this man's face. A despicable coward, his face slick with pleasure. I regret not wearing them today because they would have interfered with my reading.

Why is Latitche involved? I can't entrust Latitche to your son.

"Then, if you understand, please sign this contract immediately.

There are a few other conditions I would like you to read through carefully."

"...Show it to me."

The paper, slightly yellowed like old parchment, made my stomach churn with anger and disgust as I read through it. Contracts that require signatures are usually unfavorable to the signer or heavily biased toward the other party. This is what it said:

- Recommend Duke Maximilian's son, Van von Maximilian, as a candidate for betrothal.

- Make Van the king's consort and appoint his father, Owen, as chancellor or regent.

- Send Van a gift once a month and have a personal tea party with him.

- Meet Van alone once a week after the betrothal.

- Prioritize Van as your companion during events during the betrothal period.

- Do not allow anyone other than Van to share your bed after marriage.

- Any children born will be the crown prince or Latitche's heir.

There's more... My head is already aching at this point.

...Clearly, some of these demands exceed my authority. I can't guarantee them.

This paper... I can sense magic. It's not a regular contract. Upon closer inspection, the edges are adorned with a magical array.

"It's impossible. I can't guarantee that your son will become my betrothed or husband. That's a decision for the royal family and the council of elders.

You, as a high noble, should understand this."

Perhaps pleased to be called a high noble, the unpleasant man reluctantly nodded.

I can't make such decisions on my own. Various political machinations are already underway.

"Even if he becomes a candidate, it's unclear who will ultimately become my husband.

And the matter of having children... It's uncertain whether I will even conceive.

Making promises I can't keep is too risky.

Moreover, there are too many conditions.

...I can sense magic on this paper. Is there a penalty for breaking the conditions?"

"Princess Albertina, please don't look so frightened.

If you break the contract, it's uncertain whether Duke Latitche's remains will be returned safely.

It's a special scroll with a magical spell. If you keep your promise, nothing will happen."

"That's not an answer. Asking me to do something I can't guarantee is wrong.

I'm saying I don't have the authority to make such decisions.

There are too many uncertainties and overstepping of authority... I can't sign a contract that is clearly flawed.

I can't sign it knowing that Father won't be returned safely.

It's wrong to make me sign a contract that will harm and lose Father. Don't you understand?"

Duke Maximilian's face twisted.

Anger and frustration were evident, but he also seemed anxious. Despite his irritable expression, I needed to maintain the upper hand.

If it's clear that this contract is unfavorable to me, it's better to reduce the conditions as much as possible.

This man, a high noble and the head of a main family, has desecrated a grave. He should be severely punished.

However, if he becomes violent here, Father's remains will suffer further humiliation.

Neither of us wants the desecration of Duke Latitche's grave to be publicized.

Owen von Maximilian bared his teeth like a child.

This is a branch family... Father wouldn't have wanted me to meet him.

Pathetic. A typical example of a noble who misunderstands noblesse oblige. Waving the privileges of the aristocracy without the accompanying ethics or self-discipline. Confusing pride with arrogance.

I won't back down. The mage stepped in between me and the duke, whose head was starting to heat up.

"Lord Owen, those conditions are still..."

"Shut up! Worthless fool! Couldn't you write it better!?"

"The ambiguity in the contract could be disadvantageous to us. It could—"

It seems the mage also thought the contract had various issues.

The next contract he presented was more reasonable: recommending Van as a candidate for betrothal, sending him a gift once a month and inviting him to the summer palace, and meeting him alone once a week during the betrothal period.

However, it still stated that I couldn't discuss this with anyone or report it.

"If I have to travel for official duties after the mourning period, I might not be able to take Van with me, and there's a possibility I might fall ill.

Whether I want it or not, this could lead to a breach of contract."

"Are you rejecting the man who will be your husband!? Your Highness, that's too cold!"

It's inappropriate for an unmarried princess to so easily invite a man into her private chambers, which could lead to scandal. Such a man would also be criticized for his lack of manners.

If I show too much favoritism, the Maximilian family will face envy and scrutiny. Do you not understand this?

Do I have to point out these things to you?

I was so exasperated that my mouth hung open.

The mage seemed to understand and tried to calm Duke Maximilian.

"On average, Your Highness. In such cases, perhaps a letter or gift could suffice?"

"...I have no choice. I expect Your Highness's consideration."

How insolent... Do you understand what you're doing? You're asking for something inappropriate.

Although Duke Maximilian seemed resigned, the fact that he had Father made further negotiations risky.

This man seems to have a very poor head on his shoulders. He might do something rash without thinking. A normal person wouldn't desecrate a grave.

I carefully checked the fine print and the back of the contract.

I know. Contracts that require signatures often have favorable terms for the other party in small, hard-to-read print.

"What does the part about Latitche's authority on the back mean? I'm not aware of such a conversation."

"Your Highness! You don't know! That Kistaria has been acting as the head of the Latitche family behind your back!"

This man conveniently forgets that I gave permission.

Moreover, there's a difference between the head of a branch family and the son of the main family's duke. Kistaria, as the next duke, is well-educated and a promising heir.

"...Legally, there should be no problem. If you act rashly, you will be the one to suffer."

"I am advising for the benefit of Your Highness and Latitche! That low-born brat calling himself Latitche...!"

"I'm tired. Excuse me."

He grabbed my arm, so I instinctively shook him off.

A chill ran down my arm from where he touched me, as if it were rotting.

"Princess Albertina!"

"I will send you an invitation to the summer palace later. This is sudden, so I need time to prepare and make arrangements. As a noble, you should understand, right?"

His face lit up with joy as he nodded.

I'm frustrated. He knows I can't resist because of the contract I made with him.

I'm angry, but with Father as a hostage, I can't do anything overt. I have to either corner him completely or keep him satisfied until he's had enough.

This man won't be satisfied with just this contract.

Once Van is a candidate, he will likely bring a new contract and make more demands.

I moved as if to escape from this man, clutching the book I had no intention of borrowing as if it were a talisman.

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