Chapter 61

Ariadne clearly approached Alfonso intentionally at first. She regarded him as the golden key that could solve all her troubles, from the tedious Cesare and the thorns in the de Mare family to all her other hardships.

Marriage to Prince Alfonso would certainly resolve all her problems. Of course, the event of Cesare's rebellion remained, but she knew a significant portion of the cards Cesare held at the time of his rebellion.

If history flowed as it had, she could prevent that rebellion.

Therefore, she thought this was a perfect arrangement. It would benefit Alfonso and benefit her. As long as Alfonso agreed to marry her, there would be no obstacles in their path.

Thus, without a trace of guilt, Ariadne set traps to captivate the heart of the 17-year-old boy when they first met at the Langbue orphanage and when they met again in the queen's garden.

The guilt of having trapped the Alfonso of her previous life gradually faded. This time, through her marriage to Alfonso, she would place him on the throne.

She was not worried or anxious about his reaction. If he did not fall for her, she could set another trap. If he did not love her, she could become a political bride and secure her place by his side.

Regardless of the method, the result would be just. As long as she obtained Alfonso's marriage contract, Ariadne would be very close to the freedom she had dreamed of. As a bonus, Alfonso would gain his rightful inheritance, the throne.

However, at some point, the boy who was her brother-in-law in her previous life and this cheerful young man had seeped into her. She missed him when she did not see him, was curious about his well-being, and wished he would be curious about her and want to see her.

This was not a political relationship or a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship; she wanted Alfonso's heart, his sincerity. She wanted to save him from unhappiness and help prevent worries and concerns from overwhelming him.

"Pull yourself together."

Ariadne shook her head.

Ariadne was not yet completely safe. Although she had temporarily gained some breathing room by obtaining the authority to audit Lucrezia's accounts, she did not know how the family dynamics would change when her eldest son Ipolito, who was studying abroad, returned.

And as time passed, eventually, Cardinal de Mare would grow old and die, and Ipolito, Lucrezia's son and Isabella's older brother, would inherit the de Mare family. Before that, she needed to leave the house through marriage.

"Being head over heels in love with a man is no different from being a fool."

Moreover, her track record in love was miserable. In her previous life, Cesare, whom Ariadne had been wary of, was as kind, cheerful, and pleasant as a spring breeze.

But after she realized she had fallen in love with him and was blindly devoted to him without the support of her family, friends, and relatives, he became a completely different person.

- "The silver bells that bloom in the meadow are like you."

Ariadne was a free flower in the meadow, to be plucked and discarded when one grew tired of her.

Ariadne's love, like a bulb that had wintered and bloomed again in May, would burn for Cesare again, even if left alone.

A gentle breeze, such as a smile on his marble-like face in response to her actions, made the bulb think spring had come and burst into bloom.

While she devoted herself to Cesare without reciprocation, Isabella grew into a beautiful rose in a greenhouse, nourished by Cesare's attention and love.

Was Isabella the only one who was expensive and precious? The Countess Bartolini, who was just a friend, the Marchioness Santarosa, who was Cesare's "artistic muse" (Cesare did not engage in productive musical activities like composing or performing, only listening), and the voluptuous and sensual Marchioness Gentilini, whom Cesare said he would not interfere with, were all more important to Cesare than Ariadne.

When there were no women, there were friends. The rascals led by the accursed Octavio de Contrarini always left their wives and fiancées at home and gathered to play cards, hunt, and make bets.

Ariadne, in love, was not attractive. At least, that was what she believed.

"Never again, never again."

After the shock of the Janovian incident, Ariadne decided to devalue not only Cesare but also Alfonso's letters. Men are not to be trusted.

Cesare, of course, and Prince Alfonso's intentions are not genuine. Even if they were, I must not fall for them. I must not waver.

I will become the queen by securing a place by the prince's side without falling in love with him or anyone else, for my freedom and safety.

* * *

In stark contrast to Ariadne's devaluation, Alfonso, along with his secretary Bernardino, spent much time deliberating and discussing the letter.

"Can I invite Aria?"

"Absolutely not, Your Highness."

This was Bernardino's firm response to whether the prince could send an invitation to Ariadne de Mare to join him at the southern palace.

"What exactly do you plan to invite a mature woman to the prince's palace for?"

Alfonso had no answer to this.

"Your Highness can invite any lady, but if you were a princess, you could invite Ariadne de Mare. However, now, especially in this situation, it is absolutely not possible to have a female guest."

Bernardino pointed out the current political climate, where marriage negotiations were underway.

Alfonso briefly imagined disguising Ariadne as an unknown lady, dressing her in men's clothes, and running around the southern palace together.

In the morning, they would go for a walk, in the afternoon, they would play in the fountain, and in the evening, they would take a nap in a hammock and share grapes... a dream-like day like walking on clouds.

Alfonso was not particularly imaginative. He was a model student who learned what he was taught and faithfully carried it out. But when it came to Ariadne, he had unrealistic fantasies.

He had lived a life where everything was predetermined. Born a prince, his destiny was to study and master the art of governance to become a wise ruler.

His mother cleared the way for him, and his father removed all obstacles.

When the time came, he would meet the daughter of a monarch, marry her, have children with her, and maintain a respectful and sacred but dull marriage until he inherited the throne upon his father's death.

Alfonso believed he would live such a life.

"Can I be with Aria?"

A clever Ariadne giving advice, and he leading the country...

"Your Highness?"

Alfonso snapped out of his thoughts. He considered asking Bernardino about his idea but shook his head after a second.

If Alfonso arbitrarily broke off the marriage negotiations and failed to secure an alliance through his marriage, it would not be surprising if the Kingdom of Gallico led troops to the border.

Even if the negotiations were broken off, it might still be manageable. But if the engagement was finalized and then broken, the heavy cavalry and artillery of Gallico would appear at the border.

And before it got to that point, if Alfonso mentioned this, Luca would scream.

"No. Let's proceed with the afternoon schedule."

Alfonso ultimately sent a letter that only said, "I want to show you the palace in Taranto." This was both sincere and a promise he could keep.

* * *

Count Cesare de Como's mailbox was overflowing with letters. The letters he sent to Ariadne were often ignored