Chapter 14
Belisa carefully studied Alesia’s expression and ventured cautiously, “Why do you think you won’t be fortunate?”
“Because luck has never been on my side. Even my social debut was delayed until my brother had his.”
Alesia smoothly changed the subject. Talking about children made it increasingly difficult to maintain composure.
“Actually, that’s partly why I invited you today. I grew up confined to the estate, so I know very little about society—especially social circles. I heard you’re always warmly received in the Calepes social scene.”
“You could easily become the center of society yourself, Your Highness. If you wish, I’d be more than happy to assist you.”
“You would…? But why, Duchess Schuyler?”
Alesia looked genuinely puzzled.
‘Did I do anything special to earn her favor?’
All she’d done was offer snacks and compliment Natalia.
Belisa smiled softly at Alesia’s confusion. She had already concluded the princess consort held no hidden motives, but her guarded demeanor intrigued Belisa. It wasn’t merely curiosity; it was genuine interest sparked by goodwill.
Belisa liked the young princess consort. Despite her newfound royal status, she displayed no arrogance, remaining humble and poised—a difficult feat when one’s position changes so suddenly. Additionally, the subtle longing in Alesia’s eyes whenever Natalia appeared deeply touched her.
“I just felt like sharing some of my good fortune with you,” Belisa said warmly.
“How are preparations for your wedding reception coming along? It’s your first formal event as part of the imperial family.”
“Her Majesty the Empress said she would handle everything.”
“Indeed, it’s proper for the Empress, as the mistress of the imperial household, to oversee it. But wouldn’t it be nice to show your personal influence at least somewhere, perhaps in the decorations or floral arrangements?”
Listening to Belisa’s advice, Alesia raised her teacup, lightly moistening her throat before responding.
“Perhaps I could fill the hall with red roses. It’s the emblem of the Ambrose family. While we aren’t influential enough to boast about, it’s better than nothing, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely!”
Belisa clapped delightedly, smiling brightly. Alesia responded with a gentle smile of her own.
“I believe we could become good friends, Duchess.”
“I’m honored to hear that. Please, just call me Belisa.”
“All right, Belisa.”
Alesia was genuinely pleased. Today’s invitation aimed to foster close ties with the Schuyler family, and unlike her previous life filled only with misfortune, she felt things were finally turning in her favor.
“I would love to meet your husband next time as well.”
“My husband, Lynden, isn’t currently in Calepes. Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee when he’ll return.”
“Did he go to inspect your territories?”
Belisa shook her head, her expression slightly troubled.
“No, he’s in Dafa, inspecting the mana stone mining areas.”
Belisa’s words instantly brought something to Alesia’s mind. Mana stones, capable of storing mana, were even more valuable than precious gems. A fingernail-sized mana stone was easily three times the price of a diamond of the same size.
Securing mining rights for areas rich in mana stones was thus critical for noble families.
‘Around this time, Dafa and Yankaro were being considered…’
The current mana stone mine in Narot, controlled by the Roshanak family, had begun to run dry around the time Alesia married Franz. Roshanak’s influence consequently diminished significantly.
As Narot’s production waned, Schuyler and Corneille raced to claim the next lucrative mana stone site. After mana stone fragments were recently discovered in Dafa, it emerged as the leading candidate for future mining.
Schuyler and Corneille fiercely competed, and ultimately Schuyler secured the rights to Dafa, poised to become the empire’s leading family.
Tragically, the following year, Dafa suffered a devastating landslide, financially crippling the Schuyler family. With Schuyler weakened, Corneille and Roshanak emerged as dominant powers, greatly strengthening Franz’s position.
‘But… what if this time, Corneille obtains Dafa?’
If so, Corneille, rather than Schuyler, would collapse financially. And if Schuyler instead secured Yankaro—later revealed as extremely rich in mana stones after Dafa’s collapse—they would rise to unprecedented prominence.
‘Yes, this is it.’
Alesia’s green eyes sparkled with determination, vividly imagining one of Franz’s wings—House Corneille—being torn away.
Alesia stood before the palace’s fountain, its beauty unchanged. Watching water endlessly pour from cherubic buckets, she smiled bitterly.
‘This fountain will be dismantled in just two weeks.’
Knowing the future was occasionally helpful, yet more often painful.
‘I wish it were over already. The wedding, the reception—everything.’
Alesia closed her stinging eyes. Palace attendants described her as a happy bride, yet she felt anything but happiness.
The approaching marriage to Franz filled her with dread, more so because she couldn’t avoid it.
“Alesia!”
A familiar voice called urgently from behind her. Deep, authoritative—Franz.
Surprised by the unusual urgency in his tone, she reflexively turned around.
“Franz? Why—?”
Franz stood before her, panting heavily, face flushed and hair disheveled. His normally immaculate golden hair was messy, and the cravat under his uniform jacket was partly undone. He seemed to have rushed desperately from somewhere.
Their eyes met, and Franz moved toward her, his expression pained. Before she could step back, he pulled her roughly into his arms. Her cheek pressed against his solid chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat.
“What are you doing?”
“Lesa…”
As Alesia struggled, Franz embraced her even tighter, leaving no space between them.
“Lesa… Lesa…”
Franz repeated her name, burying his face into her neck. A man twice her size clung desperately to her, deeply unsettling her with his sudden intensity.
“Your Highness.”
“Franz. You agreed to call me Franz.”
“Franz, let go.”
“…”
“Franz?”
He clung silently, refusing to budge, gripping her even tighter.
“Don’t leave me.”
“Leave? Where would I—ah!”
He pressed her slender back firmly, pulling her even closer. Trapped, Alesia’s annoyance flared openly.
“Release me.”
I hate being touched by you. It’s horrible.
I could’ve had a child like Natalia—I once had a child.
Yet, you abandoned me until the very end. Stop pretending you’re desperate for me now.
“Stop it!”
Alesia screamed, almost hysterically, recoiling sharply.
“Let go of me!”
Slowly, Franz loosened his grip. As he released her, she coldly brushed off his hand, glaring with undisguised disgust.
“What was that about?”
“I…”
Franz stared at her, eyes clouded. He glanced between Alesia and the fountain behind her, exhaling heavily. He ran a weary hand through his disheveled hair while she crossed her arms impatiently.
First the kiss, now this bizarre scene. His unusual behavior was deeply suspicious.
‘What are you up to?’
This life’s Franz differed from the man she’d known. He openly showed confusing, complicated emotions. Oddly, she preferred when he’d expressed simple hatred and contempt. At least that was predictable.
“I believe I told you clearly to relay messages through my maid.”
She coldly brushed her skirt, annoyed by the creases Franz’s embrace had caused.
“…I apologize.”
“You apologize easily.”
Alesia laughed scornfully. Franz stood silently, head lowered like a condemned criminal. Shaking her head, she turned away, finished with him.
She no longer wished to engage with him or be swayed by his erratic behavior.
“You seem to have nothing else to say. I’ll excuse myself. See you at the wedding.”
“I thought you’d gone back.”
Alesia froze. His trembling voice stopped her in place. Slowly turning back, she saw Franz looking utterly desolate, eyes fixed upon her as if heartbroken.
“I thought you’d returned to the annex.”
