Chapter 12
A magnificent imperial carriage stopped before the gates of a sprawling mansion. Lacquered black, it was emblazoned with the eagle crest representing the imperial family.
“I’ve come bearing a message from the future Second Princess Consort.”
The messenger briefly announced himself to the guard at the gate, who immediately bowed and raised his hand in acknowledgment.
“Open the gates! It’s a messenger from the future Second Princess Consort!”
The heavy gates swung open, and the coachman urged the horses forward.
Inside the mansion, a woman standing by the window watched curiously as the carriage rolled toward the main entrance, eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement.
‘A message from the future Second Princess Consort for me?’
Duchess Belisa Schuyler quickly searched her memory. Had she ever met the Second Princess Consort-to-be? She couldn’t recall any such encounter, nor had she sent her any invitation.
‘Then why?’
Belisa tilted her head thoughtfully, flicking open her fan. It took quite a while to reach the parlor from the gates of this massive estate—enough time to ponder.
‘Is she trying to establish connections with the Schuyler family because the Ambrose family is weak? Or is this a test?’
As the head of her family’s internal affairs, every move Belisa made impacted the Schuyler family’s future.
The Schuyler Duchy, alongside Count Roshanak and Duke Corneille, formed the backbone of the Lauret Empire. These three powerful houses constantly balanced and competed against each other for influence within the imperial family.
When the imperial family announced a bride for the Second Prince, all three houses naturally sought to propose candidates. However, the Schuyler family had abstained because Natalia, their sole daughter, was too young—only four years old. Thus, they hadn’t yet formed ties with the Second Prince, remaining cautious about taking sides between the competing princes for the crown.
After the Second Prince’s bride was chosen, Belisa deliberately avoided sending invitations. She had intended to wait and see until after the wedding.
‘Could it be because of that?’
Did Lady Ambrose assume the Schuylers were slighting her?
It seemed unlikely, yet she found no other plausible explanation.
“I greet Duchess Belisa Schuyler. I bear an invitation from the future Second Princess Consort. She asks you and Lady Natalia to visit the Second Prince’s palace immediately.”
“Now? Even Natalia? She’s only four years old.”
Belisa’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Please prepare discreetly, Duchess. The carriage awaits.”
Belisa frowned slightly. Such an abrupt, unexpected invitation—especially bringing along Natalia—confirmed her suspicions.
Alesia sat in the receiving room, quietly holding a steaming teacup. She almost sipped from it before remembering it would breach etiquette to drink tea before her guest arrived—especially since Belisa was said to be meticulous about manners.
‘I wonder how she looked.’
Alesia closed her eyes briefly, trying to recall Belisa’s face. Her memory was vague; they’d barely met before. Though they’d never spoken personally, Alesia knew much about the duchess.
Belisa Schuyler was Duke Lynden Schuyler’s second wife, married after the first duchess died of childbirth fever. Despite their nine-year age gap, the Schuylers were renowned for their genuine affection, unlike many noble couples.
Belisa cherished Natalia, the late duchess’s daughter, so dearly she’d declared she wouldn’t bear children of her own—a remarkably selfless choice.
‘She must truly adore Lady Natalia.’
Alesia sorted through these facts in her mind. Now, with her wedding only two weeks away, she was busier than ever.
Not due to wedding preparations—that was managed entirely by the imperial household staff. Instead, she was occupied building political foundations to undermine Franz.
In her previous life, Franz had taken Nyris, Count Roshanak’s eldest daughter and the Empress’s niece, as his lover. With Roshanak’s support, followed later by Corneille’s—despite their ties to Princess Consort Glena—Franz had secured substantial political strength.
Only Schuyler remained neutral, a crucial pillar preventing Franz from smoothly claiming the Crown Prince title.
‘I know exactly what I have to do.’
Alesia’s eyes gleamed determinedly as she awaited Belisa’s arrival. Franz held far too many treasures. It required precision and power to effectively wound him. She intended to strike when he least expected, leaving him utterly broken and defeated—just as she had once felt.
If Schuyler rose in prominence and crushed the other two families, Franz, deprived of both political wings, would never ascend the throne. Until then, Franz would mistakenly assume Schuyler’s closeness meant loyalty to him.
This would be her second revenge, one that had to succeed before Franz met Nyris.
‘I never wanted to go this far.’
She recalled Franz’s reliance on potions to soothe his mana instability. Simply withholding mana neutralization wouldn’t suffice.
‘Franz, you must taste devastating despair—the kind that makes your world collapse.’
Alesia’s hands trembled as she bit her lip, holding back painful memories. Her green eyes glistened with tears.
‘Because you betrayed me.’
When she’d needed him the most, he’d abandoned her.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Alesia clenched her fist tightly before forcing herself to relax. As the doors opened, she put on the most beautiful smile she could muster.
Her revenge had begun.
“Mommy, mommy! Cookie! Natalia wants cookies too!”
“Shh, Nat. What did Mommy say? You must behave in the palace.”
“Yes, Mommy…”
At Belisa’s stern tone, little Natalia’s face fell. Alesia smiled gently, offering Natalia some cookies.
“Here. Drink some milk too, so your tummy doesn’t hurt.”
“Yes!”
Natalia beamed, and Alesia’s smile softened further. Although Belisa and Natalia shared no visible similarities, their mutual affection was unmistakable.
“Young Lady Natalia loves cookies, doesn’t she? Sara, please bring more.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Oh no, that’s enough…”
“Please don’t refuse. I wasn’t sure what children prefer, so I prepared plenty. I’m glad they suit her taste.”
“Wow!”
Natalia clutched her cheeks excitedly upon seeing colorful sugar cookies, glancing up at Belisa with sparkling red eyes.
“Mommy, eat one too!”
“Nat…”
Belisa hesitated, wary of any breach in etiquette. Natalia, oblivious to palace decorum, posed a risk even though the future Princess Consort appeared friendly. Belisa had intended to leave Natalia behind for precisely this reason.
“Please, Duchess. Your daughter is offering.”
“…Very well.”
Reluctantly, Belisa took a cookie from Natalia and gently reassured her.
“It’s delicious. Nat, you enjoy as many as you like—slowly.”
“Yes, Mommy!”
As Belisa cleaned the crumbs from Natalia’s lips, she suddenly felt Alesia’s gaze. Looking up nervously, she quickly apologized.
“I’m sorry for this display, Your Highness.”
She folded her handkerchief anxiously, fearing criticism. But when their eyes met, Belisa found herself speechless.
Alesia’s emerald eyes shone not with disdain but longing, filled with tender envy and quiet yearning.
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