Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 14

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 14

After the soldiers left, the Rotem Estate returned to its original peaceful appearance.

At least on the surface.

But the interior scenery of the estate that met Heidi’s eyes was completely different from before.

The atmosphere among the maids seemed somewhat tense, and the security personnel had become much more strict.

“Let’s stop here for now. Let’s take a break and continue afterward.”

“Yes…”

“I’ll have some refreshments prepared.”

And the amount of studying had increased incomparably compared to before.

Exhausted Heidi collapsed limply onto the desk.

Sweet pastries and fruit were placed in front of her, but she didn’t even have the strength to look in that direction.

History lessons from the crack of dawn. After being tormented by all sorts of place names she’d never heard in her life, she wasn’t even hungry.

“If Anastasia moves quickly, we must move even faster than her.”

Right… That’s correct.

‘But this is too difficult!’

Heidi clutched her throbbing head.

In recent months, Heidi had learned and mastered far more than everything she had learned in her entire lifetime combined.

Starting from how to read and write, then how to sit and stand, and now even rhetoric and history.

These were days when she wondered if her head might explode.

Desion, who had been quietly watching such Heidi, opened his lips.

“Is it very difficult?”

“It would be a lie to say it’s not difficult.”

Heidi said as she straightened her body.

“I suppose I’m just not very interested in this kind of studying.”

“Anyone would feel that way.”

Desion, who had been rubbing his jawline as if pondering for a moment, opened his mouth.

“Then shall we talk about something a bit more interesting from now on?”

Interesting?

Heidi’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“High society gossip.”

Heidi smiled softly.

“Stories about who from which house is involved with whom? If it’s that kind of thing, I’ve heard some of it too.”

“It’s similar.”

Desion smiled back.

“It may seem like nothing special, but actually behind those trivial stories lie sharp power struggles.”

“Power?”

“In the end, it’s all about strength. It’s politics.”

Heidi’s expression became subtle.

“…Now that I hear it, it doesn’t sound very interesting.”

Desion shrugged his shoulders.

“Trust me. It’ll be more fun than staring at those thick books.”

* * *

“They say Panther has three pillars. It’s a term referring to the three families with the greatest influence in the kingdom.”

Desion drew three circles on paper.

Heidi quickly spoke up.

“I know one. House of Haizen.”

“Correct.”

Desion scribbled letters inside the circle.

“The other two are House of Delrn and House of Pretieum.”

After filling all the circles, Desion raised his head and met Heidi’s eyes.

“To gain the support of the nobility, winning over these two families to our side is most important.”

“But there are many other families besides these two that wield power in high society.”

Desion nodded at Heidi’s words.

“Correct. But ultimately, all families are influenced by these three proud houses. Most of them share interests with one of the three.”

“So if we can’t make House of Delrn and House of Pretieum our allies…”

“No matter how hard we try, it will be in vain.”

Hmm.

Heidi’s brow furrowed slightly. She had an intuition that this wouldn’t be an easy task, whatever it was.

Seeing such Heidi, Desion opened his mouth in a slightly brighter voice.

“Fortunately, we don’t need to persuade both of them right away.”

“Why not?”

“It would be great if we could persuade them all, but what we need for now is public opinion. And to create that, we need majority support.”

Heidi, who realized what Desion was saying, widened her eyes.

“Since we already have one-third…”

Desion nodded.

“It means we just need to turn exactly one family to our side. Though that won’t be easy either.”

Desion pointed to the circle labeled ‘Delrn’ with his finger.

“Delrn has traditionally been a family of many scholars. Many work in law and research fields, and accordingly many value principles. It’s also the family that has produced the most prime ministers. Though they don’t actively show themselves in high society, their influence is great as they hold all the key positions in the Royal Palace.”

“I heard the person currently teaching Princess Anastasia is the prime minister.”

“Correct. Currently, they’re closely associated with Anastasia. But since they value legitimacy, there’s also the possibility they might change their minds later.”

Heidi nodded slowly as if she understood. Then Desion pointed to the circle labeled ‘Pretieum’ and continued.

“Pretieum is the complete opposite of Delrn. They’re quite sociable. They’re famous for actively discovering and sponsoring artists.”

“There must be many more extroverted people than in House of Delrn.”

“Exactly. They say all the stories of high society flow into Pretieum.”

Heidi’s eyes lit up.

“Their information network must be incredible.”

“Correct. Even Anastasia covets it. I understand she put a lot of effort into winning the Viscount’s favor.”

“The Viscount? Why not target the Duke instead?”

“Because it’s the Viscount who practically fulfills the role of family head. The Duke has been bedridden for several years. They say he rarely regains consciousness.”

“What kind of person is the Viscount?”

“He’s quite capable. After the Duke transferred authority to the Viscount, the Pretieum territory began to prosper tremendously.”

Desion raised an eyebrow and muttered.

“It seems there was some kind of deal with Anastasia… Though it’s only suspicion for now.”

Some kind of deal?

Heidi looked at Desion with curious eyes, but he didn’t add anything more.

“Since rumors are rampant that she’ll marry the Duke’s second son, soon the alliance between Pretieum and Anastasia will become even more solid.”

“Ah…”

Heidi dropped her shoulders with a disappointed expression. A relationship so solid they would even get engaged.

“Then the only way is to target House of Delrn.”

At Heidi’s words, the corner of Desion’s mouth curled up. He smiled and shook his head.

“No. We’ll target House of Pretieum first.”

Heidi’s eyes widened.

“But you just said Anastasia and the second son of House of Pretieum…”

“Marriage talks falling through is a common occurrence.”

Heidi tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

Rather than targeting Pretieum, which would require even overturning the marriage talks, Delrn seemed to have much better odds.

But there was certainty in Desion’s face as she saw it.

“Persuading all of House of Pretieum is of course impossible. However.”

Desion tapped the table with his fingertips.

“If my thinking is correct, the Princess’s prospective fiancé will be the easiest target for us to approach.”

* * *

“It’s a face I don’t want to see, so I wished he would never come back.”

One spoonful of sugar into the red tea, then another. After stirring a few times with the teaspoon, a small whirlpool formed inside the ornate teacup.

“But now that I’ve actually cast him out of sight, my heart is troubled and I can’t bear it.”

Clang.

Anastasia threw the teaspoon far away and chewed her lips nervously.

‘I thought the uneasiness would go away once I confirmed things.’

She had received a report from Albert upon his return from Rotem that he found nothing suspicious, but her mind still wasn’t at ease.

“Why is our lovely princess upset again?”

The governess, picking up the teaspoon from the floor as if accustomed to this, smiled warmly.

Anastasia, who had been leaning against the plush chair back, whipped her head toward the governess.

“What about the separate investigation I asked for?”

The governess shook her head back and forth.

“Albert’s words were correct. There was nothing. They searched the house thoroughly, but found nothing particularly suspicious.”

“Rotem… So he’s really staying in that backwater place for no reason at all?”

The governess quietly approached Anastasia’s side and gently stroked her back soothingly. Her dark golden hair softly tangled between the slender fingers.

“He must have gone there for recuperation. It’s a place with good air and good water.”

“Recuperation? That robust man?”

Anastasia snorted.

“It’s unsettling, but… well, fine. If I can keep him out of the way for a few years, that’s not too bad either.”

Anastasia, looking much more relaxed, turned her head toward the governess.

“Governess, send word to the Viscount of Pretium. Tell him I’d like to see him.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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