Chapter 13 – Betrayal of Betrayal (Part 3)

“What do you want to do?”

Sensing Selena’s true feelings, Reubellina asked her. Selena couldn’t answer immediately. Voicing it would mean betraying her family.

“What could I do?”

“What decision you make will also change the North’s stance.”

“The North’s stance?”

Selena’s eyes widened as if to ask what scheme Reubellina was plotting. Reubellina smiled serenely and sipped her tea. The North had endured countless schemes from the imperial family.

‘But the death of the former Grand Duke crossed the line.’

Evidence secured from Viverna revealed that the current emperor was involved in the death of Tartenon’s father. It wasn’t just that. Sending poison, used only in the imperial capital, to Viverna was almost direct involvement in the former Grand Duke’s death.

In the North, the Grand Duke held kingly authority. If it became known that the imperial family had killed him, the repercussions would be uncontrollable.

Reubellina wanted to avoid a direct confrontation that would be bad for both the imperial family and the North. Tartenon was willing to go to war, but she preferred to avoid it.

‘In war, the people suffer.’

The imperials would hide in the imperial palace, and she would be protected in Speraum Castle. Even if Tartenon led the war himself, there was no way to compensate for the countless lives lost. Reubellina did not want to witness such horrors.

“The North can only move if you make a decision, Princess.”

“This sudden proposal… What if I run to the palace and tell them about this?”

“What else? There would be an all-out battle between the Northern and capital knights.”

Reubellina warned.

“By the way, the knights here are veterans from the Northern front lines. They’re different from the capital’s knights who spend their time hunting.”

“Becoming the Grand Duchess has certainly made your tongue smoother.”

“Not as much as you, Princess, who sweeps through the social circles.”

Selena closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Reubellina, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts, withdrew her hand from the teacup.

After some time, Selena opened her lips.

“I can’t trust you.”

“Neither can I.”

“Do you expect me to aim for the throne?”

“Of course, and also to grant the North complete independence.”

“If the North cooperates with the imperial family, there’s no need to keep it in check.”

“If you ascend the throne, the North won’t have a reason to check the imperial family either.”

“Really?”

Selena scoffed. Knowing Tartenon’s personality, she found Reubellina’s words hard to believe. Despite being known as cold and ruthless, Tartenon acted on his emotions.

His persistence in getting what he wanted was something she did not wish to see. Reubellina seemed unaware of this, and Selena was relieved she wasn’t the object of his obsession.

‘Ignorance is bliss.’

Selena clicked her tongue, looking at Reubellina with pity.

“Can you leave this in writing as the Grand Duchess of the North?”

“That’s a bit difficult. The Grand Duke and I haven’t finished discussing it.”

“Then come back when you can put it in writing.”

“Will there be time?”

“I can buy some time.”

She was to inspect the duchy and report back. If there were no issues, she could secure about a week.

On the other hand, Reubellina didn’t take Selena’s words at face value. Considering the temperaments of the emperor and the crown prince, a week was unlikely. Monterno, being highly suspicious, would not tolerate doubts for long. But she thought three days might be possible.

“Anyway, do you have an interest in the throne?”

“To be exact, I’m interested in treating people with dignity. I was raised as a flower, not a person.”

Reubellina’s eyes widened at Selena’s sincere words. They were deeper than she expected, and Reubellina was impressed. Unlike her, who was just a mere duke’s daughter.

‘This is what a imperial should be.’

Someone who viewed people as people, not as tools. Such a person should be emperor. A small spark ignited in Reubellina’s heart.

Seeing Selena smile faintly, Reubellina felt embarrassed.

“Well, that doesn’t mean I can make it happen. It’s just what I hope for.”

“I also don’t think you can do it alone, Princess.”

“That’s a bit sad.”

“But with help, it’s possible.”

Reubellina smiled. Selena nodded.

“I’ve always lacked people.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to change your attitude now?”

“Why should I? I need to keep acting naive and observe the nobles. That way, I can find out who can help me, right?”

“You’re scarier than I thought.”

“Even if you go out right now and spread the word that I said such things, no one would believe you. Except for my suspicious brothers.”

Selena continued to speak without hesitation, revealing her true intentions that she had kept hidden until now.

“Are you going to tell my brothers?”

“Of course not.”

Reubellina had no intention of telling anyone either. She could confidently say this to Selena, who seemed to be testing her.

Even if it was someone else, she would never join hands with Inferno or Monterno. It was impossible to get along with the family of the man who had abandoned her.

But the situation was different with Selena. They had never clashed, and though they had once had a minor disagreement, it was nothing serious. Most importantly, if Selena ascended the throne, the north would be safe for a while.

‘If later her children marry ours, it would be the birth of another power.’

Reubellina was confident that someone of Selena’s stature wouldn’t marry just anyone.

‘She’ll choose carefully and marry someone who lives quietly. That person won’t be ordinary.’

The previous Reubellina, who thought she would finish the contract and leave the North, no longer existed. Despite her thoughts, Reubellina didn’t know what was wrong. Vaguely, in her mind, there was no other future than imagining a child with Tartenon.

“I am on Her Highness’s side.”

“I also hope to stand by your side.”

Reubellina and Selena’s eyes met. Only the two of them knew the deep meaning hidden in their exchanged glances.

***

Tartenon was anxious. Selena and Reubellina had been together for a long time, and he was curious about their conversation. Just as he was about to head to the reception room, Bruelin blocked his way.

“You must approve all these documents before you can go.”

“Bruelin!”

“Calling me that won’t change anything.”

Having canceled all his schedules and come over, work had piled up. Both Tartenon and Reubellina had a lot to do, but with the Duke of Asillious keeping an eye on her, Tartenon couldn’t delegate the work to Reubellina. So Bruelin dumped Reubellina’s work on Tartenon.

Knowing it was Reubellina’s work, Tartenon said nothing, which was an advantage for Bruelin. It was fortunate that Tartenon could handle the North’s affairs while staying at Duke’s Asillious’ residence, no matter how long they stayed.

Tartenon remained uneasy. He knew that Selena was not just a naive princess. She was one of the few who had seen through his deeper intentions, making her an uncomfortable opponent.

‘And she came to see Reubellina.’

Tartenon feared Selena might say something unnecessary and wanted to head to the reception room immediately. If it weren’t for Bruelin blocking him, he would have gone already.

“Please approve these quickly, Your Grace.”

“Bruelin!”

“I hear nothing.”

Bruelin buried his head in the documents, showing his determination not to look up.

Unable to unleash his anger on the determined aide, Tartenon sighed and turned his attention to the documents. The white was paper, and the black was writing. Though the content didn’t register, he forced himself to read.

Bruelin noticed Tartenon’s lack of focus but didn’t tell him to leave. If these documents weren’t processed, the northern budget would come to a halt.

After blinking for a while, Tartenon began flipping through the documents in earnest. The sound of the pages turning picked up speed. Realizing it was better to finish the work quickly than to be held up, Tartenon calculated his next move.

Bruelin watched Tartenon with satisfaction as he focused on the documents. Just as Tartenon was flipping through the last document, Reubellina entered the room.

“Busy?”

Reubellina opened the door and walked in. Sensing an opportunity, Bruelin swiftly organized the documents on Tartenon’s desk.

“Not at all, Your Grace.”

“You seem busy.”

“Not at all.”

Bruelin left the room with all the documents before Tartenon could stop him. Silence filled the room with only the two of them left.

“Bruelin seems busy even though this isn’t the north.”

“It’s because I’m here.”

“Oh, there must be chaos at the border.”

Most of the elite knights were here, so it was a natural result.

“I’ve sent additional knights, so there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

“That’s good. We can’t lose our home, can we?”

“Home?”

“Yes, home.”

Tartenon’s lips curled up at Reubellina’s words.

‘Home. Does she mean the North?’

Tartenon felt good hearing that Reubellina, born in the capital, considered the north her home. He moved closer to Reubellina, who had unexpectedly moved him.

“Then I must protect the home where the Grand Duchess will return.”

“Of course.”

Tartenon’s arm wrapped around Reubellina’s waist. Holding her close, he asked,

“What did the princess say?”

“Oh, that.”

Reubellina moved out of Tartenon’s grasp. Though his brows furrowed momentarily, it was so brief that Reubellina didn’t notice.

She sat down and gestured for Tartenon to sit as well, indicating that they needed to talk seriously. Reluctantly, Tartenon took a seat.

“I looked for a way to improve relations with the imperial family.”

“Do you think it’s possible?”

“Hmm, probably not. So I thought of another way.”

Reubellina’s golden eyes sparkled.

“What if Her Highness the Princess took the crown?”