“It would be nice if Beatus granted me a divorce, but that’s unlikely. So I want the Karina Empire to step in.”

Selvia hesitated for a moment.

“Actually, I’m not sure if the Emperor of Karina Empire would accept this.”

Duke Harwin gently stroked his chin and curled up his lips.

<Just tell me what you need.>

“You’ll need to threaten the Kingdom of Delpheron. Since I hate war, demand me as a trophy.”

A moment of silence fell.

Duke Harwin blinked with quite a surprised expression. He probably hadn’t expected her to ask to be taken as a trophy.

“Unless Beatus quietly grants me a divorce. The man I know is too greedy.”

She continued slowly.

“You told me before, didn’t you? That you could destroy the Kingdom of Delpheron. So I think this level of threat should be possible.”

Realizing Selvia’s words were sincere, he asked seriously.

<Are you really okay with this?>

“Though the situation will become serious…… I think I’m worth that much, don’t you?”

It wasn’t wrong.

If she really was the Child of Light, just having her would be valuable.

To this, Duke Harwin readily answered.

<Getting you is worth any amount of trouble. It’s not like I care about them anyway.>

“I’ll signal you when the plan becomes clearer.”

<I’ll wait quietly until you contact me.>

After ending the conversation, Selvia fiddled with the orb.

‘I didn’t expect he would really agree.

It felt strange. She leaned back in her chair and tilted her head back.

More than that, a communication orb.

She had only heard about them but had never seen one in person.

They were rare in the Kingdom of Delpheron and hard to obtain, and even if obtained, they were difficult to use since magic stones didn’t exist here.

She had heard they were used secretly among the empire’s nobles, but actually getting one in her hands felt special.

Above all, her lips naturally curled up thinking how useful it would be for her.

“Well then, I should start moving.”

Selvia savored the rest of her tea, enjoying a moment of rest.

* * *

“Your Highness, you called for me?”

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

Beatus tapped the table while watching Selvia’s reaction.

‘Since when did he start watching my reactions like that.’

She didn’t say anything until Beatus opened his mouth.

After all, the urgent one was not her but him.

Sure enough, as soon as the tea was served, Beatus spoke to Selvia.

“I’m thinking of taking Leliana as my second wife.”

“Take her as queen, not second wife. You know that, don’t you, Your Highness?”

Selvia made an incomprehensible expression.

“I can’t have children. My body is weak and my power of light is feeble.”

“So you want a divorce? I don’t understand at all.”

Beatus furrowed his brows.

He couldn’t understand how she could easily give up such a position when so many people worked hard to become queen.

“Yes, Your Highness. Please divorce me. This position doesn’t suit me. Leliana will lead well, so please correct this now.”

“Selvia, it’s too late to correct things.”

“I know what you’re worried about. But if you don’t divorce me now, I’ll become the pitiful queen betrayed by her sister and husband.”

To summarize Selvia’s words, she was suggesting they end things well for both parties.

“Say that I couldn’t fulfill my duties because of my weak body. Everyone will understand. After divorcing me, make Leliana queen. You can hide the pregnancy and announce it when the time is right.”

That much was possible within Beatus’s power.

Watching Selvia laying out her plans indifferently, Beatus sneered.

“Sorry, but there’s no need to make things so complicated. The child Leliana bears will become your child.”

“Did Leliana agree to this?”

“You seem to think I would do something to lower my dignity.”

She was wondering why Leliana wasn’t here, and this was the reason.

Because she wouldn’t stay quiet if she knew about this.

“I don’t want that. So please divorce me.”

At Selvia’s firm tone, Beatus stood up and looked down at her.

“You seem to be misunderstanding something. I’m telling you this not to hear your opinion, but to inform you.”

She had thought he wouldn’t let her go easily since it wasn’t clear who the child of prophecy was, but his shameless attitude made her want to vomit.

“Are you really going to do this?”

“Selvia, there’s nothing I can’t do. So accept it.”

No, she wouldn’t let things go as he wanted.

“Kheuk.”

Just then, Selvia coughed up blood. Beatus took out a handkerchief and wiped her mouth.

“You’re going to die anyway, so die for me.”

Because that’s your purpose.

He roughly grabbed Selvia’s chin and smiled.

“I don’t like your golden eyes that look like mine today.”

Selvia swatted away Beatus’s hand.

With this, negotiations with him had failed.

Beatus warned her once more.

“Until the day of prophecy, no, even after that day, there will be no divorce or dethronement for you.”

At the cruel words that finally came from Beatus’s mouth, Selvia clenched her fists.

“……I see.”

Selvia lowered her head and avoided his gaze.

If their eyes met, she would want to kill him.

‘In the end, there’s no other way. I’m sorry to the Emperor, but I too must find a way to survive.’

Seeing Selvia’s resigned expression, Beatus returned to his seat, seemingly satisfied.

“Don’t say unnecessary things to Leliana. Sometimes even I have trouble controlling her. That’s why I need you. You suit the queen’s position well, being rational and efficient at handling matters.”

Beatus tried to seduce her with words.

However, Selvia wasn’t a fool.

“Do you think Leliana is the child of prophecy?”

“Yes, but she’s not fit to sit on the queen’s throne.”

In the end, he meant to use both her and Leliana according to their useful purposes.

She could spread rumors about their scandal through newspapers, but the risk was too great.

Those who knew about this were the people in the castle, and only she and Beatus knew about their current conversation.

‘If I leak this to Leliana, things will get bigger.’

But that wasn’t a good choice either.

Unless she was secretly eavesdropping.

Selvia glanced at the shadow beneath her feet.

She used her power to sense if anyone was beyond the door, but Leliana wasn’t there.

“Selvia, it would be better not to scheme. I want to keep being fond of you.”

“It seems I’m Your Highness’s pretty doll.”

“Not at all. You’re a useful doll.”

Beatus gently stroked Selvia’s cheek and smiled deeply.

Selvia felt goosebumps all over her body but maintained an indifferent expression.

“You don’t need to do this. I won’t take any particular action, so rest assured. What could I possibly do?”

“True, since I’ve tied your hands and feet tightly, you have no means to fly away. Ah, right.”

Beatus changed his posture as though he had just remembered something forgotten.

Judging by his expression, it seemed to be something he didn’t like.

“We need to reciprocate for the gifts from the Karina Empire. Take this opportunity to go and strengthen our friendship.”

At the mention of the Karina Empire, Selvia’s eyes trembled slightly.

The sudden mention of the name made her think of Duke Harwin.

Could it be that he had seen and planned all of this?

Even sending the gift must have been to provide a pretext for going to the Empire.

After all, the kingdom couldn’t remain idle when the Empire had sent gifts.

Selvia now wondered how far ahead he had seen. Otherwise, things wouldn’t have flowed as desired right after learning about Leliana’s pregnancy.

“I understand. I must fulfill my duty.”

“I’ll provide diplomats, so don’t worry.”

Selvia closed her mouth tightly at Beatus’s overbearing attitude.

‘Yes, let’s go and tie up loose ends clearly.’

She needed to meet Harwin and clearly explain the plan.

Selvia nodded. Beatus’s face softened at her submissive attitude.

“You may leave now.”

Selvia stood up and slowly walked toward the door.

She hid the smile rising from her elation and left the disgusting space with lighter steps.

* * *

Finally, the day to go to the Empire arrived.

Selvia frowned at the quickly prepared delegation.

‘There are maids I haven’t seen before.’

Beatus seemed quite concerned about people’s eyes and ears.

“Your Highness, please travel safely.”

“Thank you. Don’t worry about me, take good care of my sister.”

“……Your Highness.”

The maid felt an inexplicable tightness in her chest. It was amazing how she could remain detached in such a situation.

Even on the day Selvia departed, Beatus didn’t come to see her off.

He was probably somewhere in the castle, panting while embracing Leliana.

Even without looking, it was painfully clear what they were doing.

Selvia stared expressionlessly toward the room where Beatus would be.

“Your Highness, it’s time to depart.”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

She turned her head and got into the carriage.

Beatus wouldn’t know that she would escape like this.

Selvia leaned back, closed her eyes, and fiddled with her handkerchief. A subtle fragrance leaked out, and she drifted off to sleep.