Chapter 2 – Contract with the Prince (Part 7)

Thinking of Luke Haisen and the Haisen family, the Empire’s lackeys, filled her with anger, but Seia calmed herself.

[The victor must always remain cool-headed and not be swayed by emotions.]

Seia recalled a sentence from a book she read while imprisoned in the tower.

“What is the Emperor’s reaction?”

“After the rumors surfaced, it seems he discussed it with the head of the Haisen family and sent Ruby Haisen back to their territory.”

“They must have had no choice because of the oracle.”

Seia scoffed.

Even if the oracle determined the next Empress, the Haisen family wouldn’t easily give up the chance to become in-laws of the imperial family.

No matter how significant the oracle’s chosen one was, if she died in an ‘accident,’ there would be no way around it.

“But… there’s a rumor that Ruby Haisen will attend the Spring Swordsmanship Tournament instead of Theo Haisen.”

Seia narrowed her eyes at Rey’s words.

“What are they planning?”

Even for the Crown Prince’s wedding, the Haisen family sent their eldest son, Theo Haisen.

“I will find out more, Your Highness.”

Rey promised.

“Now, can you tell me about my closest aides?”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will explain while assisting you with your attire.”

Rey cheerfully turned the mirror towards Seia.

“Rey.”

Seia suddenly met Rey’s eyes in the mirror.

“Thank you.”

***

Upon hearing that Seia was visiting, Tristan laughed triumphantly.

“Women are all the same.”

Boasting the Empire’s greatest wealth and showering her with gifts, he thought Seia would throw herself into his arms, asking for forgiveness for her past rudeness.

“Seia Hellis.”

Tristan savored the name, imagining Seia’s mysterious hair and eyes.

“She will be mine eventually.”

No woman had ever refused him until now.

Even without considering his status as Crown Prince, he knew how beautiful he was.

So it was only natural for the oracle’s woman to love someone as perfect as him.

If not, he would just make her love him.

“The Crown Princess has arrived.”

With a simple gesture from Tristan, the door opened, and Seia appeared.

“Seia.”

Tristan smiled behind his mask.

Dressed in a light saffron gown, Seia shone like a delicate flower.

And Tristan liked what he saw.

“I missed you.”

Seia smiled at Tristan’s words.

That smile made Tristan let his guard down for a moment.

“You are mistaken, Your Highness.”

Seia said.

“What?”

“Do you think I don’t know why you shower me with gifts?”

Seia’s smile was icy cold.

Instead of warmth, Tristan felt a burning sense of insult and confusion.

How dare she? How dare she dismiss the Crown Prince’s gifts as nothing?

“Why would the Crown Prince need a reason to send gifts to the Crown Princess?”

Tristan asked sharply.

“Are you not trying to buy my loyalty and affection with these gifts?”

Seia said without flinching.

“Do you know how valuable those things are?”

“Is my love so cheap?”

Seia retorted.

“Are you perhaps thinking of seeking love from an ordinary woman? Doesn’t the one who wins my love become the Emperor of the Empire?”

Seia was saying things no one else would dare to say.

Tristan’s face turned red with embarrassment and anger.

“These gifts are things I can easily obtain as the Crown Princess, Your Highness.”

She wasn’t wrong. As the Crown Princess, she could easily obtain such items with the imperial maintenance budget.

As the Crown Princess of the Empire, she was expected to be adorned with the best.

“So you don’t need my gifts?”

Tristan asked in a voice filled with rage.

Seia shrugged and continued nonchalantly.

“Just as I am not an ordinary woman, Your Highness is not an ordinary man, is he not?”

With that, Seia looked at Tristan with the most noble expression she could muster.

“Prove it to me, Your Highness.”

At Seia’s arrogant words, Tristan impulsively grabbed the sword next to him.

“How dare you ask me to prove myself?”

“You should first break the habit of drawing your sword without thinking, Your Highness.”

It wasn’t the first time Tristan had threatened her with violence, and Seia wasn’t afraid of pain.

“You have completely lost your mind.”

“If you wish to rule with the rod, I will have no choice but to follow your methods, Your Highness.”

The hand holding the sword hesitated.

“A wife usually follows her husband’s methods.”

Tristan, exasperated, threw the sword to the ground.

The loud clatter of metal didn’t make Seia flinch.

“There is one thing I would like, Your Highness.”

“Huh? After treating my gifts like junk, what shameless request do you have now?”

Tristan approached and grabbed Seia’s wrist.

Seia let herself be pulled by him.

“Give me the management rights to the Cavondish Mine.”

Tristan was taken aback by the unexpected request.

‘Not rare jewels or luxury items, but the management rights to a mine?’

Though it was a gold mine under imperial ownership, managing it required direct involvement in practical matters.

From Tristan’s perspective, he couldn’t understand why the Crown Princess would want to take on such a burdensome task.

“Why should I do that?”

Tristan asked arrogantly.

“You can think of the reason yourself, Your Highness.”

Seia didn’t back down.

Tristan pulled her closer, forcing her into his arms.

He expected her to push him away violently, but she didn’t.

Her arms gently wrapped around him.

“Weren’t you trying to tame me like a beast, Your Highness?”

Seia whispered in Tristan’s ear.

“Even a horse moves when given a carrot. The whip alone won’t do.”

Seia slowly released her hold.

Tristan looked down at her, momentarily spellbound.

Her golden eyes seemed even more alluring.

‘She is no ordinary woman.’

That was all Tristan could think.

But he didn’t dislike Seia’s attitude, which oddly invoked a sense of challenge.

It was a type he had never encountered before.

“Will you love me, Your Highness?”

Seia asked softly.

Her demeanor was entirely different from her earlier stern attitude.

Tristan looked at her blankly.

“The Crown Princess is my only love.”

Seia’s expression changed at his answer.

Suddenly, Seia burst into laughter.

“I wonder what Ruby Haisen would think of your answer.”

“What?”

Tristan’s voice grew louder.

“I heard she will attend the swordsmanship tournament. Did you invite her yourself?”

“How do you know about Ruby?”

“Oh, don’t worry. Why would I be jealous when I don’t love you, Your Highness?”

Seia said with a smile.

“I have no intention of interfering in your personal life. So you don’t need to concern yourself with other matters.”

Seia’s message was clear.

“Just think about the Cavondish Mine.”

Tristan glared at her in silence.

Seia freed herself from his arms and brushed off her dress as if dust had settled on it.

“Then I will take my leave. I will see you again at dinner, Your Highness.”

Tristan, at a loss for words, could only let Seia go.

At Seia’s knock, the attendant opened the door.

Seia walked out with a straight posture but suddenly turned around.

“Oh, I will personally deliver the gifts you sent to Lady Haisen.”

With that, Seia smiled broadly.

***

The calm pink dress suited Seia’s pale skin like a dream.

Layers of chiffon wrapped around her body like petals.

Seia looked like a light pink rose in early summer.

“I thought it wouldn’t match my hair color.”

Seia said.

“There isn’t a color that doesn’t suit you, Your Highness.”

Rey said proudly.

The dress Seia would wear to the swordsmanship tournament, her first official appearance as the Crown Princess, was Rey’s creation.

Seia had entrusted the dress to Rey and a few maids from the dressing room, naturally increasing her interactions with Rey.

She planned to make Rey her personal maid in charge of her wardrobe later.

“Do you like it, Your Highness?”

“I’ve never worn such a perfect dress before.”

Seia smiled shyly in front of the mirror.

Rey approached from behind and adjusted the small ribbon decorations.

“He has sent a message.”

Rey lowered her voice.

Seia nodded lightly in response.

Their eyes met in the mirror.

“He will participate in the swordsmanship tournament.”

Seia wasn’t particularly surprised since she had anticipated it.

“He will compete against Sir Montrey for the title of Sword Master.”

But the added information was enough to surprise Seia.

“Today?”

Seia turned around.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Rey nodded.

“So… he asked you to send him a kiss for good luck.”

Rey added.

“If he’s joking like that, it seems he doesn’t need my luck.”

Seia tried to maintain a dignified expression despite the rising corners of her mouth.

‘He seems very confident and relaxed.’

Despite her thoughts, she couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

Kyle Hellis obtaining the title of Sword Master and Seia obtaining the management rights to the Cavondish Mine.

This was the first step in building her power.

“Let’s go out now that we’re ready.”

Seia changed the subject.

“Ah…!”

Behind the suddenly drawn partition stood Elena Constance.

“What are you doing without making your presence known?”

Seia’s voice turned cold instantly.

“I-I came to inform you that it’s time to go…”

Elena stammered.

“I don’t like people moving around without making their presence known, Lady Elena.”

Seia said.

Elena bowed her head deeply.

Seia walked towards the door with Rey.

Before leaving, Rey glanced back at Elena Constance.