The Crimson Throne

"First, how about we continue discussing the scene Lady Estella witnessed that evening?" He circled back to his previous question.

"I saw very little. I assumed you were conversing with someone, but I could not see who the other person was." Elaine confessed. She had no further reason to hide it from him.

Alexander did not respond. His sapphire-colored eyes inspected Elaine's face, ruminating over her answer.

"I speak the truth, Your Highness. If I witnessed your secret rendezvous in its entirety, would I place myself in the current situation?" She added, a bit annoyed at his excessive suspicion.

After another few seconds, he inclined against his seat and smiled. "Let us move on from that topic for now and continue our discussion about why I invited Lady Estella here today."

Did he say for now? Elaine sighed in her head. Alexander was always the careful type. She should not expect him to believe her words since, at foremost, they belonged to two different factions. "Of course, Your Highness. Please enlighten me." Elaine took a small pastry from a nearby plate.

"Milady, I presumed you heard some rumors circling my elder brother lately. Do you think such a person would deserve you, the Rose of Geris? Would he be qualified to ascend the throne?" Alexander leaned forward. His gaze sought hers while his lips curled into a charming smile.

"Please be careful with your words, Your Highness. No matter what he does with others. He is still your elder brother, the Crown Prince, and my fiance." Elaine could predict the direction of this conversation. He was convincing her to turn against the Crown Prince. Recognizing Estella's ambition, Alexander planned to use it to his advantage.

"I meant no disrespect to my elder brother, but merely stated facts. Remember, milady. Before his coronation, our Emperor, the Shining Sun, was not the Crown Prince. Therefore, whether the Crown Prince or the Third Prince are meaningless titles, no more and no less. The final decision remains with the Emperor."

"What are you proposing?" She asked in a solemn tone.

His hand reached out and tucked a strand of loose hair from her face. "I admire your disposition, milady." Alexander's fingers then glided down her cheek and lifted her chin. "We two share the same goal. So instead of hanging on to my incompetent elder brother, why not work together?"

Elaine brushed away his hand and fixed her hair. "Your Highness, did you forget we are from different factions? How would you suggest persuading my father regarding this matter?"

"Duke Geris does not need to know." He returned his hand. "Think about it, Lady Estella. Once you become Empress, the most respected position in Étoile, the Duke will have no choice but to accept. Although he is the Crown Prince, my elder brother's current conduct chipped away at the support of the Emperor and his base. The fool does not realize his title and position are dangling from a cliff." Alexander chucked.

"My father's eyes and ears are everywhere. Do you think I can hide such a matter from him?" Elaine took a sip of her tea, admiring the ornate cup design.

"If you refer to my 'special servants', milady, then do not worry. I dispatched all of them on 'assignments' far away from the manor today." He rested the side of his head on his palm while his other hand toyed with the tiny bottle of Estella's fragmented magic. 

Alexander was threatening her. Betray the Crown Prince or risk exposing Estella's assassination attempt. He spoke in a flowery language, but he presented only a single option from the beginning.

"You undoubtedly mastered the art of persuasion, Your Highness." Elaine let out a sarcastic laugh. By blackmailing others, she continued in her head.

"I appreciate your compliment, milady."

It wasn't a compliment.

Elaine slipped into a pensive silence. Though he backed her into a corner, cooperating with Alexander had its advantages. Even if their goals were different and his promises did not entice her, a strong ally in the palace could reduce her obstacles and further her plans. Elaine could feel the plot was derailing in an unexpected direction, but she had no other choice but to continue the current path.

"What would my gains be in assisting, Your Highness?" She already knew the answer, but still wanted to hear it straight from him.

"You would become the most powerful woman in Étoile, milady." He replied, accompanied by a smile to light up the room.

"This is a tempting offer. Unfortunately, I do not believe in verbal pledges. Please provide me with a magical contract."

"You are quite cautious, Princess. Though I also expected as much." Alexander laughed and snapped his fingers. The shadow beneath his feet began twitching, then from within the darkness stepped out a man. Dressed in sable clothing, and although he was in front of her, Elaine could not decipher the man's facial features. He knelt before Alexander and presented him with a small scroll.

He picked up the scroll, snapping his fingers again. The man nodded, then walked back into Alexander's shadow. He opened its ribbon and read the terms to Elaine. "I believe these terms are fair and beneficial to both of us. This is a soul contract, which will castigate those who violate its conditions. If you find no issue, please sign here, milady." He handed it over to her.

What a joke!

Maybe Estella could believe in his deceptions, but not Elaine. She learned long ago from the book that a powerful magician could break any soul contract if the original contractors were not stronger than him. So requesting the agreement was only a method to make Alexander less suspicious of her intention. 

"Thank you, Your Highness." Elaine glossed over the conditions and bit her finger, dropping red blood onto the paper, sealing along a part of her soul with it.