The Crimson Throne

"Are you treating your mother and I as fools?" Gerard slammed his fist on the desk, startling both Elaine and Liviane.

"If the situation happened as you said, why would the Third Prince invite you to meet him two days from now?" He threw an opened envelope at Elaine's feet.

She picked up the envelope, and inside was a letter addressed to her. 

'Dear Lady Estella,

I had an exciting time with you that evening. However, I deeply regretted the event that transpired in the end. Would you allow me to apologize in person two days from today through our afternoon tea at the palace? If you cannot attend, I can certainly accommodate our meeting at your estate for any reason. I look forward to seeing you.

Best regard,

Alexander'

Elaine reread the letter repeatedly in confusion. What reason would the Third Prince have to arrange this meeting? He did not inform Estella's parents of her actions, but Elaine was certain he had figured out her plan. What about the person who was there with him? That person must have seen it all.

Unlike the useless Crown Prince, the Third Prince, Alexander, was a tactful negotiator and master manipulator in the book. Everyone knew him for his charm and elegance, yet he was as ruthless and cunning as Estella. Determined to ascend the throne, he exploited all available avenues and discarded those he deemed hindrances. As a result, many nobles considered him more suited for kingship than his older brother, even within the house of Croix. 

"Answer me, what is your relationship with the Third Prince?" Gerard's voice snapped Elaine back to reality. She had no response to his question, for she also did not know the answer. According to Estella's memories, she had never had direct contact with Alexander before that night. Even in the book, Estella's interactions with him would only happen later in the story.

Glancing back at the letter, Alexander was clearly threatening her. If she refused to meet him, he would come to her, and Estella's parents might discover the extent of the situation that night. The laws considered any attempt to assassinate royalty as treason. Even a Duke's daughter cannot escape severe punishment. Elaine did not want to die, not yet anyway.

What to do?

Elaine pursed her lips. Untangling the situation was far more complicated than she initially thought. As the Crown Prince's fiancée and a member of the House of Croix, she could not appear too close to other contenders for the throne or risk destroying predetermined alliances. But avoiding Alexander will also not yield a good result. She was stuck.

Based on Elaine's calculations, she was still two years away from the story's beginning. A slight deviation would not hurt if she remained within the original premises and did not change any significant events. She must obtain more information and adapt to this world to survive. Maybe Alexander could provide some of it.

"I have no relationship with the Third Prince," she clarified, "but I will accept his invitation."

"What did you say?" Gerard's voice raised several octaves.

"I will meet with him, father," she repeated. "It would be rude to deny a request from my benefactor. What would other nobles think of us? Besides, would it not benefit us if we better understand the enemies? Rumors have been going around that the Emperor is looking more favorably upon the Third Prince." Elaine looked straight at him, emulating Estella's confident smile.

Duke Gerard valued reputation more than anything. She hoped to gain Estella's father's approval by exploiting his weakness and offering an advantageous proposal.

"Where did you hear such nonsense?"

"The Crown Prince's behaviors are common knowledge in the capital, father." She drew her knowledge from the information she received from the book. 

Gerard slipped into a pensive silence, and Elaine could tell her words had some swaying effects. Finally, she turned her attention to Liviane, who had kept quiet since Gerard started talking. "Don't you think so too, mother?"

Liviane stared inquisitively at Elaine. The young girl standing before her seemed different—called it a mother's intuition. Even though they were not close, she recognized some change in her daughter. However, no matter the reason, if Estella's statement was correct, the Crown Prince's position was in jeopardy. Having the future Emperor as a son-in-law would further solidify her son's position as Geris' successor, and no one could take it away from her.

"Your Grace, I believe our daughter presents a crucial point. We cannot let the reputation of our future son-in-law get dragged through the mud like this. We still know very little about the Third Prince. Maybe this meeting can be a turning point." Liviane spoke softly.

"Alright, I will allow it." Gerard finally agreed. Based on his previous intelligence, the Third Prince appeared perfect in every aspect. Even the spies could not uncover any notable weaknesses. This 'tea party' could offer an opportunity.

"Thank you, mother and father. Please allow me to excuse myself if there are no other issues."

"You may leave."

Elaine curtsied and started walking toward the door, but then promptly returned. "My apologies. There is one more item I would like to discuss with both of you."

"What is it?" Gerard raised his brows.

"My fourteen birthday is a month away, and I want to request an early birthday present." Estella's parents compensated for the emotional neglect by providing her with everything else she wanted.

"What do you want?"

"A young knight-in-training to be my bodyguard." Elaine smiled.