17 Playing your cards right

I wake up the most refreshed in months. Holy shit Albert is good with his hands.

The sun isn't up yet, and I sit to meditate (space out). The devil works hard but I have to work harder <3

ok sorry-

An hour of meditation (just sitting there) later, I finally realize that my husband isn't in the room.

"Daisy darling!" I call, and I get no response. Huh. Before I can get up the door to our room opens and my husband comes in.

"Good morning darling," He smiles. "Breakfast?"

It's porridge. Holy shit I haven't had an Asian breakfast in eternity I might cry-

"Thank you, love," I smile. "Why porridge specifically though?"

"I heard that it was good for your body from the maids. I also... kind of wore you out last night," He says with a straight face. The maids that entered behind him turn crimson and I blush.

"The shamelessness," I hide my face in my hands.

"You're dismissed," Albert waves the servants off and closes the doors. "Was that convincing?"

"Absolutely," I smile. "Come sit. We have quite a bit to discuss."

"So... about that underground,"

I smile. "Here."

Albert takes the file from my hands and furrows his brows. "...how?"

"There are plenty of nobles in the underground. If you manage to grab them by the nose and lead them around... you can gain influence without coming off as suspicious." I smile. "Lead those rats around like the pied piper. I want you in power, and then I'll be off by myself."

"...and?"

"That way you'll secure a strong grasp on your position as duke" I smile. "Bria's family has been managing the endlands since forever and I'm sure they want more power. I received news a couple weeks ago that Bria's started dating Prince Terence. "

"Who told you?"

"The underground, who else?" I tilt my head. "Out of all seven princes, you have the least influence. Even if you don't become emperor, you still have to establish yourself a position in high society."

Albert drinks his coffee and stares at the papers in my hand. "Can I trust them?"

"On my life," I nod. I finish the porridge and sigh. "They're all young and they listen well. Their trust is not to be taken lightly."

"Alright," Albert nods. "When will I be meeting the children?"

"Can we talk about where we're going on our honeymoon first?" I glare at him playfully.

"I was thinking we could visit the south that Freya manages." Albert hums. "Out of all of my older siblings, her land is maintained the best."

"I see..." I hum. "It's hot around this time of the year... right?"

"Yes," Albert smiles. "I'll send her a letter with the bird, and we'll arrive after the bird."

"Alright," I smile. "Does Freya stay in the south?"

"She doesn't talk much about the desserts."

"Desserts?"

"Freya named the land that when she was younger. It used to be called the desert region." Albert hums.

"I see..." I mumble. "Does Paris own the forest or the marshes?"

"Paris owns the forest area," He smiles. "thinking about your hut?"

"My cabin in the woods?"

"That sounds so scary," Albert mumbles. "but yes."

"My cottage in the forest," I mumble. "I'll hire some people to build it for me. I have four years for construction anyways. I'll buy some land from Paris under a pseudonym and then build a small witch hut."

"Interesting," Albert mumbles. "Four years can be a long time huh?"

I smile. "Depending on how you spend it, it can be a long time."

"But do we even have time for a honeymoon?"

"Albie," I glare at him. "You think I'm going to let my one marriage in life not have a honeymoon? You wish."

Albert smiles. "Well you're not wrong. I'll summon a servant to send a letter to my sister. We will depart tomorrow morning."

"Alright," I grin.

"Ah and also..." Albert looks at me, cheeks slightly pink. "Thank you."

I blink at him and I feel my own face flare up. "H-HUH?! Where's that coming from?"

"You're... helping me so much even though I don't have much to offer you," Albert smiles.

"ah..." I groan. "I just... felt bad for what happened to you in the dream."

Albert smiles at me. "Alright keep telling yourself that."

I glare at him.

And that's how 3 years of building up Albert's reputation started.