What can you give me?

Selah stopped when she saw him coming out from behind one of the huge pillars in the Royal Palace. That person seemed to have been waiting for her since earlier, even though it was already evening.

Come on. I want to go home and rest, Selah groaned in her heart. Even though she had been at the Royal Palace since morning, she met Blair instead of meeting Aeneas.

"Selah Dulcia greets Crown Prince Blair," Selah greeted with the last bit of courtesy she had.

"Lady Dulcia." Blair returned the greeting. "I hope you do well and comfortably while replacing Duke Dulcia."

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I can handle my job so far," said Selah.

"Tomorrow, there will be Duke Dulcia's trial, right? I don't see you making any effort."

Selah smiled crookedly at Blair. "You're just worrying about that now, Your Highness?" she quipped. "What do you think? Should I try to free my father after what he did to me?"

"People will think of you as a rebellious child for throwing away her own father."

"You know very well that I will do whatever it takes to reach a higher position than my father."

"You expect me to give you the position of duchess because Duke Dulcia he doesn't deserve his current position?"

"I would be very grateful if you would make things easier for me."

Selah smiled serenely, while Blair didn't show any expression. Though usually, the man in front of her always has a soft expression on him. But now…

What is he really thinking right now? Selah thought uncomfortably to herself. For some reason, Blair's expression showed a hint of danger.

"What can you give if I make you a duchess?"

This bastard, Selah thought, trying to hold back her anger. Of course, there's what Blair wants: the Tullia Mine.

You think you deserve even a ruby, huh? thought Selah annoyed. "With all due respect, Your Highness. I don't have more than what you have," she said. "I can only promise that I will do better for the Balthasar Empire."

"That stubbornness of yours is still there," Blair muttered, loudly as sarcasm. "I will say this because we were on good terms before, Lady Dulcia. Don't think everyone will be quiet while you take Duke Dulcia's seat."

Had no idea that clearly, but it seemed Blair was referring to one person. "What do you mean?"

"Maybe he's no match for you, but he could take Duke Dulcia's seat," Blair said. "See you in court tomorrow, Lady Dulcia. Have a nice day."

After watching Blair retreating back, her mind wandered far away, wondering what Blair had meant. More precisely, who did Blair mean just now.

"That's really him. It just makes me feel bad," Selah muttered and then left.

***

As could be expected of Selah, she wouldn't give up the duchess position so easily. Selah wasn't the type to just give in to what she had wanted for a long time. If that's the case, the decision will not be contested, and no one can change it.

And that's exactly what made Blair regret it half to death for not marrying her soon.

It's my own fault for losing her, Blair thought as he walked towards his study.

As soon as he entered, Evanthe immediately stood up to greet him. Her expression was both worried and hopeful.

"How… about Lady Selah?" she asked. It was obvious she was expecting something.

Blair tried to offer a sympathetic smile. "Forgive me. Lady Dulcia… wasn't moved by what I said at all."

"That woman…" Evanthe hissed. "Blair, you won't do anything bad to my father, will you? Mother and I… We can't live without Duke Dulcia!" she whined.

"Evanthe…" Blair stroked the side of his lover's face gently. "I understand how you are, but there isn't much I can do either. You know that many people witnessed the attack. The court will not be judged by me."

"But you are the crown prince, Blair!" Evanthe's eyes were as bright as the sky, filled with tears. "There must be something you can do."

How different, Blair thought.

Blair's eyes seemed to open as he parted from Selah. If Selah were in trouble, she wouldn't ask for help. Even when Blair let her suffer, she still tried to fend for herself. But Evanthe… this woman was always on the verge of whining at the slightest difficulty.

Blair thought Evanthe's gesture was adorable. With Evanthe, Blair feels needed. He felt proud to live as a man and as his lover. Until now, Blair felt that Evanthe's attitude like that was disgusting.

Blair immediately realized that Evanthe was too spoiled for him. Blair realizes that Evanthe doesn't deserve to be queen.

Blair realized that he had abandoned Selah.

"Evanthe, there's one thing you need to know," Blair said. "The trial was opened for Prince Aeneas. The final decision remains in his hands. So… there's no point in you talking to me like this."

"I-I have to speak to Prince Aeneas?" she asked. For some reason, Blair caught a hint of fear.

"Yes. If you want, I can take you to him. Don't worry, Prince Aeneas is a good man. He-"

"No!" Evanthe refused suddenly. She hastily lowered her head. "I mean, no need. Because… because Prince Aeneas was beaten, so…."

Blair let out a long breath. After a long time, he felt tired too face this woman. "One thing I can promise you, Duke Dulcia will not die. If he truly loves Viscountess Gilmore and you, Duke Dulcia will definitely find something for you even if Lady Selah takes the position of the duchess in the future."

Evanthe looked dissatisfied with Blair's answer but nodded anyway.

This time, Blair would let it slide. He wanted to know what Selah and Evanthe could do and who would win.

Although, well, of course, Blair already knew what the answer would be.