Chapter 3: Agreement between Sisters

"Ha, you're crazy. And people says I'm the crazy one. "Estella laughed when I told her about my 'stroll' with the Prince.

"You have problems with my own standards? "I rose a brow at her reactions, she ended up laughing even harder. Suddenly, a pillow was offered to me. I turned to the side to see a man with a huge burn scar across his face offering the pillow to me with a smile.

"Ah, thank you. "I straighten my back, letting him set the pillow down to support my back. Once he is done, he smiled and nod his head before leaving.

"Sometimes, I feel like he knows that little secret of yours. "Estella commented as she send a look at my currently flat abdomen.

"You said it yourself, sister. Brother Ted is more sensitive towards these kind of stuff. "I didn't deny her words.

Ted is one of Estella's concubines. He was rescued by Estella from an underground slave market a few years back. Before he met Estella, I heard he was tortured by her previous owner where his face was burned and his voice box was removed. Therefore, it's inevitable that he sees Estella as a light of hope that had shone into his miserable world. Estella is used to doing heroic noble deeds but Ted insisted in repaying Estella for saving his life. After spending a few years together, Estella finally decided to take him as her concubine last month. How did they ended up together was a story that I didn't know and no interest in understanding, all I know is that they see each other as family. Estella had her own standards in her family, I am in no place to judge.

Sister's family is my family. That is all that matters.

"Anyways, enough of Ted. Are you really interested in that Meala Prince? Cuz you certainly doesn't look like you are. "Estella changed the topic to the one which she was more interested in.

"Even though diplomatic marriage was not built on romantic relationships, I believe that I have shown a fair amount of interest towards him. I'm sure you understand. If I don't have interest in him, I would make myself extra clear. "I picked up my teacup and took a sip of the milk tea which Ted prepared for us.

"Err, doesn't telling an unmarried man from Meala that you're already pregnant before you even marry him a clear rejection? In case you forget, that guy is from Meala and from their standards, it's the same as an unmarried man telling you that he already have a child before you marry him! "Estella rubbed her head as she couldn't understand me. As always.

"Oh sister, you are so naive. "I chuckled.

"Well, I apologize for not having a big brain like you. Don't forget that even till this day, I still couldn't understand why you decided to tell me that you're having a baby when you're hiding this even from mother! "Estella rolled her eyes as she responded sarcastically.

"Hmm, since you worked so hard in helping me keeping your little niece or nephew a secret, I'll be kind enough to explain to you once. Considered yourself blessed. "I teased as I stared at her amused.

When it comes to physical and strength, I lose to Estella in almost every single aspect. But, God made it fair and made me the polar opposite of her. Just like how she likes to bully me in strength, I like to bully her with the intelligence different between us.

Trust me, Estella was never the brightest one in this family.

"As you know, thanks to our little secret 'agreement', we sisters still can get along well despite that we are both competing for the throne. Using Meala as a lesson, I believe that you can see what could've happen if we didn't have that agreement since we both know what we are capable of. "I narrowed my gaze as I analyzed for her. Estella too dropped her usual goofy tone as she knew exactly what I am taking about.

Estella goes to war often. Killing people had become something that is natural to her. Even though I am not strong enough to lift a sword, Estella had seen the true extent of my capabilities, especially when it comes to pulling strings from the background and putting hidden blades from the shadows. If I have to turn against her one day, she won't even know where I'll strike even when she had dropped dead. After all, she knows that I was never a merciful saint, I too will kill in a heartbeat when I have to.

The only thing that prevented us from having each other by the neck was all because of the agreement we made to each other. This is an agreement that we made sure that no one knew about, not even our own mother to prevent any external violations towards our agreement. Estella initially had rather naïve thoughts about the agreement, she believed that it was simply an agreement between us and as long as we keep the promise, everything will work out accordingly. Therefore, she wasn't careful even when I specifically warned her about ensuring that no one but the two of us knew of it. As a result, a concubine of hers learned of it and I suffered a heavy loss.

That incident almost rip our sister bond apart and forfeit the agreement between us. If Estella didn't managed to show me her most sincerity and apology, I swear I would've pointed the sharp end of my blade towards her. That incident, was something that I could never forgive in my life.

However, thanks to that incident. Estella no longer question my words. She was obedient and follows my exact instructions. That's why I can keep the existence of my child for this long from mother.

Ted on the other hand was simply an accident, but we didn't mind him knowing about it due to his dedicated loyalty to Estella and his inability to speak. Hence, making him the only person who knew of my pregnancy other than Estella and Catherine.

Now, we simply add the Prince of Meala to that short list of mine.

"Throughout history, families of nobility had put a lot of attention towards descendants, especially the royal family as one person among those descendants will become the heir. In our case, the next Empress. By that incident, I believe you had learned first hand that human's greed knows no bounds. If any of those people were to find out that I am with child, what they will do to secure or possibly increase the power in which they have now? As a mother, I do not want my child to become chess pieces for power. Mother will not bring harm to her grandchild, but she has yet to make up her mind on a successor between us. As agreed, I compete with you fairly. I refuse to get an advantage because I already have a descendant." Letting out a sigh, I leaned back on my chair and told her my reasons.

"Hmm..... I understand where you are coming from. But, of all people, why the Meala Prince? And why now? "Estella scratched her head.

"As you know, I can't hide this child forever. The reason I let you know first is only because I valued and respected our agreement. And I know you're naïve enough to not know how to use this against me. "I gave her a smirk. She immediately caught on that I was mocking her.

"You little rascal. "Her brows twitched as she gritted her teeth in boiling rage. I giggled at her curses.

"Alright, jokes aside. The reason why I told him was because I want him to feel like he's in control. Just like the females in the Empire, I believe the proud Prince of Meala Kingdom will prefer if he had more control in making his own decisions. Besides, even if he ended up spreading the news, I can still handle the troubles that may arise. The nobles doesn't know, but mother and you knows exactly who is the father of this child. As vary and cautious I may be, I still trust my family bond enough to know that you'll help me protect this child of mine. "Touching on my abdomen, I gave my sister a look. She stared at me for awhile before she sighed.

"I'm not ruthless enough to touch a defenseless baby." She promised.

"I know you won't. As you know, I have too less people to have such faith in. That's why, I wanted to add more people whom I could trust to such extent. "

"And you find such confidence in that Prince? "

"More or less. Besides, even if he does end up betraying this trust of mine..... "I purposely did not finish my sentence and smirk at Estella. Estella looked confused but she didn't cut me off. Seeing that she didn't understand what I meant, I decided to give her a hint and glanced at the map she hung on the wall.

"I remember a certain sister of mine once complained that a certain country had been an eyesore when it comes to the Empire's army supply route. "I smiled as I stared at the route which Estella had previously drawn out on the map where the Meala Kingdom is seated directly in between the Femalia Empire and the Harsha Continent who is the main weapon armory supplier.

It took awhile but Estella eventually understood and she burst out laughing.

"You are indeed a crazy woman. "She stated in pure amusement. I merely giggled, a futile attempt to hide my ambition.

If Meala Kingdom dared to play tricks with me by using the Prince, I'll turn that piece of land into a possession of my proud Empire. Who would've thought that the princess had already been planning to conquer her potential spouse's country on the first day they met? I bet the Meala Kingdom had underestimated the full extent of the Empire's ambitions.

I was never their average princess.

Whether the Kingdom falls or prosperous, all lies in the hands of the Prince who they tried to hard to get rid of. Ironic, and yet.....

Something I wouldn't mind watching it unfold.