18| 'Loving'In-laws III

The tempting smile on Rebecca's lips stretched wider, watching the faces of the supposed in-laws, who were supposed to be Sylteena's only family.

A dark chuckle erupted from her chest.

"Very well then."

Their eyes dilated to the pending joy of their confirmed plans.

"But!" Her Majesty raised a finger, "For this plan of yours to be successful, it would be best my son, Anthony, knows nothing of it."

George's expression immediately scrunched at her words. "I do not understand, Your Majesty... If His Highness is unaware of this plan, how exactly do you—"

"Leave the worries for His Highness' actions to us. We just need the relevant information on Sylteena's character and her mindset to put the plan into action." Prince Wilhelm interrupted.

With the couple sharing a glance for a moment and back, they then nodded.

Genevieve then took over, "Regarding Sylteena's character, there isn't much that needs to be said."

They remained silent as they listened.

"She is a timid obedient child. Straightforward and too afraid to step out of line and easily controlled with the right amount of... Discipline."

"Sounds like you just described a traumatized victim to me," a snicker escaped Wilhelm's lips before subtly bowing at the frowning couple. "Apologies..."

"That is not any of our concern," Rebecca dismissed Wilhelm's words with a wave of her hand. "What we should focus on, is how exactly do we get Anthony and Sylteena close enough for him to want to get between her legs... Because the only way your scheme will be successful is if Sylteena and Anthony get intimate. Even if it's just once."

Wilhelm nodded, "True. Because lying on such can never fool the Phoenix and adviser."

George cleared his throat softly, "We were thinking maybe drugging the both of them—"

"I will not have my first child ingest any sort of poison or drug!" Rebecca's brows knitted into a frown. "Maybe your niece, no problem, but my child is not some toy to be manipulated as such!"

The two immediately lowered their heads. "Yes, of course, Your Majesty. We apologize for our careless words."

Rebecca tutted.

With a few minutes of silence drawing within the charged air between them, Prince Wilhelm suddenly asked, "What are Sylteena's hobbies or talents?"

The Duke and Duchess shared a glance before looking down in thoughts.

"Hobbies?" George called in a doubtful tone. "We never knew her to have any extra—"

"Wait!" Genevieve leaned forward. "There is one thing Sylteena has been good at since she was a child aside from hard labor."

The queen and prince crooked a brow.

"... Something her father had always bragged most about when she was still a toddler."

On hearing the words that left the Duchess' lips afterward, Wilhelm's smirk grew wider. "Well then," he raised his arms to cross over his chest. "I think I have an idea."

• • •

The next morning...

The warm rays of the morning sun peeked through the velvet curtains of the royal Prince's chamber, with Sylteena still huddled in the short-length cushion and her neck arched in an uncomfortable position.

"For someone who slaved at Elfedon Duke's mansion, you sure can sleep in."

Sylteena's eyes snapped open at the stranger's voice above her, jerking off from her lying position.

Her widened eyes locked with the ember green orbs that gazed down at her. Prince Wilhelm smiled softly as he crooked his head. "Good morning, Sister-in-law."

As if on instinct, Sylteena's body darted off the couch as she dropped her head to a bow. "Your Highness!" She pushed her head lower, cringing silently at the aching sensation in her neck due to the poor posture she slept in. "Good morning, Your Highness..." Her voice was still groggily and hoarse.

Watching her with a warm glint in his eyes, Wilhelm waved a dismissive hand. "No need for the formality. After all, you are my Sister-in-law."

Sylteena's puzzled gaze raised to fall on his face, slightly taken aback by how causal he said that.

As if it wasn't his brother who treated her like an infesting pest and his mother looked at her like a plaguing vermin to their family's peace.

Sylteena's gaze fell back to his feet in respect and submission; failing to notice the tug of the edge of Wilhelm's lips at her meek demeanor.

Wilhelm then cleared his throat before speaking, "Anyways, do well to freshen up quickly so that we can be done before breakfast."

"Done?" Her brows were crooked. "Pardon me for asking, Your Highness, but... Done with what?"

"With your tour round the palace."

Sylteena's eyes widened.

And to her greatest amazement, Prince Wilhelm went as far as ordering maids to attend to her morning routine with haste, before taking her along to set off on the unexpected tour of all the compartments of the gigantic royal palace building. Even though her mind was far too wrinkled in fear of a catch behind the second prince's odd gesture of kindness, she couldn't help but take note of the mesmerizing details of the royal castle and its history in every room they stepped in.

Prince Wilhelm seemed calm and cheered as he spoke on and on throughout their exhibition, seeming not an ounce of indifference around her or a sign of hostility like the rest of his family.

Until they finally reached the grand library room...

Sylteena's eyes widened in awe of the enormous surrounding of shelves — filled with endless rolls of books and scrolls, she took a moment to pause in the center of the library as Wilhelm stepped forward with his hands held behind; Sylteena continued to gaze around the bibliophilic environment.

"Why did you bring that thing here?" The cold words of the man she was forced to marry, Prince Anthony, pierced through the air.

Both Sylteena and Wilhelm turned in the direction between a set of shelves.

Wilhelm smiled. "Good morning, Broth—"

"Take it out," his words came out stern with a darkened look in his blue eyes as his brows knitted.

Ignoring Sylteena's being complete, Anthony added, "Now!"

"Oh my dear Brother, could you be any more cruel? Even the status as 'your wife' can not spare her of your wickedness."

Anthony's blue eyes gauged his figure twice as a tut escaped his lips. Looking away to resume scanning the shelf before him with an open book in his hand, he then said. "I have a lot on my hands at the moment, Wilhelm. Just take it out."

The fact that he was consistent with degrading her existence to an 'it', caused Sylteena a different kind of sting in her chest.

It was bad enough being forced to marry a man who saw her lower than an insect, but his persistence in belittling her on just the second day of their meeting was one to applaud in pain.

But obviously, Wilhelm paid no mind to his brother's instructions as he then turned to Sylteena. "You may make yourself comfortable, Sister-in-law," he waved at the round library table just feet away.

Conflicted by whose words to pay heed to, Sylteena gulped softly before dragging her feet towards the table. Just before pulling out a seat, Anthony voiced, "I do not want to repeat myself, Wilhelm." He shut the book in his hand. "Get out now, both of you!"

At least he didn't call her an 'it' again; Sylteena's expression remained neutral with her gaze fixed on the floor.

Wilhelm snickered, "Mother's instructions, Brother. Spend the morning with your wife," he slowly turned towards the door, gesturing to Sylteena to sit.

She obeyed.

Anthony hissed, "I said both of you get out! Now!"

Blankly ignoring his older brother's words as he strode for the doors, Wilhelm waved and added, "Make sure you both come down for breakfast."

And just like that, Wilhelm left the two most unhappy people in the palace in one room.

With Prince Anthony still stranded in the spot where he was standing, Sylteena's tired eyes continued to scrutinize the table desk before her, subtly waiting for the prince's ruthless command, asking her out with immediate effect.

Anthony finally let out a sigh before turning to face the shelf. He opened the book in his palm.

Sylteena blinked twice. He wasn't going to kick her out?

Observing her crowned prince of a husband roam around the shelf and others, she watched him finally pick up a few books along with a document folder before making his way to the round table she was seated on, sitting on the opposite side.

Still bothered by how he acclimatized without any hostility to her stay, Sylteena only watched him set the books down before going through them in a somewhat uneased manner.

His haste to flip through became more obvious of irritation and impatience as he skimmed through the pages. The stoic expression on his started to mold into a frown as he then raised one of the textbooks in his hand.

And in that moment, Sylteena's eyes caught a glimpse of the title of the book's cover. Her brows arched high.

An Economics textbook!?