Heart of the Kingdom

A package came to Dulcia's residence that afternoon. From Aeneas, this time, it was sent officially by the Imperial Courier.

"Along this, the second prince, Prince Aeneas Seneca, is sending a necklace with the hope that Lady Selah Dulcia will wear it at the Tullia family's charity banquet later," said the courier. "Along with the necklace, Prince Aeneas Seneca enclosed a letter."

After receiving the letter, Selah replied, "I will accept all the gifts. Please convey my most sincere thanks to Prince Aeneas."

The courier left. Selah had time to catch the expression on his face that wondered.

Aeneas sending gifts to Selah so blatantly would indeed cause another stir. At this rate, by the time of the Tullia family's charity banquet, people would have reached a conclusion: Selah left Blair for Aeneas.

Well, that's exactly what they wanted.

"Bring the box to my room, Janette," Selah said. She looked at Jeremiah seriously. "I still have business with this butler."

Janette glanced one at a time fearfully at Selah and Jeremiah. "A-all right, My Lady. Excuse me."

"Speak up," Selah ordered Jeremiah.

"I don't need to say anything. You already know that I will tell this news to His Grace," said Jeremiah.

"Of course." Selah waved the letter from Aeneas. "You can also tell Father I will be coming to Baron Tullia's charity ball with Prince Aeneas."

"What makes you sure that the letter's contents are that?"

"Because we were playing behind Crown Prince Blair?"

"Don't you know what His Grace is capable of?"

"How could someone dare to touch Prince Aeneas? Father is not that stupid."

"You were never like this before, My Lady," sighed Jeremiah. "Even though you have always acted for good and upheld Dulcia's name. I thought… your life all this time was for this family."

"Even though you know how this family treats me." Selah smiled thinly. "Jeremiah, I'm done with this family," she said, then went to her room.

Luckily Jeremiah didn't give chase, so Selah could feel comfortable heading to her room.

But this was the first time Jeremiah was so worried about Duke Dulcia. Could something be going on? thought Selah. No. It could have been because Jeremiah was too loyal to Duke Dulcia.

Too bad his loyalty wasn't directed at Selah.

"Lady Selah." Janette greeted her as soon as Selah reached the door. "I have placed Prince Aeneas' gift as per your order."

"Come on in, Janette," Selah said. She immediately entered and sat in front of the gift box from Aeneas.

He said necklace, huh? thought Selah as she opened the box Aeneas had given her.

"Oh my gosh… This is it…" Janette said haltingly.

"He must be crazy," Selah muttered as she touched the necklace.

A pearl drop necklace with a ruby as a pendant. Heart of the Kingdom; again, a national treasure. This necklace was immediately made and presented by the first Baron Tullia to the kingdom when the Tullia Ruby Mine was discovered.

The most valuable jewelry because it is said that even the pearls were polished by the first Baron Tullia himself. Made with great care and sincerity as a form of gratitude for the first Baron Tullia for the peerage and the right to manage his own territory without the intervention of other nobles.

Selah had never cared about rare jewelry in circulation before. But if she did get this necklace and Aeneas told her to wear it, she must have meant something else.

"No wonder the courier didn't say what was in it…." muttered Janette.

"You seem pretty familiar with the situation," Selah said.

"Y-yes, My Lady. I won't tell anyone what's in it until you put it on yourself," Janette said quickly.

"Keep the necklace back. Later I will wear it at the ball later according to Prince Aeneas' wish," Selah told Janette.

While Janette goes to put away the necklace, Selah reads a letter from Aeneas.

[To Lady Selah Dulcia,

What do you think about the gifts I sent? I hope you like it.

Actually, I am writing this letter so you understand the necklace. Don't worry, I didn't steal the necklace. On my 14th birthday, His Majesty the King gifted it to me. I have attached proof of submission. I also attach evidence of the delivery of the necklace from me to you. One day, people will know that the Heart Of the Kingdom has returned.

Then, maybe you can already guess it. I will pick you up to go to Baron Tullia's charity ball. There is no need to worry about Blair coming as well; I will be bringing Sir Azel. Anyway, you just walk beside me.

I heard Duke Dulcia left the house and took some time off to rest at the family villa. So I think the charity ball will go smoothly. Don't overthink too much. Let's just enjoy the party.

Regards,

Aeneas Seneca.]

"It's so easy for him to talk like that," Selah commented, then started going through the paperwork for her new jewelry.

***

"There has been no sign of His Grace returning, My Lady. I also did not hear Mr. Jeremiah say anything about his return," reported Janette a few days later.

"Just prepare what I need for the ball, Janette. I asked Jeremiah to welcome Prince Aeneas later, but you should welcome him too.

"Me, too?"

"Just to show your face. So that you and His Highness' guardian knights become acquainted."

Selah caught Janette's shocked expression for a moment, but she ignored it. She thought that Janette was just scared.

"V-Very well, My Lady. Then I will call another maid to help you get ready."

The maids began to help Selah get ready. The preparations were extra this time because everyone in the residence already knew that "the new lady's boyfriend will come to pick her up". Even though Selah didn't ask them for any special preparations, she preferred to remain silent.

And knowing that Aeneas would come to fetch her, Selah could feel awkward when the maids dressed her up. A dress is ordered to match Blair, but Selah will wear it with Aeneas instead.

The awkwardness changed quickly as one of them prepared accessories for Selah.

"Don't just stare. Prince Aeneas is a punctual person," Selah admonished.

"F-forgive me, My Lady!"

All the preparations were finished just as Aeneas arrived.

"That necklace really suits you," said Aeneas as he greeted Selah alight.

All eyes were on them as Aeneas kissed Selah's hand.

Here it is, Selah's maiden feast with Aeneas.

She doesn't know what surprise Aeneas will make this time.