"My sword is one inch away from slicing your neck. My victory is one inch away, yet why can't I do it, Althea? What kind of spell have you cast on me to have me thinking about you all day?!"
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Byeol meets a tragic death at age nineteen...
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"Your Highness, welcome back. Did you have a pleasant time while shopping?"
I looked over my shoulder, to see my right-hand man standing at a distance in front of my desk. I put down the book I was checking on the shelf behind my desk, before sitting down.
"I was having a splendid time-" He cut me off before I could finish my sentence.
"Was? Did something happen?" I shot him a glare as he interrupted me.
"As I was saying, I was having a splendid time, until I came across her." I referred to the woman who was my biggest enemy, personally and politically, Althea.
"Is that so? I'm sorry you had to stumble upon her. But you must consider, Your Majesty, bringing her over to your side. You've seen what she can do." Oliver advised me, which was acknowledged with a scoff.
"Hell will freeze over before I make amends with that annoying woman. And get this, she acted like she didn't know me. If she wasn't the "blessing of the empire" she'd be dead by now."
Althea could make my blood boil with a single glance at her. Why is she the center of attention when she's not even of royal blood?
"I... see. More than that, Your Majesty, these are the reports of the council member's last investments." He handed me over some papers.
As expected, the investments made were just as I requested.
Marquis Ashford, Count Hayes, and so on by the less important nobles.
Asten. I hope that annoying man did as I told him.
"Why does it say here that Duke Asten invested in some land I did not approve of?" I raised an eyebrow, my eyes lifting from the paper to Oliver.
"Ah, I was informed to tell you that Duke Asten made the investment you instructed, that investment is a separate one made by... I'm guessing his daughter? It must've been a mistake that the investment Lady Althea made was on those papers. I apologize, your highness." Ugh. Can I not hear that name for a day? Or, better, for the rest of my life.
"What investment did she make?" I asked.
"I'm afraid you'll have to ask her, Your Highness."
"Ah, screw that, then. She can spend all her money on investments that have no chance of succeeding and end up on the streets, for all I care." My eyes dropped to my desk, full of papers I had to review.
"Anyway, you're dismissed."
"B-before I leave, Your Highness, have you chosen what you'll be wearing to the banquet? You're the host, you best wear something that makes it clear." Oliver said, his hand on the door's handle.
"Do you think I have the time to pick out something? You pick something out. Now leave."
"Don't complain if you don't like it." I shot him a glare.
