Fatima: The Slave Princess-Chapter 81 - 80

"I have come to formally request that my engagement to Princess Yurivera Eloise Von Alkaraz be dissolved, your majesties."

Having finally obtained the necessary power to stand beside the woman I truly love, I can no longer tolerate the constraints of this deceitful engagement.

"What is the meaning of this, Octave Kartier?" the emperor asked while caressing his beard.

His gaze alone was enough to send shivers down my spine, making me contemplate rescinding my words. I was not expecting his majesty to actually show up since I heard he was ill. Although... he looks to have undergone some sort of transformation, his improved physique suggesting a remarkable rejuvenation, making him appear healthier and more energetic than he has in a long time.

"This decision was made unanimously between Octave and I, your majesties." Princess Yurivera expressed nonchalantly as she stepped forward with an elegant bow.

"And the reason is quite simple-I refuse to marry a man I do not and will never come to love in the future. Therefore, I ask that you please consider..."

To my considerable surprise, she readily consented to the plan upon our private discussion. Initially, I harbored doubts about her sincerity, but her words now resonate with genuine conviction. Although the primary purpose of our betrothal was to secure the alliance between my mother and the empress, it remained, in spite of its origins, an actual engagement. However, the princess and I have always maintained a formal distance from the very day of our engagement ceremony to exchanging only polite nods and carefully measured words everywhere else. In the end, the two of us are just perfect strangers bound by the strings of filial duty towards our parents.

"That being said, I have decided to pursue the man I truly love. I hope to gain your full support, your majesties."

"Princess Yurivera!" exclaimed the empress, a vein throbbing in her temple, as though her daughter had pushed a certain button with her last remark.

There is not a soul in high society who isn't aware of princess Yurivera's madness. While the origins of her strangely twisted obsession with the crown prince remain a mystery, her affections for him are always incredibly obvious and unconcealed. Consequently, she often finds herself at odds with my sister, whose obsessive infatuation with the same man often leads to bitter confrontations.

"Even if I can't be his consort, I'll do my utmost best to become his first concubine at the very least. Oh! To bear his child one day!"

A crimson blush spread across Princess Yurivera's face as she squirmed and squealed with uncontainable excitement, her high-pitched giggle bouncing off the ornate walls of the room. Her eyes, shining with uncontainable love and adoration, seemed to radiate a nearly visible shower of tiny, bursting hearts. However, the emperor's expression contorted with anger as he shot a fierce look at his daughter, while the empress, on the other hand, was audibly sighing and massaging her temples in exasperation.

"I can clearly see what you have been subjected to all this while, Octave Kartier. Very well...I shall allow the dissolution of your engagement effective immediately. I will also make amends for the trouble the princess has caused you and provide suitable recompense."

"I express my sincere gratitude for your generosity; however, your majesty's permission alone will suffice."

"Very well. Ahem! From this moment forth, I declare the engagement of Octave Kartier and Princess Yurivera annulled." the emperor decreed, as his staff diligently recorded the pronouncement.

"I concur with his majesty's decision. The imperial family extends our profound regret for having imposed such a cumbersome charge on you for so long. If you change your mind regarding the compensation, do let us know."

It's a pity to see such an eligible bachelor go unmarried. Since I had been discreetly observing him, I enthusiastically embraced the duchess's proposal when she finally brought it up, hoping something would eventually kindle between the two. Although he was not the primary heir to the dukedom, being the second son, he still dedicated himself to his pursuits with the same diligence as his elder brother. He possesses a remarkable aptitude, excelling in both the theoretical intricacies of academics and the hands-on application of practical skills; his mastery is evident in all he undertakes. The current duke Kartier sings his praise at nearly every social gathering as one of the most outstanding diplomat his generation has ever seen. I can't let such a rare gem fall into the wrong hands.

"Words aren't enough to express my profound gratitude towards your majesties' benevolence in resolving this matter. I thank you both from the bottom of my heart." He bowed respectfully before heading to the door.

"Lock the princess in her room until I give my orders."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Mother, father, don't you think I'm too old for such outdated discipline methods?" she said as she halted in her steps, squirming from the guards' firm grasp.

"Honestly! Who, in today's society, still believes in isolating their children as a form of discipline for misbehavior?"

Why this little...

"Get her out of our sight immediately!"

"Father, I know you don't mean it. You love me, don't you? Haha! And since you do love me, I will forgive you!"

"I love you too, your majesty! Hehe!"

"And you, Mother... I'm still thinking about if I should love you...or not!" she giggled playfully, sticking her tongue out in my direction.

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"Your majesty this is no laughing matter. I truly believe our daughter isn't quite right in the head. I hope you do not cave in to her whims this time around."

"Ahem! The princess must be going through her...adolescent phase for the time being. Don't attach too much meaning to her behavior."

She's still as adorable as ever.

"She must learn how to reflect on her actions for once, your majesty. And you also must go back to your chamber lest you start feeling dizzy again. Just a few days ago-"

"Alright! Alright! Enough with the incessant nagging, dear. I shall do as you say."

"A wise choice, your majesty!"

+++

"Count Dietrich is here to see you, your grace." announced a maid from behind the door.

"Let him in."

I was hoping to spend the day lazing around since I've been feeling unwell lately, but it looks like he's here to worsen my condition. From the expression on his pallid face, I assume there's trouble.

"S-sister...I um..."

"Get on with it already. If you're here for money again, you can kindly guide yourself out of this tearoom and never return." I grumbled, angrily tossing the magazine on the coffee table.

"T-that's not it, Gwen."

With a dramatic sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the world, he threw himself onto the sofa, his body slumping as if crushed under an immense burden.

"There may be trouble..."

As I thought.

"Explain."

"The woman disappeared, along with her entire family."

"What?!"

"Their house was empty when my men got there. Seeing how things are currently quiet in the imperial palace, she must have not divulged the truth and somehow managed to weasel her way out of his highness' grasp."

"How can you let this happen, Dietrich? You promised me you'd handle her and what? She disappeared right under your nose?"

"Calm down Gwen. Release my collar so we can talk peacefully."

Her grip is still as strong as ever. I think I should probably refrain from disclosing the details of how I managed to silence that woman; it will certainly not bode well with her.

"Answer me! What have you done, Dietrich?" she yelled and shoved me on the couch.

Her excessively tight grip caused my shirt and coat to become significantly creased and rumpled. And the knot of my cravat came undone, the fabric falling loosely around my neck.

"Relax, Gwen." A sigh escaped my lips as I fumbled my cravat, attempting to return it to its pristine state.

"I told you before, did I not? I've taken measures to cover our tracks just in case something like this occurs."

She let out a heavy sigh, the sound a weary puff of air, and settled back into her seat after my explanation. While her anger now seems less intense, it may not be completely gone. Phew! I almost thought I wouldn't make it out of here unscathed.

"What basis do you have for asserting that she did not divulge information to the crown prince? She was dragged off to Valodum, of all places."

It's probably best to tell her now before she finds out some other way.

~A few moments later

"You shameless coward! How dare you use my daughter as a shield?"

The room was in disarray, with teacups and flowerpots scattered like windblown petals. I am ever so thankful for her poor aim in times like these, otherwise I'd be bleeding to death by now. If this continues, the head of the household will undoubtedly soon make an appearance, which will likely not be pleasant for us both.

"Get back here! You spineless scoundrel!" she hurled, flinging yet another teacup in my direction.

"What is the meaning of this ruckus?!" shouted the duchess, standing in the doorway.

"Whoa! It's a smashing party!"

"Stand back, Cadhiel! It's danger-"

The sight of his grandmother throwing tableware like a child his age mesmerized the boy as he gaped at her, oblivious to the fact that this tearoom is equivalent to a war zone where incidents are inevitable. My first reaction was to run toward him to shield him from harm, but unfortunately, the saucer reached his forehead first.

"CADHIEL!"