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Chapter 15
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Welcome, Clovis.”
Anastasia rose from her seat with a bright smile.
The man with the long silver hair tied behind his back respectfully kissed the back of her hand.
It was Clovis Irvin Pretium, the eldest son of the Duke of Pretium.
From his shining hair to his luxurious clothing, everything about him radiated aristocratic elegance.
After inviting him to sit, Anastasia curled her lips into a smile.
“We’ve only exchanged letters lately. It feels like it’s been a long time since we’ve met in person.”
Clovis flinched slightly and lowered his head.
“I should have visited more often. My apologies.”
“But your business has been doing so well. How could I possibly blame you? We’re in the same boat, after all.”
“That’s only because Your Highness has been such a reliable supporter.”
His narrow, snake-like eyes curved pleasantly.
“I’ve prepared a small gift to express my gratitude.”
“Why don’t we have some tea first? You came all the way from your territory and haven’t even had a chance to rest.”
Anastasia flicked a finger.
A maid standing rigidly against the wall with a silver tray carefully approached.
“…!”
At that moment, the nervous maid’s hand slipped while pouring the tea.
Red tea spilled across the table.
Startled, the maid immediately bowed deeply.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness! I—”
Splash!
Before she could finish speaking—
“AAAAH!”
Anastasia hurled the scalding tea directly into the maid’s face.
The maid clutched her face and screamed in agony.
Tea dripped from her reddened skin onto the floor.
“Oh, be quiet. How uncultured…”
Anastasia frowned as she set the teacup down with a sharp clack.
“Take her away.”
At Anastasia’s command, attendants rushed forward and roughly dragged the crying maid out.
“…”
Clovis’s face stiffened at the sudden scene.
‘The tea was hot enough to be steaming, and she threw it right into her face…’
The cruelty hidden behind that beautiful face.
Even though he knew Anastasia’s nature well, a chill still ran down his spine.
However, he quickly forced a smile.
“Training servants truly isn’t easy.”
“Exactly. They’re incompetent, lazy, and useless. If you let creatures like that off once, they’ll start forgetting their place.”
“I hope this helps improve your mood, at least a little.”
Clovis lifted a bundle he had placed beside him and set it on the table.
“This contains some newly acquired information. I’m sure you’ll find it quite useful.”
“Really?”
Anastasia tilted her head.
“That package seems rather large for mere information.”
Clovis lowered his voice conspiratorially.
“Of course, I included a small token of appreciation as well. I guarantee you’ll like it.”
“Oh my.”
Anastasia covered her mouth and laughed brightly.
“How can I not cherish you when you’re like this? I don’t know how I should reward you.”
“Your happiness is my happiness, Princess.”
Placing a fist against his chest, Clovis bowed politely.
Anastasia’s lips curved upward as she leaned across the table.
“By the way, I haven’t seen your younger brother around lately. Is something wrong?”
“He’s probably drinking somewhere with a nice view. He’s always lived carelessly.”
“Hm.”
Anastasia tilted her head meaningfully.
“Soon I’ll be formally recognized before the public as the official heir. And after that, I’ll need to choose a suitable marriage partner.”
She continued.
“I met several princes as Father suggested, but none of them impressed me.”
“Finding a spouse worthy of Your Highness could hardly be easy. They would need to be flawless in every way.”
Anastasia shook her head.
“Not really. I don’t expect much from my husband. As long as he’s pleasant to look at and obedient, that’s enough.”
Her smile widened.
“And it would be even better if he came with a powerful family backing him.”
Clovis studied her expression in silence.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
“Could it be that Your Highness means… Lawrence?”
“That’s right.”
Anastasia grinned.
Lightly brushing the package before her with her fingertips, she said,
“I think that should be sufficient compensation for your gift, don’t you?”
* * *
“Well, well. The day has finally come when my dear brother is looking for me first.”
A man with curly silver hair ruffled it casually as he strode across the room.
“I nearly had a heart attack thinking Father had died.”
“Watch your tongue, Lawrence. You’re already of marriageable age. It’s about time you started acting like an adult.”
Clovis frowned deeply.
The boy was hopeless.
Clovis Irvin Pretium and Lawrence Evan Pretium.
Like all members of House Pretium, both possessed silver hair and blue eyes.
Yet objectively, the two brothers looked very little alike.
Which was only natural.
They were half-brothers.
Clovis was born to the duke’s deceased first wife, while Lawrence was born to the current duchess.
Lawrence had inherited his mother’s delicate and beautiful features almost perfectly.
Known throughout the kingdom as “the most beautiful man in the kingdom,” he attracted attention wherever he went.
And unlike Clovis, he thoroughly enjoyed that attention.
‘Still, that pretty face finally has some use.’
Clovis had known for some time that Princess Anastasia was interested in Lawrence.
But he had never imagined she intended to marry him.
If Lawrence became the princess’s husband, neither Delrn nor Heizen would be able to challenge Pretium anymore.
Protected by Queen Anastasia’s favor, their businesses would flourish endlessly.
And Clovis himself would gain power rivaling that of the king.
A faint smile crossed his lips as he indulged in the fantasy.
“I called you here because a marriage proposal has arrived for you.”
“A marriage proposal?”
Lawrence’s expression immediately became disinterested.
He waved one hand dismissively.
“No thanks. I like my current life—free and unrestricted.”
“Even if it’s a proposal from the royal family?”
Lawrence froze.
The unexpected words made him look up.
As if expecting exactly that reaction, Clovis smirked.
“Princess Anastasia has taken an interest in you.”
He continued,
“It’s an offer far beyond what you deserve. Consider it an honor and prepare yourself properly.”
Heh.
Lawrence’s lips twisted crookedly.
“Isn’t this really good news only for you, brother?”
“What?”
“Everyone knows you’re close with Princess Anastasia.”
Lawrence scoffed.
“Just because I spend my time wandering around doesn’t mean I’m some fool who knows nothing.”
Clovis’s expression darkened.
“You’ve spent your whole life enjoying luxury thanks to the Pretium name. It’s about time you became useful to the family.”
His voice turned cold.
“Those who aren’t useful eventually get discarded.”
“…”
The veins on the back of Lawrence’s hand bulged.
He knew it wasn’t an empty threat.
Once their bedridden father died, the vast Pretium inheritance would pass to Clovis as the eldest son.
It was unfair and infuriating.
But that was the law.
A Clovis with even greater power would have no trouble making Lawrence’s life miserable.
He might even snatch away every last scrap that fell into Lawrence’s hands.
Thud.
A pristine white envelope bearing the royal seal was tossed onto the table before him.
“How fortunate that you’re not the fool you claim not to be.”
Clovis stared directly into Lawrence’s eyes.
“Then you understand what it means to refuse a royal command.”
His warning was unmistakable.
“Do not disgrace the family name.”
A cold smile appeared on his face.
“It will be in your own best interest.”
