Unpleasant, but expected, news greeted the couple when they arrived at the castle. A black flag was hung to announce the death of the Duke of Lonensia.
Lucretius said publicly, “Cornelius was one of the most important members of this kingdom, and I am deeply saddened by his passing.”
The emperor ordered the royal colonel to attend the funeral in his place. Cransian rules dictated that the royal members could not attend weddings and funerals other than those from direct family members. Therefore, personally sending the royal colonel to the funeral was the most respect an emperor could show to the ex-chancellor.
The new Duke of Lonensia looked pale and thin as he greeted the royal colonel. Standing beside her husband was the new Duchess Lonensia, Norma des Lonensia, who was wearing a black veil of mourning.
This kingdom was named Cransia and the royal family name was also Cransia. This was possible only because the current royal family was the direct descendant of the original Cransians. In the kingdom, it was rare for the noble families to have their titles and their family names match. One rare example was the Lonensian family, and it was because they were once a royal family of Lonensia before the birth of Cransia.
A long time ago, the Lonensia family ruled the kingdom of Lonensia. Over time, after Cransia was born and ruled the area, only five families were allowed to keep their original names. Now, there were only three left and one of them was the Lonensians.
This was why the Duke of Lonensia was one of the most powerful men in the kingdom. Everyone knew that the real mastermind behind this family was now his wife, the Duchess of Lonensia.
***
“I would like to show you my gratitude for your and his highness’ generosity.”
Duchess Lonensia was still in her mourning clothes, but she returned to her social life only a week after the funeral. The first person she visited was the empress.
Bina smiled smoothly and replied, “You’re welcome. It was only right to show our respect for such a great man who has done so much for his highness.”
“My husband and I are both grateful.”
Bina smiled and offered the duchess tea and snacks.
The empress and the duchess were the two most powerful women in the kingdom. Duchess Lonensia helped Bina greatly when she was still only the first wife, so officially, the two women were in a very friendly relationship.
After a long mundane chat, Norma asked, “I heard that the princess is suffering from a cold after the recent trip?”
Bina couldn’t help but look a bit upset. It was only a common cold, but as a mother, she felt worried for her child.
“She is still very young, and the carriage ride must have been too much. She is recovering nicely now. Lowson told me that she will be up and about in a few days.”
“I’m glad to hear it. If her highness resembles your highness and the emperor, I’m sure she is strong and healthy.”
“Thank you for your concern, Duchess.”
After a brief silence, Duchess Lonensia asked, “So the princess is turning three soon, am I correct?”
“Yes. Time flies.”
“Is there… any good news with you, your highness? I think her highness would love to have a little brother or sister.”
Bina’s smile cracked just a little. “… Unfortunately, it’s not something that can be forced, so we are waiting patiently.”
In truth, Lucretius was afraid to have another child. Seeing how hard it was for Bina to go through the pregnancy and the labor was such a traumatic event for him.
At this point, it was Bina who wanted to have another child since she was worried Beatrice might get lonely. Bina also knew that having another child would make them appear stronger as the royal family.
The duchess continued, “Princess Liliana had her son two years ago.”
“Cullen is such a cute boy.”
Bina tried to change the subject, but the duchess wouldn’t budge.
She added firmly, “I understand that after the birth of Princess Beatrice, Princess Liliana lost her position to the throne, but Princess Beatrice is still so young and having only one heir creates too much uncertainty. Even when Princess Beatrice becomes an adult, there will always be dangers around concerning Princess Liliana’s son.”
It was true; Lucretius and Bina were well aware of this.
A female ruler had never existed in Cransian history.
The legitimacy of the direct female heir versus the male child of the legitimate royal princess. This could become tricky.
Both Clodys and Liliana were worried. Liliana, especially, was so fearful that after she had her son, she barely left her home.
Bina remembered Liliana’s tears after she gave birth to her son.
“If it was a girl, then I would have felt safer…”
Bina had to spend a lot of time to try to console Liliana.
It didn’t matter whether Bina and Lucretius had another child or not. No matter what, they would make sure that they would never include Cullen in royal affairs. It would be a lie if they said this was because they cared about Liliana; it was because Bina and Lucretius would never give away what was rightfully their child’s birthright.
Bina smiled awkwardly and said to the duchess, “Thank you for your thoughtful advice.”
Bina wondered what the duchess’ true intention was. Either she was genuinely worried about the future of this kingdom, or she was after something else. Bina needed to know what she wanted, so she could decide what to do about it.
‘I suppose the result won’t change no matter what anyway…’
Bina smiled secretly as she took a sip of her tea.
The duchess continued with a genuine expression, “The best thing would be for your highness to bear a male heir. I would love to believe it will happen, but…”
So her true intention was coming out.
Bina listened carefully as Norma added, “The likelihood of your highness alone bearing enough children to strengthen this royal line is very slim.”
‘I knew it…’
This was exactly what Bina suspected.
Norma said to her, “And there is an issue of various colonies and kingdoms sending women to become the emperor’s concubines, which will happen soon. In three to four years, the royal harem will be full.”
Bina was a bit disappointed at how obvious the duchess was behaving.
However, she was telling the truth. Once the empress and the emperor had an established marriage, it was a common practice for many women to be selected for the wife and concubine positions.
Everyone, including the duchess, expected this to happen soon, but there was one thing people didn’t know.
Their current empress was different than any other empresses in the history of Cransia!
Bina played a classy and obedient wife as she replied, “I have said this exact same thing to his highness.”
“Ohhh, I’m glad…”
“But his highness didn’t want to hear about it.”
“This has to happen, and this WILL happen. It is an old and honored tradition to accept noble ladies from different colonies. It is necessary for political reasons as well. You, as the empress, will have to rule the entire harem with an iron fist. It won’t be easy as there will be many of them and they will be from powerful families. Unfortunately, your highness… doesn’t have your own family to help you.”
Finally, the duchess was about to make her point.
“So you need to make sure to get a first wife from a strong family as soon as possible. Someone who is on your side who can help you.”
Bina smiled broadly. “… Well, it isn’t something I can decide on my own. I will have to get approval from his highness.”
The duchess smiled firmly and replied, “Of course, but your highness… The affairs of wives and concubines are entirely your rights and responsibilities. Even if his highness’ love for you is so great and wants no other woman, your highness needs to insist on continuing this tradition. This is for the greater good of the kingdom.”
Bina’s face crumpled. This woman had the audacity to try to bully the empress. Bina loudly snapped her fan to close it.
“Duchess.”
At her sharp tone, Duchess Lonensia bowed respectfully and replied, “… Yes, your highness.”
“As you just said, it is my right as the empress of this kingdom. You may have a good intention, but don’t you think you have gone too far just now?”
The duchess bowed deeply. “I misspoke, your highness. Please forgive me.”
It was too late. The duchess made it clearly known what she wanted, and they both knew she wouldn’t give up easily.
Bina answered at the end, “… Alright.”
Bina opened her fan again and hid her snarl.
