Chronicles of the Forbidden Jewels

“I heard you gave Thyra some toys,” the second prince sighed, yet his expression amused. “I wasn’t expecting you to allow it. You, of all people.”

“I see you had the luxury of time to dig up things that only a few servants know,” I commented. “Isn’t there anything else productive you can do? The fate of those 'toys' had been decided before I gave them to her. Let her be.”

“I only asked some servants where Thyra is, and that’s the information I gathered. I’m here because there are things to settle between us. I don’t think it’s forbidden for me to know where my fiancée is. To think that she’s practicing her abilities and new power with them as an experiment, she must be having a good time now.”

At first, I thought it would be dangerous to let her practice with those eight convicts on death row, but when I saw her ‘play’ with them a few hours ago, I’m certain that by this time, the training grounds will have blood everywhere. Maybe I should take a look.

“If you’re curious, then let’s see her in the training grounds together.” The second prince nodded without an ounce of hesitation and followed me as I led him there.

The air felt colder as we got closer to the training grounds. An hour should be enough for her to finish ‘playing’ with them.

Thyra sat on the ground, gasping for air. Her breath rises and falls out of the exhaustion the 'game' has caused. The sword lay next to her hand, and eight dead bodies of men were scattered on different spots of the training grounds – two of the bodies still being roasted in her fire.

"Thyra!" called the second prince, rushing down the stairs into the training grounds.

It’s strange how his voice sounded worried. Am I reading much into it? There’s no way he’ll be worried about someone who almost tried to kill him.

Not only did Thyra orchestrated the massacre of all the second prince's knights by inciting them to turn against each other but also toyed with him through her deceitful tactics. She couldn’t have done all those without using the crown prince’s power running in her veins.

Still, it doesn’t change the fact that it was a complete humiliation for Hervouet – the arrogant second prince, bested by a woman, tarnishing his pride.

This is all just a show – nothing more, nothing less. It's impossible not to have ulterior motives. The entire thought of them getting married is fake from all angles.

“Grand duke, please call the physician. Thyra’s arm and leg are bleeding.” He pleaded while carrying Thyra in his arms.

Did he really utter the word 'please,' or am I imagining things? It's unlike this egoistic man to display politeness. Until now, that is.

“There’s no need to panic. Those wounds aren’t fatal. She’s not a wimp like you think,” I responded, and the prince shot me a glare, as if angry at the coldness of my voice. “Let’s head back.”

“Raleigh’s right. My wounds aren’t fatal. I’ll be fine, I can walk. Put me down.” Thyra tried to push the prince’s chest for him to let her go, but she didn’t have enough strength to give him a decent push.

"Don't be stubborn now. This isn't the first time I've seen you in a bad state. It feels like déjà vu because you looked similar from the time we first met. Except that last time was worse since you were at death’s door.”

As we entered the castle's annex, they continued to argue loudly. Although it was brief, it's clear that this will persist even after they marry.

I can’t let Thyra leave my duchy without asking her why. I may be against her decision, but she must have a reason. What's clear is, she wouldn't risk this if it's not meant for her benefit. She can’t possibly do something stupid for the sake of being a part of the imperial family.

I guided Thyra and the second prince to a guest room instead of her own. Initially, she appeared surprised, but soon grasped the intention behind my decision – to prevent the second prince from encountering the unconscious crown prince.

The physician arrived, and I observed as she tended to her wounds. Once the physician completed her work, I instructed her to leave the room.

“I believe we all have to talk. Together. Later, I have to talk to Thyra alone. If you don’t mind that is.” I settled on the couch, each of us occupying separate spots with a table dividing us into distinct sections.

The second prince displayed a look of annoyance, seemingly exasperated by my opposition.

However, I will persist until everything is clarified.

I shifted my gaze to the second prince, and he raised an eyebrow at my gesture. “Well? Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Don’t you think you have to explain your plans? I want to know why this marriage should happen. I'm against it because I know you two aren't on good terms, so the entire idea is absurd. I want to understand things. Don’t we all?”

“I’ll have Thyra adopted by a viscount whose wealth is going down the drain. I’ll offer him to pay all his debts in exchange for adopting her. That’s because I can’t marry her as the princess of Eurhyia. She needs to appear as a noble from a humble house so that people would buy the story.”

I shifted my gaze to Thyra. “Are you aware of this?”

“No, but I’m sure that this is a marriage of convenience where both of us will use each other as a tool to achieve our goals.” Thyra’s expression was blank, and even though she didn’t show any hint of emotion, I knew that she’s not happy about this either.

“Of course, you know. You’re a smart woman. The reason why I chose you is because people in high society already have rumors about you. Because as you remember, you were sitting next to me during Azriel’s wedding. Some are assuming that you received too much favor to the point that even the former empress let you sit next to her. It led to the conclusion that you’re the chosen candidate for my marriage, except that it wasn’t announced to the public.”

“… and?” Thyra gave him a sharp look as if she was willing to stab the prince if he'd say something outrageous. She should've known by now that it wasn't likely for him to tell her everything. They have secrets of their own.

“… with you as my wife, my bastard sister won’t be suspicious of me snatching away her throne. It’s forbidden for royals to marry a non-red diamond Izavene if they're interested in having a high position. The empire would think that I married you because of love and not because I want to have power over society.”

Bastard sister? Does he hate Eviona that much for him to address her that? His words sparked curiosity in my mind as the discussion went on, but at the same time, it felt like it was something I was not supposed to know.

I don't really care about knowing about Eviona's life. But if the second prince openly shares his plans with me, he'll expect my support. That's just how high society functions – nobles give to receive.

I have a hunch about what he'll ask of me.

“Then Thyra, why did you agree with this, knowing that he’ll be using you as a tool for him to become emperor?”

Thyra’s lips curved up into a smile upon hearing my question as if it was the first amusing thing she heard in a while. But instead of being relieved seeing her smile for the first time after being freed from the Rhinecrest, her expression made my skin crawl.

“Because I have nothing to lose, as I have already lost everything,” technically speaking, she’s right.

The citizens of her kingdom wanted her dead. Though her title as the princess wasn’t stripped off, but a title is useless if everyone wants you gone.

She failed to kill her enemy because she fell in love with him. The tragic part was seeing him married to someone else.

Which is why the overconfidence in her words makes it feel like something’s off. She must have a card hidden in her sleeves as always.

“I think that’s all I have to know,” I concluded, and the prince rose to his feet, knowing what I wanted to happen. “Well then, I’ll see myself out.”

Thyra watched the prince walk out of the room, and deafening silence followed after the door closed.

“To tell you the truth, Azriel is the only person I can lose. What’s funny is, he’s not even mine to begin with. I’m not aiming for anything grand, and my ambitions aren’t selfish unlike before,” her facial expression fell, and her blank expression darkened, and hope left her eyes.

They say that the eyes are the mirror of someone’s soul, and seeing her like this was enough to make me find out what she’s been hiding from within.

“The only thing that matters to me now is for him to get his life back. He can take it as me returning the favor because he saved me. I desire nothing more than that. Taking a risk by marrying Hervouet is the last card I have. He’ll be my door to get into the palace and ask the former empress about how to save Azriel before it’s too late. It's the only method I can think of to communicate with her because according to Azriel, she’s in a bad health condition and is bedridden. I don’t know where her room is, so it’ll be too risky to infiltrate the palace alone. I’m not going to be Hervouet’s ally, but I’ll follow the late empress’ orders because she knows what to do to help Azriel. Moreover, I have a feeling that the key to wake him up is somewhere in the palace.”

She released a deep sigh, shutting her eyes to contemplate the gravity of her daring schemes. I wish I had an alternative, but I can't envision any other resolutions to address the unconscious prince's predicament besides confronting the issue head-on.

Thyra once mentioned that the information regarding the Rhinecrest is limited, and even the red diamond Izavenes who are the highest in society aren't even aware of its existence.

The former empress is her only hope. But, is there a possibility that an outsider knows about the secrets of the imperial family? Her plans feel nothing more than entering the lion’s den.

“Azriel told me that Eviona knows about the Rhinecrest well. So, she might be useful to me. I’m not sure how without meeting her, because I have to delve into my opponent's mind and find her weak point, and it would be better if defeating her won’t be mine to accomplish. Because I admit that I always play dirty, just like how I finished Hervouet’s men without lifting a finger.”

Very strategic and honest. If I were an Izavene like her, having innate powers would indeed be advantageous. The greater the power an individual possesses, the more formidable they become. Maybe I should be thankful that I don't have powers like the others. It can only make life more complicated.

“I know her weakness," The mention of Eviona's name grates on my nerves, and I can hardly bear it.

The blend of fear, shame, and fury was palpable on her face during our last encounter. It's the least I can do to seek retribution for Louvienne when she dared to exploit her with her abilities.

For some reason, her powers didn’t work on her. Is there anything in Louvienne that made her capable of deflecting it? Thyra might learn that when she's in the palace.

“Eviona’s weakness is her incapability to gain the support of the nobles. Everyone thinks that she killed the forced the former empress to abdicate the throne. Which makes sense if you ask me.”

I clenched my fist, restraining myself from mentioning her potential weakness. I may be mistaken, but is it possible to harbor both love and hatred for a person simultaneously?

“You seem to have something else to say. Let’s hear it.” Thyra said, calling my attention.

“I might be one of her weaknesses too. But thinking about it alone makes my head ache, so let’s not talk about it.”

“In that case, can I speak to Lady Louvienne about it? I want to be acquainted with her before I leave.” Hearing Louvienne’s name was like music to my ears, and I can imagine her getting giddy at the thought of knowing one of my few friends.

“You can’t address her as a ‘lady’ anymore. She’s my wife, and the grand duchess of Eskal,” Thyra flashed a playful smile at me, but I couldn't muster a negative response.

“Everyone’s expected to address her as ‘Your Grace’ including her family. But since you’re my friend, I believe Louvienne would prefer to be called by her name. I’m sure you’ll enjoy her company. It's impossible for anyone not to like her.”

I believe, Thyra’s the first person who heard my perspective about Louvienne. At first, she was only a friend and a child in my eyes. But now, all tables are flipped the moment she said ‘I do.’