Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Day after day passed. Trisya has started going about her day as usual at her manor. This afternoon, she intended to take a walk to get rid of her fatigue after several hours of painting. She was only accompanied by Layla as she passed by her father's workspace which was slightly open. And there, he accidentally overheard a fairly important conversation from his father's room.

"So, the nobles are demanding that His Highness hold an immediate election for the Crown Princess?" Heard his father's voice - Duke Gerald asked in a surprised tone.

"That's right, Duke. And His Majesty has already begun to be overwhelmed by the pressure. What do you think, sir?" Trisya didn't know who exactly was talking to her father. However, from what Trisya could catch, it seemed that the person was one of the representatives from the palace sent by King Trovald.

'Why does His Majesty need father's opinion about something like this? Isn't the selection of the Crown Princess candidate the sole property of the royal family?' Trisya thought.

"I don't know. But Trisya ... she hasn't been able to pass her debut period yet. So I'm worried that maybe Trisya won't be able to participate in the selection of the Crown Princess candidate. Trisya's birthday is only seven months away. And wouldn't that be too long, if work is to wait for her?"

'Huh. Anyway, I don't want to participate in the Crown Princess election either,' Trisya thought.

"But His Majesty wants Lady Trisya to participate, Duke. Lady is the strongest candidate who will surely have the full support of the King and the Queen," said the man.

Trisya gaped. She had read in the novel that it was the King and Queen who appointed Trisya as Crown Princess. So, this is how it started? From the very beginning - before the Crown Princess election was officially held, both the King and the Queen had favored Trisya.

Trisya thought that staying away from Prince Terry would not be enough if the problem came from the King and Queen in the first place. It seemed like Trisya also needed to do something to prevent the King and Queen from supporting her to become the Crown Princess.

"Lady! Where are you going?" Trisya walked - ignoring Layla who called out to her.

"I want to see my dad," Trisya said to the two soldiers standing guard in front of the Duke's room.

"I'm sorry, Lady. But Duke has a meeting with important guest inside," one of the soldiers forbade.

"I know. But I'm sure my dad won't refuse my presence now. So just announce my arrival to my dad!" said Trisya.

The two soldiers looked at each other, and finally they nodded. After that, one of them went in to inform the Duke of Trisya's arrival.

"Lady, what would you like to do? As far as I know, the Duke is receiving guests from the palace and-"

"Take it easy, Layla! You can wait here while I go in. Because I have something important to tell my dad," Trisya cut in with a meaningful smile on her lips, which only made Layla even more worried about what her lady would do.

"Please, Lady. The Duke allows you to enter," said a soldier who had just returned from the Duke's room, while opening the door wide for Trisya to pass through.

"Okay, thank you." After that, Trisya entered her father's room. She bowed - politely greeting her father and his guests one by one.

"Please sit down, my princess! The guard said you have something to tell me. What is it?" Duke Gerald asked his beloved daughter.

"Ah... I just heard that you have a visitor from the palace. Then, when I passed by your room earlier, I accidentally heard my name mentioned. Is that right, Dad? Then what is it, that my name was mentioned when you and your guest were discussing important matters related to the kingdom?" asked Trisya politely.

"That's right, Trisya. We were indeed talking about you, and the reason His Majesty sent Mr. Ervis, it also has something to do with you," replied the Duke. "Mr. Ervis, is it okay if Trisya knows everything?" asked the Duke to his guest named Ervis, one of the king's right-hand men.

"Hmmm ... that ..." Mr. Ervis seemed to hesitate. Perhaps it was the influence of the confusing news he had heard about Trisya.

"If Mr. Ervis has any objections, that's fine, Dad. I'm just-"

"N- no, Lady. If Duke Lovatta thinks it's okay, then I have no problem with you hearing it. Perhaps it would even be a little better while I'm still here if Lady feels the need for further explanation regarding His Majesty's command," Ervis interrupted.

Trisya nodded. Then, she turned her attention back to her father, ready to hear the man's explanation.

"This is about the selection of the Crown Princess candidate, Trisya. In other words, the future wife for Prince Terry, as well as the future queen. So, the Lovatta Family and the Iscorra Family have had a very good relationship since the generation of your grandfather and the previous King. They agreed to match their grandchildren. And for your grandfather's great service in the past, the former King promised to bring Lovatta's descendants to the leadership of the land. And now, King Trovald wants that to happen, through you," explained Duke Gerlad.

"Through me? What's meaning of all? Why not my brother?" Trisya actually already understood where this conversation was going. But she wanted to show her elegant side, and investigate in a graceful manner.

"It means that His Majesty wants, one day, a new king to be born from the Lovatta family through you. His Majesty and the Queen want you to take the seat of Crown Princess and become the next Queen," Duke Gerald explained.

"They want to match me with the Prince?" asked Trisya for confirmation.

"More precisely, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince," Ervis corrected.

Alright. Trisya understood. "But do you think I can occupy such a high seat, Dad? Moreover, my relationship with His Highness the Crown Prince cannot be said to be good either."

"You have a problem with His Highness the Crown Prince, Lady?" Ervis was shocked.

"Huh? How did it come to that? No, it doesn't. I mean, His Highness the Crown Prince and I are not even close. And I'm sure, at His Highness the Crown Prince's age, he must have found another girl that he loves. So-"

"Trisya, what's wrong with you? Has something happened to you, Trisya?" asked the Duke in a worried tone.

Trisya blinked her eyes. "No, Dad. What's wrong with me? Did I say something wrong, but I didn't realize it?" Trisya was confused.

"Not that. But, about the match between you and Prince Terry, shouldn't you be happy?" wondered Duke Gerald. He also knew that Trisya had been attracted to the King's eldest son since childhood.

"What? Hmm... that's I- I just feel that maybe being the Queen or even the Crown Princess will not be easy. Especially considering that Prince Terry doesn't seem to like me," Trisya replied.

"But, even before the coronation, the palace will definitely introduce you to the life of the core royal family, Lady. You will also have many maids helping you. Even the best teachers and the Empress will be on hand to teach you. So, whether it's difficult or easy, it doesn't seem to matter, because you will definitely get lessons in the palace later," Ervis explained.

Wait a minute! Why does he sound like he's in favor of the arranged marriage? Trisya thought Ervis was one of the people who fell for the rumors about Trisya's bad attitude. But, apparently not?

"And about the Crown Prince, how can you say so, when you still rarely even meet? I'm sure, once you spend a lot of time together, it won't be difficult for the Crown Prince to open his heart to you, my daughter," added the father.

Trisya racked her brain. She had to find another reason so that she could be free from the arranged marriage, while there was still Ervis here who could convey directly to the King about the Duke's answer later.

"Ah okay. Then about the selection of the Crown Princess, I accidentally heard that the other nobles have urged His Majesty to hold the event immediately, right? And I haven't passed my debut party yet. Really, I don't mind if I won't be present at the election. Just do everything according to the palace rules, and don't let there be any conflict between His Majesty and the nobles!" said Trisya.

The girl turned to her father. "Father, you agree, right? Rather than who occupies the position in the end, the more important thing is to fulfill the demands of the nobles to avoid a schism." Trisya spoke as if she was a person who was sacrificing her own feelings and future for the sake of the country. In reality, she was only thinking of her own fate and that of her family - trying to avoid Trisya's original fate, which had led to her and her family being severely punished by the royal court.

Duke and Ervis looked at each other. Of course, they were surprised by Trisya's words. Even the Duke, who was her father, did not expect Trisya to have such an opinion.

"My daughter, your opinion is very good and I really appreciate it. But-"

"Forgive me if I interrupt, Duke, Lady. But, you are already the King and Queen's choice. I probably won't be able to convey Lady' implied message of rejection to His Majesty. So, please consider your decision carefully, or if you don't mind, I can arrange for a meeting with the Lovatta Family to discuss this matter," Ervis explained.

Duke Gerlad nodded in agreement, making Trisya's shoulders slump instantly. Couldn't her father just agree with his 'kind' opinion?