With fury burning in his chest, Frederick took Freya and returned to the capital.

He was sure that silence would do the trick. Sooner or later, Selena would come crawling back to beg for his forgiveness. But after they returned to the city, Selena stayed at Blackmoor Estate for ten whole days, not stepping out of its gates even once.

At first, Frederick didn't care. But eventually, he couldn't ignore it any longer and sent a guard to find out what was wrong.

"Is she ill? Or is General Campbell still injured and needs her care?"

The guard returned quickly with news.

"Your Highness, General Campbell's wounds seem to be healing well. He paid a visit to the palace today to see the king."

Frederick scoffed. "He went to the palace?"

A general who abandoned his post had the nerve to see the king?

"If General Campbell is well, then what is Lena doing hiding in the estate?" Frederick growled.

Selena hadn't come to his residence to apologize. What on earth was she thinking?

"Did I kick Sally too hard? Is she still hurt?"

"Ms. Mauve appears to be well, Your Highness. She was out with Lady Campbell today, drying herbs in the sun."

"She'd rather be drying herbs than come see me?"

Frederick had planned to wait until Selena came to ask his forgiveness. When she did, he intended to lay out a few conditions of his own. But day after day passed with no sign of her.

On the seventh night, he couldn't bear it any longer and went to Blackmoor Estate personally.

At this time, Selena had just finished her bath. With beads of water sliding down her still-damp hair, she entered the side parlor, carrying a small box in her hand. Frederick glanced at it briefly but paid it no mind.

She used to surprise him now and then with small gifts. Back then, he'd always been delighted by the gesture. Now, after making him angry, trying to soothe him with such tricks only struck him as dull and unworthy of his attention.

Compared to Freya's blunt honesty, Selena's careful little tactics seemed overly delicate, even a bit insincere.

"I gave you several days to reflect. Do you even know what you did wrong?" Frederick asked, his tone nothing like the defeated man who had sought her out before.

Though his face showed displeasure, there was a confident spark in his eyes. On closer look, a hint of triumph played across his expression.

After Selena sent Sally away with instructions to bring tea, she invited Frederick to sit. Every movement was graceful, perfectly poised, and composed. She was truly a lady raised within the sheltered walls of a noble household.

Frederick had always admired her elegant manners and refined bearing. But as he looked at her now, he couldn't help but hear Freya's voice echoing in his mind.

"I'm not one of those delicate, flattering ladies who live by rules. Stop trying to cage me!"

The girls Frederick had known since childhood were all either ladies of noble birth or women at court, each one bound by strict rules and measured conduct. Freya was different. She was wild and untamed, which only made him like her more. He found himself falling deeper than he ever expected, unable to stop.

Frederick couldn't deny that Selena was beautiful, but she looked dull and lifeless to him now.

Selena saw right through his growing boredom with her.

Her expression remained calm and untroubled as she asked, "Then, may I know what you think I have done wrong?"

"Is this how you speak to me?" Frederick's displeasure deepened. "You're no longer a child, Lena.

"Because you were upset that I spoke with Freya for a few moments, you dragged General Campbell away first. Your petty and small-minded actions have caused General Campbell to desert his post."

This wasn't the Selena he knew.

Freya was right. Women were jealous by nature.

All the gentle obedience and quiet compliance he had once admired had been nothing but a facade. He had been mistaken about Selena all along. The woman he had loved for years was no different from any other common lady.

He was truly lucky to have met someone as genuine as Freya.

Frederick's face darkened, and his voice turned cold as he said, "Do you know what punishment General Campbell stands to face because of your tantrum? Fifty lashes at least, or even execution under military law. Have you considered that?"

He thought Selena would be frightened, but was surprised to find that she remained composed throughout.

"Your Highness, are you here to discuss military law with me? If that's the case, then what punishment should be given to Freya for stabbing a general and soldiers without cause?"

"You're still angry about that? It's such a trivial thing, and you're holding onto it even now?" Frederick asked, clearly disappointed in Selena.

"Do you truly think ruining my brother's life is trivial?" she replied, just as deeply disappointed in him.

The Frederick she once knew, a man who was fair and impartial, had long since vanished.

Selena continued, "If you think it's so trivial, then maybe she should stab you next time. Let's see how you feel then."

The image made Frederick's stomach tighten.

Suddenly, a wave of helplessness washed over him, making him say, "Forget it, Lena. You stabbed her too. Do you know how badly she's hurt? Not just physically, but her pride as well. That wound makes her feel like she's no longer a perfect lady."

"Since when was she ever perfect?" Selena countered.

"Lena!" Frederick's tone sharpened. "I don't want to argue with you. Let's leave the past where it belongs. As for you and General Campbell deserting the army..."

Selena cut in, "I sent someone to deliver a message to the king and begged for permission to escort my brother back to the capital for treatment. His Majesty agreed. I received a verbal edict that allowed us to leave at any time."

Her calm gaze rested on the prince's suddenly flushed face, her expression unreadable. "If you don't believe me, you can go to the palace and ask His Majesty yourself."

Frederick stared at her. He hadn't expected her to have taken so many steps behind his back.

He was still a little upset. But when he caught sight of the wooden box in her hands, the anger in his chest quietly faded. Bringing a gift clearly indicated that she intended to make peace, and he wasn't so petty as to turn her away.

Besides, he had come with another purpose today.

"All right, let's forget the past. In ten days, we will be married. I've come to say something to you."

Selena said nothing, simply listening quietly.

Frederick hesitated. Such things were never easy to say. But with the wedding coming up soon, what he wanted to convey couldn't be delayed any longer.

"Lena, I... didn't think I needed to discuss this with you. But since we have known each other for so long, I hope we can live in peace going forward, without..."

"Do you intend to marry Freya, Your Highness?"

Selena's slender fingers traced the wooden box as she spoke, her calm manner unreadable. A faint, mocking smile played on her lips.

"Half a month ago, you said you would soon forget her, didn't you?"

Frederick turned his face away, avoiding her gaze. Her smile made him uncomfortable.

"Lena, I've known you for many years, and have always respected you. But before... Before I truly understood what love between a man and a woman meant, I thought what we had was passion—until I met Fey," he explained, now using an affectionate nickname for Freya.

He sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in his voice as he continued, "Lena, I'm sorry. My heart belongs to Fey. She is the only woman I have ever truly desired."

"Your parents would never approve of you marrying the daughter of a traitor—"

"That is the fault of her father and brothers, not hers," Frederick cut in immediately.

"Since you've made up your mind, go beg the king for permission to marry her. Why come to me?"

Selena was well aware of the difficulty he faced. With Freya's background, getting permission to marry her wouldn't be easy.

Frederick's hand clenched slightly as he pondered his next words. After a long moment, he looked up at Selena, who was calmly drinking her tea, looking completely at ease. That only made his awkwardness stand out even more.

Finally, he said in a low voice, "Lena, I initially intended to marry only Fey. But you and I have known each other for so many years. I don't want my breaking off our engagement to leave you with nothing."

Selena raised an eyebrow, her perfect face unreadable. "So?"

"So, I won't break our engagement. We'll marry as planned, and you'll become my princess consort. However, I have two conditions."

His lips pressed together, betraying his struggle. Then, he forced himself to say, "First, you must go to the king. Ask him to grant me permission to take Fey as my secondary wife, and for the two of us to be wed on the same day as our wedding."

Frederick had expected Selena to throw a fit. After all, the situation was unfair. But instead, she simply looked at him quietly, without crying or making a scene.

That calm silence unsettled him more than any anger might have.

"Lena, you've seen Fey's temper. She'll never willingly share me. That's why I was planning to break off our engagement."

He knew those words were harsh. But if Selena had just stayed quiet and done as she was told, it wouldn't have come to this.

"The fact that Fey is even willing to marry me alongside you is already a huge compromise on her part. If you can't accept that, I'm afraid our marriage will have to be called off."

Selena kept staring at him, her gaze neither warm nor cold. But for some reason, Frederick felt a flicker of irritation stir inside him.

"What are you really thinking, Lena? No matter what you're planning, I'm not leaving Fey. Can we just speak honestly, from the heart? Let's stop with all the games and second-guessing, okay?"

He didn't want to waste any more energy fighting with her. Besides, Freya was waiting for him at his estate. With her temper, who knew what chaos would erupt if he delayed his return?

"Very well. Then, let me speak plainly, Your Highness," Selena said at last. "I recall Freya said that if you can't promise to love only her for the rest of your life, then don't bother with her at all. So, if you marry me, how can you give her that?"

Frederick's eyes darkened. "That... is the second thing I need you to agree to."

Selena fell silent again and watched him quietly.

"I promised Fey that I would never touch any other woman in my life," Frederick said softly.

"Then, why bother marrying me at all? Just to make me a widow in all but name?" Selena quipped, finding his words ridiculous.

Frederick frowned. "But you'll be my princess consort. That's an honor beyond compare!"

When she said nothing, he pressed on, "The Duke of Blackmoor's household may seem prosperous on the surface, but you know as well as I do that it's an empty shell now. Even General Campbell has..."

He paused. After all, Freya had caused that mess.

However, Frederick didn't blame her. She was a young woman who had lost everything, so it was only natural that she would act rashly. He could forgive her for that.

"General Campbell's condition means there's no future for the Duke of Blackmoor's household. Only by marrying me can you live a life of honor and privilege. I will be the support your family needs. For you and everyone in your household, I am your last hope."

In his eyes, there was no other way out for her but to marry him.

"I know you feel it's unfair, Lena. But as long as you stay loyal, I promise no one will take your place as my princess consort."

Frederick fixed his serious gaze on Selena's beautiful face. "It's already a huge concession that Fey is willing to yield to you this much. Once you're both married into my household, it won't matter that you're the main wife and she's the secondary.

"She'll have the same standing as you. You're not allowed to use your rank to look down on her. And... I won't let you mistreat her either. Understand?"

Selena nodded. "I understand what you mean, Your Highness."

She didn't object!

Frederick's eyes brightened, and he finally let out a breath of relief. "Since you agree—"

Suddenly, an angry voice cut in, "I don't agree!"

Freya burst in, anger flashing in her eyes. Led by Frederick's closest guard, William Klein, she strode straight to Selena. In one swift motion, she drew a dagger and pressed the tip against Selena's chest.

"If you want to marry him, you'll have to agree to a third condition."