Chapter 12
“Your Majesty.”
It was just as Chloe was nervously wondering if she could really become the official heir candidate of the Leander family.
“I’m sorry to bring this up, but before you officially designate Princess Chloe as the successor, it seems we should consult with her fiancé, Princess Joanna Demos.”
“Ah, yes. That issue still remains.”
At the words of the elderly marquis, Ian frowned.
“If you register Chloe as the heir, the Demos family won’t sit idly by. The contract clearly states that any child born between me and Joanna Demos will also have a claim as an official heir candidate.”
Joanna Demos. The familiar name made Chloe’s expression turn serious for a moment.
If it’s Joanna, it must be her.
The sister of the original story’s male lead, Zion Demos, who had helped awaken him through her death.
Chloe recalled the events of the original story with a grave expression.
Right after the war between the Arus family and the Leander family broke out, both families struggled to form an alliance with the snake tribe, Demos.
Unlike the eagle tribe, which would certainly maintain strict neutrality, Demos still had room to intervene in the war.
But contrary to their expectations, the snake tribe insisted on remaining neutral… and the wolf tribe, seeing Demos as a potential enemy force,
“…assassinated Joanna Demos, the eldest daughter of the snake tribe.”
And all this happened right in front of her younger brother, Zion Demos.
Chloe recalled how the story then slid into full tragedy.
The horrific childhood of the male protagonist, Zion, who lost family members one by one, starting with his sister.
“Anyway, those snake family brats.”
Chloe, who had been serious, glanced up at Ian’s voice, tinged with annoyance.
“You have to admit they’re cunning and sinister. That’s why they’ve gone and proposed a fiancé I’ve never even seen, just to complicate things.”
In fact, his engagement to Joanna Demos was partly because of Chloe.
“What a nuisance. I wonder how much more trouble this will cause.”
As a consequence of the Leander family not fully honoring the prophecy related to Chloe, they had to negotiate with the Demos family.
And it was a deal heavily in the Demos family’s favor.
“Alright, I understand. Let’s discuss that issue first. There’s no clause in the contract forbidding multiple heir candidates, so there’s a way out.”
Chloe fiddled with the frills of her dress, looking a bit gloomy.
‘No. This isn’t the time to just sit around and worry.’
But soon, her eyes sparkled, and she lifted her head proudly.
‘This is my chance. A chance to change my destiny!’
The war hadn’t started yet. Even though she was signing a disadvantageous contract now, it could still be reversed.
‘Because I’m here! I know the future!’
“Then before adjusting the contract with Demos, we should first define the areas open to negotiation.”
Lucian spoke softly, still deep in thought, turning his head.
“So, Chloe, for now…”
Yes, for now, me?
Chloe met Lucian’s gaze with her sparkling eyes.
Should I find out the weaknesses of the Demos family with my keen senses? Or should I play a decisive role at the negotiation table and turn the tide?
Just leave it to me! Her face seemed to say exactly that. Lucian continued calmly.
“For now, go play outside.”
“…….”
“It might take a while, so you’ll get bored. Mason, take Chloe to the greenhouse. Make some cocoa for her as well.”
Chloe, shocked and forming a small “O” with her mouth, listened as the adults’ conversation continued over her head.
“Your Highness, the greenhouse…?”
“The one behind the pavilion. There’s probably only one in the entire castle anyway.”
“…Understood. Princess, I will guide you.”
Chloe’s shoulders slumped again as she stared at Lucian, seemingly denying reality.
But the child soon lifted her head with renewed determination.
“Yes! I’ll have lots of fun!”
“She seems really ready to have fun.”
Ian chuckled lightly at her enthusiastic response.
“Yes, a child should act like a child. Mason, tell Isabelle to add marshmallows to Chloe’s cocoa as well.”
“As you command.”
At those words, Chloe beamed brightly and stepped down from her chair.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes!”
She nodded energetically like a child excited about cocoa, but in truth, her mind was elsewhere.
She couldn’t just act here and wait.
‘I’ll find what I can do and get to work!’
Chloe thought through her plan as she followed Mason, the chief attendant.
Then she suddenly felt someone’s gaze and turned her head.
Huh?
It was the elderly marquis who had been watching her.
The same loyalist who had said they needed to consult the Demos family before deciding Chloe’s succession.
‘That was Marquis Conner Myers.’
Recalling the name from the first introduction, Chloe smiled gently at him.
It was a silent gesture of gratitude for sparing her from almost becoming the heir of the Leander family.
But Conner Myers merely raised an eyebrow briefly and quietly looked away.
The cocoa, with partially melted marshmallows floating on top, looked sweet enough to make your tongue tingle.
Slurp. But the green-eyed child drinking it was brimming with courage.
‘Good. The plan is perfect.’
Clutching a mug decorated with yellow chicks, Chloe reviewed the contents of the contract she would present to her uncle.
A contract that aimed to mediate as much as possible between the two families.
‘Focus on three key clauses, and if the other party resists, allow some concessions…’
“Princess.”
“Yes?”
Chloe, who was setting the limits of her concessions, turned her head toward the one calling her.
“Here is some strawberry cake.”
Chloe’s green eyes lit up immediately, as if her sharp mind had vanished.
‘How did they know I like strawberries?’
She smiled brightly and bit the fork extended toward her.
‘Delicious…!’
The neatly portioned cake melted in her mouth immediately.
How could desserts be made this well?
Chloe was known for her small appetite.
Her uncle’s wish had been for her to finish an entire serving.
‘To turn someone like me into a glutton… the chef is excellent!’
Chloe savored the fresh strawberries mixed with whipped cream, looking happy.
But as she raised her head for another bite, her expression changed to surprise.
“…….”
Isabelle, who had offered her the fork, was frozen in place.
‘D-Did I make a mistake?’
Chloe cautiously observed the maids.
It wasn’t only Isabelle who had frozen. Cash, rummaging through the picnic basket behind her, also seemed stunned.
Oh no. Chloe’s eyes drooped.
‘I must have acted rudely.’
Having been isolated for so long, and being from different races, their cultural norms and habits differed greatly.
An action that might be seen as playful in the wolf territory could be very rude here.
‘Stupid me. I promised myself I’d be careful!’
Chloe sighed, frustrated she couldn’t keep the promise she made the night before.
Most likely, Isabelle only intended to hand her the fork and cake, not feed her.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be frozen like that.
‘I ate it all myself! She must be so flustered!’
“I-I’m sorry.”
Chloe carefully apologized, watching the maids’ reactions.
“In the wolf territory, my uncle and mother would feed me like this. There, it’s not rude, so I took it out of habit…”
Before Chloe could finish,
“Ah!”
Suddenly, Isabelle flew forward.
Startled, Chloe lifted her bottom slightly as Cash lightly caught the flying cake and fork, sitting down in front of her.
“Princess.”
Cash, who had been kicked aside, looked calm.
“May I… may I also feed the Princess some cake?”
But her hands trembled slightly as she picked up the cake.
“I’ve always dreamed of this moment. The Princess returns, and I feed her strawberry cake, imagining her adorable pigtails—Ah!”
“Ca-Cash!”
But the flying person Chloe had to witness today was not one alone.
“Step aside! She’s my Princess!”
Isabelle had gotten up and started fighting back.
Chloe, bewildered at the maids fighting over her, shouted hurriedly.
“I-Isabelle gets the cake!”
At those words, Isabelle, holding Cash by the neck, brightened slightly.
At the same time, Cash, hitting Isabelle’s ribs, looked slightly gloomy.
“The pigtails go to Cash…!”
But then Cash’s face brightened as much as Isabelle’s.
“Would… would you like me to do it?”
“An excellent choice, Princess.”
“Truly wise, Princess.”
They nodded quickly and sat down in front and behind Chloe.
Then, as if waiting for this moment, they each lifted a plate of cake and a comb.
