When Frederick stepped out of the carriage, his hair was a bit messy. It was clear he'd been in close contact with the young woman inside. He hadn't expected to look up and find Selena standing in the wind, watching him.

A breeze stirred, fluttering the soft white fabric of her dress. She looked as graceful and ethereal as ever. It was a complete contrast to Frederick, who had once been carefree and confident, but now looked a little ragged, thanks to Freya.

After he got out, Freya sharply pulled the curtain aside before following him. When she looked up, her eyes immediately landed on Selena's flawless, breathtaking face. Her expression darkened, and she turned to glare at Frederick. The fire of her anger blazed brighter, a mocking smile curling at the corners of her lips.

"Well, your lovely lady is waiting for you over there. Why do you keep pestering me?" She jumped out of the carriage, her eyes burning with hatred as they locked onto Selena. "One day, I'll make you pay for that wound twice over. Anyone who crosses me will face my wrath, no matter how far they run. Just you wait, Selena Campbell!"

Having said that, Freya turned and walked away, showing not a trace of hesitation or regret. Frederick stumbled after her, and in an instant, his tall frame blocked her path.

He gripped her wrist firmly, his voice tinged with displeasure as he said, "The army's march can't be delayed. Stop this nonsense. Whatever it is, we'll deal with it back in the capital."

"Hey, scum, I've made myself perfectly clear. I am not Selena. I won't be like those women who are willing to share you, or serve you for your power and rank. If it's empty flattery and false affection you want, then go to her. Why are you clinging to me?"

Freya struggled fiercely but couldn't break free from the prince's grip.

"Let go! Don't touch me with the same hands that touched her!" she shouted.

Still, Frederick didn't release her.

In a sudden fury, Freya raised her hand and struck him sharply across the face. The loud smack echoed through the silent ranks of soldiers. Every one of them froze, eyes wide, barely daring to breathe. Even Sally felt a chill run down her spine.

He was a prince, the king's biological son!

Even if Freya was headstrong, she shouldn't have laid a hand on Frederick. Did she have a death wish?

Frederick's eyes turned bloodshot with rage. His fingers clenched tighter around Freya's wrist.

"Are you tired of living?" he growled.

Freya was startled by the fury blazing in his eyes, but still wore a proud, defiant look. "You think I'm afraid to die? If you've got the guts, then kill me!"

Frederick didn't kill her. Instead, he lifted her roughly and tossed her back into the carriage. Inside, the sounds of tearing fabric and a woman's screams soon followed.

"Frederick, what are you doing? Let me go! Let me go, you bastard!"

The sky remained clear and bright, with gentle breezes and not a cloud in sight. However, everyone's hearts felt heavy and weighed down.

Selena, Frederick's future princess consort, was here! Yet, at this moment, he was in a carriage with another woman, openly getting intimate with her in front of all the soldiers and even his future wife.

-

It was nearly an hour later when Frederick finally emerged. Of course, he hadn't actually done anything with Freya; his self-control was far better than that. But his hair was disheveled and his clothing was in disarray—worse than before.

The soldiers were still waiting patiently under the bright sunlight, but the graceful figure dressed in white who had been there earlier was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Lena?" Frederick asked one of the guards.

"Lady Campbell has already left with General Campbell's troops," the man answered with a complicated expression, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Frederick's face darkened. He never expected that Selena would be so petty, so stubborn, to sulk over such a small thing. She wasn't just petty, but reckless too. Didn't she realize that abandoning the army was a capital offense?

"I've spoiled her far too much," Frederick muttered in frustration. "Prepare to depart immediately. We're returning to the capital!"

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."