Under the watchful eye of a priest invited by Princess Elise, the marriage vows were exchanged, and the couple spent a blissful wedding night that felt like a dream. While Elise had meticulously calculated the political implications of the union, Crown Prince Randolph was swept away by emotion.
After the impulsive exchange of vows, Randolph fretted over how his father, Charles V, would react. However, what was done was done. Taking a deep breath, he looked at his sleeping wife beside him. Her golden hair spread softly across the pillow, glinting in the morning light.
Looking at her serene beauty, any lingering regret melted away. After all, his father had already half-approved the match. Though the wedding was premature and lacked the blessing of their nations, the wartime situation made it understandable. A proper ceremony could be held after the war.
Rising with a bright expression, Randolph found an additional advantage to the marriage. As Elise's husband, he now had authority over the soldiers sent by the Elonian royal family to protect the princess and her siblings.
After planting a gentle kiss on Elise's cheek, still flushed from the passion of the night, Randolph left the room. Once the door closed, Elise's eyes snapped open, a sly smile spreading across her face.
The moment she heard Randolph's footsteps receding, she reached for a small vial hidden in a secret drawer beside the bed. The potential side effects didn't matter—she was prepared to take any risk to ensure pregnancy.
Elise downed the bitter liquid in one gulp, the acrid taste trailing down her throat. Despite the unpleasantness, her smile only deepened.
"Now, I am the undisputed Crown Princess of Lania," she thought.
For this moment, she had worked tirelessly, enduring life as a beautiful doll trapped between a foolish younger brother and an incompetent father. Compared to the conservative Elonian kingdom, Lania offered queens and dowager queens far greater power, and Elise intended to capitalize on that difference.
Letting the blanket slip to the floor, Elise approached the mirror, her bare figure glowing softly in the sunlight streaming through the window. She smiled at her reflection, admiring the lingering evidence of her wedding night's passion. Her golden hair framed a flawless face, her ample curves and slender waist earning her the reputation of a peerless beauty.
Raising a graceful hand, Elise lightly traced her own features.
From her childhood, an uncanny voice had whispered in her ears, offering guidance.
"See? It's good you followed my advice. Now you'll become a queen. If your country hadn't fallen into such disarray, you could have even aimed for empress of an empire. Poor Elise."
It was this voice that had revealed the formula for the potion and taught her how to captivate men. Once again, it murmured in her mind.
"Your father is so foolish, thinking the only way to save the country is by selling his daughter. How does that qualify him as a father? And your brother—hogging everything that should be yours simply because he's a son. Isn't it unfair? You can do anything, Elise. Just keep listening to me, and you can seduce any man. Understand, my beautiful, obedient Elise?"
Shivering with exhilaration, Elise smiled blissfully, the voice's words tickling her ears. By following its teachings—enhancing her beauty and perfecting her pitiable expressions—she had won the kindness of countless men.
What did it matter if the voice came from a foreign entity? As long as it was useful, it was enough. What had her father and her country ever done for her?
Clenching her lips in frustration as memories of her ineffectual father and the kingdom's dire state surfaced, Elise calmed herself. After all, compared to other princesses forced into political marriages with decrepit kings, her situation wasn't so bad.
"If that foolish prince dies on the battlefield…"
Her lips curled into a cold smile reflected in the mirror.
If Randolph perished due to a reckless decision on the battlefield, Elise would immediately gain practical power. Placing a hand on her flat stomach, she whispered to herself, "And if Randolph dies and Charles V succumbs to grief… even better."
Satisfied with her thoughts, Elise lay back on the bed, a serene smile playing on her lips. Even the mere fantasy of such an outcome filled her with happiness.
On the Elonian side, Count Demonic was taken aback by Crown Prince Randolph's sudden request. Amid the frenzy of preparing for a siege against the Pamir Empire, the prince approached him, speaking in a resolute tone.
"The two princesses and Crown Prince Edward have ceded their escort forces to me. This is confidential—only you may know. I completed my marriage vows with Princess Elise yesterday. We are now, for all intents and purposes, united."
The count was momentarily at a loss for words. While the union between Princess Elise and Crown Prince Randolph was favorable news for Elonia, the abruptness of it all was staggering. Choosing his words carefully, he offered his congratulations.
"Congratulations, Your Highness. May your union bring boundless glory and prosperity."
However, the timing of this announcement was troubling. The military formations and supply logistics were already finalized, and any changes now would create significant chaos. It seemed clear that Randolph had traded the wedding ceremony for control over the escort forces.
Remembering Randolph's past clashes with Michael over command, Count Demonic sighed. Such actions were far from wise.
While it wasn't unheard of for royalty to lead troops on the battlefield in the Lubel continent, it came with conditions—the royal must possess military aptitude and experience. Without those prerequisites, they were expected to remain in ceremonial roles, gradually proving their worth over time.
The alliance of the three kingdoms had only managed to hold against the Pamir Empire thanks to the brilliance of skilled commanders, not because of royal involvement on the frontlines. Sudden interference was unwelcome, especially when lives were at stake.
After a brief pause, Count Demonic offered his advice cautiously.
"Your Highness, I urge you to reconsider. The royal escort forces have predefined roles and missions. A sudden redeployment could severely disrupt operations."