I can't help it really, I can't help but laugh to myself like I've gone mad about how many times I've experienced the same situation. . . It truly is a laughable experience to myself but to others? It would probably be seen as nothing more than Hysteria - Or madness simply.

“Your Grace. . . Elisabeth? Why are you laughing?” Leonardo said as he glared at me, thinking about what he knew about me in general from what his advisor mentioned - him saying my name was always going to be something that felt foreign or weird, He was the man who plotted against me with his mistress. I would always despise him for that fact ; There was no changing it no matter what happened in this timeline.

Despite the one singular fact that: 

“Elisabeth Valois? Her? really? The duchess? She's younger than you by a year, Your Highness. But she is the heiress to her fathers fortune. She is his only child.” one of the advisors to Leonardo whispered in his ear as he received a marriage proposal from an well-known and respected noble family in the eastern regions of the Empire, Murcadina.

“Does my father think it's a good idea marrying someone from the eastern region? I've heard that they are quite interesting in their ways; They don't celebrate a lot of the holidays we do and they are a lot more religious down there? I heard they have many Cathedral's located in the region!” 

The advisor, an old man in his 50's continued by saying “Trust me on this. Your Highness, if it wasn't a good match im sure The Emperor wouldn't have put his seal on it”

“A portrait from the Valois family has been sent? Do you wish to see the partner that His majesty has agreed with under many terms and conditions? The best thing out of this, is that even if you don't like how she looks or don't like how she acts, you can always get a mistress, many crown princes and Emperor's/kings had them” 

As soon as Leonardo De Von Montreal, saw the portrait of his fiancé, hand painted by one of the many talented painters in the country, he was quite astonished by her beauty. 

Having a personality was quite rare but having one that was kind and generous while also having quite a beautiful and pleasant face to look at was something else.

. . .

My main goal is survival in this timeline, that's all I wanted and all i'll ever need 

“Why are you laughing. . . “

“Elisabeth? , Do you know something that I don't, Your Grace? Or do you find this all amusing” Leonardo said as he looked at me, his words matching the same intimidating aura I was used to; From being alive in multiple timelines and experiencing the same or similar events all over again.

In this life? I'll make sure everything is different. Falling into Fate’s hands is something I don't want to happen. I know what My fate is over and over, I don't need constant reminders of my death that looms over my shoulders and constantly haunts me.

If i want to survive i'll try to be bolder in this life? It may do something? Maybe a higher survival chance. . . or i might give me an opportunity of an escape from him. An escape would be the most perfect opportunity to get away from him as i know that He will always have a mistress in every timeline. . . Rossette Toussaint, also known as the Countess of Jina, a northerner like him.

“Your Highness” I muttered as I looked at him, knocking myself out of my thoughts as I looked at him, continuing by saying quite boldly and out of the blue - ignoring the values and etiquette I grew up with. A woman who spoke out of place and knows what she's talking about is too powerful - well at least in the eastern region. No wonder I was always so quiet. . . . I made sure to keep my moral and etiquette right, even in the Northern region where the imperial palace was. 

The Imperial Palace was my home for the last couple years in my other lives and the second chamber of the Western Wing of the palace was where I spent my final moments with one of my hand-miadens.

“Don't think for a moment, Your Highness. . . That I haven't heard the rumours surrounding you”

“Is there something you want me to confirm? Lady Elisabeth?” Leonardo said as he glared at me from across as the carriage gently drove on its way to the northern Region, where it was considerably quite warmer and had a more humid climate compared to the eastern region. 

The gentleness of the carriage was a stark reminder and a contrast to his tone and how he had held himself all this time.

“ . . . “

“No, Not really”

“Just tell me if it's true or at least have some clarity around the rumours surrounding yourself”

“All i simply ask is to know the truth, if we're going to be married and work together as a couple; To rule a country, an empire if i must say. . . I need to know who I'm marrying”

give me the right answer, Leo - I have faith that you will, I thought to myself as i looked at him, noticing his silent response. As I then continued by saying after seeing the perplexed look on his face as he Pondered over what I meant.

“Do you have Many Mistresses? i've heard of a few of them, but i just want to know”

As I was speaking, He quickly interrupted me, the tone of his voice being icy and cold as he glared at me, seemingly wondering what my intentions are on asking this. Most people in the Northern region of the Empire; aren't bothered whether the Nobility has a wife and a couple mistresses on the side. However? In the north it would be unacceptable to have a mistress or multiple of them as well as a wife, Something to be shamed upon By God.

Avoiding the question he quickly replied Coldly, Trying to dismiss this conversation as he knew that it would most likely not end on any good terms with his new wife.

“Wel’ he started saying before he then stopped, seemingly pondering over his words as he continued after a suspenseful minute of deathly silence.

“Well, Duchess? My lady if I must? Or are we basing this on our formalities and how we greet each other?” He said, avoiding the question for a moment as he made clear the boundaries between us; I was used to hearing this multiple times in my other lives That I can't be seen as a colleague or partner, I'm just a pawn used politically for him to gain more power.

He then sharply cut back to answering the question as he quickly said with no hesitation, being evident in his voice.

“Elisabeth Valois? I'm sure that You and I are well aware of the customs in my region? Many women simply just admire me, and such? They admire being beside me . . . I don't see this to be a problem?”

“If you're trying to start unnecessary problems? You won't get your way with it.” 

Glaring at him from across the carriage, as I twiddled slightly with the Golden ring on my finger, that glistened in the light as the sun set over the empire.

“Your avoiding the answer, Your Highness”

“Im asking about her - Will the Countess be an issue in our marriage”

I saw the difference in his eyes as he slightly narrowed them at me, before then speaking in a slightly harsher tone 

“Lady Elisabeth? Are you asking me to avoid Lady Toussaint?” 

“Surely? You know the customs in the north! You can't be ordering Your own husband around like this”

“It's not acceptable in society under any circumstance, It would do you quite well in the court to remember and know your place’

“I really hope that you don't act so Bold and Careless in front of your In-Laws. . . The Emperor and Empress as, they wouldn't tolerate that behaviour”