“Your Highness!’

“Leo! Is this all for me?” Rosette exclaimed happily as she looked up at him, her eyes shining brightly as they glistened in the light-hearted aura in the room.

The tension in the room was not even thick as it felt quite thin, clearly a bond between lovers. If anyone looked at them you'd probably think they were married quite happily and that the Countess wasn't just a simple mistress of his.

“Haha!” Leonardo laughed happily as he lightly patted Rosette on the top of her head, like she was nothing more than a dog to him.

“Who else would I have these selected pastries and desserts prepared for?” 

“You know, your the only one I care this dearly about” 

“Pumpkin pie. Very sweet. And bring wine. A light one.”

The servant left to fulfil the orders, and Rosette clapped her hands and exclaimed “Pumpkin pie!”

“Do you like food that much?”

“Not just any food. How many people have never eaten a bite of a pumpkin pie in their life?”

She smiled innocently like a child, and Leonardo found he couldn’t pull his eyes away from her, There was something odd about her? Was it that small smile on her face or was it the fact she was pleased with anything? Unlike the Crown Princess

“The Crown Princess doesn’t even respond to jewellery I sent her as a dowry, no matter how expensive it is. But you’re still happy even with the little things.”

“Doesn’t she like jewellery?”

“She does. But she doesn’t have a lot of emotional ups and downs. She only expresses herself in small portions”

“She focuses too much on her work as the Crown Princess and would rather see the nation better itself than her to receive such extravagant jewels”

Rosette frowned and gave a sigh, It was weird… Why didn't the Crown Princess like this stuff? She's a noble? A high ranking one at that didn't make any sense. As the cogs in Rossette's head started to turn a bit faster, Trying to figure out why Elisabeth lowered herself to not accept dowry from the marriage.

“She grew up beautifully and doesn’t know the harsh world. Anyone would take jewellery for granted.”

“Hmm?” 

“It’s not that the Crown Princess is wrong, it’s just that she has a lot of wealth. Even if you got her a big gem, it’s not a surprise… She's able to afford it herself with her status and family name! But why doesn't she?” 

“She's so weird for a Duchess!” 

“That’s true..” 

“Rosette? I'd really like to hear what you say on this matter. Speak freely with your mind for once and you know i won't punish you for it”

Rosette didn't know if what the Crown Prince was saying was true. She didn't know if she could believe him due to the fact that he punished ome of the Crown Princesses a

Ladies-in-waiting for speaking rather rudely about herself.

“Tch, you always call me your love.”

“Because you’re the one I want to be with, it's in our fate.. Rose””

“So...Your Majesty.”

Rosette laughed at his light joke, then settled to speak to him again. She twisted her fingers together and ventured forward carefully.

“You said you’d marry me and make your Empress?”

“Yes.” Leonardo replied sternly as he stroked Rosette's hair gently as he looked at the servant who was quickly filling up the table with the Pumpkin Pie, Strawberry Jubilees and various other pastries and desserts that Rosette would have never been able to dream of having to try.

“Do you think the Crown Princess would like that?” Rosette stammered slightly, her voice below a quiver

“I mean? I'm a threat to her position and you know she won’t take that lightly!”

Leonardo nodded and gave her a reassuring smile as he slightly leaned in closer and whispered into her ear.

“We’re in no hurry, so let’s take our time, We just have to get rid of the obstacles in our way.”

“I’m not rushing, My love? But still we have all the time in the world to get rid of the Crown Princess ; I won't break my promise to you.. You? Countess? are the only women that I would ever lay in bed with.”

“I? Leonardo De Von Montreal? Prefer you over The Crown Princess and nothing is changing that” 

I couldn't break my promise to the Countess, but still she was easy enough to manipulate and bend to my will all i have to make sure i do. Is that she's able to betray any of those obstacles that are in her way of her Becoming The Next Crown Princess and future Empress of this empire.