(From Almila's point of view.)
I turned to him,
—"I'll sign. Then we'll be officially married.
Victor,"
—"Good then."
—"But I want to make an agreement beforehand."
—"What is it, my lady?"
I took a piece of paper, dipped the quill pen in ink, and began to write.
—"You cannot harm me. You cannot even attempt to kill me. If we divorce,
the divorce process will be the way I want it, and my financial and other needs will be met. You have to protect me."
—"Is that all? We'll take care of that. Write it down on that paper right now."
When I wrote it down,
—"I wrote it."
I said.
Victor,
—"Good, but I want to add a few more points."
—"What are they?"
—"Sebastian. Come in."
Sebastian opened the large, heavy black door. he was a middle-aged man, with white hair. And he was a little short. and he walked in, glaring at Victor.
Victor,
—"Sebastian, write down what I'm about to say."
Sebastian,
—"Okay, sir."
Victor,
—"In the event that an heir is born, all rights to the child will remain with me. So, if we divorce, you won't have the option of taking him with you. You have the right to see him twice a week. Ultimately, I need someone to lead this family. In all political situations, I want the child to be on my family's side. So, he will never be an ally of your family. If I lose my life during your pregnancy or after the child's birth, I want you to ensure that the child is raised as the future owner of Stormwell. You will absolutely bring that child back here,okay? If you don't follow this rule , the Stormwell family will have the right to take the child from you. Even if the Stormwell family goes bankrupt, you will bring that heir here no matter what to keep Stormwell alive. If you don't, you'll still face difficulties because you bear the surname of a family that went bankrupt, but if you do, we'll grant you the right to distance yourself from that surname. If I die in 20 years, you can inherit 40% of my estate. If I die before 20 years, only 10%. If I have a child, they will inherit 100%. If my child is not of legal age, you can manage 70% to a certain extent until they grow up.
—"…You're dragging this out too long. Who would want your inheritance anyway! "
—"We are the Stormwell family. Even our 5% income would support a kingdom for several years."
—What would I do with your money?"
—"I'm only setting these rules as a formality. Otherwise, I don't have my eye on the money, but I have my family behind me. I can't forget them in any step I take"
—What about the child issue? How do we know we'll have a child?
—I need an heir within a maximum of 4-5 years. If you are still my wife during that time, we must try to have an heir. Write this down, Sebastian."
—"What are you saying, Almila?"
"Sebastian. Add this: If I become queen, I want 20% of the kingdom's administration for myself." Sebastian was suddenly surprised, looking at Victor for approval. Victor thought for a moment,
"—Okay. But… you won't have enough power to override my words."
—"So?"
"For example, if I want the tax I receive from the Willborn family to increase by 20%, you can't reduce it to 10%, but otherwise you can do whatever you want. You can increase the Burmingham family's by 70%, for example." —"But you can reduce the Burmingham family's tax to 20% if you want."
—"Yes."
—"No. I won't be a worker under you."
—"The queen already has certain powers." —"Yes. She does. But I don't want to organize balls, resolve people's quarrels, and reconcile them."
—"Relations with foreign countries and…"
—"I don't want it!"
—"I can't give you the %20 of the kingdom! I have people to protect too! What about you? You want this throne just for your own pleasure!"
—"I have an honor to prove! "
—"You want this throne just for the sake of wanting it!"
—"That's not why I want it! I've been humiliated for years! Because I'm a woman, I wasn't even considered the heir to the throne! Now I want to possess it! I want power!"
"—I'm giving you the power you want! Why do you want more power? Power is trouble! You're always the only one at the top. You always have to do something! You'll always be running around and getting tired! Otherwise, thousands of people will suffer with every wrong step you take!
—I'm the only one in this world who can be at the top and provide the most idealistic leadership, Victor! I know what power means. I know it better than you. You're acting emotionally, and I don't understand why. I want power because I don't want them to erase me like they did the other day! I don't want them to be able to erase me! —…We both want the same things. Why can't you leave the rest to me? I promise I'll make sure everything you want happens. As much as I can. I'll make sure they never forget you again. —Why are you hesitant to give me leadership? —What will you do? Because I'm not sure what you'll do. Tell me. —I'll explain. Let's just be the two of us. —Sebastian, leave. Sebastian left.
Victor pulled a leather armchair in front of him so I could sit down. He sat down at his own desk.
I began to explain,
—"My mother was a noblewoman living in the countryside. The Sultan, upon seeing her face, could never forget her. Eventually, they married, but my mother couldn't get used to living in the main palace. She would say that everywhere reeked of arrogance, pride, and betrayal. She always longed for a peaceful place… She didn't like all this arrogance. She didn't like the artificial perfume-scented collars of those nobles. That's why… I want to create such a peaceful environment around where my mother's grave is, that is, in the palace. When I was young, I was ostracized by my older brother and sister because I was the child of a different mother. My mother and I suffered a lot in that house where we were powerless. I couldn't protect my mother. But… it won't be like that anymore. I will bring peace to the kingdom. I will eliminate the difference between the nobles and the common people! Aren't we all human? Why do some of us live in paradise while others live in hell? This is unfair… That's why I want this. Do you have a better reason than me?"
—"Well…
Shouts were heard from outside
—"How interesting. Such a commotion in front of the Duke's palace. Are you really sure you're a powerful family? "
I said to him.
—"My Lady, we're probably just going to interrogate a criminal. He's being taken to the dungeon nearby so I can interrogate him. So he committed treason. I'm just going to teach him a lesson. "
—"Now?"
—"Not now. After all, we don't need to hesitate to keep a criminal waiting, do we? My knights will handle it for now. They'll show him his place. Then, finally, I'll go."
—"I understand…They looked very close since we were on the first floor. It was a little frightening, to be honest."
—"Why?"
—"The criminal…was an Azelian, wasn't he? I heard their eyes have a strange color. A slight purple, lilac tint. It's not noticeable unless you look carefully, though."
—"…What do you mean?"
Victor lowered his head,
—"I don't know. They say their eyes have a purplish hue. They create an image resembling the color of violets… The shimmer in their eyes isn't always visible. It's usually most noticeable when light hits them. The Azelians are a very dangerous race… That's why I was scared when I saw that man. It's frightening to know a criminal is so close to me. Isn't it, Mr. Stormwell?"
Victor looked at the ground, then at me. He looked at me with a little hesitation, the sun reflecting in his eyes. I always thought his eyes were blue… But now, with the sunlight, I understand. There was a dazzling purple shimmer in his eyes. They usually looked blue, but now… Victor was one of them. I stood up. I took a few steps back. I was afraid of them.
—"D*mn… Who have I gotten myself into trouble with…"
I said.