Regina
"So tragic. First her guardian, then her fiancé…"
"It seems bad luck clings to her. Any man close to her doesn't survive."
"It's almost scary to imagine when she actually inherits the title. What misfortune would that bring?"
Carefully worded insults dressed as concern were all I heard when the Grand Duke's funeral was held. Many high-ranking nobles came to attend and pay their respects. All dukes, counts, barons, the Northern Duke, and even the King's right hand, the Chief Minister, who stood in place of the old king, attended.
But beneath all the veils and black robes, I had seen nothing but calculation from almost every noble who had attended. They did not come here to grieve, but to weigh their chances.
I stood among them, wearing a high-collared black velvet gown, and my hair swept into a sleek bun beneath a sheer lace veil. I was surrounded by whispered condolences and careful glances. They weren't mourning the Grand Duke. They were here to see who would take the seat of power now that he was gone.
My fists were clenched in my gloves, but the platinum-bound onyx pendant bearing my family crest rested at my throat, reminding me not to lose my patience, not to speak unnecessarily, and not to lose my composure. It was a privilege and a burden to stand tall.
Jasper was also present that day. He stood tall beside his wife at the funeral like he belonged there. He moved through the funeral like a man born to rule. Offering comfort, speaking with gravity, touching sleeves and palms in that careful, calculated way. He had always been a shadow to Charles, but now he stood in full light.
His wife, Iris, the daughter of the Eastern Duke, surrounded herself with noblewomen; her cries of sympathy were ringing too sweet, too rehearsed. She gained sudden importance. Her allies were growing.
The noblewomen, especially the ones in Iris's circle, pretended to pity me as they whispered about me bringing bad luck to men.
I stood still, jaw tight, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a reaction. But it burned. All those women were in Iris's close circle, who followed her around and now had grown bolder after seeing Jasper roaming around like he belonged to the Duchy.
As I turned away from the casket, I caught sight of those women lingering nearby. The flinched momentarily, shrinking in their place like a guilty child caught mid-act.
But I knew better than to say something. Not all wars were meant to be fought. I would only come off as an ungrateful woman who is very insecure about her authority.
Jasper & Iris left no chance to weave their web, even at the funeral. Whispering into the ears of powerful families, building support with fake smiles and gentle hands.
But no matter how hard they tried, no one could challenge me outright. They knew the truth, even if they didn't speak it aloud. The bloodline mattered. My bloodline. It was through me that the Anderson's line continued. And the nobility, for all their scheming, took such things very seriously.
Later, however, Iris grew bolder. Before I could walk toward the Chief Minister and key dignitaries to greet them, Iris stepped in.
She swept forward with a polite smile, greeting the guests with perfect grace.
"We are so thankful for your presence today," she said, her voice clear and sweet. "The Duchess is still… overwhelmed with grief. It's been difficult, you understand. It's hard to bear so much tragedy with such strength. She's quite delicate at the moment."
Her eyes fluttered toward Jasper briefly, who was having a conversation with some council members of the Duchy, before adding with a pleasant smile, "Thankfully, Jasper, my husband has been a steady pillar through all of this. His strength has held the family together."
Family…like we ever had that relation.
It was clear she just wanted me to react. To make me seem petty and power-hungry in front of the royal ministers at such a sensitive time.
They all stood unsure of how to respond. While the Chief Minister's face was completely void of any reaction and as he saw me step into his vision, he turned his face to me.
I didn't say a word to Iris as I passed her. I didn't even look in her direction. My presence was unshaken. And it was enough for Iris's smile to falter for the briefest second.
I stood in front of them, poised and composed. And greeted the Chief Minister and others with the grace expected of a duchess.
"Minister Knox," I said, offering a respectful curtsy. "It is an honor to have you here on behalf of His Majesty. Andersons are grateful for His Majesty the King's continued support."
The Chief Minister, a tall man with sharp eyes and silver at his temples, gave a slight bow in return. His voice held the weight of quiet authority.
"The Crown treats its loyal pillars like family," he said, pausing for a moment as if weighing something behind his gaze.
"You hold yourself well, Duchess Regina. Just as your guardian would've wanted."
I met his eyes with calm confidence and nodded. The atmosphere shifted, as everyone heard him acknowledge me as the duchess. I didn't need to turn to know Iris was clenching her fists, her pride cracking under the silence.
One by one, the guests turned to acknowledge me. Bowing, offering condolences, and well wishes. Their recognition was instinctive, compelled by the unspoken power of presence. Not a single eye turned to Iris.
Behind me, she stood stiff, her smile faltering as the nobles passed her by as if she were part of the furniture. I didn't spare her a glance either. Instead, I slowly walked away.
Whispers fluttered through the hall like falling leaves.
"She carries the Anderson name with such dignity."
"There's no mistaking her blood. That is how a duchess stands."
Iris's silence cracked into a quiet, furious breath. I heard her retreat, heels biting into the floor, each step echoing with resentment, and Jasper shortly followed after her. This was a mistake she made today; she showed me her true intentions, and she was not good at masking her greedy nature as well as Jasper yet.
A moment later, they both disappeared down the corridor.
And then, at last, I approached the Grand Duke's casket for the final goodbye.
The hall had grown quiet. The Grand Duke lay still, wrapped in velvet and honor, the weight of his legacy pressing against my chest. I knelt beside him, fingers brushing the edge of the coffin. My voice, low and certain, whispered into the still air:
"I will take care of everything, and I'll live just as you would have wanted me to."
Just when I stood up to go to Minister Knox, that's when Jasper appeared.
Polished as always. Cloaked in a gentleman's concern that felt as hollow as his heart.
"My lady," he said smoothly, stepping beside me as though we were old friends sharing grief. "I hope you can manage things well in this difficult time. We are always here when needed."
My eyes met his, and I gave him a faint smile. Calculated and cold. I could hear the words he did not say aloud. He wanted me to talk about yesterday's incident. He must be wondering why no one has brought it up yet. I had told my knights not to disclose the incident, and act like nothing happened. Jasper, however, of course knew all his assassins were all murdered.
Jasper did not seem surprised or defeated watching me here today, which meant his purpose was not to kill me, but to just attack me. So everyone would start questioning my authority.
Now there is nothing for the nobles to whisper about, no whispers of how dare criminals strike in my territory. How fragile I must be. How a woman could not possibly hold the reins of power.
But I did not give him the satisfaction of confirming a single thing.
"I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, everything is under control." I let the final words linger.
His smile faltered, just slightly. A flicker of tension in the jaw, the way his gaze lingered a little too long before he offered a respectful nod. While I could have said more, I had decided not to show him my claws. Not yet. It was best that he did not know who he was up against.
Jasper was brilliant, it was best I never underestimate his schemes. But I was smarter and I will keep letting him underestimate me. For as long as possible.
Once the guests had left, only one figure remained near the garden gate, Minister Knox, His Majesty's right hand.
He offered me a brief nod as we sat in the carriage to go back to the main residence, his expression solemn yet calm. We didn't speak much on our way back to the palace. But once within the familiar stone walls of the Grand Duke's residence, we walked.
The corridors echoed with memories. I guided him through the estate, answered his questions, showed him the state of the armory, the hall of records, and lastly, the knight training grounds, where my uncle, a former Imperial Knight, had taken over command.
Satisfied, he gave a curt nod. "It seems you've kept a tight hold," he said. "That's good."
But then he paused at the base of the terrace steps, gaze sharpening with something sterner. "However, you must understand, while the imperial palace supports you now, Duchess Regina, we cannot do so forever."
I didn't respond. I already knew what was coming.
"All the nobles are silent now, and you know very well why. Out of respect for your titles and for their schemes. But once it's been a while, they will begin to stir, if they push for a different arrangement... we will not be able to silence all of them. Not without consequence."
His voice was heavy with realism, not threat. "It would be wise to marry. Sooner rather than later. Six months. That's the longest all the nobles would wait for."
I exhaled quietly, then turned to face the far-off courtyard. "I've considered it," I admitted. "But finding a man who doesn't fear me or try to claim what I've built… is not a simple task."
"You are the most powerful woman in the empire," he said. "That is both your strength and your burden."
I nodded. "I'll find a way no matter what. I do not wish to give anyone a chance to question me. But I won't rush into handing my authority to just any man who dares wear a title."
Minister Knox's lips twitched, just briefly. "Then we will wait for as long as we can. I trust your judgement on this matter."
I smiled curtly as I spoke, "You've always carried the empire's burden, Minister Knox. I won't add to it. I'll find a way."
He exhaled deeply, his shoulders sinking just slightly under the weight of decades of service. "I hope so, Duchess. Because the realm needs you to succeed… I wish you success."
Then, as if remembering an old ache, he muttered with a tired shake of his head, "But my primary chaos is His Highness, the crown prince. He is off on one of his spontaneous disappearances again. He vanished again last week. I swear, I've aged twenty years chasing after him. He never listens."
A soft chuckle escaped me, genuine this time. "Whenever he disappears like this, he either returns with honor… or treasure. I wouldn't worry too much."
Minister Knox looked at me, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I caught a glint of amusement in his tired eyes. "That boy will be the death of me."
"And yet you still chase after him."
"Because someone has to, at least till we find a way to tame him," he grumbled.