Reinhardt’s warning was delivered with a smile that didn't reach his golden eyes—a look of absolute, unyielding sternness.
But Eric only met his gaze with a look of cool, arrogant mockery. “And why should I follow your instructions, Duke Tarrant?”
“It is common courtesy to release a lady’s hand when you lack her permission to hold it,” Reinhardt replied, his voice smooth as silk.
Eric’s blue eyes narrowed sharply. “I believe you’re overstepping your bounds. We are a married couple. Permission is implicit.”
I had expected the argument to escalate, but I was surprised when Reinhardt unexpectedly conceded the point.
“Yes, technically, the Duke is Her Highness’s husband,” Reinhardt said, his tone conversational. “But what of it? Her Highness was the one who suggested she return home with me.”
Eric turned his gaze to me, his eyes piercing and cold. “Is this true?”
Perhaps it was because I had been conditioned by years of his disapproval, but for a split second, my heart trembled. *Is he going to scold me?*
In truth, for a married woman to ride in a carriage with a man who was not her husband was a scandal of the highest order. But I realized, with a sudden surge of liberation, that I no longer cared about scandals.
*You don't have the right to be angry with me,* I thought. *Not after what I overheard.*
I wanted him to feel even a fraction of the agitation I was feeling. I met his gaze with a look of cool determination and nodded.
“It is. Duke Tarrant and I haven't seen each other in years. I thought we might use the journey to catch up.” I paused, adding a sharp edge to my voice. “By the way, Eric, didn't you leave something behind in the gardens? I’m sure Madeleine is waiting for you.”
It was a direct hit, a reminder of his lover. But Eric didn't flinch.
“I left nothing in the gardens,” he said, his voice flat.
“I’m sure she’s moved on to find another audience by now,” I muttered, trying to pull my hand back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a carriage to board.”
Eric’s grip loosened for a fraction of a second, but before I could withdraw, he tightened it again, even firmer than before.
“In that case,” he said, his voice dropping into a register of absolute command, “I will join you.”
I blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
“I have no intention of letting rumors spread about my wife’s conduct. If you must ride with the Duke, then we shall all ride together.”
I stared at him. *You’re really going to go this far just to protect your precious reputation?* He was so obsessed with control that he was willing to sit in a carriage with a man he despised just to keep me under his thumb.
I was about to protest—to tell him exactly where he could shove his "reputation"—when Reinhardt spoke up first.
“Fine by me,” Reinhardt said, his voice full of a bright, easy charm. “The more the merrier. Let’s go.”
I looked at Reinhardt, a sense of annoyance bubbling up. *You have no idea what you’ve just invited, do you?*
***
The carriage ride was the most uncomfortable twenty minutes of my life.
I sat in the center of the plush velvet bench, flanked by Reinhardt—who was watching me with a look of intense, curious focus—and Eric, whose gaze was as sharp and cold as a bayonet.
*I should have stayed at the palace and waited for my father,* I thought, the regret sitting heavy in my stomach.
Reinhardt was the first to break the suffocating silence. “So, Your Highness, do you still play chess? I remember you were quite the strategist as a child.”
“I’m busy,” I replied, my voice dry.
I tried to ignore him, but I could feel Eric’s eyes on me, searching for any sign of a hidden connection between us. I realized I’d made a mistake by claiming we had things to "talk about." Now I had to actually perform the conversation.
“Chess was a hobby of my youth,” I added reluctantly. “I’ve found my interests have changed as I’ve grown.”
“Is that so? I also recall you were remarkably gifted with a blade. One of the few princesses who actually enjoyed the training grounds.”
“I didn't enjoy it. I was simply good at it.”
Reinhardt let out a melodic laugh. “I see. And what do you find yourself drawn to these days, if not strategy and steel?”
I hesitated. For the last five years, my only "hobby" had been obsessing over Eric—spying on his meetings, causing scenes with the women he spoke to, and nursing my own misery. I could hardly say that out loud.
Reinhardt seemed to sense my discomfort and smoothly pivoted. “Perhaps my questions are too personal. Tell me, do you still have a fondness for peaches? I remember you used to devour them whenever the summer harvest arrived.”
I nodded. “They’re a fine fruit. One of the few things worth the expense.”
Reinhardt’s smile widened, a faint flush touching his cheeks. “You’re still as transparent as ever when it comes to your cravings...”
“What was that?” I asked, having missed his whisper.
Before he could answer, Eric cut in, his voice loud and assertive. “My wife mentioned a fondness for jade recently, didn't she?”
I looked at Eric, my brow furrowing. “Yes. What of it?”
“We’ve recently uncovered a particularly fine specimen from one of our southern holdings. I’d like to present it to you as a gift.”
I stared at him. *Is he trying to compete with Reinhardt?* It was almost comical. I didn't want anything from him, but I realized there was no reason to refuse.
“If you wish,” I said, my voice indifferent. “I’ll accept it.”
Eric’s expression soured. He had likely expected a shower of gratitude—the old Cornelia would have been weeping with joy at such a "gesture." But I just felt a cold, hard sense of entitlement. He’d used me as a shield for years; the least he could do was give me some jewelry.
The silence returned, heavier than before. Reinhardt eventually broke it again, his voice full of a competitive edge.
“It seems the Duke has outdone me. I was going to offer a gift of my own to commemorate our reunion, but I fear a mere stone can't compete with... well, whatever it is he’s offering.”
“A gift?” I asked. “What did you have in mind?”
“Although it’s not the season for harvest, I’d like to gift you several peach trees from my family’s private orchards in the suburbs. They are a rare strain, known for being the sweetest in the Empire.”
I was genuinely surprised. Imperial peaches were a luxury, incredibly difficult to cultivate and reserved for the highest nobility. A whole tree—let alone several—was a significant gift.
“Why would you give me something so valuable?” I asked. “We haven't spoken in years.”
Reinhardt offered me a kind, almost tender look. “We were close as children, Cornelia. And perhaps... I see a glimmer of hope in this reunion.”
*Hope?* I didn't like the sound of that.
“It’s a simple matter for me,” he added quickly. “Please, don't feel burdened. Consider it a token of my esteem.”
“Very well. I’ll accept them.”
Reinhardt laughed, a sound of genuine delight. “It makes me happy just to see you smile at such a small thing.”
Before he could finish, Eric spoke again, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous rumble.
“The mine.”
I looked at him, confused. “The what?”
“I’ll give you the jade mine,” Eric said, his gaze fixed on Reinhardt.
I nearly choked. The jade mine? House Brant’s primary jade source? At this time, jade wasn't particularly valuable, but it was still an entire mine. More importantly, I knew that mine was the center of the contract Eric had just burned—the one the Marquis of Arguin had been desperate for.
By giving it to me, Eric wasn't just giving me a gift; he was effectively cutting his ties with the Arguin family’s business interests.
*You’re giving me the mine?* My heart began to race with a fierce, suppressed joy. *With that mine, I can flood the market with jade right when the price peaks. I’ll be independent. I’ll never have to rely on the Emperor or Eric again.*
I struggled to keep my face a mask of indifference. I didn't want him to see how much this meant to me.
“I see,” I said, my voice cool. “If you’re so determined to rid yourself of the responsibility, I’ll take it. We can draft the transfer contract tonight.”
The carriage finally pulled into the courtyard of the Brant estate. Reinhardt was the first to step out, turning to offer his hand to help me down.
“It was truly a pleasure to see you again, Your Highness. I look forward to our next meeting.”
I took his hand, offering him a polite, formal farewell. “Thank you for the ride, Duke Tarrant. I won't forget the gift.”
Reinhardt looked past me at Eric, his golden eyes full of a sharp, challenging light.
“I won't miss the opportunity that has come my way, Your Highness,” he said, his voice clear and meaningful. “Until we meet again.”