Concerns About the Crown Princess Position

Chapter 34

Empress Anya's POV

What a great morning. I'm teasing Victor. I'm with my beloved husband. And my adored little princess is here with me again. I started to get used to having Ash around. It would be a pleasure if I make Ash the crown princess. Since Claude and Ash are really good for each other. I can fantasize about it now. This empire deserves someone like Ash for the future emperor's wife. She is not just beautiful she has the features of a real ruler.

Speaking of Ash, we are now both together drinking tea. Her father is with Mason at the library. I think they'll also be visiting Claude and Alejandro. In this Lobelia Palace, there is a wide garden with a glass greenhouse. I'm with her, inside the glass greenhouse. Ashlyn has only been the only noble girl with who I had an audience. Since what happened two years ago with Ash and the other noble daughters. I notice my awareness of other's real behavior was getting weak. Realizing it. I'll be watching not just my back but also the patricians. "It's refreshing isn't it?" I asked. Ash nodded. I set my cup down. I want an answer from her. Although she's just 11 and at a young age. I want to know if she wants a position in our royal family. Since the other duchies are making a move. About the heiress position.

"Ash, do you want to be the crown princess?" My tone was serious. Ash continued sipping her tea then stopped. "Aunt, the duchy is already an insane place. Yet the royal structure is far more dangerous than the aristocrats. I am not petrified of those kinds of stuff nor worried about it. A ruler's wife has many responsibilities to her husband, to her family, the royal family, the empire along the power and authority she holds. If you think I'm worth those things or I'm more than that. Royal aunt, I'm far from your expectations." Ash said. Now, I don't see a young Mia Ashlyn De Alegro. I only see a great sovereign. I was mesmerized when she talked as if I saw a monarch leading the whole world right in front of me. Ash was right she is far from my or other's expectation. She has a bright future more than an Emperor's wife is. I smiled, "Ash, a moment ago, I saw someone I used to know. You were like portraying him. If my daughter, the princess was still alive. She could have been someone like you. You could have had a little older playmate." Ashlyn gave me a confused look. I chuckled. If only my other child was alive.

"You had a daughter?" Ashlyn was hesitant for a moment to ask. "Yes, my daughter's name was supposed to be Alaina. She was my child from my ex-husband. Yes, I was a remarried person. You know if my daughter was alive, Mason would be happy. His happiness was my happiness. In the past, I grieve for my daughter's life. And your royal uncle was there with me." She was sipping tea. I saw how her shoulders fell. I laugh, she didn't have a reaction written on her face. But her actions speak what response she won't say. "My daughter died because I had a complication of giving birth at that time. And my ex-husband was a villager. My parents weren't opposed to my relationship with my mere villager lover. However, a circumstance happens that led me to a decision I need to make. It was really fate that put us on a trial. That he and I failed. It's alright. It's been many years since we divorced. Add to that, I haven't seen that scum since then." I laugh as I reminisce about my life with my ex-husband before.

True, I loved him. Nevertheless, it's already in the past. He must be happy now. Furthermore, my sons and Mason are already worth my life. The settlement I did before was the way of giving me my family now.

"It.... It must be hard for royal aunt to experience your hardships." She voiced. She looked straight into my eyes. Her blue eyes gleam sadness. This child, it's like this child has gone through many things. It has always been like this when I'm with her. Like I'm talking to a much older person than me. "It was." I nodded as an answer. "Aunt, why are you telling me this?" A sudden question she gave. I firstly shrugged, "I also don't know. I just really had a feeling to open up to you, little Ash." I confess.

We are silent. Kind of uncomfortable. "So, how about my little Ash? What life did you have at the orphanage?" I questioned. Ashlyn just stared at me for a moment. "Come on. This aunt of yours has been opening with you since we got close to each other. Besides, I'm the only one who talks nonstop here." I clarified. Ashlyn exhale. Yes!

"Aunt, it's better if the only ones who know this is you and me." I nodded. Although, a thought of mine is asking why? Maybe she's not talkative about it, that's an answer. "I wasn't utterly orphan. I had an uncle who I was with since my mother died. But because of his job he handed me to Mother Teressa. Then that's it. I've been living in the orphanage with the other orphans." I patted her head. "I lost my daughter. You lost your mother. Really a coincidence. Nevertheless, you have me and I have you. We both have each other now. You can tell me anything that's bothering you. Even so, we're not related. I want to be your family." I said as I caress her cheeks. Ash had a gentle expression.

"If only I have thought to adopt you first before Victor. Then you could have been my daughter." I pouted. Ash smiled. Cute. I definitely won't get tired of this girl.

"Are you sure you don't want to be my daughter-in-law? Be the crown princess?" I ask with cute eyes. "No, royal aunt." She quickly answered afterward ate some cookies. "Hmp, hahaha." I laugh at her cuteness.

Hunter's POV

I'm at the pub upstairs. I was watching my crew as usual getting drunk. Ahem, I also am drinking at this moment. "Sir, you have been scratching your ear for a while now? You've been doing that for a minute or so. Is something bothering you?" I stopped when Aquila mention it. "I don't know. Seems like someone's talking behind my back." I replied. "Well, if that's the case then maybe someone is talking behind your back." He shrugged while giggling.

It's bothersome. My right ear is real itchy. Just who the heck is talking about me?

Emperor's Mason's POV

Victor and I discussed something about the capital's new business. The capital's new business is the first-ever gambling house in the center of the empire. They say the gambling building is a booming business.

Now we are heading to my two son's study. An idea slipped to my mind. I smirk, "Mason, where are your sons by the way?" V queried. V short for Victor. "They're at the study, loving V." Victor growl as he heard his nickname. Hihi, I'm the only one who gives nicknames to him. I cling my hand at his shoulder. I brought my face close to his.

Victor frown, "Why make that face, love. Let's go, our sons are waiting for us." I sweetly said. Victor hit me in my head. It was a cue that I need to run now. I was loudly laughing while calling Victor names. "Honey, stop chasing me~" I satisfyingly mock. We are running towards the study. Still calling him in cringe names. I reach the library seeing Claude and Alejandro, my sons. Claude is lazying around while monitoring Alejandro. Checking if his little brother is doing his homework. Alejandro is scratching his head with a quil in his hand. My son's puzzled with his unfinished work.

A/N: Quil an ancient lightweight pen.

My sons notice me and are about to approach me. When suddenly, "You fucking asshole! Get ready." Victor shouted from outside the study. Oh, now I know what to do. Alejandro got more puzzled when Victor shouted. But since Claude already knows what is happening he let himself watch since I know he was bored. I gulped for a bit, I stood straight. Walked to my sons. And sat at one of the lounging chairs they are sitting in. "Shh," I signaled my children. "Jerk, where the fuck are yo-----Good morning, young princes." In a swift, he changed his swearing into a morning greet.

"Victor, who's the jerk your referring to?" I asked with a mischievous smile. "A dog who barked my name with many embarrassing nicknames. It was a mad dog, your excellency." A mad dog? I was about to get irritated. But I reminded myself I'm in front of my kids. "Maybe the dog was only yearning for someone's attention," I said while taking a book that was on the small table. After I took the book I saw how Victor smirk. "Yes, yes, an insane dog yearning for his owner's attention. That makes sense, Mason." He had a wicked laugh that I got along with. Claude laughed that I stared at. I saw how Alejandro just understand what we're talking about. Then Alejandro burst to laugh.

"Oh, by the way, kids. Ashlyn is at the glass greenhouse with your mother. Go be with your mother now. I'll be talking to the Grand Duke privately." Before they go out, they bid farewell to Victor first. "Grand Duke, we'll go now. May the four moons bless you." They said in unison. Victor simply nodded as an answer.

"Now the kids are gone. What are you gonna talk about with me?" I put down the book I was holding for a while ago. "Regarding royalty." I beam. "Cut the crap. Speak directly, you moron." He menace. I took my happy feeling within me and said, "The crown princess spot it's still empty. I'm about to discuss with you is I want your daughter to be my daughter-in-law." I directly spoke. I felt chills as I look at him. He's going berserk. I let my guard down hoping he'll not do anything offensively. However, I shouldn't have done that choice. Again, Victor hit me. It was a relief I didn't fall from the lounging chair. "Heck! Victor, why did you hit me?" A question slipped to my mouth. I rapidly covered my mouth. He was about to smack me again. "So what part of you do you want me to hit you? Your damn face?" Victor threaten. "I was entirely just asking." I scratch my head when I made my excuse.

"You have the nerve to ask me that?! Do you think I'll hand over my daughter to you? Even if Charlotte is here. I won't let any of my daughters be your daughter-in-law or anyone's daughter-in-law." Loving Victor scold. "Okay, okay, okay. This is just my personal opinion." He sigh.

"Alas, you damn idiot. Have you forgotten? I have also been into an arranged marriage before at a young age. It was something I didn't want yet but because of the north's damn duchy system. I needed to marry a noble. Every family member and family head will go to that arrange marriage just like our ancestors did. That was also why I wish the former emperor to grant me a lower rank, which is the Grand Viscount I hold before. When I became the new head. I strip off the policy of having a forced marriage in the North Duchy." What the fuck? Why tell me a story? "Victor, we have been friends for decades. And you don't have to tell me about that. You don't have to tell me a tale." I said as I rolled my eyes.

"What time is it now?" He asked, "Maybe it's already around 10 or 11 noon. I guess." I answered. "Then let's go to the empress and my daughter. It's getting late, isn't it?" Victor state. Late? Come on, boy. "You are missing your daughter too much. Victor, your daughter is at the Lobelia Palace with my wife in the glass greenhouse. They're not going anywhere far from the Lobelia Palace and the Castle." I declaim. Victor showed me his cute face. I'm uncomfortable when he's making faces like that.

"Fine, fine, we'll go to my wife later," I spoke. His eyes beamed with happiness. I smiled, "But do you have any second thoughts about Ashlyn being my daughter-in-law?" I ask, hoping he has second or third thoughts about it. And, again, I shouldn't have a question about it. I got easily beat up again.

If I die in Victor's hands. I think the headline of the news will be; "The First-ever Emperor who Died in his Beloved Friend's Hands Because the Emperor Wants his Friend's Daughter to be his Daughter-in-law." Wow, what a death. Haha, I know that will never happen. Victor and I are in thick and thin. We have experienced many things in and out of the royal along with the nobility. I trust him.