Cheston sat down, noticing the letter to the Kingdom of Carulo on the table, along with a marriage proposal from the neighboring kingdom of Perontra.
“The queen’s cousin’s death has led Carulo to demand compensation. What do you think we should do?”
“Perhaps it’s best to discuss this with the queen.”
“She only thinks about her own kingdom’s benefit. There’s no value in talking to her.”
The king grimaced, clearly displeased. If he disliked her so much, why not divorce her? Cheston despised his father’s hypocrisy.
“Is your marriage with her simply for the sake of an alliance between nations?”
“What else could it be? The queen is vile and cruel, just like her son. Do you know how many women he’s mistreated since becoming an adult?”
Cheston didn’t know, but Carl’s vile behavior was enough evidence. But what difference did it make, considering the king’s own actions?
“We need a suitable negotiation strategy.”
“I’ll help on one condition.”
“Go ahead.”
“Allow me to verify if Léowen Palace’s garden has Ribenia.”
“Ribenia? The herb?”
Cheston nodded. It was strange that Ribenia kept being supplied despite the difficulty in obtaining it.
“Alright, I grant you permission.”
“Thank you.”
Only after securing the king’s promise did Cheston leave the room.
“Carulo must already know the truth. The queen probably sent a letter. Use that to press her with evidence. Her maid, Jane, must know everything.”
“The queen’s favored maid, huh? You mean to make them retract their compensation demand themselves.”
The king nodded. There was no assassin to begin with, so no evidence could be found. Everything was fabricated. The king glanced at Cheston and handed him the documents.
“I plan to engage you to the princess of this region.”
“…Perontra, you mean?”
“Yes, you need a power to support you, don’t you?”
“If the princess dies, it will lead to war. The queen will surely not remain silent.”
“It would be difficult to kill a princess of a nation.”
At the king’s words, Cheston clenched and unclenched his fist, shaking his head.
“I already have more than enough on my side.”
“Where do you have allies here?”
“If you permit me, I will bring the woman I intend to engage.”
The king clicked his tongue. He was displeased that his intelligent son was making what he considered a foolish choice.
“If the queen’s influence reaches her, she will surely flee.”
“That won’t happen. She’s someone who is willing to stake her life.”
“…She said she would risk her life for you?”
Cheston nodded. The king looked incredulous and displeased. However, considering it, Perontra would most likely want Carl, the legitimate heir, for political marriage.
“If you expose me, it will embarrass you. Please proceed with the marriage proposal for my brother. I have no intention of letting the woman who staked her life for me die so easily.”
“If you insist, I will judge her when you bring her.”
“The one I bring will surely satisfy you.”
If the girl favored by the queen becomes Cheston’s fiancée, it would cause a stir in public opinion.
If she becomes the star of the debutante ball, gaining the full support of the queen, she could have chosen the best groom and gotten married. But now that her fiancé is Cheston, it’s as if the queen has inadvertently gifted him the best bride-to-be.
Cheston imagined the queen’s twisted face in fury and smiled.
The Villainous Demon Lord Laid an Egg for Her (Female-Dominated)
Several months after transmigrating into a book, Yu Wu found herself facing the demon lord Li You, who could no longer conceal his dragon horns. With one hand on her aching waist and the other gripping a sharp sword, she stared at him.
The demon lord’s eyes were red with fury:
“This is all your doing! Today, I won’t rest until I kill you!”
Yu Wu rubbed her temples. Putting aside the taboo against bloodshed during pregnancy, wasn’t it this very man who willingly walked into her trap that day?!
Warnings:
- Male pregnancy.
- Height ratios are set to mirror typical male-female height proportions.
- Characters include a foot-loving demon lord and an eldest daughter from an immortal family’s concubine lineage.
