?

　　I underlined the first agenda on the list numerous times to indicate the importance of it. Looking down at a proper list now, I could feel myself being able to breathe properly and think clearly. Gideon picked up another pen before pulling my list towards him. I watched as he circled the second agenda.

　　“This is what you need to focus on right now, princess. Finding a suitable partner.”

　　“Isn’t getting answers about father’s death just as important?” I frowned. “There could be a conspiracy rising and what if we have to solve that in order to get answers as to why he chose me to be the heir in the first place.”

　　“I already have some trusted allies who are still searching for clues to even support the theory that your father was assassinated. These things take time.”

　　“Finding someone to marry takes time too,” I argued.

　　Gideon tapped onto the stack of papers in front of him which I assumed to be the eligible alphas he had compiled. “That is why we are here right now. Forgive me for speaking freely, princess but you must be aware of your circumstances. The alphas in high society often marry amongst each other for the reputation, status and power they would gain. The handful of times when alphas do marry betas or omegas they-”

　　“They suffer.” I cut him off. “I’ve read about these before, Gideon. Alphas of noble status are often discriminated upon for marrying outside of the alpha circle. Most of the time their reputation falls too low to the point where they renounce their status and live a humble life.”

　　“Yes but it’s different with you. You are no ordinary omega, you are to be the crown empress of the Southern Kingdom but even then I can foresee that some suitors might not want to take the risk in courting you due to political disputes. And besides, if Lady Marie is as intelligent as she is cunning, she would have probably warned any eligible alphas to turn your proposal down.”

　　“So where are we here then? How will this even work? Because from how I see it, you are basically telling me that whoever I pick to marry might not even agree to it because I’m a liability.” I slumped against the chair, crossing my arms in frustration.

　　Gideon let out a sigh as he finally sat down opposite of me. “I never said that, princess.”

　　“Then what are you trying to say?”

　　“Let’s think about it this way.” Gideon started. “What will you achieve once you become the empress?”

　　“Power?” I blurted out immediately.

　　“Indeed. Now, what do people, especially those with noble status desperately want besides fame and wealth?”?

　　I pondered for a second. “Power.” I said confidently.

　　“Yes, exactly.” Gideon was about to explain everything to me but I let out an understanding gasp.

　　“I get it now!” I exclaimed, nearly jumping out of my chair from excitement. “We basically have to find the alphas who would benefit from this marriage. ”

　　Gideon smiled widely. “Yes! A marriage of convenience is very much a norm. Your father and Lady Marie for example was a marriage of convenience.”

　　My eyes widened as I did not know that fact. “And what about my mother’s marriage to him? Was it a marriage of convenience as well?”

　　“I would like to think that it wasn’t.” A familiar voice spoke out, causing both me and Gideon to flinch from shock. Due to our intrigue and focus on the topic, we had not noticed that we were not alone in the nearly dark library. I quickly turned to where the voice came from, only to spot my mother and Aiden approaching us.

　　“M-Mother! What are you doing here?”

　　“I could ask the same question to you, Cordelia! I was worried sick when you disappeared after the meeting and when I go looking for you, I have to hear from Anne that you and Gideon are still working so late at night?”

　　“Lady Isabella…” Gideon started as he stood up.

　　“Not now, Gideon! I’m speaking to Cordelia.” She fumed, causing the older man to stay silent.

　　“Mother, I-” I tried to reason with her instead but she never gave me the chance to continue my words.

　　“I don’t understand why you would agree to Lady Marie’s terms. I don’t understand why you would want to risk your life to ascend to the throne. Why, Cordelia? Why not just refuse even if it goes against your father’s wish? Surely he would not want this heavy burden to be placed on you…after you have already suffered so much…” she blurted out all her worries, eyes glistening with tears. Aiden took hold of her arm in a comforting manner.

　　I stayed quiet for a moment, trying to figure out the proper way to explain everything to my beloved mother and brother. Even though I had told myself that I would not involve them and that this entire burden was mine to bear alone, how could I turn them away when they are clearly worried about me and the choices I’ve made? I turned to Gideon as though to silently ask for his permission to tell them everything. He gave me a firm nod.

　　“Mother, Aiden, please sit down since there is a lot I have to say.” Mother and Aiden exchanged glances for a split second before doing as I asked, sitting down at the empty chairs beside me and Gideon. I then opened my mouth and told them everything Gideon and I had planned out although I decided to spare them the theory about my father being assassinated until we had solid proof.

　　*

　　“If we pick someone who would gain mutual benefits by marrying Cordelia then I must say that most of these alphas fall under that category.” Mother said as she skimmed through the documents, her brows were furrowed deeply.

　　“I agree with mother. There must be a way to narrow down the list by adding another criteria or so.” Aiden added.

　　After explaining everything to both of them, they were quick to offer their help in looking for a proper partner for me. I glanced over to the pile of papers Aiden was looking through, catching a few familiar names written.

　　“What kind of partner would you like, princess?” Gideon asked.

　　“One who is tolerable at best.” I muttered, unbothered.

　　“Obviously they have to be attractive!” Mother noted.

　　I made a face but before I could disagree with her, Aiden spoke out. “Appearances take second priority, mother. Sister’s future partner has to be kind and gentle and they have to like animals like Cordelia does and be well-read so they can talk to sister about books and they have to not be discriminative of her second gender and especially they have to respect Cordelia as a person and-”

　　Gideon cleared his throat. “Prince Aiden, if you continue to list things down then I am afraid no one will be up to your standards.”?

　　I let out a giggle when I noticed a splash of colour on Aiden’s cheeks. “Oh Aiden, my sweet brother. You truly are too kind to me!”

　　“You only deserve the best there is, sister!” Aiden protested.

　　“Hush now, you two!” Mother huffed. “We must not stray from the topic now.”

　　Gideon smiled. “I agree with Lady Isabella. Well then princess, this is your future partner after all. State clearly what you would want in a partner.”

　　I let out a nervous laugh, thinking about how awkward it would be to speak aloud about my preference in front of my family and Gideon. I leaned back against the chair, closed my eyes as though I was deep in thought.

　　Truthfully, I have never thought about things such as what I want in a partner. Even with the abundance of romance novels I had read growing up did not make me fantasise about my one true love so to be asked this question now only caused my mind to blank. I opened my eyes, starting directly at the oil lamp in the middle of the table. Its flames flicker erratically, casting light shadows around.

　　“They have to be desperate.” I finally spoke. Mother gasped aloud.

　　“What do you mean by that, sister?” Aiden panicked.

　　“If you say that all the alphas in the list would want power and would gain mutual benefits from this marriage then we just need to find the ones who will be desperate enough to not reject my proposal.”

　　“You mean…those who have nothing to lose?” Gideon asked.

　　“Exactly.” I said as I reached out to one of the documents, pulling it from under the pile and placing it on the top for the three of them to see. I had recognized his name when Aiden was going through the pile earlier only to recall his dire circumstances. “Like him.”

　　The three of them leaned in closer to look at the name on the piece of parchment. Mother and Aiden were quick to look troubled by my selection, as they too have heard the rumours about him whereas Gideon just simply nodded in understanding.

　　“The Monarch of the East.” He smiled. I smiled back at him, glad that at least someone understood my train of thought. “Well then, shall we start writing the proposal letters?”