?

　　The sounds of the tip of my pen scribbling on the parchment was all that I could hear throughout the study. My daily routine now consisted of daily paperwork and lessons with Gideon on my duties. Whatever free time I had left during the day is spent with Rodrick or with my mother and brother. But most of the time, the only people who I constantly see are Gideon and Anne.

　　I stopped writing, placing the pen down so that I could stretch my numbing arms up high. Gideon then approached me and placed another stack of documents on the table. I let out a tired sigh, dropping my hands to my side before I looked up at him.

　　“I have not even finished the first pile of papers yet, Gideon.”

　　“There is no rush, princess.” He smiled.

　　“You say that and yet you’ll make me stay until late to get this paperwork done.” I grumbled, not so much complaining about the amount of work I had but more towards Gideon’s fake compassion in regards to my position. The aged man laughed at my words.

　　“It has been a week since you have publicly announced your engagement to the three alphas. The public’s opinions are rather, mixed at the moment due to the discrimination towards omegas.” He suddenly changed the topic.

　　Thanks to Anne, I particularly always have all my intel about what the public is for and against. I even found out that some noblemen are even against both my claim to the throne as well as my engagement to the three alphas. It was clear that these noblemen were Lady Marie’s supporters.

　　“Well, I saw this coming from a mile away.” I muttered as I picked up my pen.

　　Gideon nodded in agreement. “Well, it is still early and the opinions of the common folk are easy to manipulate.”

　　“You sound villainous there, Gideon.”

　　“I only speak the truth, Your Highness.”

　　“And what of Lady Marie? I heard from Anne that she and her children have been going out of the palace more frequently.”

　　“I have sent my men to trail them, and it would seem that they are often going to their supporter’s manors for luncheon and even tea parties.”

　　“That’s surprisingly normal.” I said with my eyebrow raised.

　　“We do not know what they are discussing so we should always think that Lady Marie is plotting something against you.” Gideon warned.

　　“I know.” I said, returning my attention back to the paperwork in front of me.

　　Gideon silently went to the large bookshelf and picked up a large book. I glanced over just in time to catch a glimpse of the title of the book. He was browsing through a book about the history of the Western Kingdom. I did not pay too much mind to it as I looked away.

　　“I’ve heard from Anne that you hardly interact with your three future husbands.” Gideon suddenly mentioned.

　　?I am truly grateful for Anne, as she is talented and smart and incredibly useful when it comes to gathering intel but I often forget that she can be rather chatty with people she is fond of or people she is familiar with. Gideon matches both those criteria, hence she acts as Gideon’s ears and eyes just as she is mine.

　　“I don’t really have the free time to frolic with them.” I sarcastically said.

　　“I understand that you are hesitant to get close to them, princess, but you need to build a healthy and trusting environment with the three of them, especially if you want to use them for your own agenda.”

　　“Honestly Gideon, I do not see the point. It was made clear from the start that they despise me for whatever reason, may it be due to my position or due to my second gender. They have their own agenda and I have my own, we don’t have to pretend to be one big happy family.” I frowned as I went through the papers again, getting distracted by Gideon’s words.

　　“I beg to differ. I am not saying you should pretend to be anything. Just…befriend them.”

　　I turned to him and made a face. “Do you hear yourself? These are the men who threatened me when all I did was be nice to them.”

　　“And you got your revenge by demeaning them.” Gideon closed the book and turned to me. “Publicly.”

　　“Then why would you think that getting closer to them will be a good idea? What if they take this opportunity to get me killed.”

　　“They would not gain anything with you dead.” Gideon firmly said and he was right. I was not empress yet, hence if they wanted to try anything they would only do so after. If that’s the case then what Gideon is saying makes sense, if I am able to get their trust and favourability that would only benefit me in the long run.

　　“Is this where you tell me to use my feminine charm to get them to fall in love with me?” I joked.

　　“You can save them for your wedding night, princess.” He said.

　　I blushed, quickly looking away. I had completely forgotten that I would have to commit to such an act with the three of them once we were officially married. I awkwardly cleared my throat, ready to change the topic but Gideon interjected.

　　“The four of you may be young but that does not take away your intelligence and ability to plan ahead. All four of you are terrifyingly ambitious to the point of agreeing to being in a polyamorous relationship for the sake of power and status.”

　　“Where are you going with this?” I pressed.

　　“What I’m saying is that no matter what happens between you and the alphas, one thing must remain consistent.”

　　“Which is?”

　　“The fact that this entire arrangement was never about love.”

　　“Aren’t you contradicting yourself then, Gideon? If love is not of importance, then why must I waste my time trying to get closer to them?”

　　“Are you unable to separate the two, princess? Must a close relationship with those who would benefit you in the long run require affection such as love?”

　　I was starting to get annoyed at Gideon’s ability to twist and turn his words until it made complete and utter sense.? “…No.” I said with a defeated sigh.?

　　“Exactly. Right now, you have entered the phase where you will need to be in control of your emotions. Think of this as a game of chess. You need to play this game of chess to make sure you have all your pieces by your side long enough for you to ascend the throne. This is the only way for you to not fall against Lady Marie’s inevitable plotting.” He explained.

　　I stayed silent for a moment, taking everything he had just said word by word. “I think it would be rather difficult for me to even grow a slither of affection for the three of them. And I suppose it is the same with them.” I muttered.

　　Gideon stayed silent and I could not tell if that was his way of agreeing with me or disagreeing. When neither of us continued with the conversation, I went back to my paperwork while Gideon went back to his book.

　　A knock on the door caused both of us to turn to the source. Gideon looked over to me and I nodded. “Enter.” His voice called out after he got my permission. The door was pushed open as Anne entered with a tray of tea and snacks.

　　“Good afternoon, princess. Lord Gideon.” She greeted as she approached the table by the couch and sent the refreshments down.

　　“How are the alphas faring, Anne?” Gideon asked as he went to take a seat by the couch as Anne served the tea.

　　“Lord Isaiah is currently sparring with the knights and is making quite the show. He is a rather talented swordsman.” Anne chuckled, I noticed a subtle blush on her face.

　　“Is he causing trouble?” Gideon asked.

　　“No, no, they seemed to be having quite the fun.”

　　“And what of the other two?”

　　“The Duke and Prince Augustus were at the main library. They were not sitting together, but I heard the Duke was constantly pestering Prince Augustus. But he did not manage to get any reaction from the prince.”

　　“Did you ever find out where he went last week?”

　　“Ah yes! Apparently he went to that one notorious tavern, um-” she paused as she attempted to recall the name of the tavern.

　　“Do you mean the Olde Swan?” Gideon guessed.

　　“Yes!” she exclaimed.

　　“The Olde Swan, as in the rumoured location where criminals tend to loiter around?”

　　“Yes!” she nodded.

　　“Why would he have business there?” Gideon asked with a frown as he reached out for his teacup. Anne then approached my desk and placed the teacup on an empty spot of the desk.

　　I feigned curiosity as well, hoping that my acting skills were sufficient. I knew exactly why he would be there since Cassian had told me about his involvement with the Hollows. There was a moment of silence until Gideon turned to me.

　　“Princess.”

　　“Yes?”

　　“Remember the conversation we were having earlier?” I nodded. “I shall permit you a few days of absence from your duties.”

　　“…why? We have so much to do with the wedding planning and-”

　　“I think you should spend those days trying to get closer to the three alphas instead.” He smiled.

　　Anne gasped enthusiastically. “The princess is going on a date?!”

　　“Three dates to be exact.” Gideon played along.