At the palace in Yggdra….
The Black Party was demolished.
The country expanded by one- third of its territory, and everyone celebrated.The people in the palace
sang and danced.It was a very lively scene.
Mavice held a banquet in the main hall of the palace.Duke was the only guest.
"Mr.North, may I know what your plan is after this?" Mavice asked with a friendly smile.
Duke said calmly, "I'll go back to where I belong."
Mavice looked at him.
"And where do you belong?" she asked cautiously.
"Your Majesty, aren’t you supposed to be asking me regarding the Hestia Border?" Duke steadily
changed the topic. He would never expose where he came from, his family, his wife and his children.
After all, his current identity was still very sensitive.
"Hestia Border has been in chaos for thirty to forty years. We won't be able to terminate all the ragtag in
a short time, so I temporarily plan to separate Hestia Border as a continent and rule it with separate
laws and policies...,"
Mavice explained her strategy and political opinions. She suddenly asked him, "I lack a capable person
under my command, I wonder if you, Mr.North, would like to stay and help me for a while?"
Duke shook his head.
"I have something more important to do."
Mavice was a little disappointed.She lowered her gaze and took a sip of her drink.
After a long pause, she looked up again.
"What is it that’s more important than your career? Your family? Your wife? Your children?"
The seventeen-year-old princess, Madelyn, who was sitting beside Mavice, frowned.
‘Mother doesn’t usually like to dig into someone’s personal life.Why is she so persistent with Terry
North?’ She glanced at her mother and was stunned.She had always found her mother poised and
elegant, in control of herself.
But now, she thought she saw a hint of infatuation in her mother’s gaze.She had only seen her mother
like this during her father’s Remembrance Day.Her heart felt heavy.
Before Duke could reply to Mavice, she held her stomach and pretended to be in pain.
"Mother, my stomach hurts, can you help me back to my room?" Mavice apologized to Duke and
excused herself.
She helped Madelyn back to her bedroom.She tucked Madelyn in and said gently, "I'll get you a
doctor."
"Mother." Madelyn grabbed Mavice’s hand.
"The Black Party leader is only in his thirties.He’s too young.He’s not a good match for you."
Mavice’s face darkened.
"Do you realize what you are even saying?"
"I'm not a naive little girl.I've been in romantic relationships before.I know the way you look at Terry
North.Mother, you’re so much older than him.Both of you won't work out.He doesn't even want to
stay..."
Madelyn pursed her lips.
"He has helped you achieve your once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment, don’t make things difficult for
yourself or him anymore."
"Nonsense!"
Mavice scoffed, "I’m forty-three this year.I’ve never ever thought of finding another partner and
remarrying.It’s just that he looks so much like your father.If he’s able to stay here and work, I'll be able
to see him every day.Perhaps I won’t feel so lonely anymore."
She looked at her daughter coldly.
"Rest well.Don’t overthink."
Mavice walked out of the bedroom.
A small vial was nestled in her sleeves.
When she reached the dining hall, she was back to her elegant and calm self.
"Sorry for the wait, Mr.North."Duke glanced at the watch on his wrist.
"It’s getting late.I shall excuse myself now."
"Are you sure you don’t want to stay longer?" Mavice smiled.
"I'll get you a cabinet role."
"I am not interested in it.
Please, Your Majesty, I am sure you can find someone capable enough to fulfill that role."
"Alright, then.Let’s have one last toast before you leave, shall we?"
Mavice stood up, grabbed a glass of champagne, and passed it to Duke.
Duke took it graciously and held it up in a toast.Then he drank it down.
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