1+1= 0

"Sure," I smile. "You can head home first,"

Albert nods and starts the carriage.

"You needed me?" I follow Lilith to her part of the palace and I see Elena already there.

"Is..."

"Sorry but I absolutely despISE that Bria girl," Elena finally speaks out.

That was what I admired about her. She's incredibly composed during tea, but the second you let her speak her mind, she's up and about venting. Hilarious character. 10/10

"Does Paris know that?"

"You want to know why neither Paris nor Albert have spoken up about the entire situation?" Freya laughs gently as she comes in with Cyra.

Both Elena and I turn to look at her.

The imperial line of succession would've had Freya second in line if it weren't for one of the emperors being a misogynist. Though the rule was a battle of succession, the empire doesn't educate the princesses in the same physical category as the princes. Gotta love old men scared of women <3

"Albert said it was because you warned him," Freya smiles. "And then Paris doesn't like Bria because she's too crafty. She tried to date him before dating the first prince."

"I'm sorry she tried what now-"

"Oh not to mention how she was in contact with Albert before we got married." I grin. "As long as I'm somewhere, she has to one-up me."

"She... I thought she was your friend?" Freya asks.

"She is, but the issue is that we can't be very close friends since I can't share secrets with her." I sigh.

"Ah..." The girls nod. "Alright."

"Speaking of which," Cyra turns her head to me. "How come Duke Albert dropped out of the line of succession?"

"We decided that it would be too much effort to run an entire empire. There are plenty of rebels in the south, and even more in the north. Being an emperor requires a lot." I smile. "Albert has the potential, but he doesn't want me to get hurt or become his Achilles heel."

"I see," Cyra smiles.

"Ah right," I smile. "Who do you think will get the empire?"

"I have this weird premonition that it isn't going to Terence," Lilith sighs. "Freya and I already accepted our titles as duchesses, and I heard Paris wants to drop down to duke soon."

"We're contemplating it," Elena smiles. "On top of that, I think Edward doesn't exactly want to run the empire either."

"Who else?"

"Hades is taking Louvremont, Michael already forfeited his right to the throne, and I think in the end it's going to be Zachary against Terence." Freya lists. "Who do you have your money on?"

"Big brother Zachary," Iyla, who had been biting on her cake the entire time, grins. "My money's on Big Brother Zach zach."

"I agree," I smile. "Terence is too bloodthirsty for a peaceful empire."

"If Zachary wants to be in power then he needs to overthrow father." Lilith hums.

I finally dig into the cake we were given.

"Zach doesn't have a wife."

"He should steal Crystalia."

"I'm sorry what?" I blink at them incredulously. "Me?"

"You two are the same age, and it seems like you'd be a good wife for him."

"Careful," Freya sighs. "You might call that treason."

"Oh come on,"

"We're all siblings." Lilith smiles.

"Big sis Crysta deserves rest," Iyla chirps. "She looks exhausted."

"I aged 30 years physically after these three years of marriage," I grumble.

Lilith snickers. "But Zach just met Crystalia but they work so well together,"

"Look look," I groan. "Keep me out of this entire marriage thing. Please! I'm already married to Albert haah."

"Then who would work well with Zach?"

"I'm literally thinking about-"

"How about!!" I interrupt. "How about!! We just... let him decide on his own!!"

"Wonderful idea!" Freya claps her hands.

"I also heard a rumor that your marriage is falling apart right now," Crya mumbles. "You and Albert seem to be alright though...?"

I grin. "We don't talk much at home. We're both busy with our own affairs. We usually crash into bed without greeting each other. Maybe that's why the maids are gossiping."

"I see..." Freya sighs. "Lilith already suffered a divorce, I don't want Albert to suffer one too..."

Oops. Guess the third consort's children are just unlucky with love. On the other hand though, I want summer to arrive quickly. No, I didn't want Albert to suffer, I'm selfish. I want to leave this marriage and move into the woods before I would take over the duchy. Let's do some math. I got married at 18, I'm currently 21, I'll come back to take over the duchy at 26. Snazzy!

"Speaking of divorces," I mumble. "Lilith I heard your ex passed away."

"It was pretty hot," Lilith grins. "I'm almost happy he's dead."

At times like this I'm reminded of a quote from B*zzfeed *nsolved. As the icon Shane Madej once said, "He doesn't care about people's feelings. He's a royal" in this case, would be a she. Completely valid. I loved that video. Royals are less snotty here, but still the same apathy.

"Rumors have spiraled," I laugh slightly. "I'm glad you're alright."

"I'd kill him myself if I could," Lilith grins.

Oh right. Lilith is a psychopath. I forgot!! Lilith who was mildly based off of the myth about her being a rejected wife. I don't even know how the original myth goes, I just know that Lilith is a pretty-sounding name. But I had turned her into a psychopath who had nearly killed Crystalia before the wedding. Her husband finished the job for her. However, Zachary was in no way a killer, he was an emperor, who needed to punish the criminal.

Such a shame... Zachary was so pretty too...

"Haah," Lilith sighs. Right. If she was a psychopath then why the fuck did she... wait no. Psychopaths pretend to care, they might not actually care. Perhaps Lilith was just pretending and raising awareness for herself. Lilith was destined to die during the revolution. I guess I ended up going on a killing spree because of my mental instability. Oops ໒(⁄•v<∖)✡

"Ah it's getting late," I stare out the window. "I'll be going home then,"

"Stay safe Crysta!"

"Thank you," I smile.

Social circles were so draining... haah...