Chapter 4

Cesca Anna.

She was the only bloodline borne by Ehrlich's King Edgar II and was politically married off to Coulson, the prince of the neighboring kingdom. Edgar II had no other children when he was nearing the end of his life. The old king's problems worsened as his death approached. In the Kingdom of Ehrlich, no woman had ever been crowned king. Nonetheless, the old king handed over the next throne to his one and only child and daughter at the last minute, leaving his last will and testament on his deathbed.

Will he?

'My daughter, Anna Cesca, will be the next king.'

Some faithfully followed the king's last will and testament, while others did not. There were dissenting voices until some of the nobles conspired to crown the king's cousin, Duke of Lucas, as the next king and imprison Anna in the castle.

The successful coronation of Ehrlich's throne appeared simple at first, but things quickly changed when Anna escaped the castle she was imprisoned in with the help of Coulson.

Anna quickly embraced Coulson's aristocracy, infuriating the Ehrlich nobles. Of course, her action was merely to demonstrate that, as a woman, she, too, was capable of leading. And she was correct. Because of her intelligence, temperament, and brevity, she led the nobles in Coulson. She was a strong-willed woman who, despite having a child at a young age, donned battle armor and rode through the battlefield with her warhorse.

The civil war and throne struggle lasted a year. Anna and Lucas, unable to bear the thought of their country crumbling, met and reached an agreement. Which was :

After Lucas's death, the throne would be passed to Anna's son rather than her.

As a result, the treaty was signed.

The war was over, and the country was soon at peace. And, because Lucas died at a young age, Anna's son quickly ascended to the throne, but because he was young and inexperienced, Anna was currently in charge of all state affairs.

At the end of Ehrlich and Coulson's civil war, Alicia's mother, who was of Coulson royal blood, came to visit her relative, Anna. Alicia's mother fell in love with her father at that time. And after her mother married and settled in Ehrlich, her interactions with Anna remained consistent and steady, to the point where the Queen was willing to become her child's godmother.

Alicia's letter could never be ignored by Anna.

She was the beloved cousin's daughter.

“….Okay…”

Ted gave up and raised a white flag. He handed the documents to Alicia, who began reading the documents and the terms and conditions with ease.

Looking at her, Ted wondered how she found out about their tax evasion. But he lacked the courage to inquire. And, strangely, she appeared to be an experienced, mellowed adult, not a 12-year-old child who'd just lost her mother, but someone used to serving a large number of people.

It was difficult to understand why he thought that way.

"Exactly as I predicted."

Alicia opened several pages in front of Ted as she carefully studied the documents.

"I'd like to hear an advisor's take on the interpretation of these provisions."  Alicia laughed.

"Of course, it will go exactly as I want it to.  Unless, of course, you prefer rotting in jail."

***

Lawyer Ted Gowan was tense the whole time he was waiting for Latty to arrive with the carriage. He paid close attention to Alicia's directions while he fidgeted nervously. When she was finished, he had no time to drink his tea and dashed out the door to carry out her orders.

"What did you discuss with the lawyer?"

"I told him to freeze all of my assets."

Alicia responded to Latty's question, which was met with an expression of intense interest on her face.

“Miss?”

"My father will not be able to handle it."

Latty was about to ask another stupid question when Alicia turned her head and looked out the window. She drew back the curtains and stared silently as the carriage approached the gates.

"The Count has arrived, Miss."

Latty exclaimed cheerfully.

“Yes. He'll be accompanied by a guest."

"A visitor?  Coming today?"

Latty leaned back and wrapped her hand around her cheek.

"Oh my goodness, what are we going to do?  I'm not ready to entertain any visitors!"

"Don't worry. As soon as she arrives, I'll send her back."

"But, Miss, that's impolite..."

"Latty, let's go." Alicia said as she let go of the curtains.