The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 187: If the crown fits

Chapter 187: If the crown fits

[Welcome to Volume 2, everyone!]

"Your Grace." Latrice’s face brightened up as soon as she saw Jackson approaching. She slowly rose from her seat and curtsied when he stepped into the pavilion she was idling.

He waved dismissively as he sat down. "I have to discuss an important matter with you, Latrice. Sit down."

"By the tone of your voice, I presume this is truly a matter of importance," Latrice joked, sitting down on the chair across from him. "Would you mind if I serve you tea first, my lord?"

"Latrice."

"I was just steeping it." Latrice reached for the teacup. "It won’t take long."

With that being said, Latrice continued to prepare his tea while he watched. As he did so, Jackson couldn’t deny that Latrice was akin to a noble lady. Her every move, the flick of her finger, the flutter of her eyelashes, and how she gracefully poured the tea screamed nobility.

Who would have thought pouring tea could look so graceful?

"As much as I would like to admire your grace in the art of tea, I have to stop myself," Jackson spoke solemnly. "The Crown Prince sent a message. He’s coming in the duchy."

Latrice paused for a moment and smiled once she was done with the tea. She slowly moved it to him.

"When?" she asked once she settled.

"Tomorrow."

"So soon."

"I received the letter a few days ago." Jackson lowered his gaze as his jaw tightened. "I wanted to tell you, but the matters of the duchy and the estate were —"

"Much more important," she continued what she thought he would want to say. "I understand, Your Grace."

Jackson studied her subtle smile momentarily. "Latrice, once he arrives in here, he will ask for your hand."

"I understand."

"And he’ll take you back to the Capital... as promised."

Latrice just nodded this time, making him clasp his hand on his lap. Her smile remained; there wasn’t any sense of urgency or sadness in her eyes. Although she didn’t also show excitement about the news, Jackson was expecting her to react differently.

After all, the two of them had been... closed. Not just in bed, but they had shared many things he wouldn’t dare share with anyone else. Therefore, he was expecting she would show him the slightest hint she didn’t want to go. Just a tiny bit of clue she wanted to stay with him, so he could do whatever it took to keep her. Even if that would mean opposing the crown prince for the first time.

"Resign to your bed early," he said, clearing his throat as he recomposed himself. "The crown prince will arrive in the morning. He’ll be expecting you to welcome him, so you will."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Jackson stared at her for another minute before he huffed. Without a word, he planted his hand on the armchair and pushed himself away. Staying with her was suffocating, especially when all he heard from her was obedience.

As Jackson marched away, he stopped by the entrance of the pavilion. Looking back, all he saw was Latrice taking a sip from the teacup.

’I shouldn’t have put my hopes up,’ he told himself while squashing down the bitterness rising in his heart. He turned his back on her, about to leave her alone, only to stop when he heard her call.

"Your Grace."

Jackson looked back at her again, catching her put down the teacup on the saucer.

"Whose bed are you going to sleep tonight?" Latrice slowly turned her head in his direction. "Since I am being taken away, I do not want to waste it spending it all on my own."

The corner of his lips curved down, annoyed at the question that flew out of her mouth. "Was I... nothing but a toy you play with, Latrice?" A glint flickered across his eyes, marching back to her angrily.

"You are to be the crown princess of the empire, and your concern is where I am going to spend my night?" he hissed. "I have given you everything you needed; a title, a spot in the Fitzroy duchy, clothes, jewelry, a luxurious life, and education. And yet, your concern is such a menial matter?"

"My lord, you’ve given me everything the crown prince needed for a crown princess." Latrice tilted her head a little to the side. "Not mine."

Her voice was softer than usual, and her smile was as benevolent, but her argument was solid. He couldn’t retort immediately. For a moment, Jackson could only stare at her, speechless.

"Then what do you need?" he breathed out.

"Someone to wipe my tears for the night, Your Grace." Her smile stretched a bit. "And perhaps, console me in their arms."

"You do not wish to go?"

"No, I wanted to go."

"Why?" Jackson balled his hands into a tight fist. "Were you perhaps in love with the crown prince?"

"I do not know what love is, my lord. But you obviously wanted me to go. Therefore, I will."

"What if I do not want you to go?"

"I will have to." Latrice slowly rose from her seat, facing him squarely. "Because if I didn’t, the crown prince will send you to reinforce the north. If not, then you will lose his favor. I do not want to jeopardize your friendship with him, nor do I want the South to suffer because of me."

Latrice slowly raised her hand and cupped his face. Her eyes softened, brushing his scar with her thumb.

"I don’t care if I lose the crown prince’s favor, Filomena," Jackson breathed out, holding the hand that was cupping his cheek. "Tell me you want to stay in the duchy, and I’ll keep you in here. A duchess may not be the same as the Empress, but I’ll keep you safe. I’ll do my best to make you happy — were you not happy being with me? Or was it only an illusion I made myself believe?"

"I was the happiest, especially whenever you call my name." Her eyes shone with deep affection. "You gave me a home, cradled me in the coldest hour of the night, and filled me with the warmth I longed for. Hence, I will not allow anyone to hurt you, for I may not know what love truly was, but I knew it probably had your face."

’If the crown fits, then I do not mind wearing it for your sake.’

Her smile was soft and peaceful as if she had decided. "Time is the only thing I have, Your Grace. And for me, it’s not who I spend it with longer. What mattered to me was who would last longer."

In other words, even if they both wanted her to stay, the stakes were high. Although Jackson was willing to take the risk, she didn’t want to. At that moment, Jackson wished to not have loved her more than she loved him. If only his entire heart weren’t within her grasp, he wouldn’t need to respect her decision.

But alas, that was what she wanted, and he had to respect that. Not only for his sake or the duchy, but for her as well.

**

The next morning, the crown prince arrived in the fief as scheduled and proposed to make Latrice his crown princess. Latrice agreed, and it didn’t take long before their engagement was announced and Latrice became a crown princess.

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