The thought, that she was so unlovable that her fiance would choose a man over her, pained Lady Karenina to no end. Her tears streamed down harder.
No.
Lady Karenina didn't want to think that she was undeserving of love. Queen Marianne told her that she only needed to be patient and her son could grow to love her, even if it was a slow and tedious process.
While there were relationships that immediately started well and strong, Karenina only needed to persevere. Maybe, after some time, she could melt Nicholas' heart and he would finally be able to give her the love that she deeply wanted?
Karenina smiled sadly. She wiped her tears and steeled her heart.
If Nicholas could love her, then Queen Marianne was going to be happy and her father wasn't going to make her feel like a hapless daughter who should have been born as a son.
As far as Karenina knew, there hadn't exactly been any indication that showed Nicholas liked men. Maybe he was just busy or… he might not be interested in her and just asked for her hand in marriage because the queen dowager pressured him.
Yeah, maybe that's what happened. Nicholas kept postponing their wedding because he didn't love Karenina. No matter how beautiful and smart she was, if there was no love on his part, it would be hard for Nicholas to be excited about their marriage.
And thus… he tried to keep delaying the process. But that's fine. Karenina didn't mind if the king would never love her. As long as he kept his promise to marry her, she would keep waiting.
She still had a chance!
"Karenina, are you listening to me?" Viscount Verhoven frowned. "Your father is speaking but you're not even paying attention."
"I… I'm sorry, I was lost in my thoughts." Lady Karenina bowed her head apologetically.
Viscount Verhoven finally sat down beside his daughter's bed. He gritted his teeth in annoyance. "If it weren't for me and my actions, you would have remained in Hautingen as a nameless lady born from a lowly lord. Please show more aptitude, Karenina. I can't do everything by myself, can I?"
Karenina bit down on her lip. "What did you say earlier, Father?"
"Even if the circumstance has changed, it does not mean that we will be canceling the engagement." Viscount Verhoven gave his daughter a look. "Even if he likes men more, he can chase after them in his spare time. You must still be the queen, Karenina."
"And how can I do that, Father?" Karenina glumly asked. "If I cannot have his love… how will I even become the queen?"
Viscount Verhoven clicked his tongue and pulled out a small bottle from his pocket. "Some time ago, a witch came to Hauntingen with her wares and sold me this aphrodisiac. Use this and give the king an heir and you will become queen."
"What?!" Lady Karenina turned to Viscount Verhoven and looked scandalized. She stared at the small bottle in horror and slowly backed away from her father. "You want me to… use that so I can become the queen?"
Viscount Verhoven glared and grabbed her by the arm. "If you weren't so incompetent, we wouldn't have to resort to this method—"
"Oh, father.. no…" The young lady pressed her chest in shock. The thought of throwing herself to the king and forcing him to have sex with her made her shudder.
However, it seemed her father was really hitting a dead-end and decided to use sinful methods to reach their goal.
She wanted her first consummation with Nicholas to be on their wedding night… not before.
"I can't let you ruin our family's future," the viscount complained. He looked at his daughter with narrowed eyes. "Are you trying to be an unfilial daughter by disobeying your father?"
Give me time, Father!" Lady Karenina rose from her seat and begged him with tears in her eyes. "I can make Nicholas Hannenbergh love me. I don't want to use those methods!"
"You've already failed in the past year, Karenina." Viscount Verhoven frowned. "How do you expect me to simply agree with you?"
"Because I will be the one who will be marrying, Nicholas and not you!" Lady Karenina balled her fist. "Do you think I cannot do it, father? I will prove it to you that I am worthy of love! Queen Marianne already likes me, I am sure Nicholas will also come to like me too."
Viscount Verhoven laughed and shook his head. "Karenina, if the rumors are true about His Majesty then your chances are slim…"
"Those rumors are not true! They're baseless and I can't believe that you would listen to some Duke just because he is higher-ranked than you, Father." Karenina shook and trembled as this was the first time that she went against her father's wishes.
Viscount Verhoven's face darkened but then he talked slowly to her as if he was dealing with an insolent child. He saw her as nothing more but an extension of himself.
"Karenina… I understand that you're upset, but that is not how you speak to your father. I am only doing what I believe is the best for the two of us. You don't need love, we need power and stability and this aphrodisiac will give you and His Majesty an heir."
"Put that thing away from me. I don't need it." Lady Karenina glared at him. "I don't even know why you keep coming here and expect me to keep listening to you. Please leave while I can still maintain my respect for you, Father."
"Karenina, you will regret this," Viscount Verhoven said. "Just take the bottle and listen to my advice. I will overlook your sharp mouth tonight."
Lady Karenina snatched the bottle away from his hand and threw it on the floor. "Leave or I will make the guards take you out, Father."
Viscount Verhoven gritted his teeth but then kept his pride as he walked to the door. He threw her a cold look. "In due time, you will regret shattering the bottle and come beg me for help, Karenina. That man will never love you."
"Goodbye."
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