DEDLB | Ch 20

Episode 20 — A Choice to Make

Frederick had often said he was disappointed in Yvonne — he couldn’t hide his resentment and jealousy. That disappointment and anger had grown until, in the past, he stripped her of the title of Empress and gave it to the gentle, devoted Priscilla.

Yvonne reminded herself to be careful. Frederick was the sort of man who reacted strongly to small things, and she didn’t want to stir him up unnecessarily. She spoke calmly.

“I heard you got hurt while hunting. Are you all right?” she asked.

Frederick let out a big, relieved sigh when she didn’t react with jealousy. He seemed glad she hadn’t stormed in out of spite.

Yvonne hadn’t come here because of jealousy. She only wanted to see who this woman was.

From behind the heavy curtains around the bed, Frederick finally spoke. “I found someone while hunting. She looked like she’d been chased by an animal — her clothes were a mess and her ankle was badly twisted.”

He took Yvonne’s hand and spoke gently. “If you’d been there, you’d have done the same. She looked that pitiful… Call it misplaced sympathy if you want, but I couldn’t leave her.”

“That was the right thing to do,” Yvonne said, forcing a smile she didn’t feel. “I’m just grateful you’re not hurt. Helping someone in trouble — that’s what nobles should do, isn’t it?”

Hearing that eased him. “I’m glad you see it that way,” he said with a softer smile.

“Then shall I introduce her?” Frederick suggested, and reached for the curtain.

Yvonne steadied herself. Stay calm, she told herself. Don’t show panic or jealousy — you are the Crown Princess and must act like it.

She stared at the bed. A woman sat leaning against the headboard — skin deep brown, different from the pale nobles Yvonne was used to. That difference probably explained why Frederick’s eyes had been drawn to her.

The woman had light brown-gold skin, golden eyes, and reddish curly hair down to her waist. She was stunning. This was Priscilla — Priscilla Molina Schultz.

Seeing Priscilla up close was almost surreal. In Yvonne’s past lives, Priscilla had always ended up crowned Empress and had even begged the Emperor to spare Yvonne’s life when Yvonne was accused of plotting rebellion. Priscilla had seemed sweet and innocent, raised in the countryside, but that innocent image had helped her step into the role that ruined Yvonne.

Priscilla rose awkwardly and bowed, a little stiff. “Your Highness the Crown Princess…!” she said, clearly recognizing Yvonne.

Yvonne swallowed a sigh she felt coming. Priscilla’s soft, innocent look had slowly hardened over time, and she’d become someone who could take Yvonne’s place. Still, Yvonne couldn’t jump to conclusions; maybe this Priscilla would be different in this timeline.

“Get up. You look hurt, and I worry you’ll get worse,” Yvonne said, keeping her voice calm.

Priscilla stammered and sat back down, clearly frightened. She watched Yvonne closely, aware of how she might be judged.

“Tell me your name and family,” Yvonne said, controlled.

“Priscilla Molina Schultz. I’m the only daughter of Ryan Schultz,” the woman answered.

“Ryan Schultz…?” Yvonne frowned slightly. Frederick explained, “Ryan Schultz is a cousin of the late Emperor — we’ve met him before, years ago.”

So she had royal blood. Yvonne kept her expression neutral. “How did you come to be in such a dangerous hunting ground? I was told you were found badly hurt.”

Priscilla’s small hands trembled on the silk sheet. “I… I ran away,” she said. Her golden eyes filled with tears. “From my father.”

Yvonne waited. “From what?”

Priscilla choked out that her father had gambled away their family fortune and planned to marry her off to a very old man for money. She’d fled to escape that fate and hid in the hunting grounds because she thought no one sent to find her would look there — even knowing it was the royal hunting ground.

Yvonne exchanged a look with Frederick. He seemed to know the facts already; his face had fallen. Realizing what his rescue might mean?

Yvonne measured her words carefully. “It’s a sad situation,” she said. “You did break noble rules by running away, but… perhaps we should show mercy this once.”

She wasn’t speaking from pity. This was a calculated move. Yvonne planned to slowly strip Frederick of his dignity and power. One sure way to weaken him was to damage his reputation as Emperor — make his subjects think he was ruled by personal whim, or that he favored his lover over duty. If gossip spread that he’d foolishly fallen for a rescued commoner or a scandalous match, it could be devastating.

So she decided, quietly, to bless this pairing — not from love but as a political tool. Let the Emperor appear to be driven by impulse and romantic mercy; let him be seen as weak. That public image would chip away at his authority.

“Can’t we just take her in? If His Majesty brought her home himself, wouldn’t that be kinder?” Priscilla whispered, desperate.

Yvonne resolved, inwardly, that she would play her role. If welcoming this woman helped undermine Frederick’s standing in the long run, then she’d outwardly accept it — and use it to her advantage.