The Surati Duchy is a powerful force, even with the loss of their male heirs and the chaos of a prolonged war. The Duchy was still able to retain its power, destruction of its lands were minimal and the issues of manpower were resolved with the end of the war.
For these reasons, Ratna was able to hold onto the position as a "wife candidate" for Rexford.
But, unlike the other candidates and women who chased after Rexford, Ratna was special as she believed that unlike everyone else, truly loved Rexford.
While others were chasing after the glory of the imperial family or the pure blood that coursed through the third prince's veins.
Ratna only wished to be loved by Rexford, a wish that was accidentally planted years before, at an age where even the third prince might have forgotten.
But to Ratna that memory was something she treasured dearly, one that she would never forget even if the Third Prince had long forgotten it.
Until recently, Ratna had been engaged to the heir of the Surati family, yes, she was engaged, she was not a true member of the Surati ducal house.
Instead, she was merely the daughter of an imperial concubine's daughter. Her mother had been part of the previous emperor, the current emperor's father's harem.
But, through some mysterious fortune, Ratna had been born with strong titan blood. Stronger than anyone else from the Surati Duchy.
Not long after her birth, Ratna was engaged to the heir of the Surati duchy, a man who was a decade older than her.
If not for that, she would have long lost her chastity.
Fortunately, by the time she came of age, the war had already been going on for years and the heir to the duchy had perished.
With all the remaining daughters having weak titan blood, Ratna had been elected as the reigning matriarch of the duchy.
Moreover, in a bid to increase their power, the elders of the Surati Duchy pushed Ratna as a potential wife, even if she was not to become the Third Prince's fiance, the hedonistic nature of the third prince made the elders see an opportunity.
"The Surati family's blood flows within you, the first Emperor had been famously partial towards our family due to our Siren nature. It was the first emperor who, with his power to take on any shape allowed us Siren's to lord over vast lands! Now, someone with that same power has been born to the imperial family! Not only that, he holds the same nature as the First Emperor! Ratna, do not fail your family, do not fail your blood!"
The elders all had certain beliefs that centered around the legend of the empire's founding.
It was a tale that was so old that few remember it, it was likely that only the Imperial family had recalled the tale due to their long lifespans.
Even the Surati family only bore such knowledge because of their guardian deity, an island sized magical beast in the form of a turtle who had lived since the era of the first emperor.
Still, Ratna did not move for the Surati family, she did not chase after the Third Prince out of a belief of an old legend.
Her purpose was simple-
'This is my chance! Even if it's only a little… to have the Third Prince share his love… only a little'
Her hold on the Third Prince's arm tightened, she did not want to let go.
The path they walked on turned dark in her eyes, all that she had on her mind was the warmth she felt from the Third Prince's arm…
'I've gotten farther! That day, all I could do was chase after you… now, now…'
Her path had been blocked, even before she could make a move, the Hall Witch had already marked her territory and the Martell's Demon had surrounded the prince.
By the time she was allowed to make her move, the situation had already reached a stalemate, one dominated by the monsters of the Hall and Martell line.
She couldn't even get the opportunity to meet the servants of the prince!
The village of the prince was guarded heavily, nobles were not allowed to enter and any commoners who wished to enter were screened properly.
Under the mandate of the Third Prince, only those he allowed could get close to it.
If that weren't enough, the letters she sent were always intercepted, none had reached the prince and all she got in reply was a note with the words "Give Up".
Her only hope was in the Imperial balls, yet the Third Prince was infamous for not attending.
Despite all this, she still tried, even when the Palace publicly declared that the Third Prince was not coming, she would participate, all in the hopes of a miracle where the Third Prince participates on a whim.
Even if the Third Prince enters wearing casual clothes, she would not hesitate to approach him! That was her goal and yet, all she ended up doing was attracting a horde of low ranking nobles.
Her only saving grace was Elise Albertson, the current Duchess of the Albertson Duchy which was known to be the family closest and the most loyal among all the vassals of the Imperial Family.
In fact, the Third Prince's first fiance who had lost her position as his fiance came from a subordinate family of the Albertson's.
Ratna was unaware of the things happening within the imperial palace, she lacked many of the tools and information that she should have had.
Indeed, she was unlike the other Duchesses, they moved knowing a lot about the third prince, they had long wrapped their influence around him and that thought did nothing but increase her jealousy.
'Am I satisfied with that?'
This was her chance, being led by the Third Prince meant that he was giving her his favor…
'Rumors say that the Third Prince loves to dominate women… if… if I…'
A thought entered her mind, the "advice" that an elder had given made her move, her body tensed but the chaotic thoughts all pointed her towards one direction.
Was her being "one of the many" enough?
Would she be satisfied with gaining only the small bits of favor the Third Prince had left behind?
After this, how would the two women be abandoned by the Third Prince act?
Will she ever get a second chance?
The initial thought of satisfaction and humble wishes vanished.
Instead, a burning desire had slowly taken over and in response, Ratna's arms that were simply "hanging onto" the Third Prince shifted.
She used her assets to their fullest as clung closer to the prince, far enough not to disrupt their movement but close enough so that the prince's arms could feel the full "softness" of her own chest.
Ratna was aware of her lacking figure, unlike the other three Duchesses, her height could not match up to the prince, her body was not as slim. But what she was truly proud of were her proportions, despite not being as slim as the others, her breasts were larger.
Her hips were wider and some would even argue that her protruding buttocks was an asset that attracted the eyes of men.
But that was not enough, only letting the Third Prince "feel" would not be enough-
For some time now, Ratna had lowered her gaze, avoiding the prince's eyes but… using all her strength, the woman who had no chance, the lady who somehow got to the place she had dreamed of for years.
'If not now then when? Will I even get a second chance?'
She had long given up on thinking, all Ratna needed was courage and will! She gave up all her rationality-
'The third prince… no Rexford- he asked me to be casual with him… yes, he wished for me to be closer… so that means I-'
Even if it was a mere delusion, Ratna was willing to bet it all, she had forgotten all logic and acted based on her desire. The words she whispered to herself pushed her forward and as she did-
*Click*
The sound of locking doors echoed in her ears.
"Master, I've ensured that no one shall disturb you"
"Thank you Anne"
Ratna turned her gaze to the back, she did not know when but Rexford had already led her to one of the luxurious private viewing decks of the viewing hall.
Magic obscured them from the rest, anything that happened in the hall could be seen by them but none could see what they were doing or who they were.
These viewing decks were reserved for the Imperial Family, only those of Imperial Blood and their companions could enter and Ratna saw it-
"The Hall and Martell Duchess?"
In the viewing hall, seated in the most important seats were the two women who always blocked her. Ratna could see the scowls on their faces as they directed their gaze towards the viewing halls.
"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes"
The Third prince said as he took his hands from back from Ratna and Elise.
His actions left Ratna speechless and empty, her emotions soured but what Rexford did next surprised not only Ratna but also Elise.
After he had freed his hands, Rexford did not head towards his seat, instead, he grabbed the two noble ladies by their waist.
It was an act that could not be shown to the public, especially with the current status the two held.
Yet Rexford ignored such conventions, but if that wasn't enough his hands had started to move.
The moment the two women's bodies had made contact with him, the Third Prince's hands wrapped around their waist, yet it did not go straight, instead, his hands pivoted down.
"Follow me"
Rexford spoke casually while dragging the two noble ladies to the seat and only then did they realize that the seat that was reserved for them in the viewing room was a large sofa.
It was large enough to fit five people yet Rexford dragged the two ladies to sit close to him at the center.
*poomf*
After the three individuals had seated themselves, Rexford took control-
"It seems like the two of you are losing?"
He asked, the meaning behind his words are obvious.
"Indeed, but forcing the prince is not our duty, we only act for your benefit. Should the prince do it, the Albertson's shall ensure that the prince gets what he desires."
Elise who had acted like a naive but brave princess had changed, her gaze turned cold and her words were filled with dignity.
Yet, in response to her, Rexford's hands shifted and he grabbed her chest and started to massage them.
"If I tell you to be my slave, what will you do?"
Rexford asked, his voice carrying a villainous and vicious tone.
Ratna could see Elise shivering but she maintained her cold demeanor as she spoke through her trembling shoulders and flushed face-
"If that is what his highness desires"
But the response she got was a sudden halt to the third prince's actions followed by one word spoken in a bland tone-
"Boring~"
His hands slipped away from Elise and Ratna knew…
She was next-
"Hngnh!"
Rexford's actions were expected but still sudden, unlike with Elise, his hand did not grab her chest but instead sneaked itself in between her thighs.
Unlike the other noblewomen who wore extremely fitting clothes, Ratna's silk dress was still a bit loose, especially her below her waist. She disliked tight dresses that restricted her movement, she didn't mind tight tops but she always made sure that her skirt allowed her more movement.
What she didn't expect was the loose skirt of hers would allow for such an act-
"Now then, Ratna, how about you? I felt you rubbing my arm against your chest so… what do you say?"
Rexford whispered into Ratna's ears, the sudden act short circuited the poor lady's thoughts, she never expected things to go so easy. She did not prepare for such a situation!
As such, to the surprise of Elise, Anne and Rexford, Ratna made a move that no one expected.
She moved her body, quickly mounting Rexford and before anyone could make a move-
*Smooch*