Chapter 24 At first , Selena was stunned , then she burst out laughing . How absurd ! +25 BONUS " Your Highness , my brother personally went to the palace to demand the annulment edict . Now , you expect me to send someone to the king and ask him to withdraw it ? Are you trying to make my family fall out of favor with the king forever ? " she said . " This mess was created by the Duke of Blackmoor's household . Do you expect me to clean it up for you ? " Frederick was holding back his temper as best he could , and even now his tone was relatively polite . " Lena , don't be stubborn . You know I can't afford to make mistakes in front of my father . If General Campbell goes to petition the king personally , the worst that can happen is that he will be reprimanded , but the matter can still be salvaged . " If General Campbell refuses to do it , then we'll truly never marry . Lena , know when to stop . If the wedding is canceled , anyone who hears of it will laugh at us . Then , there will be no way to fix it . " Selena simply said , " I never planned to fix it . " So , what was the point in Frederick saying all these things ? Frederick's expression grew stern . " Lena , I came here in person . How much longer do you intend to make a scene ? " Selena frowned slightly . " Your Highness , what makes you think I can't live without you ? Why do you still believe I'm simply being stubborn ? Isn't the edict enough for you to see the truth clearly ? " " Is it because there's another woman by my side ? " Frederick's impatience was clear , but beneath it lay deeper disappointment . " I'm a prince of this realm . Someday , I may even rule it . There will be more than one woman around me . Even if I wish otherwise , the people would never accept it . " " So , when you said you'd only ever love me , and afterward promised Freya she'd be the only one you love , were those just empty words ? " Selena asked . She began to wonder if she had ever truly known the man she had loved all these years . Was this really the noble gentleman she thought she knew ? Frederick's expression shifted . " My feelings for Freya are genuine , but I'll never betray the promise I made to protect you for life . The title of princess consort has always been reserved for you . I have been true to both of you . " Selena's voice turned cold as she replied , " That's only because you know that with Freya's background , the royal family will never allow her to be your princess consort . So , the title falls to me instead . " A perfect compromise , but one that only benefited him . Those words struck Frederick like a sharp slap , loud and unforgiving . His face burned with sudden heat . The mask of the courteous gentleman almost slipped to reveal the tyrant beneath . He clenched his fists tightly , struggling to keep his anger in check . Taking a deep breath , he forced himself to calm his rage . " Selena , I advise you to stop . You know full well the state of the Duke of Blackmoor's household . General Campbell is no more than a broken man . Your family line is at risk , and when the hundred thousand troops of the Campbell Regiment lose their leader , the king will surely reclaim their command . " If you return to my side willingly , I can protect your family and their interests . Otherwise , you'll watch everything fall apart until there's nothing left . " Selena leaned slightly forward , her face unreadable . " I'm sorry , but the Duke of Blackmoor's household will find its own way . You need not trouble yourself with us . If there isn't anything more , then I beg you to take your leave , Your Highness . " 1/2 Chapter 24 +25 BONUS Frederick's face flushed with anger . " There are only ten days left until the wedding ! " He had already told her to stop . Did this woman not understand ? Whatever happened to the gentle , understanding woman he once knew ? " That is all I shall say on the matter . I will hold the title of princess consort for you for no more than ten days . If you persist in defying me , showing contempt and childish temper , I swear that for the rest of your days , you shall never hold that title , " he declared . Who didn't have a bit of pride ? Frederick would never grovel for her forgiveness again . " You may choose to make yourself miserable for the rest of your days , or you may go to the palace with General Campbell , confess your faults to His Majesty , and beg him to revoke the edict . The choice is yours . I have no patience left for your nonsense ! "