Chapter 71: Plotting for a husband (2)
"You must be careful with what you say and who you say it to. Let the other women be the ones who run their mouths with gossip, with you only saying what is needed. Duke Collins is still a man to be careful of. A sullied daughter won’t change that," said Jade.
"I know, mother. I have the other ladies in the palms of my hands. I only need to say a little, and they run with it to please me. I shall make a great queen for them all to follow," Amelia said, joining her mother at the table.
"It is time that you stop dreaming of what could be and start making moves to secure yourself a good future. Prince Teo will be surrounded by many young women now. I don’t know much about him, and you have never mentioned him," Jade said, worried they might not succeed.
"Well, no one knows much about the second prince other than he is a prince. He has never stuck out to anyone, though he shares his brother’s looks. He was sought after by the women who had no chance at becoming queen," Amelia explained.
"I will use your father to find out what the prince’s hobbies are. He is a young, energetic man who will be curious about the ways of women. Your beauty will draw him in, but you must use other qualities to hold his attention," Jade advised Amelia.
Amelia frowned, displeased with her mother suggesting the same as her father. "I will not be the crown prince to find my place in the palace. If he is sensible, he will see that I am the perfect woman to sit beside him."
"Oh, you foolish child," Jade shook her head. "There are other beautiful ladies who shall hold his attention. The prince has the right to be picky. The lady who takes the risk to set herself ahead of her peers will become queen. You must think beyond your peers."
"You don’t have to share a bed with him, sweet child," Jade said, holding Amelia’s hand. "But you should feel his head with the idea of it. Make him want you so he shall make you the future queen to have you."
"Is this how you got my father to marry you?" Amelia asked.