I Reincarnated as a Prince Who Revolutionized the Kingdom-Chapter 67: Meeting the Lady

October 15th, 1693.

The sun dipped low in the sky as Prince Bruno and his entourage rode through the gates of Château Vauclerc. The estate, once a symbol of noble prestige, had endured the scars of war. Though the structure remained intact, remnants of its former grandeur had faded—overgrown gardens, cracked stone columns, and empty halls that had once been filled with wealth and splendor. And yet, despite its diminished state, there was something dignified about the way it still stood, much like the woman who resided within.

Bruno dismounted, adjusting the cuffs of his dark military coat. He had not come with grand declarations or an excessive entourage—just Antoine Leclerc, Captain Vallier, and a small unit of guards who waited outside the château walls.

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Leclerc, ever the strategist, smirked as he walked beside Bruno. "Are you nervous, Your Highness?"

Bruno shot him a sharp glance. "I govern a nation. Why would I be nervous?"

Leclerc chuckled. "Because you are about to meet a woman who will not fall to her knees for a crown. Lady Amélie de Vauclerc is not someone easily swayed."

Bruno said nothing, though he did not dismiss Leclerc’s words.

As they entered the grand receiving hall, the air carried a slight chill. It was a vast room, lined with fading portraits of Vauclerc ancestors. The fireplace burned faintly, its warmth not quite enough to push back the autumn cold.

And then, the doors opened.

Lady Amélie de Vauclerc stepped into the hall, moving with the effortless grace of a woman who had been born into nobility yet carried herself with a presence that demanded respect rather than blind admiration.

Bruno had seen her before, had observed her from afar—but seeing her now, in the very home where she had once been raised, felt different.

She wore a gown of deep blue and ivory, simple yet elegant, the fabric hugging her form without ostentation. Her soft pink hair was braided and pinned with silver clasps, framing her sharp violet eyes—eyes that did not lower or waver when they met his.

There was no hesitation in her movements, no trace of nervousness. She did not curtsy in the exaggerated way court ladies did when trying to impress royalty. Instead, she dipped her head slightly in a perfectly measured greeting. Polite, but not submissive.

"Your Highness."

Bruno inclined his head. "Lady Vauclerc."

She gestured toward a seating area near the tall windows, where the golden light of the evening sun cast long shadows. "Shall we sit?"

Bruno followed, seating himself across from her. Vallier and Leclerc remained standing, though Leclerc wore an expression of keen amusement, as if watching a well-matched duel unfold before him.

Amélie studied him for a long moment before speaking.

"You’ve come to discuss marriage."

Bruno did not flinch. "Yes."

She exhaled lightly, crossing one leg over the other. "Then allow me to ask the obvious question—why me?"

Bruno arched an eyebrow. "You seem unsurprised."

She tilted her head slightly. "I am not a fool, Your Highness. I have watched the tides of politics shift, and I know you are a man who does not act without reason. There are many noblewomen in Elysea who would leap at the chance to sit beside you on the throne. Some are just as intelligent as I am. Some are far more beautiful. Yet you are here, speaking to me."

Bruno leaned forward slightly, intrigued by her directness. "And why do you think that is?"

A faint smile played on her lips. "That is what I am asking you."

Bruno studied her carefully. "I do not seek a wife who exists only to bear heirs or smile for the court. I need a queen who understands power—not just how to wield it, but how to temper it. Someone who can stand beside me, not behind me."

She tapped a gloved finger against the armrest. "That is a reasonable answer. But it does not satisfy me."

Bruno smirked slightly. "Then allow me to elaborate."

He straightened in his seat. "You are unlike the others. While the surviving nobles scurry to reclaim their wealth, you work among the people. You have not sought power, yet you command respect. You are intelligent, pragmatic, and you understand that governance is not simply a game of titles. More importantly—you are not afraid of me."

That made her pause. Her violet eyes flickered with something unreadable.

"Should I be?" she asked, her voice light but carrying a deeper meaning.

Bruno chuckled. "Most are."

She tilted her head. "Fear can be useful. But it is also a fragile thing. If you wish for true loyalty—from your court, your people, and your queen—then fear alone will not be enough."

Bruno found himself impressed.

Leclerc, who had been quietly watching, interjected with a smirk. "Lady Amélie, surely you see the opportunity here. A marriage between you and His Highness would restore your family’s legacy and grant you influence over the future of Elysea."

Amélie turned to Leclerc with an amused glint in her eyes. "A tempting offer. But I do not seek power for power’s sake, Minister Leclerc. If I am to stand beside a ruler, it must be because I believe in his vision—not simply because he deems me a suitable match."

She turned back to Bruno. "Tell me, Your Highness—do you seek a wife, or do you seek a partner?"

Bruno met her gaze. "I seek both."

Another silence. Then, slowly, she smiled—not the delicate, polite smile of a court lady, but something more knowing.

"You are an interesting man, Prince Bruno."

Bruno smirked. "I have been told."

She exhaled, glancing at the window. "You are building a new Elysea, one unlike the monarchy that fell or the Republic that crumbled. If I were to accept your offer, I would not be a silent figure in this court."

Bruno nodded. "I would expect nothing less."

She considered this for a long moment, then stood. "Very well. You will have my answer soon."

Bruno also rose. "I will await it."

As she turned to leave, Bruno found himself watching her—not just because of her beauty, but because he knew, without a doubt, that if she became his queen, she would not merely wear a crown. She would wield it.

Leclerc chuckled once she was out of earshot. "Well, Your Highness? Satisfied?"

Bruno exhaled, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. "For once, Leclerc, I do not know."

Leclerc grinned. "Then you chose well."

Bruno glanced out the window. The sun had set, and a new night had begun. The future of Elysea rested on many decisions—but this one, perhaps, mattered more than most.