Chapter 85
“You did so well, Euclid!”
Sylaria greeted Euclid with open arms as he returned from the council meeting. Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement.
“I watched through the projection stone, and you were incredible! It’s only a matter of time before the entire Noble Council is on our side!”
“Words alone aren’t enough. I’ll have to show them results before their hearts truly change.”
“That’s only a matter of time too, isn’t it?”
Sylaria replied with a radiant smile, and at her words, Euclid’s tense expression softened into laughter.
“True enough.”
“Thank you for relaying everything to me, Maurice.”
Releasing Euclid, Sylaria turned to the knight commander with gratitude. Thanks to him transmitting the meeting through the projection stone, she had been able to comfortably observe Euclid’s first council session from afar.
“Just say the word anytime, Your Highness.”
“I’m not officially a consort yet, though.”
At Maurice’s polite bow, Sylaria blinked in surprise. Straightening his posture, he spoke in a calm, steady voice.
“The Holy Knights have long regarded you as our lady. And truly, it’s only a matter of time before you become one.”
Sylaria burst into a giggle at Maurice’s good-natured boldness. Though he seemed stiff at first glance, he did have a surprisingly easygoing side.
“The conservatives will be difficult, but the reformists might side with you. Marquis Gerard Montfel, for one, seemed completely taken in.”
Sitting beside Euclid, Sylaria spoke thoughtfully. At her comment, he tilted his head to the side.
“What did I even do?”
“You spoke responsibly, as a prince should. You didn’t plan that deliberately?”
“I don’t calculate my words. I’ve never had a talent for performance.”
Sylaria’s lips parted slightly in surprise at his answer. Watching through the projection stone earlier, she had been astonished by the precision of his remarks.
And yet, to think that it hadn’t been an act to win people over, but his true feelings.
“They’ll judge for themselves whether or not I’m fit to be Crown Prince. Rather than relying on speeches, it’s better to show them actions that befit the next Emperor.”
“There’s no one more suited to be the next Emperor than you.”
Sylaria spoke with quiet admiration. He was, without question, a man born to rule.
It was a tragedy that, in her previous life, no one had ever recognized his worth.
“You’ve done your part splendidly, Euclid, so I’ll start working behind the scenes. Cora, is Ellie here yet?”
“Lady Marin went to bring her. She should be here any moment.”
No sooner had Cora finished speaking than a knock sounded at the door. When it opened, a delicate-looking young woman appeared. Elenia.
“Sister.”
Elenia smiled softly, her expression as gentle as autumn cosmos. Supported by Marin, she sat down on the sofa, and the maids quickly served her tea.
“Thank you.”
She spoke in a faint voice, wrapping her hands around the warm teacup. Ever since the harm Arendtert had done to her, Elenia had grown frail and easily shaken.
Though the physicians Euclid had arranged were treating her with the utmost care, the trauma had been deep. Recovery did not come easily.
She had once loved flowers. But ever since what had happened in the rose garden at Arendtert’s hands, Elenia had come to fear roses themselves.
In her past life, not only had Arendtert buried Elenia’s death, he had also left her with this lasting trauma.
Sylaria could never forgive him for that. She would destroy everything he held dear.
“How are you feeling today, Ellie?”
“I think I’m better. I’ve been taking regular walks. It didn’t take me long to get here either.”
“That’s good. Keep walking a little every day, but don’t push yourself. Promise?”
“Yes, Sister. But… what’s this about? You even called me here when His Highness the First Prince is present.”
“Oh, that.”
Sylaria smiled at her sister’s question. Then, preparing to take the first step in Euclid’s ascent, she spoke.
“About Isidor, does he still work at The Golden Times?”
“Isidor? Yes. I heard he recently bought the paper outright. The editors kept cutting too many of his articles, so he went and purchased the company himself.”
At Elenia’s reply, Sylaria’s eyes lit up.
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