The agile figure slipped past the countless guards at the entrance of the Clavenna estate, completely hiding herself within the darkness of the night.
She skillfully climbed up to the second floor and opened the bedroom window.
Inside her own bedroom, Liya was quietly reading on the bed.
That figure climbed in through the window, closed it, and walked up to Liya.
The pointed tips of the woman's ears revealed her identity.
Without lifting her head, Liya asked calmly, "Did you bring the person?"
Leon nodded.
"There were too many guards outside, so I left Chur in the basement of the item shop."
She tilted her head at Liya, feeling a bit puzzled.
'When did Miss Liya start reading books?'
"I somewhat understand now why Viktor loves reading so much."
Liya slowly closed the book in her hands, placed it on the cabinet beside her, and explained lightly, "Books let me calm down and relax for a moment. That helps a lot when thinking about things."
Leon stared at Liya with admiration, praising her in her heart, 'As expected of Miss Liya, staying calm even at a time like this.'
As if casually bringing it up, Liya asked the elf before her, "Leon, if the First Prince really comes to propose marriage to me, what benefits do you think that would bring for us?"
"Speak freely."
Leon blinked in surprise, supporting her chin as she began to think.
Naturally, she knew about Jace Lesser wanting the First Prince to propose to Miss Liya.
Very soon, Leon gave her answer.
She told Liya straightforwardly, "I don't like it."
Liya paused for a moment upon hearing Leon's answer.
"What do you mean?"
Leon answered Liya's confusion very directly, "I don't know what kind of benefits a political marriage would bring, but I just don't want Miss Liya to marry into the royal family."
Hearing Leon's reply, Liya let out a gentle laugh.
"The royal family is so exalted. There are plenty of girls who would die to marry a prince."
Of course, she was certainly not one of them.
If Liya wanted to get married that badly, she would've left the Clavenna household long ago.
Liya smiled helplessly.
"Jace Lesser is basically placing a trap right in front of my face."
This was an open scheme.
Jace Lesser wanted her to marry the First Prince, binding the Clavenna family to his chariot.
Everyone knew that the Second Prince would never allow such a thing.
And Viktor had already become the princess's teacher. Under Emperor Aubrey's guidance, the Clavenna family should not support either prince.
Through this matter, Jace Lesser wanted the Second Prince to resent Viktor, and at the same time make the emperor disappointed in Viktor.
Liya understood all of this, but what made her feel suffocated was, on the surface, she had no way to refuse the First Prince's proposal.
She was just a family member with no title, forced to rely on the Clavenna family.
If the First Prince took an interest in her, that was considered her "fortune." So if the First Prince truly came to propose, and Viktor didn't react, Liya would have no choice but to accept.
At first, Liya believed that if Viktor was smart, he would definitely refuse.
But she later realized, if he refused, that would mean Viktor was openly declaring that he would never support the First Prince.
Then public opinion would immediately shift toward the Second Prince.
The Clavenna family would be forced into opposition with the First Prince, and because Viktor was the princess's private tutor, he couldn't support the Second Prince either.
Even though they supported neither side, the Clavenna family would directly become the target of everyone's hostility.
If not for the duke's visit today reminding her, she wouldn't even have noticed this part.
So no matter whether she agreed or refused, in the end it all led to one conclusion,
Viktor would inevitably form conflict and opposition with the two princes.
Then what would the old Viktor have chosen?
Liya circled repeatedly on her book, and in the end, she circled "First Prince."
Interests.
If he had to stand against one side, then he would certainly oppose the Second Prince.
Because right now, the First Prince was the more advantageous choice, he was the one actively seeking the marriage.
"But that was before."
Liya tore the page out. The red gem on the Mage Hand glowed faintly with magic, turning the paper in her hands into ash.
She would never entrust her life to anyone.
———
At dawn, the first light finally broke through the night and shone upon the capital.
At this hour, all the citizens of the capital were beginning to prepare their shops and start work.
Within the palace, everyone was also waiting, waiting for the morning assembly to begin.
Emperor Aubrey slowly sat upon the throne, looking down at the officials below.
Led by Jace Lesser, a group of ministers stood on one side.
On the other side stood the Second Prince, also leading a group of ministers who supported him.
Standing beside the emperor was Duke Levi.
Emperor Aubrey nodded toward the officials, signaling that the assembly could begin.
With permission granted, Jace Lesser was the first to speak, "Your Majesty, His Highness the First Prince has returned this time with great achievements."
"His Highness slew a demon dragon that had troubled the empire for many years at the border. A tremendous merit. He brings its head back to proclaim peace and stability."
The Second Prince simply stood quietly to the side, watching Jace Lesser's praise with a smile, saying nothing.
Emperor Aubrey did not open his mouth either, simply listening as Jace Lesser continued, "The First Prince has yet to marry, and now at thirty, it is time for him to consider settling down."
"As for his spouse, I have a recommended candidate."
"That is, Viktor's younge..."
Before he could finish, Gwen strode in from outside the hall wearing armor and with a sword at her waist, moving like a thunderstorm.
"Lord Gwen! We haven't reported to His Majesty yet!"
Two eunuchs tumbled in after her, urgently trying to warn her.
But Gwen had already reached the emperor.
She dragged a filthy, dirt-covered man in her hand and threw him toward the center of the hall.
Everyone looked at the man who had been flung onto the floor, staring at one another in confusion.
Someone couldn't help asking, "Who is this?"
"This man is named Chur, a soldier from the Kingdom of Kant. He changed his identity and infiltrated the empire, posing as a grain merchant, mixing into the Clavenna family."
"His goal was to assassinate Viktor and his sister Liya."
"But he failed, and instead was captured by Viktor's sister."
The officials all sucked in sharp breaths.
Previously, Viktor had been a viscount, one with actual power and a territory.
Yet such a noble household had allowed a soldier of the Kant Kingdom to slip inside?
The seriousness of this matter made people inevitably suspect whether someone inside the empire had been communicating with the Kant Kingdom.
And the assassination attempt happened precisely when Viktor had become an earl and reached the rank of a fourth-tier mage.
Many people involuntarily turned their gaze toward Jace Lesser.
Why?
Before this, however displeased the nobles present were with Viktor, none of them would go so far as to hire outsiders to assassinate him.
Because Viktor was a man of the empire, and the grudges of the empire should be resolved by its own people.
What did it mean for someone from another kingdom to infiltrate?
So recently, who bore resentment toward Viktor, and who had the motive?
Those nobles who turned their eyes toward Jace Lesser didn't speak a word.
But they had made their attitude toward Lesser quite clear.
Jace Lesser felt the hostile gazes stabbing into him like dozens of needles.
The emperor raised his eyes, looked at Gwen, and spoke his first line, "Where is the child now?"
"Your Majesty, Liya is waiting outside the palace."
Emperor Aubrey nodded.
"Let her in."
At the emperor's summons, several guards led Liya into the hall.
She stood before the emperor, and under the gaze of everyone present, bowed slightly toward the imperial throne.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Emperor Aubrey waved his hand.
"No need for formality."
After he finished, he looked at Liya and gave a small smile.
"Good, I'm glad you're unharmed."
"Otherwise, this old man wouldn't be able to handle Viktor storming in here to demand answers."
Everyone present could hear the affection in his tone, his appreciation of Viktor extended even to Viktor's sister.
Love the house, love the crow.
Liya slowly rose, glancing once at Jace Lesser.
In her gaze, there seemed to be thick ridicule.
But that ridicule vanished immediately. With such a sudden occurrence, no one noticed Liya's expression.
Following the emperor's signal, a magus walked forward slowly, using the crystal orb in his hand to guide the unconscious Chur.
An imprint gradually appeared on the orb, then turned red, and faded away.
The magus turned to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, he is indeed not of the empire, and he has extremely strong blood energy."
Strong blood energy meant he was a warrior, and not a weak one.
This essentially confirmed the truth of Liya's statement.
Even ignoring the assassination attempt, just the fact that such a powerful foreign warrior had infiltrated the empire was enough to warrant a deep investigation.
Duke Levi spoke at the right moment, "Your Majesty, this matter should be thoroughly investigated."
The emperor nodded with a soft "Mm" and smiled toward Liya.
"Child, come to my side."
Liya bowed again to the emperor and slowly stepped closer.
As he looked at Liya approaching, the emperor smiled and said, "Your brother is Aurelian's teacher. When you're by my side, you don't need to be so constrained."
"This matter will be investigated. Capturing such a warrior of another kingdom counts as great merit."
Everyone noticed the emperor's wording.
He deliberately emphasized the connection between the princess and Viktor, it was a warning to everyone present.
'Don't bring your petty schemes before me.'
'The Clavenna family will support no one.'
No one noticed Jace Lesser clenching his fists slightly.
'Why?'
'Why could the emperor treat those two so well?'
'We are the imperial relatives. Devon and I are your nephews!'
The seed called jealousy unknowingly took root, growing in Jace Lesser's heart.
Suddenly, the emperor looked toward Jace Lesser and said, "Speaking of which, you had something to say earlier."
"Continue."
Jace Lesser froze. At this moment, he was the one pinned onto the fire for roasting.
Right after Viktor's sister had just survived an assassination attempt, he was going to bring up a marriage proposal with the First Prince…
Wasn't that asking for a scolding?
"Your Majesty, I…"
Jace Lesser opened his mouth, but the words were like a giant stone stuck in his throat. Nothing came out.
The old emperor sighed softly and said, "Come out, Viktor."
"If you have something to say, tell him yourself."
'Viktor?'
Everyone present was stunned with confusion.
There was no Viktor in sight.
Just as confusion rose, a wave of green aura blossomed within the palace, full of vitality.
Wildflowers and grass slowly spread across the floor. Twisting vines crawled up the palace roof, wrapping around the golden pillars.
A cluster of flowers behind the crowd stirred, and as the petals gradually withdrew, Viktor slowly revealed his form.
He appeared before everyone as if out of thin air, flicking the hem of his coat.
This Viktor was completely different from the last time.
If the previous Viktor radiated terror and majesty, then this Viktor exuded cold sharpness and elegance.
Yet still carried a mysterious sense of distance.
His figure vanished in an instant, reappearing like a ghost behind Jace.
Leaning close to Jace's ear, Viktor spoke coldly, "There were some things I didn't clarify earlier, and that may have made you think there was an opportunity to take advantage of."
"But now, I want you to remember forever."
As Viktor spoke, several vines suddenly wrapped around Jace's neck, tightening and tightening.
Jace immediately struggled, desperately clawing at the thick vines around his throat.
His face grew red and swollen, his movements increasingly frantic.
Yet he could only hear Viktor's indifferent voice echo, "Stay away from the people around me."
Everyone was shocked by the scene before them.
Viktor suddenly appearing, and those words that were clearly a warning.
Even Gwen and Liya were full of confusion.
Why had Viktor suddenly appeared?
A few nobles standing behind Jace suddenly seemed to realize something and shouted, "Viktor! Are you insane!?"
"Are you trying to kill someone inside the palace!?"
Viktor glanced at the man coldly, just a single look, and that man, like a chick drowning in water, felt as if his throat had been clamped shut and dared not speak another word.
But Viktor did not actually kill anyone, the vines gradually retreated from Jace Lesser.
Jace clutched his neck, gasping desperately.
Being unable to breathe had filled his eyes with broken blood vessels, making them frighteningly red.
"Viktor!"
Jace's voice was hoarse, but he was not afraid.
In this moment, the jealousy in his heart turned into raging fury. He wanted to tear Viktor apart with his own hands.
But he couldn't. He could only suppress his anger and pretend to stay calm as he looked at Viktor.
"What grudge do I have with you?"
Viktor looked as though all his hostility had evaporated. With elegance, he straightened his collar.
"Mr. Jace, before we discuss any grudges between us, I hope you first acknowledge the difference in status between you and me."
Jace felt confused, and the same confusion spread through the palace, to all except the emperor.
As if unintentionally, Viktor's collar shifted slightly, revealing a circular silver emblem.
On it, three shattered heads seemed to proclaim some kind of mysterious identity.
Under Jace's furious gaze, Viktor spoke faintly, like mockery, like disdain, "Please address me as Councilor Clavenna."
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