In the center of the dance floor, Elvia ended her dance with Lin Gui in a perfect, frozen pose.
She tilted her chin up slightly, wearing the posture of an undisguised victor.
She cast a contemptuous glance at Emily, whose face was pale with rage, looking as if she might explode on the spot.
She had originally planned to head straight over to the guy who had slipped back into the corner the moment their dance ended.
However, she was timely intercepted by an influential minister from the Eldest Princess's faction, who extended an invitation.
Remembering that she still needed to use the newly acquired “Mermaid's Tear”...
...to pry key intelligence regarding Roger and Avalon from the Eldest Princess.
Since her very life was on the line, Elvia suppressed her impatience.
Plastering a proper smile back onto her face, she followed the man toward the lounge area where the Eldest Princess was seated.
The moment she arrived, Croft immediately clung to her like a bee drawn to the scent of a flower.
His eyes were filled with an uncontrollable obsession and desire.
“Princess Elvia, you are truly radiant tonight...”
He tried to strike up a conversation.
But Elvia didn't even give him a direct look, merely offering a cold grunt in response.
Her aloof attitude was like treating him as a pebble on the side of the road.
Croft's passionate enthusiasm was instantly frozen, leaving him standing there awkwardly.
Meanwhile, the Eldest Princess, Diana, seemed to have completely forgotten her embarrassment at the auction.
She warmly gestured for Elvia to sit.
“My dear sister, come over here.”
Elvia smiled in response.
Yet her gaze involuntarily drifted to the floor by the Eldest Princess's feet.
Two handsome young men were currently massaging her feet.
Elvia couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
The older she gets, the wilder her tastes become...
Ever since that incident with Roger.
Her eldest sister, who had once been the most outstanding beauty in Carter, seemed to have completely transformed.
She had become this person who indulged in male company—seemingly gentle on the outside, but thoroughly decadent within.
As far as Elvia knew, her sister's male lovers numbered at least in the triple digits.
No wonder Caesar had managed to infiltrate her circle so easily.
There were also Charles's people in here, as well as Elvia's own...
“Elvia, what do you think... the final outcome of this struggle for the crown will be?”
Alarm bells rang faintly in Elvia's mind, but her expression remained unchanged as she smoothly delivered the standard answer.
“Naturally, it is you, Eldest Sister, who will win the final victory.”
“You have the full support of two Dukes and hold absolute command over the Royal Capital Defense Force.”
“You even have the tacit leaning of that Legendary pillar on the border...”
“With Charles having lost John's Holy Knights, he is like a tiger with its teeth pulled. How could he possibly contend with you?”
The Eldest Princess smiled noncommittally, merely swirling her wine glass.
“John's Holy Knights... it is indeed a pity.”
She changed the subject, her gaze turning deep.
“Then what do you think will happen to... the remaining ones after this struggle for the throne ends?”
Instantly, the atmosphere plunged to freezing point.
The smile faded from Elvia's face. Her expression turned cold, and she did not answer.
She knew the answer, but what did the Eldest Princess mean by bringing it up now?
The Eldest Princess spoke in a soft yet icy tone.
“They will all be purged. Every single one of them.”
“Whether they are the popular contenders in the capital or the princes and princesses who were kicked out of the running long ago.”
“It has been this way since the City-State Era.”
“It was so for Father, for Grandfather, and even for Great-Grandmother.”
“And if a princess wishes to survive after the new king ascends the throne, there is only one path...”
“And that is to marry down. Elvia, a mere Holy Saint cannot protect you.”
Beside them, the Duke of Wales let out a timely sneer.
Ever since the demise of John's Holy Knights, the balance of power had been shattered.
If Elvia wanted to live, she would have to submit and bear children for his Wales family.
He gestured to his son.
Croft, as if receiving a signal, hastily stepped forward, reaching out to take Elvia's hand.
“Princess Elvia, don't worry, I will make you happy!”
Elvia abruptly crossed her arms, coldly dodging his touch, and let out a scoff.
“Heh, not enough.”
She elegantly crossed her fair, slender legs, looking straight at the Eldest Princess, her tone carrying a ruthless analysis.
“This is far from enough.”
“Forget Charles, you can't even suppress Warren right now!”
“A post-coronation purge? Don't make me laugh!”
“Eldest Sister, even if you actually manage to ascend the throne by some stroke of luck...”
“...do you honestly believe you'd be able to do a damn thing when Warren walks all over you?”
“Just like our ‘wise’ father.”
These words were like cold daggers, stabbing deeply into the sore spots of both the Eldest Princess and the Duke of Wales.
Their faces instantly turned incredibly unsightly.
Croft still tried to ease the tension, speaking to Elvia with a shameless smile.
“Elvia, don't say that. Her Royal Highness the Eldest Princess truly wants me to help you, and my feelings for you are known to the entire capital...”
Elvia interrupted him, a superficial smile plastered on her face.
“Thank you for your admiration, son of the Duke. But I'm afraid my heart already belongs to another.”
Her gaze subconsciously drifted toward Lin Gui.
Raising her voice slightly, she spoke with a deliberately sweet and firm tone.
“I love the husband I met in Caran, and I am fully prepared to spend the rest of my life with him!”
Having said her piece, she ignored their dark expressions, turned around, and walked straight away.
“Elvia!” the Eldest Princess finally dropped her gentle facade, snarling behind her.
“Are you still blind to the situation?! John's Holy Knights are dead! What does Charles have left to fight me with?!”
Elvia didn't stop. She merely looked back and smiled, her expression filled with undisguised disappointment and mockery.
“Once, I actually admired you, Eldest Sister.”
In her mind, she recalled the image of her sister who had once been iron-fisted and sharp-eyed...
...a royal sister who had made all her political enemies tremble.
“But now...” She shook her head gently.
“I only see an old auntie who can do nothing but guard her tiny plot of land, waiting for a victory handed to her like charity, slowly waiting to die.”
The curtain fell behind her, cutting off the Eldest Princess's furious roars.
Once she returned to the bustling ballroom, Elvia immediately felt a pang of regret.
It wasn't that she regretted rejecting the Eldest Princess's proposal to marry into the Wales family.
If she hadn't witnessed Duke Joseph's vault...
...or heard those deeper conspiracies with her own ears.
The Eldest Princess's analysis, though arrogant, did have some merit.
Having lost John's Holy Knights, Charles was indeed a step behind his eldest sister in terms of overt military power.
As for that other madman prince, Warren...
That guy didn't care about the throne at all.
He was the most elusive of the three popular contenders.
He was also the one Elvia feared the most in her heart.
She feared him to the point where she would go out of her way to avoid him in daily life.
What she regretted was being too impulsive just now.
Having burnt her bridges so thoroughly, even with the generous gift of the “Mermaid's Tear” in her hands...
...the Eldest Princess's faction would likely never reveal any information about Roger to her.
And that was the key clue to neutralizing her poison and saving her life.
Elvia sighed inwardly.
I shouldn't be such an impulsive person...
I'm supposed to be the best at enduring and weighing pros and cons, so why did I just...
She subconsciously cast her gaze toward the sleeping figure in the corner.
A ridiculous thought popped into her mind.
Could it be... I actually like this bastard a little?
Proposing that she, the bride, marry another man right at her own wedding banquet.
Completely disregarding Lin Gui, the groom.
That was why Elvia had uncharacteristically lost her temper.
Elvia immediately dismissed the idea.
No way! Absolutely impossible!
That guy uses me as a shield at every turn, not to mention he poisoned me.
And made me his lackey...
Yet, Elvia had to admit.
Lin Gui possessed a kind of charm that made her desperately desire to “possess” him.
And that was his ability.
Cooperating with a Low-tier Transcendent Ranger like Theia, he could completely cripple a Legendary expert like Gorn.
If Lin Gui were paired with a High-tier Transcendent Ranger, wouldn't they be able to unleash combat power on par with a Legendary?
Moreover, his ability...
...expanding influence, stealing secrets, and even directly “borrowing” the wealth of hostile nobles like he did this time.
Hiss—as long as he was around, the enemy's secrets would be completely transparent to her.
And the enemy's wealth could be diverted for her own spending.
After all, Elvia technically hadn't spent a single copper of her own money at the auction.
As for Duke Joseph...
She had used his money to buy his own item, yet he himself was happy about it.
The more Elvia pondered how to weaponize Lin Gui's ability against her political enemies, the more excited she became.
A near-fanatical light flickered in her eyes.
What did a fight for the throne or factional power struggles matter?
If she could completely control Lin Gui's ability...
...all of those things would eventually be hers!
Most importantly, even if she failed in the succession struggle, Lin Gui could take her away.
With his capabilities, traversing the dangerous wilderness would not be difficult.
She licked her dry lips.
The calm mask of a politician faded from her face, revealing a woman's seductive side, tinged with primal possessiveness.
This wasn't just some High Rank mage; he was a peerless treasure!
No, I can't let him slip away. I must bind him tightly to my side.
The Eldest Princess's words had served as a wake-up call for Elvia.
The war for the throne was nearing its end; only the King of Carter's death from illness remained.
And according to the priests, her royal father had at most two months left to live.
She had lost too many people to Caesar. Relying solely on her intelligence network was no longer enough to defend herself and survive.
As for Caesar's mad plan, the probability of its success was virtually zero.
Therefore...
Elvia smiled seductively.
She walked over to Lin Gui and leaned down.
Blowing her warm, seductive breath into his ear, her voice was soft and alluring:
“Lin Gui~ sleeping here isn't very comfortable, is it? How about... I take you to a hotel so you can get some proper rest?”
Seemingly disturbed by the close warmth, Lin Gui opened his eyes blearily.
Elvia instantly put on her most obedient, harmless smile, her eyes innocent and carrying a hint of anticipation.
Lin Gui looked at her blearily for two seconds. Lacking the energy to think too much, he gave a vague mumble:
“Sure.”
Rate on N.U.
