The Price Is Your Everything

A white dove glided gracefully through the sky, which had already begun to embrace the essence of autumn.

The messenger, making its way back to White Swan Castle, was guided by its instinct to return home and would soon find rest in its nest tonight. After a good night's sleep, it would embark on another journey across the continent, bearing the sorrowful tidings from the battlefield.

Neris smiled with curiosity as she opened the message delivered by one of these messengers.

"What brings you such joy, Madam?"

Dora, who had set up a chair on the balcony for her pregnant mistress to enjoy the sunlight, inquired politely. Neris settled into the chair, which Dora had just cushioned for her comfort, and replied, "I need to adjust my plans a little. Talprin will be visiting Parish."

"Is that so? Even after you've already made arrangements, Madam?"

She had anticipated that Caymil, once freed from confinement, would take charge of addressing the matters that Abelus had been handling rather vaguely. There was no reason for her not to target Joyce again in this situation.

Thus, Neris had consistently advised Cledwyn during their discussions to send someone to safeguard Joyce in advance. She had instructed him to conceal a few detachments in Parish, as she expected Caymil to make her move just before Cledwyn's arrival.

Neris was intimately familiar with the geography of Parish, almost as if it were second nature to her. In her childhood, her mother had worked for the Duchess of Parish, and during that time, Neris had corresponded with Cledwyn.

"It's a good thing Talprin is going himself. Even though he's in a tough spot right now, we can't underestimate Eonwol."

The knowledge Neris had from her past life was now a distant memory. The key figures she once knew had either faded into the background or exited entirely, and the power dynamics among the nobility had shifted significantly. Complacency was not an option.

She was up against the most cunning adversary she had ever encountered.

Gazing up at the vast blue sky, Neris mused, almost in a melodic tone, "Caymil has to get the court in order, whether she wants to or not. It's such a chaotic mess that she can't bear to look at it, and all her previous strategies are now outdated. The court's balance, the royal family's standing, the hidden truths of the past... if Nellusion lends her a hand, she could blind Abelus and reshape the entire empire to her liking. She needs to be prepared, which is why she's stepped forward."

Initially, it seemed like an impossible task. True power stems from the acknowledgment of those being governed. One person's cleverness couldn't possibly transform the entire framework of this ancient empire to fit their desires.

What if it's not just about 'revamping' but rather 'obliterating' it? Making something function well is a challenge, but tearing it down is quick and easy.

And what if she intends to salvage only what she desires from the wreckage and repurpose everything else?

This isn't an impossible scenario. She embodies a family that has misled everyone, even without the might of Elandria. If she occupies the last spot at the altar, it wouldn't be far-fetched to think she could truly dominate the entire continent. In light of such grand ambitions, everything she has valued until now might suddenly feel like a heavy burden.

However, when that ambition shines too brightly, many significant aspects around it can become obscured.

With that thought, Neris chuckled. Dora was taken aback by her assured smile. Just like always, our Madam. She shows no fear, even when faced with such a monumental tale.

"It's perfectly fine if the plan shifts a little. I'm not a deity; I can't foresee everything. It's beneficial for the person on the ground to assess and steer things in a positive direction. If Talprin steps in to rescue Sir Joyce and brings the McKinnon family's main force, it could turn out to be a hidden advantage for us. Dido will be safer too."

The Empress couldn't simply dismiss the toll her desire for Diane had taken on her. However, once Caymil completely consumed the royal family, leaving nothing but a mangled remains, the Empress would finally come to understand the repercussions of her negligence.

"Ugh, Your Highness!"

A voice called out in alarm from the courtyard below, breaking Neris's train of thought. She sighed, recognizing the tone all too well.

She quickly assessed that Joan, who had been persistently hovering around her lately, wouldn't have had the chance to climb up to her.

"You did bring a blanket, didn't you, Your Highness? You simply can't stand out in this chilly wind!"

Despite it being autumn, the weather was quite pleasant on this sunny day, making Joan's concern seem a bit exaggerated. Yet, the genuine affection and worry on Joan's face made Neris chuckle a moment later.

Neris glanced up at the sky again, her hand resting on the blanket that Dora had hurriedly draped over her.

Though she hadn't voiced it, the thought had been lingering in her mind: how to confront the mage that Caymil had by her side.

The curse I endured was formidable, yet it likely had a stipulation tied to distance.

If it were a curse that could be enacted without regard to distance, it wouldn't have been unleashed just before Neris departed from the imperial capital.

It can't be that simple. If distance were the only factor, she would have attempted it again by now.

There must be another requirement, probably a challenging one.

However, given the urgency of the situation, they would surely find a way to meet that requirement at least once.

Neris speculated that one of the conditions Caymil needed to fulfill was related to the 'target.' The last time Neris found herself ensnared by the curse while Cledwyn was causing chaos in the imperial palace, Caymil had not laid a finger on him, despite the countless Eonwols she had painstakingly summoned that had perished.

The Emperor remains unconscious following his confrontation with Caymil, but he is not dead.

Perhaps the sealing curse was aimed at someone with Jewel Eyes. Or maybe it targeted an individual possessing the abilities of another race? After all, the dragon was sealed by a curse. If that were true, even in the most dire situation, Cledwyn...

'That wouldn't suffice.'

There were countless thoughts swirling in her mind, and every option seemed fraught with challenges.

Yet Neris was determined to navigate them all. She was resolute in her mission to safeguard her family.

****

Caymil observed the situation daily from the Princess's Palace, which was now open for public access. 

While she had been receiving updates about the outside world before, the nature of the information had changed significantly since her subordinates and the nobles were granted free movement. 

After reviewing these new reports, she couldn't help but let out a sigh. 

"It takes a special kind of skill to create this much chaos in such a short time."

Caymil was well aware that Abelus was leading the country to ruin. She also recognized that Megara and Nellusion were wreaking havoc in the court, making changes as they pleased.

However, she had hoped there would be some boundaries. She believed that an empire with such a rich history would have certain aspects that even she couldn't dismantle, no matter how hard she tried.

But that was not the case.

Abelus, Megara, and Nellusion weren't intentionally trying to destroy the royal family; they were simply acting within what they perceived as their limits. Typically, the royal family's other resources, the taxes collected at various times for different purposes, and the loyal nobles entrenched in each ministry would have been able to address the issues.

The real problem was that there was always someone obstructing the resolution of the chaos at critical moments.

The major trading firms that used to provide loans to the royal family have gone under, and the smaller businesses have turned their backs since Abel's incident. The only troops available have either been defeated in Maindelant or were absorbed earlier. The nobles who should be stepping up are either shying away due to their dislike for Duke Ricanthros or harboring resentment towards Abel. Even if I instructed you to mess things up, you wouldn't have arranged the situation like this.

No funds, no military power, no noble support.

Caymil was well aware of who was behind it all—the detestable Duke and Duchess of Maindelant.

However, knowing the culprit didn't reveal their tactics. The adversary was incredibly shrewd, often employing strategies that suggested they had intimate knowledge of the royal family's secrets. Furthermore, according to Abelus, they seemed to be aware of and evade the secret military outposts established by the royal family across the empire.

Caymil had to admit it: she had underestimated her foe. How could she not? She had been training her special shadows for ages, using harsh and meticulous methods, and had unearthed secrets that others overlooked. Plus, being a direct descendant of the royal family gave her an edge—few in the empire could rival her.

Yet, she found herself completely restrained. So subtly, it was only now that she recognized it.

'Impressive. Utilizing information that only royal blood can access.'

Caymil smirked slightly. The shadow who had delivered the report about the chaotic domestic situation lowered his gaze in trepidation.

But contrary to what he expected, Caymil didn't react with anger. She tossed the report aside as if it were of no consequence.

Hmph, what can you do about things that have already occurred? If you're out of firewood, you might have to resort to breaking the chairs in your home to keep warm—what other options do you have?

These were the words of a princess who had always had plenty of firewood, yet her sincerity was undeniable. Moments later, her expression sharpened as she issued her orders.

"Gather the women who were harmed by Natasha Gruenhals and encourage them to take legal action against the Gruenhals family."

Among the prominent noble families, the Duke of Elandria had crossed a critical line, while the Duke of Ganiello was in hiding. Bringing down the Duke of Gruenhals would put an end to all three ducal families.

Moreover, the Marquis of Ricanthros was finished, and the Marquis of Tipian was nearly invisible. The Marquis of Wells was sinking alongside the Duke of Elandria, and the Marquis of Kendall seldom made public appearances.

The only major noble family left at court was the Marquis of Odroi. The head of this family, Marquis Odroi, had long been a staunch ally of Caymil.

Nellusion had even secretly allied with Caymil. Even if Abelus attempted to manipulate the lower-ranking nobles he had placed, he would find it impossible to oppose Caymil's influence.

Caymil had no plans to restore the royal family's influence in the same manner as before, so her chosen approach was misguided. She was determined to forge a new path, one that didn't mirror the past.

The metaphor she had just blurted out, without much thought, was surprisingly apt for her current situation.

"Indeed, the Duke of Maindelant is on his way, signaling the arrival of winter. But once winter fades, spring will bloom with its vibrant flowers."

Could they truly unleash chaos like this, having lost all their allies and, most crucially, each other?

Caymil felt assured that if either of them faltered, she could complete the triangle of the altar. When that moment arrived, everything would be within her grasp.

With a gleeful grin, Caymil declared, "Summon back all my moons who have infiltrated the various families. I need more hands to carry out my wishes. What I desired has unintentionally come alarmingly close!"

The spell, having finished its trial, was now poised to consume its final target.