“This kind of thing won’t happen again, so rest assured,” Tii said softly. “I won’t let it happen again.”
“So, all of this has something to do with Tii?” Su Ling asked, her voice betraying her disappointment. “Why…”
Tii shook her head.
“I wasn’t the one who tampered with the door lock,” she said, gazing into the distance. “It was Marentia. She already promised me it won’t happen again.”
Marentia?
Su Ling didn’t know this person well, but as Princess Nori’s personal maid, she wouldn’t be so desperate as to risk stealing from others. Then what was the purpose behind damaging someone else’s door lock…
Suddenly, Su Ling recalled Marentia’s words about an “investigation” that night.
Could it be that Marentia was investigating the maids’ rooms?
Even within the castle, servants had strict rules. Entering another’s chambers without permission was absolutely forbidden.
If Marentia dared to break these rules, then whatever she was doing likely involved Princess Nori behind the scenes.
But why was Tii involved in this?
“Tii’s actions… do they have something to do with Her Highness Nori—”
“Su Ling, I’m sorry,” Tii interrupted just as Su Ling was about to ask more, “there are other things I cannot tell you.”
Su Ling’s heart sank a little more.
“I don’t want to hide things from you either, but I don’t have much choice. I’ve already told you everything I can.”
“Tii…” Su Ling pressed her face against Tii’s chest, making a soft buzzing sound.
Tii smiled gently.
“Little Su Ling, I just want you to be happy and not get involved in unnecessary matters. So please forget what happened that night.”
As expected, just like Su Ling had guessed, Tii wouldn’t speak her true feelings and was holding back.
Tii had already revealed the truth about the door lock. Continuing to ask would lead nowhere.
Su Ling felt a little disappointed and quietly responded with a faint “Mm.”
“This castle, no, the entire Kingdom of Ansels, is wrapped in countless intertwining shadows,” Tii said after a deep breath, her voice a little hoarse.
“But Su Ling, I won’t hurt you. That is my honest promise.”
Su Ling couldn’t see Tii’s expression, only feeling that Tii tightened her embrace slightly.
—
The Royal Capital was drenched in a heavy rainstorm.
No morning light pierced the sky, which was thick with overlapping layers of dark clouds. As far as the eye could see, everything was shrouded in gray haze. The castle’s spires appeared faint and blurred in the raging wind, standing tall amidst the turbulent sea of clouds.
In the early autumn season, there were always a few autumn rains that covered the city. After the rain, the temperature would gradually cool down.
Sista liked this kind of weather. It was neither too hot nor too cold, and most importantly, the noisy rain could drown out those irritating sounds she wanted to avoid.
Usually, at times like this, Sista would sit by the window, asking Su Ling to brew a pot of fragrant tea. She would then sip her tea quietly while reading books and taking notes by the window.
But today, someone interrupted her peace.
The delay of the ritual left some spare time for others in the palace to do different things. Since Moria Anderson had taken back her authority, she had been planning reforms and intended to adjust many domestic laws and policies.
Today was the day of the Council of Royal Authority meeting.
The Council of Royal Authority was the highest decision-making body representing royal power. It was responsible for drafting and supervising the kingdom’s laws and policies, as well as deciding diplomatic affairs. Its members were the kingdom’s ministers and department heads.
Whenever important decisions or emergencies arose, the Council members had to arrive on time at the hall to deliberate together. In the Ansels Kingdom, where royal authority was supreme, the final legal power resided with the king.
Although Steyat Anderson was gradually losing influence within the Council, he still held the king’s title. Therefore, Moria still needed to show respect to him outwardly.
However, Steyat disliked the Council because he couldn’t understand the ministers’ constant nagging, and he had to keep a stern face from start to finish, which was exhausting.
At times like this, he had no choice but to bring Sista along.
Sista was his only trusted daughter and the most important piece in his confrontation with Moria or rather, the Queen.
“Tch, I also… really hate those ministers’ faces,” Sista muttered to herself.
After finishing her preparations, she left her room and stepped out the main door.
With Su Ling accompanying her, she headed to the other side of the castle where the Council’s hall was located.
The howling wind made a mournful low wail. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning tore across the sky, followed by deafening thunder. The air was thick with the smell of earth and rain.
Su Ling held an umbrella and quietly followed behind her, the two walking one after the other on the stone-paved path.
“This is as far as you come.”
Sista stopped and turned to look at Su Ling. The young girl’s small figure froze at the corner of the road, raindrops hitting her, several strands of wet silver hair sticking to her cheek.
“I-I understand, Your Highness.”
She seemed to be trembling.
Probably because the weather had cooled down. The maids only had two sets of uniforms, for winter and summer. There were no suitable clothes for spring or autumn. Many maids in past years had fallen ill from the cold.
Providing new clothing for all the servants…? Moria probably wouldn’t agree to her casually using the royal treasury for that.
Sista sighed.
Next time, she would have someone quietly make a set just for her.
With no time to think more, Sista strode into the magnificent hall.
Beneath the splendid vaulted ceiling of the Council’s hall, a cold atmosphere echoed between towering stone pillars. Steyat sat at the center of the long table, dressed in a luxurious royal robe embroidered with the family crest, his murky eyes scrutinizing the ministers gathered below.
“Everyone, we have gathered here today to discuss a matter concerning the security of the Royal Capital,” Steyat’s voice was deep and solemn. “Recently, I have received many admonitions regarding the Royal Guards.”
He paused, then his gaze shifted to the tall and upright Defence Minister seated to his left—a noble from the upper bloodline, Had Cadley.
“Cadley, give your report.”
Had slowly stood upon hearing the order, his expression serious.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness, esteemed colleagues, the Royal Capital’s guard force indeed faces many pressing issues,” his voice echoed in the vast chamber.
“Firstly, in terms of personnel, the veterans’ physical strength and reaction speed have declined significantly, while the recruitment and training of the younger generation have not kept pace.”
“Secondly, the training system is outdated, equipment renewal lags behind, and many soldiers still use weapons and armor long past their prime.”
At this, Had cast a sweeping look at the assembly, his gaze lingering briefly on Moria’s face before he pulled a leather pouch from beside him and placed it in the center of the table.
“Lastly, and most seriously, there are major management loopholes. Many guards are neglectful in their duties, colluding with vagrants and bandits for profit, posing a huge security risk to the Royal Capital. Lords, please look at this—”
As he finished speaking, Had took out two items from the pouch and placed them in the middle of the long table.
Immediately, all eyes focused on the items.
One was a button adorned with an eagle spreading its wings;
The other was a portrait of a palace maid named Phil.