In the end, no consensus was reached between Perfikot and Eldest Princess Annie; their eting even ended on a sour note.
Eyewitnesses reported that when Eldest Princess Annie left the Lord of the North's residence, her expression was quite unpleasant, and she nearly stumbled on the steps outside.
Although the royal attendant quickly ca out to dispel the rumor, saying the princess rely staggered and did not almost fall, a photo of her near stumble soon made it onto the newspapers, pushing the matter into the spotlight.
This marked the second ti relations between Perfikot and Eldest Princess Annie had beco so tense; the first being when Perfikot's parents had just passed away and Eldest Princess Annie attempted to adopt Perfikot, only to be firmly refused.
"Miss, as per your wishes, the newspaper has published the photo. The response from all circles is intense." Perfikot's faithful old butler reported to her.
Despite still wearing a simple tailcoat and appearing as a serious yet amiable old man, Foster had now beco a Legendary Knight with the aid of the Divinity Elixir.
Sitting in the chair, Perfikot curled herself up into the large armchair, turning her back to Foster and facing the window, preventing him from discerning her current emotions.
He only heard Perfikot respond with a simple "Got it," her tone clearly indicating she was suppressing her emotions.
This pained Foster greatly, prompting him to ask: "Miss, if you don't want this, why not just tell the Eldest Princess the truth?"
"Tell her the truth? And what good would that do?" Perfikot's voice turned slightly self-deprecating, then lancholy: "Aunt Annie needs to understand that to be a competent monarch, she must make changes.
Her Majesty the Empress personally implored , even at the expense of her own life; how could I bear to refuse a pleading old mother?"
On the day the Empress personally t with Perfikot, it wasn't just about negotiating the Divinity Elixir, but more critically another deal was struck.
The specific details cannot be disclosed, and even the existence of the deal itself must remain absolutely confidential, known only to those involved.
The only ones aware of the specifics are Perfikot and the Empress; even Perfikot's old butler Foster only knows that the Empress pleaded with his mistress to help Eldest Princess Annie beco a competent ruler.
Perfikot's sudden military expansion and her attitude towards Eldest Princess Annie can actually be seen as the execution of this deal.
At first glance, it seems unrelated to helping Eldest Princess Annie grow as a competent monarch, but upon reflection, if the most trusted person suddenly beca a traitorous authority, and the once protective mother suddenly died for unexplained reasons, even if reluctantly, Eldest Princess Annie would be forced to beco a competent ruler.
Though it seed outrageous, Perfikot also found it unbelievable when she first heard about the Empress's decision.
Had the situation truly reached the point where the Empress needed to stake her life to force Eldest Princess Annie to grow?
If Perfikot were to rely press Eldest Princess Annie to grow as an authority, in peaceti the pressure might be sufficient, as long as Perfikot controlled the intensity, Annie could surely grow.
Even with the Empire facing various problems, indeed now is the critical mont for Eldest Princess Annie to quickly mature as the heir to the throne, though in Perfikot's view, it shouldn't require the Empress sacrificing her life.
Yet the Empress's words "I am running out of ti" led Perfikot to abandon urging the Empress and choose to cooperate.
She examined the Empress's body, which indeed was nearing its end; everything appeared normal but was sustained by a team using various thods to prolong the Empress's life.
To this, Perfikot was surprised, considering she was the Empress of the world's strongest empire, surely having the best conditions for sustaining her life.
Even without alchemists like Perfikot and Sanderion, the specialists maintained by the Royal Family were not to be underestimated, immortality might be unattainable, but ensuring the Empress's healthy condition should pose no problem.
So, logically speaking, the Empress's health should not be like this.
This compelled Perfikot to almost produce the Philosopher's Stone on the spot to prepare an Elixir of Immortality for the Empress.
As one of the greatest achievents in alchemy, the Philosopher's Stone is notably used to create the Elixir of Immortality, granting endless life.
However, faced with the temptation that any ruler would eagerly pursue, the Empress chose to refuse.
"I've grown old, little Perfikot, I've lived long enough! Under my rule, the Empire has thrived, becoming the world's foremost power, and now soone like you can help navigate through this crisis, I am satisfied."
"Annie might be sowhat unfit as a successor, but I've led a life without regrets."
"The only concern is Annie, she is too inexperienced, lacking the necessary intrigue and ruthlessness as a ruler. This is sothing I must ask you to teach her."
"The Empire currently needs a competent leader, Annie is still sowhat lacking, unable to bear this responsibility, she needs your help to fill the gap."
"As for ? I've lived long enough, I'm tired, I simply don't have the energy to continue supporting the Empire."
"After governing for so many years, my reforms have touched too many interests. Soone attempted to poison , I survived but left with a weakness, I've been living on borrowed ti for years, I've already lived enough."
"If Annie can grow, what difference does it make if I live a few days less or more? Although it's taxing on you, requiring you to do what you do not wish to…"
"Forgive , little Perfikot! Forgive an old woman for using you in these matters."
Recalling the Empress's request, Perfikot sighed helplessly once again.
If possible, she truly didn't want to get involved in such matters, nor did she wish for the Empress to use this thod to aid Eldest Princess Annie's growth.
But just as the Empress said, the Empire needs a competent leader; Eldest Princess Annie's growth is too slow. The Empress and Perfikot have already given her ample opportunities, yet her progress remains unsatisfactory.
There's no choice now; drastic asures must be taken.
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