I had sent Davian away with Asher to Eldarf so that he could be away from today’s eting. Davian was pretty nosy when it ca to my stuff and I didn’t want him eavesdropping on this eting at any costs.
The n sat around the large conference table in the center of my huge library with a ga of chess settled in between and the pieces in their spots.
They all sat quietly, waiting for to begin while Roan stood beside as my primary aide.
After Remi was done pouring everyone tea, he left the teapot and then walked out of the library closing the doors behind him.
I sat at the head of the table observing the n who were the integral part of my plan before I opened my mouth.
"I thank you all for coming all the way here on my word," I spoke.
"You don’t need to thank us, Master. We just wait to be called by you." Zach said with a smile.
"He’s right, besides, it’s rare for all of us to be here for a eting like this, which ans, it’s ti for the big plan to be put into action." Lord Devil aka Baron Oberon predicted.
"That’s right," I said as I gestured for Roan to distribute the docunts and he wordlessly obliged and ca and stood behind with his hands at his back after he was done.
"These are the reports of the Golden Serpent and the Esrtia family’s movents so far," I said and the n looked at the docunts.
Grandfather glanced once at the docunts before he placed them down while the others took their ti.
"Hm? What’s this? They are trying to ss up at Slavenreach by ssing with the tax collection?" Lord Devil spoke.
"That’s to distract ." I said and he chuckled.
"Fools."
"Still, there are more such instances, they are doing all they can to try and remove your attention from the capital." Count Wallace aka Lord Hawke said as he scanned through the reports.
"This is bad, they’ve hired assassins and rchants from almost all the guild’s that aren’t a part of your side." Duke Aurelius, my father spoke with concern.
"It’s easy to crush those guilds, that way we could also monopolise the market, Master." Zach suggested.
"All right," I said making Dad and Rune to stare at .
"Getting rid of them in one go is better than let them annoy you again and again." Silas spoke in agreent.
"Can I leave this task to you Lord Snake?" I asked and he smirked.
"I’d love to carry it out, Master!"
"Good, so next." I spoke.
"Since Oasis has most of the institutions that care for the welfare of the people, the Golden Serpent is trying to bribe the people associated with it to get her hands on the fa of the Foundation." Grandfather spoke and I humd.
"I have already taken care of it so, there’s no need to take up this problem." I spoke and he put it down.
"But this also ntions that Prince Carlos is doing so volunteer work at the orphanages," Earl Clive spoke.
"And if I’m not wrong these are the places where Prince Eric, my son and the other Young Masters are volunteering." Count Greene said glancing once at Rune who was also a part of that volunteer team.
"Yes, and it is on my word. Oasis is also preparing to take up those remaining places which are being targeted so that they wouldn’t be taken advantage of." I spoke and they exchanged glances.
"Wouldn’t that ans that you are openly trying to influence the masses?" Earl Clive asked and I smiled.
"That’s what I am doing," I announced making everyone, except for the Underworld Lords, my Grandfather and Uncle to gasp.
"So, are you going to use that influence to put Prince Eric on the throne?" Grandfather asked.
"It’s useless if I serve it to him in silver platter, the people should see him as their ruler, not an optional one but as their sole ruler. And for that, I’m laying so groundwork. The settling of the peace treaty by him was one step, the people now see him as soone who unlike the previous King wouldn’t rush into wars but be rational enough to find a peaceful way." I explained.
"The second step, bringing him down to the people’s level through the volunteer work. The newspapers won’t publish too much about his work but only the amount that is needed, his deeds would be passed through the word of mouth. The people need to know about him so, when they actually see it and tell others that would have a greater impact."
Lord Hawke raised his hand after I was done and asked, "But the other newspapers have been filled with the praises of how kind and generous Prince Carlos is. Wouldn’t that overshadow Prince Eric’s genuine work?"
"That’s a good point but for Prince Carlos to gain attention he should be there on the spot, his servants are working in his place and he thinks that would work. When the people would see those servants on one side and Prince Eric and his companions on the other, whose side do you think will look more genuine?" I asked.
"But after knowing that Prince Eric is there, the Golden Serpent would send Prince Carlos there as well, what then?" Earl Clive asked.
"That’s all the better, Earl." Lord Devil spoke with a chuckle, "If Prince Carlos is on the spot then it would be clear as to how spolied and arrogant of a brat he is. It will only backfire."
"Besides, Prince Eric is compassionate about working for the betternt of the people and he let’s the people approach him without any intimidation and treats them respectfully and kindly. There’s no way his efforts won’t touch the hearts of the people." Rune spoke firmly and I smiled.
"That’s true, at this step we can’t do much except for trust the natures of both the Princes and their dedication towards the people of the kingdom that they wish to rule."
The nobles nodded in acknowledgent while Silas placed down the docunts and asked, "What about that one pawn?"
"Hm? I have two, which one are you specifically asking about?" I asked.
Since only I and my family knew about the two supposed dead or lost ladies of the royal family existing in our places, I had made it clear that they should be addressed as pawns in front of others.
"The one that I have," Silas clarified and I humd.
"Keep it hidden till further instructions." I said and he sighed.
He must also be frustrated because Alys couldn’t get her due respect and honor as the rightful Princess of the royal family but had to live as a fugitive. Her parents were killed by the Golden Serpent and even her own life was in danger. The mont the world knew of her being here it would like there is a huge neon sign reading Target would be on her.
I had to avoid that until Eric was decided as a Crown Prince or the potential heir of the throne by the King.
Besides, Alys wasn’t the only one that I was keeping in the shadows, Lady Elise was in the sa state. The world considered her dead but she was living, waiting for the day that she could get her revenge on the woman who hurt her and her son.
"I have a proposal." Grandfather spoke up and I tilted my head keeping my eyes on him.
"What is it, Marquis Fairisles?" I asked.
"Since the peace treaty ball is being terd as the debutante of Princess Colette, we should make use of it." He said and I cocked my brow.
"You aren’t trying to suggest that we find a suitor for her, are you?" I asked and Grandfather scoffed.
"I wouldn’t even want my enemies to have a wife like Princess Colette."
Everyone chuckled at that while I watched him, waiting for his suggestion.
"What I’m suggesting is that, instead of Princess Colette or even the peace treaty, why don’t we use a third person as the attention flag?"
"What do you an, Marquis?" Lord Devil asked.
"What I an is," he started, "since the ball is clashing with two elents so, we need one person who could balance both the sides. I know we need the impact to be most on the peace treaty’s side but the Queen will try to dampen it by trying to spread the rumors that the peace treaty is a conspiracy and try to influence the nobles, and despite anything the nobles wouldn’t readily side with Prince Eric just because he has ended the war, the Queen is still in power and most still believe that Prince Carlos is a potential candidate for being the King. So, we need soone who could negate that influence and act on the part which will not only make the glow of the royal family fade but highlight the efforts of Prince Eric." He explained and everyone stared at him.
"And who do you think would this person be?" Count Greene asked.
"As per what you just said, only one person suits the requirents," Count Wallace spoke his eyes turning in one direction.
"That’s right, as far we all know there’s only one person who could make such an impact which would turn the attention from the royal family and even Princess Colette to themselves." Baron Oberon spoke his eyes too going in the sa direction.
One by one everyone turned to look straight at as it unmistakably felt as if Grandfather was talking about . He wouldn’t want to appear as both Ocean and Reina at my debutante, would he?
"You’re asking Master to show up?" Zach asked straightaway and Grandfather looked at for a beat before he shook his head.
"I’m not talking about him," he said and my eyebrows jumped.
"What? Then who?" Zach asked.
Grandfather’s eyes stayed on for a mont before he spoke, "I’m talking about my Granddaughter,"
My father and brother gasped in unison while Silas went still and Grandfather continued.
"Reina Aurelius, she is the one who is capable of
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