Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
“Simple. Very few people are aware that she was the top choice for Crown Princess. Even the Empress hasn’t shared her thoughts publicly. Marquess Vermillion only knew about it because he’s so close to His Majesty.” Ezra smacked his lips together. “They’re discrediting her to weaken you, essentially saying that this empire cannot be ruled by someone with a weak Empress who would take credit for her husband’s work.”
“So, they’re using her. How does the palace feel about it?”
“The Emperor is furious, and his aide reached out to us overnight to find the source of the rumours. How should we handle that?”
Interesting.
My father was following through with his promise.
Of course, only four people knew who the true owner of Illusion was—me, Ezra, Duke Trelawney, and the legendary Silent Assassin, Jinx. Ezra was playing the part of the guild master under my instruction, and even the fact that he was the guild master was a closely guarded lie. He was merely known as ‘Master’ amongst those who were bold enough to request his presence.
Which made it all the more interesting how Allie had waltzed in and blackmailed her way into meeting him.
How did she know?
“Tell him the truth but fudge it a little. Quietly notify Marquess Vermillion before you hand the information over to the Emperor. There will be repercussions, but if he’s aware, he’ll be able to deal with them.” I rubbed my chin. “What of Eudocia?”
“She’s not saying a word, and even Torin’s closest people are quiet outside of stirring up the gossip mill.”
“So, they’re planning something?”
“It seems that way. We already know they’re behind the old mages in the Magic Tower refusing to cooperate with Stein. It appears Duke Egerland and Count Stratlin were responsible for that wyvern attack you recently handled. Duke Egerland was in Polaril not long ago, but he doesn’t seem to have any business there, and there’s no reason for him to make such a long trip.”
“Hmm. Firstly, keep an eye on him. I’ll send someone from Stein to find out what he was doing in the Polaril Kingdom.” I ran my hand down my horse’s nose. “See if you can plant anyone else in the Magic Tower. The rift there will only deepen once it’s discovered that Lord Ivan is meeting with Aerwyna this week.”
“How did that happen?”
“Allie asked Lady Vivian and she set it up. It seems the split within the Tower is far greater than we realised, with Duke Trelawney on the side of wanting to collaborate with Stein’s mages. Allie said Ivan regularly does this kind of stuff on the duke’s behalf.”
Ezra slowly nodded, looking at the ground thoughtfully. “Of course. Although they’re officially neutral, the Trelawneys back you as the heir as we do. I’ll see who we can get in there.”
Which was another reason Eudocia and Torin were so desperate to get Allie on side. House Vermillion would naturally support her husband as the heir, and they needed one of the major houses to back them up.
Even if the Alansias and Trelawneys were officially neutral, it was no secret within the nobles that they backed me as Crown Prince over my brother.
“Approach Ivan, if you must. Even if it means sharing information between Lady Vivian and Allie.”
“How would you explain your interest in it to Allie? You’ll have to tell her that you own Illusion.”
I shrugged. “She’s going to be my wife, so what does it matter? She’ll figure it out sooner or later anyway. She’s too smart.”
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think she ran her own information guild.” Ezra chuckled. “She’s quite something.”
“I would prefer if you didn’t openly lust over my fiancée in front of me, Ezra.”
“Is that permission to do so privately, Your Highness?”
I stared at him until he held up his hands in apology and shrunk back. “Visit Duke Trelawney sometime in the next week,” I ordered. “He has a prototype from the Tower that’s used to transport letters instantly. There are restrictions on the magic so you can only send a letter once a day, but it means there’s no risk of interception between the capital and Stein. Lady Vivian brought me mine on his behalf when she visited Allie, but he will give you the box’s partner.”
“I’ll make a point to bump into him during the hunt and set something up.”
“Good. With this artifact, I want more regular reports on what’s going on in the capital. I don’t trust Eudocia where Allie is concerned.”
“You fear her more than Torin?”
Only a sparrow would fear my brother.
“Of course. Earlier, Allie told him that if he wanted to marry her that badly, he should have taken the initiative to propose to her first, and he looked like someone had just shot him.” I shook my head. “He’s smart but too emotional. Without Eudocia, he’d never have taken the seat of Crown Prince. She’s far too cunning.”