After Dylan returned, Lyra found herself exchanging letters with him more frequently. At first, she was overly self-conscious, often discarding several drafts before finally sending a message. But over time, she became more comfortable, allowing her thoughts to flow more freely onto the paper.
In the meantime, her father had finally agreed to give her an official role in the royal duties. She couldn't contain her excitement—finally, a bit of authority! But it came with its own challenges: she would have to share responsibilities with her elder cousin, Wily, who had been in charge of these affairs before her. Though it irritated her, Lyra wasn't too overwhelmed; she knew how to handle him, but the larger issue loomed: if she accepted this role, it could easily be misconstrued as her acceptance of the crown princess title. That would turn her life upside down, dragging her into the dirty politics of the royal family.
She was determined to avoid the tangled mess of power plays, but sometimes, there was no way to escape them. After much contemplation, Lyra decided to accept the position—at least for now. She would get a bit of revenge, find the cure for her father, and then leave the palace. Dylan's words came back to her: if she chose him, they could live together in Boreas. But that would mean giving up her noble status, which could create an irreparable rift between them. The thought of what to do with her feelings for him—and what her future might hold—left her conflicted.
Once she made her decision, she accepted the position with a mix of resolve and unease. As expected, Aunt Medea scorned her at first, but quickly shifted gears, congratulating her with gifts, claiming the occasion was a joyous one. Lyra wasn't naïve. She knew they were putting on a show. Either they didn't want her to investigate the financial irregularities or they planned to manipulate her later.
One day, Lyra sat in her father's room, reviewing paperwork and accounts for the month. As she scanned the figures, her gaze fell on her father, who was engrossed in an old book. His pale face caught her attention; though he seemed to have more energy than the day before, his condition had deteriorated. His weight had dropped dramatically, his body resembling little more than skin and bones. His lips were cracked, just like his fingers once had been during his sword-fighting days.
"Dad," she called softly, using a term of endearment that was rare for her.
He put the book down and smiled at her. "Yes?"
"I assume you already know what I'm about to say, and I'm sure I know your answer, but for my peace of mind, let me ask again—are we going to keep ignoring the fraud, the missing money, the embezzlement?"
"I've already told you to overlook it. This amount won't drain the treasury."
"I know it won't," she said, biting back her frustration. "But it's still theft. It's a crime, and it should be dealt with sooner rather than later."
"I've spoken to Nabal," he replied, as if dismissing her concern. "They're using the money for good causes—an orphanage, a school, medical aid, and free clothes for the public. It's all being used for the benefit of our people."
Lyra's disbelief was palpable. Good causes? She knew this was a lie. Nothing of the sort had been done with the money.
She bit her lip but didn't respond. Her father, however, continued, "You should learn something from them."
Lyra's eyebrows furrowed. "You want me to steal?"
Her father shook his head, chuckling lightly. "No, my dear. I'm talking about helping our people. Use some of your own money to aid them."
She rolled her eyes. She had been helping them long before, but there was no point in explaining it to him. Instead, she steered the conversation back to the issue at hand.
"Tell Uncle that next time, instead of quietly taking money, I want a breakdown of where it's gone. I'll overlook it if the accounts match up, but if it's not accounted for properly, I won't help them."
"Alright, I'll make sure he gives you everything you need. Now, enough about this. How is your work going?"
"It's fine," Lyra replied, but her voice tightened as she added, "Do I really have to work with Wily?"
Her father didn't immediately defend his nephew, which surprised her. Instead, he hummed thoughtfully and then added, "While he may not be perfect, he's exceptional at convincing investors. Give him time, and guide him where necessary."
Lyra wasn't interested in hearing praise for Wily. She stood abruptly, grabbing her papers. "I'd like to leave the palace today."
"Where are you going?"
"As you know, Viscount Vile was my tutor. I want to ask him if the accounts I'm managing are correct. It'll just be a short trip, and I'm only seeking advice."
"Is that so?" Her father's gaze softened. "You may take the royal carriage, and I'll send four or five knights with you."
"I'd prefer to travel discreetly. I don't want to draw attention."
Her father's voice grew stern. "You are the future queen. Wherever you go, people must look to you. That's how you lead a kingdom."
Lyra sighed, exasperated. "We'll have to agree to disagree. I'm leaving now. Take care of yourself."
"Send my regards to Vile."
"I will."
With a nod, Lyra left the room. On her way to the carriage, she bumped into Solon, who had been waiting for her.
"Your Highness, everything is ready."
"Let's go," she replied, stepping into the carriage. Solon followed, and with them were the coachman, Jack, and two guards, Lucas and Mika.
"Your Highness," Solon said, his tone tentative. "I'm concerned about the king's reaction to this."
"Don't worry. I've already warned him."
Solon's eyebrows raised in surprise. "He knows and didn't object?"
"I told him, but I didn't mention that I'd be the one going. In any case, I can't wait to do some fishing."
Lyra was greeted with a look of surprise from Viscount Vile.
The Viscount, once her tutor, had been dismissed by Medea for reasons she never fully understood. He was one of the few people who had remained neutral all these years, refusing to side with Duke Nabal. His loyalty to Lyra was clear, though he had not been able to show it openly due to her tendency to stay hidden from the public eye. They had crossed paths at a few parties over the years, but their interactions had remained polite yet distant. The few times they discussed books or academic topics were rare, fleeting moments of connection.
Viscount Vile had always viewed Lyra as a highly capable student, even though she could sometimes appear naïve or oblivious, a trait that puzzled him. He often wondered if her lack of engagement was a deliberate act to avoid trouble, or if she simply didn't want to participate in the more complicated affairs of the court.
"I hope I am not disturbing you," Lyra said with a polite smile, snapping the Viscount out of his thoughts.
"Ah no, your highness. You are always welcome. Please come in," he replied warmly, ushering her into the guest room.
Inside, Duke Atlas was seated, engaged in a conversation with Viscount Vile. Duke Atlas, the third most influential family in Anemoi, after the Nabals and the Wrens, was known for his vast network of contacts and strong reputation for virtue, honesty, and justice. His presence was significant, and Lyra couldn't help but feign surprise.
"Oh my, I did not know that Duke Atlas was visiting you. Perhaps this isn't the best time for me to intrude. I can come back later," she said, her tone light but measured.
"No, no, your highness. You are never an intrusion," Duke Atlas said, rising to greet her with deep respect. "Please, come join us."
Lyra smiled and nodded, pretending not to notice the subtle exchange of looks between the two men. "Thank you, Duke Atlas. I actually require some advice. It is fortunate that you are here as well. Perhaps you could offer some assistance, if it is not too much trouble?"
"With pleasure, your highness. What seems to be troubling you?" Duke Atlas asked, eager to be of service.
Lyra took a seat and, with a carefully crafted air of modesty, pulled out the papers she had discreetly taken from the palace. "Actually, it seems I have failed you, my teacher. I can't quite seem to remember what you taught me about these matters."
Viscount Vile, shaking his head, responded, "Do not say that, your highness. You have never failed me. You are the student I am most proud of."
"Thank you for your kind words," Lyra said, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she handed him the papers.
Duke Atlas raised an eyebrow as he observed Lyra's behavior. "What seems to be the problem, your highness?"
Lyra hesitated before answering. "I seem to be having trouble with the calculations. I've been adding and subtracting, but something doesn't seem right. Could you perhaps double-check them for me?"
Viscount Vile took the papers and began scrutinizing them, while Duke Atlas peered over his shoulder. It didn't take long before they both noticed the inconsistencies. Lyra's actions were too calculated to simply be about math.
"Your Highness, are you sure this is correct?" Viscount Vile asked, his brow furrowing. "It doesn't seem to add up."
Atlas took the paper from Vile and gave it a thorough look. "Indeed, it doesn't. What exactly is this?"
Lyra nodded as if just now realizing the issue. "Ah, I see. I'm not skilled with these calculations. Brother Wily entrusted me with these papers after approving them, and I'm supposed to check them for errors. But as you can see, I'm not doing too well."
Viscount Vile and Duke Atlas exchanged a knowing look. Lyra was playing her cards carefully. They could sense there was something more beneath the surface.
"These are official records, aren't they?" Vile asked, his voice a little cautious now.
"Yes, they are," Lyra replied, her tone innocent. "I've just started handling the accounts, and I thought I might ask for your help. I didn't want to make any mistakes."
Both men exchanged another look. They now knew the numbers on the paper were not just trivial mistakes; something bigger was afoot.
Lyra continued, flipping through more papers, and then exclaimed, "Ah! I almost forgot. It seems all the missing money has been transferred to a place called TWIST."
At the mention of "TWIST," both Vile and Atlas stiffened. Lyra feigned ignorance as she asked, "What is TWIST? Is it a bank?"
Viscount Vile responded, his voice laced with caution, "Yes, your highness. It's a bank that allows clients to keep their identity concealed. They can transfer as much money as they want, without paying taxes, and even convert black money into legitimate funds."
Lyra widened her eyes in feigned surprise. "Black money?" she asked, her voice trembling with mock confusion.
Duke Atlas finally spoke, his tone more serious. "Crown Princess, if you wanted us to investigate Duke Nabal for fraud, embezzlement, and theft, you could have simply asked us. Why the pretense of ignorance?"
For a split second, Lyra's face lost its warmth. Her expression shifted, her eyes now filled with knowledge and determination, a far cry from the naïve facade she had been putting on. It was clear she had known all along what was happening, and now, she was ready to play the game.
After a brief pause, Lyra's expression shifts back into a playful chuckle.
"I don't understand what you mean, Duke. When have I ever accused my uncle of such things?"
Duke Atlas, though momentarily taken aback, nods, realizing his misjudgment.
"I see. I must have misunderstood."
"Indeed, you may have misunderstood," she replies smoothly, her tone still polite but tinged with something sharper.
Her smile doesn't falter as she observes the shift in Duke Atlas's demeanor. He had always been a sharp man, but now, he seemed unsure, as if the girl before him was someone entirely different than the naive student he once thought he knew. Previously, their interactions had been minimal. Duke Nabal and his family had been cordial with Atlas, and it had led to rumors about his allegiance to their faction. In truth, however, Atlas preferred neutrality and had never fully aligned himself with any side.
Viscount Vile, on the other hand, had always been adamant about Lyra's intelligence, often praising her calculated nature. He'd warned Atlas that she was a person who never acted without careful thought, someone whose words were always measured and purposeful. But Atlas had always dismissed such claims. He had seen her as nothing more than a timid, dull girl—until now.
Lyra's demeanor was different now. The playful innocence that had once defined her was gone, replaced by a woman with far more control and wit than Atlas had ever imagined.
"Well, it seems I came here for no reason. The problem appears resolved. I'm sorry to have disturbed you with something so trivial, and I appreciate your time," Lyra says, her tone shifting back to courteous formality.
"It's no trouble at all, Your Highness. We are honored to have been of assistance. Please, visit us again anytime," Duke Atlas responds with a gracious bow.
"I will do so. It was a pleasure to see you both," she says, standing to leave.
But as she approaches the door, she hesitates, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. Then, without warning, she turns back to face Duke Atlas.
"Duke, if you decide to investigate the transfer of funds to TWIST, it would be wise to approach the matter in such a way that no one suspects why you're investigating the bank."
She smiles inwardly, a small victorious spark in her eyes.
'Perfect,' she thinks. 'Duke Atlas has taken the bait. If he pursues this investigation, especially in the next council meeting, it will show that he's aligned with me. The pieces are falling into place. Let's see how many people he catches in his net.'
She continues, almost casually, "I'm just suggesting it. I'm not sure whether you will or not. Besides, I don't even understand what you would find in an investigation into TWIST. After all, even your assistant secretary uses it to transfer money. I doubt all those rumors about TWIST being an illegal channel for transactions are anything more than hearsay. Certainly, your assistant secretary wouldn't be using it if that were the case."
Duke Atlas's eyes widen. How does she know about his assistant secretary's involvement with TWIST? The man had been hired recently and had raised some suspicions, but Atlas had never imagined Lyra would know anything about it.
"I'm grateful for your advice, Your Highness," he says, bowing deeply. "I will be sure to act on it."
Lyra smiles, pleased with the outcome. "I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming meeting. Until then, it was a pleasure," she says, her tone final as she turns and exits the room.
As she leaves, Duke Atlas exchanges a look with Viscount Vile, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Her Highness is quite clever. I'm beginning to wonder why she's remained so quiet until now."
"I told you she's brilliant. She's the one who deserves to be our Queen," Vile replies, his voice filled with admiration. "But I can't understand why she's been so reserved. It seems she's now starting to make her moves."
Atlas leans back in his chair, eyes thoughtful. "As expected. Her birthday is this year, which means her coronation is imminent. If she doesn't make her move soon, she may not have the chance. There's a chance she'll be assassinated before then."
"What will you do, Atlas? You've been neutral up until now, but you can't remain that way forever. You've always supported her, but you've held back from taking any definitive stance."
Atlas's expression hardens. "I believe she didn't come to us directly because she doesn't want to be seen as the one who leaked these documents. If the public learns she's the one behind it, the royal family's image will be tarnished, and she would be branded a criminal. Even if the documents are legitimate, people would focus on the wrong thing. No one would care about the facts."
He pauses, then continues, his voice firm. "But I also don't think her coming here was a coincidence. She knew I was here, and she approached me deliberately. I'm in a position where I'm influential enough to investigate without drawing suspicion. I'm third in rank. If I pursue this, people won't question it, and my findings will carry weight."
Viscount Vile watches him closely, sensing the shift in Atlas's stance. "So, what does this mean?"
"If she becomes Queen, then it will be my honor to serve her," Atlas says, his voice resolute.
Vile nods, his expression filled with understanding. "It seems the game has truly begun."