As Ely had anticipated when she made her pronouncement, the news quickly travelled across regions and transcended borders, reaching distant kingdoms thousands of miles away. Each kingdom remained vigilant, eagerly awaiting any misstep from their counterparts to exploit the situation, a quintessentially human behaviour.
Even Ely and the royal household were taken aback by the speed with which the information circulated, accompanied by the usual embellishments that often accompany such narratives. The process can be compared to the meticulous garnishing of a dish before its presentation, transforming a mere raw ingredient into an exquisite delicacy capable of captivating one's senses.
As the information spread, various embellishments were added.
"The Princess threatened to execute all the Ministers should even a single casualty occur in any territory," one voice whispered in a marketplace far removed from the capital.
"
"Indeed, it is no surprise that she seized the initiative once the King fell ill, swiftly positioning herself within the court. However, upon realizing that she could not ascend to the throne through legitimate means, she resorted to underhanded strategies. What a shrewd individual," another voice mused, nodding in agreement.
"No, no, no..."
Such dialogues echoed in every corner of the Kingdom and beyond within a matter of hours. While some rallied in support of the Princess, others stood in opposition, and many found themselves compelled to adjust their plans accordingly.
Pearl reclined in the garden of her manor, sipping tea and momentarily closing her eyes to appreciate the sweet flavour of the beverage while enjoying the beauty of nature, despite the presence of a distressed woman before her, who rambled incessantly like a restless parrot.
"This can only imply that she has some connections... Why are you not responding?" a frustrated feminine voice half-shouted, her irritation palpable.
Pearl gazed at the woman with annoyance, her patience wearing thin. "Can you not remain silent for once? Do you desire everyone to discover that we are accomplices?" she retorted, her tone lower but edged with intensity as she glared at the red-haired woman seated opposite her.
The woman lowered her eyes, feeling a sense of shame as she contemplated how she had degraded herself to the point of receiving reprimands from someone younger.
"I must find a way to extricate myself from this predicament; he has also been distant with me lately," she sighed. Regaining her composure, she met Pearl's gaze.
"Good. Now listen attentively. Return to your manor and behave as you usually do, awaiting my arrival. I will personally inform you of any developments," Pearl instructed with a serious demeanour. Internally, she was exasperated, considering the woman's mindset to be weak.
The red-haired woman took a moment to process the message, interpreting it as 'Go home, act normally, and wait to be apprehended.'
"What on earth?" she erupted in anger. "Do not presume you can dismiss me so easily. If I am caught..."
"Is flirting all you know? What occupies your mind? This is our only course of action; you can either accept it or reject it," Pearl stated, her frustration evident. She glanced at her pocket watch before rising.
"I have other things to do," she proclaimed, departing the garden with forceful strides. It could be said that she regretted her association with the red-haired woman.
The red-haired woman remained seated, still grappling with disbelief over the words that had just been uttered.
Pearl's carriage transported her to an upscale tea café at the edge of the market. Setting aside her concerns, she walked calmly to a window seat, where she began to sip her tea. Reflecting on recent events, she felt a sense of admiration for Ely's performance. They had always perceived her as cold and authoritative in the court, but this was an entirely different level of prowess. It was impressive.
She chuckled softly; others had underestimated the Princess until now.
A handsome young man clad in a black trench coat with silver accents approached, his black hair neatly styled to the side. A warm smile illuminated his face upon seeing Pearl.
"What do I owe this honour, Pearl Eiji?" he inquired as he took a seat across from her.
"Have you no pleasantries to exchange?" Pearl teased coyly, batting her eyelashes to enhance her allure. The young man burst into laughter, momentarily taken aback.
"You could be a great actress," he remarked, his mirth bubbling over. "I would gladly finance a theatre for you when you are ready."
Pearl clicked her tongue before responding, "I heard you were out of the kingdom on business."
The young man nodded, confirming her statement while placing his order with the attendant.
"I was attending to family matters. The details would bore you." He smiled appreciatively at the server, when she brought his order in, eliciting a blush from her, which he remained oblivious to.
Pearl wisely chose not to engage further. The Neverntons held the position of being the wealthiest family in the North, extending their influence to the farthest ends of the North.
"I assume your absence means you are not fully updated on the latest news in town, Kojo," she remarked, preparing to divulge critical information.
"On the contrary, I passed by our manor in the capital and received a briefing. I cannot deny that I am astonished," Kojo responded with a slight frown.
"Well, the decision was made recently, and considering our mutual interests, I thought it wise to meet with you," Pearl replied with a composed demeanour.
"Why is she distancing herself further?" Kojo muttered under his breath, though Pearl, ever perceptive, caught his words, prompting a smile to form on her lips.
"We both understand the consequences of her ascension to the throne; you lose your beloved, and I lose mine," Pearl continued, capitalizing on his silence to strengthen her argument.
Kojo's expression darkened as he regarded Pearl with cold intensity, muttering, "I can handle this myself." With that, he prepared to leave.
"Silveria Sindelworth. I trust you are familiar with him," Pearl stated casually, her words meant solely for the two of them. She set her cup down and fixed her gaze on his back. "He has indicated a desire to marry the Princess."
Kojo turned sharply, his brown eyes icy as he slowly returned to his seat.
"This partnership could be mutually beneficial. I achieve my goal, and you achieve yours," she asserted coolly, taking another sip of her tea while observing the light-skinned man seated before her, seemingly awaiting his response.
Kojo, in contrast, appeared deep in thought; he desired her and could not permit anyone else to claim her. Yet, he recognized that achieving this goal would require assistance from someone who dabbled in the political landscape. He sighed in resignation and met her gaze with an expression of composure.
"What is the plan?" he inquired.