The day after she had sent the results of her sequencing to the prince, Helia was urgently summoned to the imperial palace, accompanied by her father and brother, who were completely unaware of the reason for this summons.
However, the marquis and Lucian suspected that this meeting had to be related to Helia's involvement in the venom research. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the emperor to have demanded her presence so urgently. They assumed that she must have brought new information to the case. After all, she had spent the week fully absorbed in her experiments, to the point of repeatedly asking the butler to bring her various materials, which had become almost alarming.
In the carriage, a luxurious yet narrow space, each turn of the wheel echoed like an impending threat. Bartholt, the marquis's assistant steward, accompanied them, bringing a semblance of normalcy to the situation. The silence was broken by Lucian, who incessantly questioned his sister. He had tried to interrogate her throughout the entire journey, but Helia stubbornly remained silent, strictly following the order of silence imposed by the prince. If her father and brother were to learn of the results of her research, they would do so soon enough, and she preferred it to be through the prince.
"But why won't you speak? What are you hiding from us exactly?" Lucian continued, repeating the same question since the receipt of the summons, shocked that Helia had been directly called upon.
"Lucian, we're only about ten minutes from the imperial palace. Can you show some patience?" Helia replied, exasperated by her brother's insistence.
"It's not a question of patience, it's about trust! We are your family, why are you saying nothing?"
"For the thousandth time, I have nothing to tell you!" Helia exclaimed, exasperated.
"You're going to make me believe you don't know why the emperor called for you? Even I've never been directly summoned by him! Usually, only father's name is called upon!"
"So what? Don't tell me you're jealous? You, who spent your time mocking my research, do you mind now that it's useful?"
"HA! So, you admit it has something to do with your research? What exactly have you been doing this week?"
"You are truly stupid! What else could it be about? Do you think the emperor wants to appoint me Minister of Finance, maybe?"
"No, but maybe he'll take you as a jester for his own amusement. After all, you are a walking spectacle!"
Helia rolled her eyes, but the marquis, exasperated by this sibling quarrel, intervened. He struck the window of the carriage with a sharp knock, drawing the attention of his children. "Both of you! Enough! Are you ever going to behave like adults? I hope you don't intend to embarrass me in front of the emperor!"
"But father, it's her who—" Lucian tried to protest, but the marquis cut him off with an imperious gesture.
"There is no 'but,' Lucian! Try to behave with dignity, even with your own sister! You are the future marquis, how many times do I have to remind you? We will arrive at the palace in a moment. Until then, I don't want to hear another word!"
Seeing that the marquis was in a foul mood, Helia and Lucian fell silent. The atmosphere in the carriage became tense. Helia was anxious about the outcome of the meeting, Lucian was angry about his sister's secrets, and the marquis feared that a new dangerous mission would be entrusted to Helia. He didn't know if he could bear it a second time.
Upon their arrival at the palace, they were escorted to a spacious meeting room, adorned with rich tapestries and sparkling chandeliers. A large round table stood at the center of the room, while a raised platform held the emperor's throne. The emperor, an older man with a face full of wisdom and dignity, was the spitting image of Arthur. By his side was the prince, elegantly dressed. Helia couldn't help but notice his refined appearance, which contrasted with their last encounter during the expedition when he had spent the week in armor.
Several high-ranking advisers and nobles, including Lord Bracken, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, an elderly man with stern features, and Sir Suannel, the commander of the imperial army, were also present. All displayed a concerned expression. The last time an emergency meeting had been convened, it had been to announce the previous war, eight years ago. Helia's presence, as a young lady, in such a high-level meeting also raised questions among the advisers.
The marquis and his children approached and politely bowed to the emperor and prince. The emperor gave them a slight smile and gestured for them to sit. Helia exchanged a glance with the prince, who wore his usual impassive expression, and sat down, her heart racing.
"Very well, the meeting may begin. I thank you all for your presence despite this late summons. You no doubt realize that if I have called you urgently, it is to address a matter of the utmost importance," the emperor began, before turning to his son and giving him a sign to continue. "Arthur."
"We believe that the kingdom of Ravenor is preparing an offensive, taking advantage of the weakening of our military forces due to the crisis at the borders."
At these words, a chill ran through the assembly. Everyone knew that if this was true, the consequences would be disastrous for the kingdom. Even Helia, who until then had not made the connection with her research, felt a shiver of dread.
Lord Bracken spoke, his face grim. "Your Majesty, this is an extremely serious accusation that could, in itself, threaten the armistice signed between our two countries. Our empire has ten times the power of Ravenor. Even with knowledge of the crisis, they cannot precisely assess the extent of the damage and risk a war that would annihilate them."
"Precisely, Lord Bracken, the problem is that they can," the emperor intervened in a dark voice, "because it is highly likely that they themselves are the ones behind the boar crisis."
This revelation sent another shockwave through the assembly. Helia finally understood the connection the emperor was trying to make. She recalled the recent events, realizing that the boars had come from the east, near the borders with Ravenor.
"It is likely that they have been preparing this operation for years and have so far successfully carried it out," Arthur continued.
"But, Your Majesty! How could they be responsible for this? Are you implying that they sent those boars?" a counsellor asked, his voice trembling with worry.
At this question, Arthur stood up, staring intensely at Helia before moving toward her to hand her the letter she had sent him, containing the details of her findings. As he approached, he continued: "You have all heard of Lady Helia Sterallis, the scientist whose remedy has, so far, saved the lives of fifty soldiers."
At the mention of his daughter's name, the marquis's heart clenched, and, along with Lucian, they immediately turned their heads toward Helia, which made her even more nervous. Reaching her, Arthur handed her the letter. "Lady Helia, would you be willing to share the results of your latest discoveries on the origin of the venomous boars?" he asked, scrutinizing her face, trying to see if she would manage to speak before such an audience.
Helia, nervous under the astonished gazes of her father and brother, took the letter in her trembling hands and began to speak, trying to appear as calm as possible, though her eyes were fixed on the paper. Meanwhile, Arthur returned to his seat.
"Well... after comparing a mutant boar I examined to a regular boar from the eastern forests, I have concluded that they belong to the same species." She lifted her gaze and locked eyes with her father, who gave her a nod, slightly surprised, yet encouraging her to continue.
"I analyzed their DNA and found specific mutations," she continued. "The mutant boars only display alterations that increase their size, aggressiveness, and accelerate their reproductive development. Such precise modifications cannot be natural. However, I have not yet been able to isolate the genes related to venom production, but..."
"Ridiculous!" Lord Bracken interjected, rising abruptly. "Is this what you're basing such assumptions on?"
"Lord Bracken, I suggest you allow the Lady to finish before you lose your temper in such a manner. Nothing she says is ridiculous," replied the commander of the Imperial Army in a calm tone.
But Bracken, ignoring the commander, turned directly to the emperor. "Your Majesty, are we truly going to risk conflict based solely on the words of a child? Because she had some luck with her remedy, should we now listen to every word she speaks?"
Shocked, Helia struggled to maintain her composure. She was used to being belittled, but she never imagined that a man older than her own father would seek to humiliate her like this, and in front of the emperor no less.
To her surprise, Lucian intervened, his voice strangely calm. "Lord Bracken, I ask that you temper your words regarding my sister. We are in an Imperial meeting, so please keep your petty grudge against our family to yourself."
Lord Bracken studied him, amused. "Marquis Sterallis, now another one of your children is meddling in matters far too serious for their age. Perhaps their education should be reconsidered." Before the marquis could respond, the emperor interrupted, his voice tinged with slight anger. "That's enough, Lord Bracken. Do you think this is some kind of joke? That I summoned you here because I had time to waste? This is a serious matter. Do not make me regret involving you in this."
In front of the emperor, Bracken immediately calmed down and returned to his seat, under the stern gazes of Lucian and the marquis. Helia, on the other hand, simply lowered her eyes, hoping to disappear instantly, as this situation had made her exceedingly uncomfortable.
Arthur spoke up, casting a cold glance at Bracken. "These concerns are not based solely on the lady's words. They confirm suspicions we have had for some time. It is well known that the kingdom of Ravenor has suddenly bolstered its military resources, coinciding exactly with the onset of the boar crisis. This is no coincidence."
A murmur of approval swept through the room. Sir Suannel, the commander of the Imperial Army, gave a slight nod towards the emperor before straightening. "Your Majesty, I propose sending a group of spies to Ravenor. This will allow us to confirm our suspicions with certainty and determine what we must truly prepare for. I can handle recruiting the perfect men for this mission."
The emperor nodded, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Excellent idea, Sir Suannel. I entrust you with this task. Choose your men carefully."
He then turned to Bracken, who still seemed to challenge the conclusions put forward by others. "Lord Bracken, you are in charge of diplomatic relations with Ravenor. Ensure that, should conflict arise, our position is flawless. We cannot tolerate any ambiguity."
Lord Bracken gave an acknowledging gesture, though his gaze betrayed reluctance. "Very well, Your Majesty. I will handle it, though I still believe this is premature."
As the advisors took turns speaking, proposing strategies, an intense debate ensued. Each person put forward their ideas to best prepare the empire, suggesting reinforcements, alliances, and mobilization strategies. The marquis and Lucian participated actively, exchanging precise and pragmatic arguments. Helia, however, felt increasingly alien to these discussions. Lost in thought, she tried not to show her boredom with matters of politics and military tactics that were completely beyond her.
During the lengthy discussion, a persistent issue darkened every proposal: the high mortality caused by the venom. The massive loss of soldiers had severely weakened the army's ranks. Even though new recruits were being considered and training could be intensified, the situation was critical. The priority, now, was to avoid any further wave of losses.
The emperor, his features drawn by the gravity of the situation, listened attentively to each suggestion, but his gaze eventually turned to Helia. "Lady Helia, with your recent discoveries about the venom, do you think an antidote could be found quickly?"
The advisors fell silent, awaiting her response. Helia felt the weight of their gazes upon her. She took a slight breath before answering, her voice more hesitant than usual: "Your Majesty, I have not yet officially joined the research team, but from what I know, the main issue remains that the composition of the venom is extremely complex. The researchers are facing many uncertainties."
The emperor furrowed his brows slightly, a disappointed expression crossing his face, though he seemed to expect it. "Very well. Lady Helia, I am officially assigning you to the specialized research laboratory. It has recently been set up within the Imperial Clinic so that the scientists can also monitor the evolution of the patients."
Helia simply nodded in acceptance, without a word, silently promising to do everything in her power. The meeting continued without incident. While the discussions around her raged on, Helia's thoughts were already focused on the work awaiting her, contemplating the next steps and how to overcome the challenges the researchers had encountered so far.