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Chapter 27
“Miss Christine Cypher.”
The Marchioness Amia muttered in a dry voice.
It was done.
Princess Deimos clenched the hand she had hidden beneath the table.
She perfectly concealed her satisfaction and continued speaking.
“Yes.”
Few people knew the delicate relationship between the Marchioness Amia and the Cypher heiress.
It was understandable—on the surface, they always appeared to be on friendly terms.
But in reality, things were different.
The Amia Marchioness House and the Cypher Marchioness House.
There were five marquess families in the Empire, but these two were considered the most powerful, rivaling even the dukes.
The reason was simple.
Ultimately, only one family could hold the highest position.
To survive, one had to eliminate the other.
This deeply rooted belief dominated not only those born into these two houses but also those joined through marriage.
Naturally, the Marchioness Amia’s goal was to elevate her house to the highest position.
But if Christine Cypher became Empress, all her efforts would be in vain.
“Do you really think that young lady will get her way? The Empress is still alive, after all.”
“Marchioness, do you truly think so?”
“….”
A fleeting expression passed over the Marchioness Amia’s face, revealing that she was far from ignorant.
But Princess Deimos preferred certainty.
“I looked up the Imperial Code. Once a royal marriage is established, divorce is impossible—but if the Empress does not conceive within a year, unilateral divorce becomes possible.”
She paused briefly before continuing.
“I’ve heard that Their Majesties aren’t particularly harmonious…”
“…Ha.”
The Marchioness Amia let out a sigh.
She, too, knew the possibility of divorce.
Yet, having reached the pinnacle of society, she could see what others could not.
Edward Ceres was cautious and temperate.
He would not undertake something as drastic as divorce for mere lust.
Even if a divorce did occur…
“Even if they separate, it doesn’t seem likely that Miss Cypher would take that position.”
“Why do you think so, Marchioness?”
Princess Deimos’ face was now so unnervingly bright it was almost chilling.
Though the Marchioness Amia found it repulsive, she had no choice but to say what the princess wanted to hear.
“If Their Majesties divorce, it would be for political reasons. The Graham baronial family… is somewhat… beneath him.”
The Marchioness let out a faint laugh—an entirely false one.
“Meanwhile, the Cypher House… well, they wouldn’t go so far as to cause such a major upheaval just to marry the daughter of a marquess, would they?”
“You share the same view as I do, it seems.”
The princess rose from her seat and approached the drawer. She returned holding a small jewelry box.
The Marchioness Amia placed it in her handbag without opening it.
It was surely worth several times the value of the gift she had just received.
Princess Deimos’ grin widened.
“What should I do, Marchioness?”
The Marchioness Amia hesitated.
Though she did not want to see Christine Cypher ascend to Empress, she was reluctant to take drastic action when the divorce had not even occurred yet.
“Bringing Miss Cypher down is easy. She no longer has her family’s protection, and working in the Imperial Palace leaves room for scandal.”
“Oh, you’re mistaken.”
A bad feeling crept in.
“I don’t want to bring down Miss Cypher. A woman like that could never be my match.”
The Marchioness Amia stared at her.
In the princess’ bright crimson eyes danced a gleam of madness.
“What you mean to say is…”
“I want the Empress to utterly collapse. I want her to be unable to set foot in this land again, and if by some audacious chance she tries to reclaim her position, she shall have no chance whatsoever.”
The Marchioness Amia swallowed hard.
“That will not be easy, Princess.”
“Because it’s not easy, I am paying such a high price. Open it, Marchioness.”
The Marchioness Amia opened the jewelry box.
“…!”
She gaped like a fish, unable to breathe properly in her shock.
“Well?” Princess Deimos smiled brightly.
“It’s not a sapphire mine, but I do have my own silver mine. I received it as a gift on my eighteenth birthday. I will give you one year’s worth of mining rights from it.”
The princess bowed toward the Marchioness Amia.
“And if it succeeds… one silver mine would be nothing to me.”
The Marchioness Amia wrestled with the decision.
Though the Amia Marchioness House had a long history and substantial funds, it lacked a stable source of income like a mine.
Their main revenue came from taxes on regional estates, leaving them financially strained during bad harvests.
But with a silver mine as a new source of income…
“Even if it fails, at least one year’s revenue is guaranteed. There’s no real loss.”
Moreover, whether it succeeded or failed was still uncertain.
Their Majesties’ relationship was not strong, and the Empress’ family held little influence, so even failure would not invite reprisal.
Of course, the Empress herself remained a variable…
‘The former Emperor was executed as a tyrant, so no one would dare blame me as a witch.’
Finally, the Marchioness Amia spoke slowly.
“A silver mine is not much. You shall give me the sapphire mine.”
Princess Deimos laughed aloud.
“You are bolder than you appear, Marchioness! Very well. But remember, the reward is only given if the plan is completely successful.”
She leaned forward without waiting for the Marchioness Amia’s reply.
“Now, Marchioness, will you tell me your plan?”
“Everyone is so annoying!”
Cecilia threw down the report.
Bjorn, munching on tiramisu, looked up in surprise.
“Why don’t we just turn them into frogs?”
“…It’s not that simple.”
If she turned anyone who opposed her into a frog, the Empire would likely be filled with nothing but croaking sounds.
Things were far from easy.
She was fortunate the officials were favorable; otherwise, she would have had to give up and scrap the plan entirely.
Initially, only the local lords resisted, but soon central lords, who weren’t even involved, joined in, making their opposition stronger.
At this point, she could neither advance nor retreat.
Meanwhile, Edward had been at the military academy for two days.
The situation was worse than expected—or so she thought.
‘Right, that’s who he is.’
Cecilia bit her lip.
Even when he had been a duke and she a duchess, Edward often left the house.
There were various reasons, but the result was the same.
Edward felt compelled to resolve any problems he encountered.
Previously, it had been impossible due to the tyrant Gerard, which left him frustrated.
But now, it was different.
He was Emperor and could do whatever he wished.
The only issue was someone needed to handle the groundwork.
‘Anyway, this is not something I can handle alone. I need to see Edward.’
A blue light enveloped Cecilia in an instant.
When she closed and reopened her eyes, before her stood a group of soldiers, diligently rotating the barracks gates.
More accurately, they had stopped mid-turn, frozen in place.
A cough sounded behind her.
“What are you doing here, Cecilia?”
