Author: 唇亡齿寒 / Lips Gone, Teeth Cold
Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/
Chapter 93
After Prince Annot’s funeral, Major General Darius Bayes invited several colleagues and friends to his home for a small gathering. Everyone knew that he and the Prince had been close friends since childhood and that the Prince’s death was a heavy blow to him. It was understandable that he wanted to ease his sorrow through a gathering with friends. No one objected to this, except that Princess Alveira also attended. A young noblewoman mingling with a group of military men was bound to attract some gossip. However, given that the deceased was the Princess’s brother, and the host was Darius, whom the Princess regarded as a brother, what was so surprising about it?
“No one would find it strange,” Alveira said, sitting by the window, pulling the curtain slightly aside to peek outside. Darius’s friends were entering the mansion gate one after another, being led to the living room by the diligent butler. From her position, Alveira could see each one of them clearly.
Darius stood beside her, introducing his friends. “The one with brown hair is Lieutenant Colonel Radruta, captain of the ‘Princess Nina’. He also holds the hereditary title of Viscount. His brother is a director at the Tower Energy Company, holding 51% of the shares.”
“The one wearing a hat is Major Moriel, captain of the ‘Astonishment’. Although he’s not a noble, his family has been running a luxury goods chain for generations. His cousin is the deputy editor of the ‘Unfallen Star Superlight News’.”
“The slightly overweight one is Lieutenant Colonel Hauser, captain of the ‘Black Lotus’. He was the president of the student council at school, known for his charisma and leadership.”
“The one talking to the butler is Colonel Casper, captain of the ‘Star Iron’. Very reliable and trustworthy.”
As Alveira listened, she nodded, memorizing their appearances and identities. These people would be her first allies when she stepped onto the battlefield. She needed her own power. Without subordinates and allies, she would merely be a puppet Princess, and eventually, a puppet Queen. The rebellion of Duke Winnet was a significant crisis for her but also a rare opportunity. By using the fight against the rebels as an excuse, she could mobilize resources to the fullest and seize power for herself. Once the war was over, she would have enough strength to eliminate the remaining obstacles within the Empire. Even the powerful Chancellor wouldn’t be her match.
As night fell, the butler came in to report that all the guests had arrived. Alveira, with Darius’s gentlemanly assistance, went to the living room and exchanged pleasantries with the young officers. Judging by their enthusiastic reactions, it was clear that they were quite curious about the Empire’s Princess. Among them might be some who aspired to become the Queen’s consort. Alveira thought that marriage could be a powerful weapon if necessary. She didn’t mind marrying someone she didn’t like since the one she loved was already dead, and it didn’t matter whom she married.
Darius introduced his friends to her one by one. Although she already knew their identities, Alveira acted pleasantly surprised to meet each person for the first time, shaking hands with them, asking about their absent family members, or inquiring about their proud achievements. This made her appear polite and considerate while subtly conveying, “I know you well and have been prepared to meet you.”
Some, like Colonel Casper, whom Darius described as “reliable”, raised an eyebrow when Alveira asked about his schoolmate Alois Lagrange, quickly understanding her intent to form alliances. Most only realized why the Princess was at a subject’s home after dinner.
Before dinner began, Alveira led everyone in a prayer for her late brother. “May the merciful Lord receive his soul, resting in Your eternal embrace. May the forgiving Lord pardon his sins and let him enjoy Your kingdom. May the just Lord grant him righteous judgment, not wrongly condemning an innocent nor sparing a guilty one.”
Everyone recited the eulogy, praying to the compassionate Lord. They realized that this wasn’t a prayer but a challenge for vengeance!
Alveira wouldn’t force anyone to ally with her, and these people weren’t yet trustworthy. After dinner, she said to the guests, “The night is still long. Please move to the next room to taste Darius’s fine wine. Of course, if anyone has other plans for the evening, they may leave.” A few hesitated, but no one actually left. Alveira noted their names.
In the adjacent lounge, the butler closed the door, separating the two worlds inside and out. Alveira sat in a central position, with Darius to her left and the others around them.
“I assume you have guessed why I invited you here.”
A murmur swept through the lounge.
“Quite surprising,” said Major Moriel, captain of the ‘Astonishment’. “Does Your Highness intend to avenge the late Prince Annot?”
“Shouldn’t I?”
“But the Prince committed suicide.”
“How bored must he have been to shoot himself in the head on his wedding day? That’s not fun,” Alveira sneered.
Colonel Casper said, “Your Highness, this is very dangerous. You could stay in the palace and wait for us to bring you Duke Winnet’s head.”
“And then? After the Duke’s death, let Chancellor Greenwald take all the power?”
“You are the Empire’s Princess and future Queen.”
“I’m not so sure.” Alveira spread her hands. “Have there not been enough assassinations?” She glanced at Colonel Casper, who lowered his head, mourning his friend, who had been framed and imprisoned.
“Moreover,” she continued, “I cannot coexist peacefully with Chancellor Greenwald, nor do I like his ‘pretty’ granddaughter.”
The crowd laughed. Alveira considered this a good reaction.
“I don’t want to be anyone’s puppet, and I’m sure you don’t either. I need your help.”
Lieutenant Colonel Radruta said, “Not everyone joins the military out of loyalty and passion for the Empire and the Queen. We have our own interests. What can you promise us?”
“What do you want?” Alveira opened her palm and then closed it as if grasping something. “When I, when you, have power, what can’t you get? Don’t you want promotions? Don’t you want to achieve fame and success? If you follow the normal path, you might become generals by the time you’re as old as Admiral Wilusack. Is that what you want? What best reflects a soldier’s value?” She paused. “War.”
The lounge fell silent as people exchanged glances filled with both doubt and excitement, silently weighing the young Princess’s bold words.
“You want to start a war?” Colonel Casper asked.
“War never stops,” Alveira replied. “There’s the war against the Duke now and future wars against the Chancellor. If the opportunity arises, we will fight against the Federation or other enemies. In these wars, you will be the vanguard, gaining far more honor and merit than others, providing more opportunities for advancement. The old, stale men will be driven off the stage, making way for your talents!”
Someone started clapping. Major Moriel said dryly, “Very stirring and tempting. I must admit, I was momentarily swayed. But Your Highness, why should we follow and trust you unconditionally?”
“Is there anyone else worth following and trusting besides me?”
“We could align with the Chancellor and help him establish a puppet regime. The Chancellor has power and influence, manipulating politics for decades with experience. He was playing power games before you were born. Why abandon a strong backer to support a young girl?”
Alveira pointed at him. “Because I am young, and you are young, but the chancellor is old. There is a generation gap between you.” Her subtext was, “If I am a little girl, then in the chancellor’s eyes, you are just a boy. When he doesn’t need you, he can kick you aside. You can’t defend against his schemes, but I won’t do that.”
Major Moriel, with a journalist cousin, understood the Princess’s implicit message, but he still looked unconvinced. “But you don’t have any power of your own. Your status relies entirely on others’ support. How can such a position last?”
“I have you.”
“You don’t even have a fleet that answers only to you.” Major Morier glanced at Darius. “Even Count Bayes’s troops belong to him, not you.”
“I will have one,” Alveira said confidently. “I will have a ship from the Neo Athens shipyard, equipped with an advanced AI. She is stunning, unparalleled, and everyone will bow before her.”
“Where is she now?”
Alveira pursed her lips and then pronounced the unfamiliar but thunderous name. “Milantu.”
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