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IN the meantime, Chancellor Eric Yggdrasil was arrested as the mastermind behind all recent events. Several other collaborators were also imprisoned, though Yggdrasil bore the heaviest responsibility. While it was the empress’s intention all along, it was also what Yggdrasil wanted.
The chancellor had quickly revealed all his schemes, aside from the singular truth that Crown Prince Fritz was also a collaborator. As a result, Yggdrasil’s interference in Heilland’s internal affairs and involvement in Loid Sutherland’s assassination were officially acknowledged, and Empress Elizabeth issued an official apology to King James.
Confessing all crimes, he was stripped of his position as chancellor, expelled from Kingsley and House Yggdrasil, and sent to a monastery to repent.
Of course, some detractors were skeptical of Empress Elizabeth’s decision. Yggdrasil should have been executed or at least imprisoned in Dansk Fortress.
However, Elizabeth chose not to explain her decision, even to her closest advisers, only saying that Yggdrasil would spend the rest of his days praying for those whose deaths he had caused.
Crown Prince Fritz had also left for his two-year study abroad trip to Ostre, with Charlotte Yggdrasil as his attendant.
After Yggdrasil’s downfall, his wife and children were left in dire straits. As a criminal who rebelled against the empress, Eric had been expelled from the prestigious House Yggdrasil. Furthermore, Lady Yggdrasil was a former princess, and their children were all adopted with no blood ties to the family. No one in House Yggdrasil was eager to extend a helping hand.
In the end, Foreign Minister Crowne and his wife stepped forward to take over guardianship of the family.
Beatrix and Lady Yggdrasil were both former royals, and since Charlotte often stayed at the Crowne residence as an apprentice, the two families were on good terms. The public was also aware that Charlotte was on Beatrix’s side during the recent events.
With the backing of the Crownes, Charlotte was assigned as the crown prince’s attendant and sent to Ostre. What was kept secret was that both the empress and Beatrix had an ulterior motive for the decision.
Despite everything, the empress still held out hope for the crown prince and decided that the brave, strong-willed girl would do well as his emotional support. And if she chooses to stay with Fritz after he returns from Ostre, then…
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ALICIA’S long journey of struggle since her previous life had finally reached its goal.
“An unexpected confession from the chancellor, an apology from Her Majesty, the empress, and the sudden decision to send the crown prince on a study abroad mission…? It’s insane that you were involved in all that.”
Navale, the second prince of Ostre, shook his head as he flipped his hair back in an appealing manner. He was just as Alicia remembered him from the ball.
Seated across from him, Alicia took a sip of tea. The suggestion to send Fritz to Ostre hadn’t actually been her idea at all. Not that Navale had to know that. Returning her cup to its saucer, she smiled teasingly.
“Is it all right for you to stay here, Your Highness? Prince Fritz should be arriving in Ostre tomorrow, and I thought you were the one assigned to welcome him at the border?”
“It’s fine. My brother, the crown prince, can do that. In fact, he’s delighted to. If he can forge a friendship with Prince Fritz, his standing will skyrocket. There’s nothing greater than that for a crown prince…though I’m sure you already know.”
“Oh? I hadn’t actually thought about that.” Alicia smiled. Navale just shrugged.
In Mylene Hall, Clovis had promised the empress that Fritz would be absolved of all guilt, with all blame placed solely on Yggdrasil. In fact, he was the one who proposed the idea of a study-abroad mission to Elizabeth.
While the empress had been recovering from the poisoning, Fritz had temporarily assumed the role of ruler of Erdal. Unfortunately, he had insulted Heilland during that time, and some were suspicious he was actually working with Yggdrasil to deliberately worsen relations with Heilland.
That was why Clovis had persuaded the empress to send the crown prince away on a mission to clear his name and let the controversy die down.
Clovis had also been the one to suggest Ostre as the mission destination.
Everyone knew that Ostre and Reinsus had recently formed an alliance through a royal marriage. However, it was still unclear if the two countries were intending to wage war against Erdal. Since Heilland had not entered into the alliance, neither Ostre nor Reinsus had any advantage over Erdal in terms of power or geography.
Thus, the only way forward would be for them to strengthen ties with Erdal and grow their influence until they became just as powerful as the empire. To achieve this, the crown prince of Ostre had been working actively on diplomacy, which Clovis had discovered through his work at the advisory office.
Empress Elizabeth had thus approved his proposal and acted immediately.
A study abroad mission by the crown prince of Erdal was a unique offer for the allied countries. They could use the chance to build ties with Erdal and maybe even gain the empress’s recognition as equal diplomatic partners.
Of course, Ostre was also wary of the sudden offer, but thanks to Heilland’s intervention, they’d focused on the merits of having Crown Prince Fritz as their guest and had accepted quickly.
“Ostre and Reinsus allied, the Erdalian empire, and the neutral Heilland. The balance of these three powers is exquisite… But a prosperous people leads to a prosperous country. Isn’t that what Heilland and you truly wish for?” Navale prompted.
“Perhaps, but don’t you think the world would be a more peaceful place if everyone thought that way?”
“That’s a truly romantic dream, indeed,” Navale chuckled. “But it’s not bad to indulge in those dreams once in a while.”
With that, Navale uncrossed his long legs and stood up. Alicia followed suit as the prince flashed her a beautiful smile full of white teeth.
“I need to go. If I ride hard, I can make it for the friendship ceremony the day after tomorrow. My brother can deal with Crown Prince Fritz, but the beautiful maidens are mine.”
“Do take care, and send my regards to your brother,” Alicia said.
“Thanks.”
With a final wink, Navale stepped towards the door. Then he stopped as if a thought occurred to him and turned back to Alicia with a heated gaze she remembered well from the ball.
“By the way, Alicia, do you remember what I said the last time? If you ever fall out of love, you can shed all your tears on my chest. My offer still stands…but what is your answer?”
Alicia stared speechless as Navale looked at her with amusement.
“There is no need,” she answered shyly after a pause. “I plan to deliver my feelings again and again until he accepts them.”
“A wonderful answer! I love strong maidens like you. You have my support! Ciao!” With a hearty laugh and a wave, Navale turned and left the room with his attendants.
Alone, Alicia placed a hand on her cheek, feeling the hotness beneath her palm.
“Your Highness.”
Alicia turned to the door at the sudden voice. There stood Princess Adviser Clovis, who returned after seeing off Navale and his entourage.
“Thank you,” she sounded nervous but suppressed it as she turned to point out the large window that reached up to the ceiling. “The weather is amazing. Shall we go for a stroll outside? …There’s something I want to say to you.”