Ariya’s Scrutiny and Yuri’s Accusation

Princess Ariya’s gaze swept slowly across the great hall. Her icy blue pupils held not a hint of warmth, only a dispassionate scrutiny, as if observing a chessboard. As her eyes briefly flickered over Rachel, they seemed to halt for the briefest of moments—so fleeting it might have been an illusion—yet that instant of bone-chilling cold made the hairs on Rachel’s nape stand on end.

“That’s the Third Princess, just as the rumors claimed!”

“With this bearing… the next emperor will indeed be…”

“That’s right, I heard Duke Randall recently shifted his allegiance to support the Third Princess!”

“Oh? But I heard the Fifth Princess also…”

“Careful! We shouldn’t speak of that here…”

Whispers immediately erupted around them. Rachel instinctively recoiled, taking a step back as if to conceal herself, melting into the crowd.

“Esteemed guests—”

The Princess’s cool, clear voice rang out, not loud, yet it distinctly silenced all the murmuring.

Silence descended upon the hall.

“Thank you for gracing the Silver Mistletoe Estate with your presence. May the evening’s splendor and fine wine wash away the weariness of your journeys.”

Though it was merely a formulaic opening, and Ariya’s voice was utterly devoid of emotion, the nobles throughout the hall immediately bowed in unison, echoing their praises.

Rachel followed suit, bowing with those around her, but her eyes remained fixed on the distant Princess, as if searching for some hidden meaning on her face.

The banquet officially commenced.

Music flowed, attendants weaved through, and elegantly dressed men and women, donning polite smiles, gathered in small groups. The clinking of glasses reverberated through the air, and the entire hall suddenly bustled with activity.

Rachel lingered in a corner, observing the throngs of people coming and going, a hint of resignation in her eyes.

Due to her temperament, Rachel found such gatherings unbearable; interacting with these individuals was both exhausting and pointless, giving her quite a headache. Fortunately, her notorious reputation preceded her, and aside from that initial, sour-tongued encounter, no one else dared to approach her with trouble.

Moreover, the countdown hadn’t yet…

As Rachel was lost in thought, a cool, clear voice suddenly sounded beside her.

“Baroness Lockwood.”

Rachel’s body stiffened. She looked up to find Princess Ariya directly before her.

The moon-white gown pooled on the gleaming floor, exuding an invisible weight. Her flawless face was utterly serene, her icy blue eyes fixed directly on Rachel, assessing her like an inanimate object.

The entire hall fell silent once more. Countless curious and astonished gazes converged on Rachel and Ariya. Rachel’s heart clenched, threatening to burst from her chest.

She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil within, composed a placid expression, and bowed her head.

“Your Highness.”

“Dispense with the formalities.”

Ariya’s voice was devoid of emotion, as flat as if discussing the weather.

“I hear your territory has recently… encountered some difficulties?”

Rachel forced a helpless smile. “You’ve heard, Your Highness? It’s just a few minor issues. The place is remote, the matters are complex, and there are always troublesome rumors circulating.”

“Oh?” Ariya raised an eyebrow slightly, her icy blue pupils still showing no ripple of emotion.

“Rumors… are sometimes not unfounded. As a liege lord, due vigilance should not be lacking.”

Ariya spoke, her gaze subtly flickering over Vera’s bandaged arm behind Rachel. Rachel silently stepped forward, shielding Vera.

“You speak truly.”

Rachel lowered her head, her tone sincere.

“I am young and inexperienced; I shall certainly be more vigilant in the future.”

Ariya silently observed her for a few brief seconds. Those fleeting moments made Rachel feel as if the air around her had solidified, and cold sweat quietly seeped through the lining of her gown.

Finally, the Princess spoke again, her voice remaining cool.

“Indeed, a stumble teaches wisdom. You… must conduct yourself well.”

Having said this, she gave a slight nod, then turned and departed with elegant grace, as if merely completing a routine pleasantry.

The invisible pressure somewhat receded. Rachel secretly sighed in relief, about to lead Vera to another part of the hall.

Suddenly, a shrill female voice rang out.

“Your Royal Highness!”

A yellow-clad figure burst from the crowd, flung herself before Ariya, and swiftly knelt on the ground!

‘Yuri?’

Rachel was startled, a slight surprise in her eyes, but it quickly faded, replaced by a sigh of relief, as if she had finally confirmed something.

“Your Royal Highness! I wish to accuse Rachel Lockwood!”

Yuri’s voice was sharp and clear, as if deliberately intended for all to hear.

Ariya impassively glanced at the expressionless Rachel beside her, then turned a somewhat amused gaze upon Yuri.

“Oh? What is it you wish to say?”

“Your Highness! Rachel Lockwood, as a liege lord, has condoned the harboring of filth within her territory, and even… even potentially colluded with those blasphemous cults!”

Yuri’s voice was uncommonly firm, brimming with righteous indignation.

The entire hall fell silent!

This was followed by a tremendous uproar! All eyes—filled with shock, disdain, schadenfreude, or pure curiosity—converged like countless searchlights on Rachel, who stood in the shadow of a pillar! Whispers erupted like a sudden explosion.

“A cult?!”

“That Harth girl has some nerve!”

“Tsk, so that’s it… I wondered why Her Highness would suddenly ‘take an interest’ in Lockwood…”

“Shh! Let’s watch the show, let’s watch…”

Princess Ariya looked down at Yuri. There was no surprise on her face, only an utterly cold scrutiny. She didn’t even immediately bid Yuri rise, her voice cool and level as if reading a document.

“Miss Harth. Accusing a noble of colluding with heretics is a grave crime. Where is your evidence?”

Yuri’s expression momentarily shifted to shock and panic. She looked up, seemingly seeking confirmation from Princess Ariya’s face, but Ariya’s countenance remained exceptionally serene.

So Yuri hastily lowered her head. She suppressed the unease in her heart, her voice rising higher, imbued with desperate ferocity.

“Your Highness! I have witnesses! Near Lockwood’s Gray Mountain Mine! Traces of an evil cult performing rituals have been discovered! Twisted, blasphemous symbols! The air reeked of sulfur and blood! That mine is their stronghold! You can dispatch someone to investigate!”

“Rachel Lockwood, as liege lord, turned a blind eye, or even… even possibly participated! She must be severely punished!”

Yuri grew increasingly agitated as she spoke, glancing at Rachel from time to time, her eyes filled with malice and the glee of impending success.

“Severely punished…”

Ariya’s lips curved into a subtle, almost imperceptible smile.

“How do you think… she should be severely punished?”

“Of course, the death penalty…”

“You’re lying!”

Yuri’s words were cut short by a sudden shriek, brimming with anger and indignation! Vera, like a thoroughly enraged cub, burst from behind Rachel, standing protectively before her mistress. She was trembling with fury, her pale face flushed crimson.

“You’re slandering her! Lady Rachel is fiercely loyal to the Empire! How could she possibly collude with any cult?!”

“I’m lying?”

Yuri shot to her feet, a mocking smile on her face.

“Evidence still remains in that mine; one look will confirm it! Do you still intend to deny it?”

“But, but that mine clearly was…”

“Vera!”

Rachel’s voice abruptly cut off Vera’s impending words.

Vera turned to Rachel in confusion. She didn’t understand why Rachel had interrupted her, as revealing their discoveries in the mine should prove their innocence.

But Rachel merely shook her head slightly, gesturing for Vera to cease speaking.

Then she stepped forward, gazing at the triumphant Yuri, her expression calm.

“Since these are accusations against me, I believe I should be permitted to offer a few words in my defense, should I not?”

“Don’t you agree, Your Royal Highness?”