Chapter 207: An Temporary Alliance…?

*** Third Person POV

THUD!

“Why did you want them to leave the room?”

Julius kept his gaze on the door, making sure the two of them didn’t have any last concerns before they started talking.

“If you’re that worried, just lock the door.”

Marcellus leaned back in his chair and gestured for Lillian to do the same as Julius turned the key in the lock behind them.

Click!

“So, what is it you want to talk about?”

Lillian spoke first, just as Julius sat beside her, arms crossed, curious to hear what his brother had to say.

“Lillian, I know you’re not an idiot—unlike my righteous brother here. What’s your angle?”

Julius clicked his tongue. “You could try not insulting me for once.”

“I could,” Marcellus replied dryly. “But then I’d have to start lying.”

Lillian raised a hand slightly between them before the tension could escalate further.

“Can we do this later?” she said calmly. “We have people waiting for us outside after all.”

She straightened after she saw the two of them quiet down, her tone sharpening as she continued.

“Honestly, the moment I heard where you’d been assigned, I started researching the area. Calling it unfriendly to new rulers would be an understatement.”

She began, leaning over the desk, her blue eyes sharp and calculating. She might be as naive as Julius, but she had the brains to back it up. In the original novel, she had been Julius’s main strategist.

“We’re not the first to be assigned here—I’m sure you’re aware of that. As for their fate? Some managed to run away, but most never had that privilege. They were surrounded and killed the moment they became strong enough to be a threat.”

“So you’re telling me… rebuilding this place is impossible unless we take on the inner district first?”

“Yes. The people here clearly aren’t well-versed in politics beyond this corner of the empire. They have no qualms about attacking us, titles or not.”

“Hm… is that all you have to say?”

“You like concise explanations, do you not?” Julius smirked.

“You’re not wrong.”

Marcellus clasped his hands together, mulling over Lillian’s words. If what she said was true, then he would seriously consider joining them. But she wasn’t the only one with a plan. Two others were still waiting just outside the door.

“I’d like to hear their perspectives next before I make up a conclusion.”

“You think they might have a plan to avoid that fate?”

“Of course, unlike us… they have no issue in doing things that we aren’t allowed to do, right?”

The door swung open just as Marcellus finished speaking, the lock giving way under a burst of magic. The two outside had clearly been listening the whole time—and he knew it. He’d set it up that way.

Their leaving hadn’t really mattered; he only wanted Julius and Lillian to feel free to speak without being interrupted.

It was just a small, low-risk precaution—nothing more.

*** First Person

“You’re right.”

Evelina stepped in first with a dangerous smile. She couldn’t say it out loud, but she was relieved that Marcellus wasn’t acting rashly for once.

He was still the imperial prince, after all.

“Did you find a way to avoid being attacked?”

Julius glanced over his shoulder, curiosity written on his face.

“Yes. If the records I got from the inner district are correct, most of its officials are old men.”

“And that matters how? Just being old isn’t really a factor,” Marcellus said.

“Let her finish.”

I slipped my arms around her from behind, resting them across her shoulders and chest while she spoke. I didn’t have much to add to conversations like this. I wasn’t clueless about politics, but next to the two of them, I was clearly outmatched.

Even I could admit that.

So I just stayed quiet, listening to them talk as I held Evelina close.

“Thank you, Cael. Ahem… yes, just being old isn’t the point. But in addition to that, they’re fairly lecherous as well…”

“I don’t like where this is going.”

Marcellus let out an awkward chuckle. Was she really planning what he thought she was?

“You plan to seduce them?” Lillian asked before Evelina could answer.

“Bingo.”

Silence fell over the room for a brief moment.

Julius’s expression twisted almost immediately.

“You’re serious?” he asked, his voice gaining a twinge of disbelieving amusement. “That’s your solution? Manipulation through—through that?”

Evelina tilted her head slightly, unimpressed.

“Through leverage,” she corrected. “Or would you prefer I call it diplomacy? Influence? Negotiation? Pick whichever word makes you feel better.”

“That’s not negotiation,” Julius snapped. “That’s—”

“Just let her finish,” I cut in lazily.

He shot me a glare, but I just shrugged.

“Look, you want to charge in and start a war. She wants to dismantle them from the inside. One of those options gets fewer people killed.”

Lillian, meanwhile, hadn’t reacted emotionally at all. Her gaze stayed locked on Evelina, sharp and calculating.

“You’re assuming they’re predictable,” she said. “Old, greedy, indulgent… easy to control.”

“I’m not assuming,” Evelina replied calmly. “I confirmed it.”

Marcellus leaned forward slightly. “…How?”

Evelina smiled faintly.

“Did you really think I’ve just been rebuilding a few shops and doing nothing else? Information is just as valuable as coin. Let’s just say I have a bit of magic that lets me… confirm what kind of person someone really is.”

She tapped a finger lightly against the desk.

“But that assumes everyone is the same. I’m sure you’ve met people who don’t fit that pattern,” Lillian cut in.

She was clearly challenging Evelina’s plan. It looked like the two rivals were about to clash again—this time with strategy instead of swords.

“You’re right,” Evelina admitted, “but that doesn’t really matter.”

“If we can divide them even a little, that unified response you’re so worried about falls apart,” she continued. “No coordinated retaliation. No immediate crackdown. Just confusion, delays… and openings.”

Lillian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“So instead of attacking them head-on,” she said slowly, “you want to weaken them from the inside… and buy us time.”

“Exactly.”

Julius shook his head.

“And what happens when they realize they’re being played? We still don’t know how smart all of them really are.”

“They don’t need to be stupid,” Evelina replied flatly. “But the ones I control will be enough to shut the rest up. This is a bureaucracy—once one key piece falls under me, the others will have a hard time moving.”

“Okay… that makes sense,” Marcellus said, chuckling. “But I still need to know how you plan to seduce all of them.”

Evelina was gorgeous—absurdly so—but even he doubted that was enough to sway the entire inner district.

“Just look at her,” I said with a smirk.

“Very funny, Arden…” Marcellus rolled his eyes.

Evelina paused, considering how to answer. Unlike the two of us, the three in front of her weren’t exactly open to demonic contracts. The moment she mentioned being confident because of her succubus powers, they would start questioning everything.

So she went with the explanation she’d prepared instead—one that didn’t require any thought at all, given how they already saw her.

“Just trust me~.”

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