Chapter 155: Chapter-155

Then she sent second message to her beast knight commanders in capital:

LOCKDOWN COUNCIL CHAMBER. NO ONE ENTERS OR EXITS UNTIL I ARRIVE. USE FORCE IF NECESSARY.

The beast knight riding beside her looked concerned. “Your Highness, ordering military lockdown of council chamber is… that’s extreme measure.”

“The council is attempting illegal forced marriage contract. Extreme measures are appropriate response.” Elara’s voice was ice-cold. “Execute the order.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

—

When the council reconvened, they found the chamber surrounded by beast knights in full armor.

The head minister stood angrily. “What is the meaning of this?”

The lead beast knight—Tomas, the fox-eared commander—spoke calmly: “Orders from Fourth Princess Elara. No one enters or exits this chamber until her arrival. Council session is suspended pending her return.”

“You can’t—this is outrageous! The council has authority to conduct business—”

“The Fourth Princess has regent authority which supersedes council during transition period. Her orders are legally binding.” Tomas’s hand rested on his sword hilt. “Please remain seated. She arrives in approximately eighty minutes.”

Minister Valtieri stood. “I’m leaving. You can’t hold council ministers prisoner—”

Tomas moved faster than the old minister expected, blocking the door. “You can leave after Fourth Princess arrives and addresses the council. Not before. Those are my orders.”

“This is tyranny!”

“This is legal authority properly exercised.” Tomas’s voice didn’t change. “Now please sit down, Minister. We can do this peacefully or with physical restraint. Your choice.”

Minister Valtieri, looking at twenty armed beast knights who’d just proven they’d follow Elara’s orders over council authority, sat down.

Petra, watching from the side of the chamber, felt relief and terror in equal measure. Elara had just ordered military lockdown of the council. That was… that was nearly a coup. Except it was legal because she had regent authority. Technically legal. Barely.

But it worked.

The council was trapped. The vote couldn’t happen. And Elara was coming.

—

## Elara Arrives

Seventy-five minutes later—she’d pushed even harder, exhausted horses nearly collapsing—Elara burst into the council chamber.

Her white suit was dusty from hard riding. Hair disheveled. Face showing rare signs of fatigue. But her eyes were absolutely focused.

She walked to the center of the chamber and looked at each minister in turn.

“You attempted to vote through forced marriage contract in my absence. Despite legal objection from my designated representative. Despite explicit message from me declaring such vote illegal. Despite evidence that the proposed marriage family is currently under investigation for attempting to assassinate me.”

Her voice was quiet. Deadly quiet.

“Explain. Now.”

The chamber was silent. Several ministers wouldn’t meet her eyes.

Finally, Minister Valtieri spoke. “The council determined that marriage alliance was necessary for political stability—”

“The council determined incorrectly.” Elara pulled out documents. “I have here signed confessions from four members of the sabotage network explicitly stating that Duchess Merchant coordinated assassination attempts and paid for my schedule information to be provided to hired killers. I have financial records showing payments from House Merchant to known criminal organizations. I have testimony from witnesses who observed planning meetings.”

She set the documents on the center table.

“That is who you voted to marry me to. A woman who’s been trying to murder me for four weeks.”

“We didn’t know—” one minister started.

“You didn’t know because you didn’t bother to investigate before voting. You prioritized political convenience over basic due diligence.” Elara’s voice stayed level but had edge like broken glass. “The betrothal vote is nullified. Any minister who voted in favor will be investigated for potential conspiracy with House Merchant. If evidence of coordination is found, criminal charges will be filed.”

Minister Valtieri stood angrily. “You can’t threaten the council—”

“I’m not threatening. I’m stating legal consequences of your actions.” Elara looked at him directly. “You attempted to force illegal marriage contract. That’s criminal offense under Imperial Marriage Act. You coordinated with family under investigation for assassination attempts. That’s potential conspiracy to commit murder. These aren’t threats. These are legal facts.”

She turned to address the full council.

“I am Fourth Princess Elara Blackwood, daughter of Emperor and Fourth Consort Mei, legally appointed regent during Emperor’s incapacitation. I have full imperial authority. I have been patient with noble resistance to reforms because I prefer systematic legal processes to arbitrary force. But this—” she gestured at the chamber, at the lockdown, at the attempted forced marriage, “—this crosses line.”

“From this moment, any council member who interferes with administrative reforms, participates in corruption, or attempts to undermine regent authority will be immediately removed from position and prosecuted. No warnings. No second chances. Just consequences.”

She let that sink in.

“The council serves at my pleasure during transition period. You are advisors, not rulers. If you want to maintain your positions, you will advise me competently and legally. If you want to play political games and coordinate with assassins, you will be replaced.”

She pulled out another document.

“I’m appointing five new council members effective immediately. All from Port Crestfall administration—proven competent, zero corruption history, loyal to functional governance over noble family interests. That gives me reliable voting bloc. You can work with them cooperatively, or you can be outvoted on every issue. Your choice.”

The implications were clear: Elara had just seized control of the council.

Minister Valtieri looked apoplectic. “This is dictatorship—”

“This is regency with proper authority during transition period. Dictionary definition differs from dictatorship in several key aspects.” Elara’s voice was flat. “But if you prefer to challenge my authority, feel free to submit formal complaint to the Emperor. He’s available for consultation in the medical wing. Visiting hours are never because he’s in magical coma. Good luck with your complaint.”

Several ministers looked shocked. A few almost smiled—Elara’s deadpan humor was unexpected.

“Meeting adjourned,” Elara said. “Lockdown is lifted. You may leave. New council session scheduled for three days from now. Attendance is mandatory. Bring actual policy recommendations instead of marriage contract conspiracies.”

She turned and walked out, Petra scrambling to follow.

The ministers sat in stunned silence for a long moment before slowly filing out past the beast knights.

—

## Aftermath

In Elara’s office, Petra collapsed into a chair.

“That was… that was…”

“Efficient,” Elara supplied. She was exhausted—visible exhaustion for the first time Petra had seen—but still focused. “Duchess Merchant’s plan failed. Council’s illegal vote was blocked. My authority is reinforced. Noble resistance is diminished. Net positive outcome.”

“You nearly started a civil war!”

“No. I demonstrated willingness to use force if necessary, which prevented need for actual force. Strategic deterrence.” Elara sat down heavily. “Though I acknowledge the approach was… aggressive.”

“Aggressive? Your highness , you ordered military lockdown of the government council!”

“They were committing crime. I stopped them. That’s law enforcement, not coup.” Elara closed her eyes briefly. “Though I recognize the optics are complicated.”

Petra just laughed—exhausted, slightly hysterical laughter. “You’re impossible. You know that?”

“I’m efficient. We’ve established this—” Elara stopped mid-sentence.

Petra looked at her with concern. “Your higness?”

“I’m… very tired.” Elara’s voice was quieter than usual. “I think I need to sleep now. For more than forty-five minutes.”

“Yes. Yes you do. Come on.”

Petra helped Elara to the couch in the office—getting her to actual bedroom seemed impossible given current state.

Elara was asleep within thirty seconds of lying down.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep