Chapter 42: Chapter-42

Eleana’s smile disappeared. “Careful, Sister. Throwing accusations around without proof is dangerous.”

“I’m not accusing anyone. Just stating facts: someone sent assassins, I’m leaving to do business. If you think that’s an accusation, maybe ask yourself why.”

Robin’s hand drifted toward his sword. The fox knight did the same. The hallway suddenly felt a lot smaller.

“You’ve changed,” Eleana said quietly, her voice ice-cold. “The pathetic little sister who could barely talk is gone. This new version is way more annoying.”

“This version is harder to kill,” Elara shot back. “Must be frustrating.”

“Port Crestfall is a long trip,” Eleana said, ignoring her. “Dangerous roads. Bandits. Ships sink. Warehouses burn. So many accidents waiting to happen to a princess without proper protection.”

The threat was crystal clear.

“I’ll have my household guard and merchant allies watching my back. That’s more protection than I get here, where assassins walk into my bedroom whenever they want.”

Eleana’s jaw clenched. “You’re making powerful enemies, Sister.”

“I already have powerful enemies. At least now I pick where we fight.” Elara stepped forward, crowding her space. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do. Unless you want to try something right here in the hallway? The guards would love that.”

Neither sister moved. The tension was thick enough to cut.

Then Eleana stepped aside, that razor-sharp smile back in place. “Safe travels, Sister. Give the merchants my regards. I’m sure they’ll find you… fascinating.”

Elara walked past without answering, the fox knight right behind her. She could feel Robin’s eyes tracking her the whole way down the corridor.

Only when her door closed did she let out the breath she’d been holding.

“Your Highness,” the fox knight said quietly, “that was dangerous. If she’d decided to—”

“She won’t kill me in public with witnesses. Too obvious.” Elara walked to her desk. “But now she knows I’m leaving, which means she’ll either strike in the next week or wait until I’m on the road.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“It’s realistic.” Elara started pulling out maps. “I want every guard vetted, every supplier checked, everyone who knows our route investigated.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And get Dimitri and Mira here tonight. We’re moving everything up.”

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Dimitri showed up just after sunset with Mira right behind him. Both looked like they’d run most of the way—hair messy, breathing hard, worry written all over their faces. The fox knight let them in, and they practically stumbled into Elara’s room where she’d spent the last few hours buried in maps and supply lists.

“Your Highness.” Dimitri’s bow was more of a quick nod. “We heard about the assassins. Are you okay?”

“Still breathing. Mostly in one piece.” Elara gestured at the chairs. “Sit down before you fall down. We need to talk.”

Mira dropped into a chair, eyes going straight to the bandage on Elara’s arm. “What’s happening?”

“I’m leaving for Port Crestfall. The Emperor approved it this morning—I’ll work with the merchant guilds there. Three months at least, maybe longer if I can swing it.”

Dimitri and Mira looked at each other, then back at her.

“Actually,” Mira said, “that timing might be perfect. Because the merchants heard about last night, and they’re acting… well, you need to see this.”

Dimitri pulled a letter from his coat. “This came to my office three hours ago. From Guild Master Verin himself. His son hand-delivered it and told me to get it to you immediately.”

The seal was still intact—Dimitri hadn’t even peeked. Elara broke it open and read.

The letter was polite but direct. Verin had heard about the assassination attempt. Was relieved she’d survived. And wanted to sign contracts ’now’ instead of waiting. This week. As soon as possible.

Elara read it twice, then handed it to Mira. “So. What do you think?”

Mira skimmed it quickly. “They’re scared you’re going to die before contracts are signed. They know professional assassins don’t give up after one try, which means they’re calculating how long you’ll probably survive, and they want the preservation magic locked down legally before you… well. Before you don’t survive.”

“Yep.” Elara felt a weird mix of amusement and irritation. “They don’t actually care that someone tried to kill me. They care that if I die, they lose access to the magic that’ll save them millions. So they’re moving fast to secure it while I’m still alive to sign paperwork.”

“That’s really cold,” Dimitri said.

“That’s merchants being merchants.” Elara almost smiled. “Honestly? I respect it more than fake sympathy. At least this is honest. They want something, I want something, let’s make a deal before one of us becomes unavailable.”

“So you’ll meet with them?” Mira asked.

“Tomorrow if we can arrange it. Here at the palace—I want them to see I’ve got security now, that I’m being careful, that I’m not easy prey despite what happened.” Elara grabbed a fresh piece of paper. “Send a message back. Tomorrow afternoon, formal meeting, bring their legal people, we’ll review everything and sign on the spot.”

Dimitri took the note. “There’s something else. Two other merchant houses—smaller than Verin, but still big—have sent messages asking about the preservation magic. They’ve heard about your deal with Verin and want to know if they can get licenses too. Regional rights, non-exclusive agreements, that kind of thing.”

Elara paused. “They’re trying to compete with Verin.”

“Or they’re betting that if something happens to you, Verin’s exclusive contract might fall apart. They’re positioning themselves as backup options.” Mira leaned forward. “Which actually helps you—if Verin tries to change terms last minute, you can threaten to give the technology to his competitors instead.”

“If I live long enough to do that,” Elara muttered.

Nobody said anything for a moment.

Then Dimitri cleared his throat. “Your Highness, we’ve only been working together for like two weeks, but… if you’re leaving for Port Crestfall, what happens to us? Your staff here?”

Elara looked at both of them—these two people who’d taken jobs in her household when everyone said she was dying, who’d worked hard despite the palace treating them like traitors, who’d rushed here the moment they heard about the assassination.

“You’re coming with me,” she said. “Both of you. Everyone I trust is coming. I’m not leaving you behind to deal with blowback from working for me.”

Mira’s whole body relaxed. “Oh thank god. I was worried you’d—”

“Abandon you? Please. I’m not dumb enough to leave competent people behind and take random palace servants who might be spies.” Elara started making notes. “We’re basically moving the whole operation. It’s going to be chaotic, but it’s doable.”

“Port Crestfall is expensive though,” Dimitri warned. “Housing, food, security—we won’t have palace budgets covering things anymore.”

“Which is why we need this contract signed immediately. The signing bonus will cover moving costs, and the ongoing payments will keep us running.” Elara was already doing math in her head. “Actually it’s better this way. Depending on palace money meant depending on palace goodwill, and we’ve established there isn’t any.”

“When do we tell the rest of the staff?” Mira asked.

“Tomorrow, after I sign with Verin. I want money in hand before I start announcing plans. Some people might not want to come, and I need to know we can hire replacements.”

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