Chapter 93: Chapter-93

Days 1-3: Complete all pending business transactions and finalize asset transfers from Carver.

Days 4-5: Cross-train all department heads on emergency procedures and autonomous operation.

Day 6: Full operational test—all three co-directors (Dimitri, Mira, Gregor) run the operation without Elara’s input for twenty-four hours.

Day 7: Final review and departure preparation.

“If the day-six test reveals problems, we fix them immediately,” Elara said. “I will not leave Port Crestfall with unstable operations. Everything must be sustainable without my presence.”

“Understood,” all three co-directors said in unison.

“Dismissed. Reconvene tomorrow morning with progress reports.”

They filed out. The fox knight lingered.

“Your Highness?”

“Yes?”

“The beast knights. Many of them are… concerned. About what happens when you’re gone.”

Elara looked at him. “They’ll continue serving under Gregor’s command. Nothing changes except who gives the orders.”

“That’s not what concerns them.”

“Then what does?”

The fox knight’s ears flattened slightly. “You’re going back to the capital where multiple princesses want you dead. Where the succession battle is intensifying. Where we can’t protect you effectively because we’re beast knights, and the palace has restrictions on how many non-human guards can accompany a princess into the imperial complex.”

“You’re concerned I’ll die and they’ll lose their positions.”

“We’re concerned you’ll die because you’ve treated us like people instead of property.” His voice was quiet but firm. “And because if you die, the next princess who takes control won’t be like you.”

Elara studied his face. The concern was genuine—not for their jobs, but for her. An emotional response she couldn’t fully understand but recognized as significant.

“I don’t plan to die,” she said.

“No one plans to die, Your Highness. But plans and reality often diverge.”

“True.” She turned back to the window. “However, I have advantages my sisters don’t know about. Independent revenue streams, intelligence networks, and operational experience they lack. That improves my survival odds.”

“Is it enough?”

“Insufficient data to calculate with certainty.” She paused. “But it’s more than I had six months ago. Every day I survive, I get stronger. Eventually, I’ll be strong enough that my sisters can’t kill me even if they try.”

“And if that day doesn’t come before they make their next attempt?”

“Then I die, and you continue working for Gregor, and Port Crestfall operations proceed as planned.” Her tone remained flat, clinical. “My death doesn’t change your situation—you’re still employed, still protected, still treated better than you were before I arrived.”

The fox knight was quiet for a moment. Then he bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness. For everything.”

“You’re thanking me for basic decency?”

“Most people don’t provide basic decency to beast knights. So yes.”

He left.

Elara stood alone in her office, looking out at the city she’d built her foundation in.

Seven days.

Seven days to make everything sustainable.

Then back to the capital. Back to the palace. Back to the succession battle where First Princess Eleana Blackwood and Third Princess Mingzhu Blackwood were waiting.

Where “The Broker” Melissa Corvane coordinated assassinations on behalf of one or both of them.

Where multiple other princesses were competing for the throne and at least some of them probably wanted the Fourth Princess eliminated before she became a more serious threat.

Seven days.

Not enough time to guarantee success.

But enough time to maximize her chances.

Elara pulled out fresh paper and began writing contingency plans.

If she died in the capital, these instructions would ensure Port Crestfall operations continued. Her staff would be protected. The beast knights would maintain their positions. Lisa’s family would be safely relocated.

Everything she’d built would survive even if she didn’t.

That was the best she could do.

Plan for survival, but prepare for death.

Execute both with equal precision.

Because in the succession battle, there was only one throne and multiple princesses fighting for it.

And eventually, most of them would die.

The only question was which ones survived long enough to win.

Elara intended to be one of them.

But if she wasn’t…

Well.

At least she’d make sure her people were taken care of.

That was more than most princesses would do.

The seventh day dawned clear and cold.

Elara stood in her chambers, dressed in the white suit she’d worn when she first asserted control over her palace months ago. The butterfly pin gleamed on her lapel. Her hair—still short, still practical—was neatly combed.

Lisa helped her with the final bags, moving with nervous efficiency.

“Everything you requested is packed, Your Highness. Three changes of clothes, personal documents, emergency funds, communication crystals.”

“Good.” Elara picked up the smallest bag—the one containing things she absolutely couldn’t lose. Documentation of Port Crestfall operations. Evidence files on her local enemies. Intelligence reports on her sisters.

A knock at the door. The fox knight entered and bowed.

“Your Highness. The carriage is ready. All twenty-five beast knights are assembled for departure.”

“Twenty-five?” Elara looked at him. “I’m only taking ten to the capital. The others stay here for security.”

“Your Highness…” The fox knight’s ears flattened. “We discussed this. All twenty-five want to accompany you. The succession battle is dangerous. You need maximum protection.”

“Port Crestfall needs protection too. And palace regulations limit how many beast knights can enter the imperial complex anyway.” Elara’s voice was firm. “Ten accompany me. Fifteen remain under Gregor’s command. That’s final.”

The fox knight looked like he wanted to argue, but bowed instead. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll inform the others.”

“You’re leading the group that accompanies me. Choose nine more based on combat skill and discretion. The rest stay here.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He left. Lisa continued packing in silence for a moment, then spoke quietly.

“Your Highness… I know I’m staying here. But I wanted to say… thank you. For everything. For my family. For giving me a chance when no one else would.”

Elara looked at her. “You provided valuable service. The compensation was appropriate.”

“It was more than that.” Lisa’s hands trembled slightly as she folded a cloak. “You treated me like a person. Even knowing I was a spy. Even knowing I was sent to betray you. You still… you still helped my family.”

“Because you chose to be useful instead of remaining a threat.” Elara fastened the last buckle on her bag. “Loyalty earned through fair treatment is more reliable than loyalty extracted through fear.”

“Will you… will you come back, Your Highness?”

“Insufficient data to predict.” Elara picked up her bags. “But if I do, your position here remains secure. Dimitri has instructions.”

She walked to the door, paused, looked back.

“Take care of Port Crestfall, Lisa. It’s worth protecting.”

“I will, Your Highness.”

Elara descended the stairs to where Dimitri, Mira, and Gregor waited in the entrance hall. All three looked grim.

“Final instructions?” Dimitri asked.

“You have everything you need. Operate independently. Make decisions without waiting for my approval.” Elara handed him one last document. “This is emergency authorization. If the situation becomes critical—attack, siege, imperial seizure attempt—you’re authorized to liquidate all assets and evacuate staff. Don’t sacrifice lives trying to hold property.”

Dimitri took it with shaking hands. “Your Highness—”

“I mean it. Buildings can be replaced. People can’t.” She looked at all three of them. “If I die and someone comes to seize control, you fight legally first. If that fails, you run. Understood?”

“Understood,” they said together.

“Good.”

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