Chapter 95: Chapter-95

In the study, she found evidence confirming her suspicion. Papers were slightly out of order. Books had been moved and replaced incorrectly. Someone had gone through everything, probably looking for intelligence on her Port Crestfall operations.

They wouldn’t have found much. Elara had taken all critical documents with her when she left. But the attempt itself was informative.

Someone—probably one of her sisters—had used her absence to search her residence. Standard succession battle tactics. Know your enemy’s business, find weaknesses, exploit them.

She’d have done the same in their position.

Elara returned to the main hall where her knights were already working. Three of them were removing dust covers and opening windows. The fox knight stood guard at the entrance.

“How long to make this fully operational?” she asked.

“Two days minimum, Your Highness. We’ll need to hire cleaning staff, restock supplies, verify all security measures.”

“Do it. But vet the cleaning staff thoroughly—I don’t want spies in my household.”

“Understood.”

A commotion outside. Voices, footsteps approaching quickly.

The fox knight’s hand went to his sword. “Your Highness—”

The doors burst open.

A woman in elaborate purple robes swept in, followed by four attendants and two knights. She was younger than Elara—maybe twenty—with perfect features and hair arranged in an intricate style that must have taken hours.

Sixth Princess. Elara remembered her vaguely from before she’d left.

“Fourth Sister!” the Sixth Princess said, voice bright and artificial. “You’ve returned! How unexpected—no one told us you’d arrived today.”

“I didn’t announce my arrival.”

“Clearly.” The Sixth Princess looked around the dusty hall with poorly concealed disdain. “And you’re… staying here? In this condition? Oh, Fourth Sister, you should have sent word ahead. I’m sure we could have arranged proper accommodations in one of the guest wings—”

“This is my palace. I don’t need guest accommodations.”

“Of course, of course.” The Sixth Princess smiled, sharp and cold. “It’s just that it’s been so long since anyone lived here. Six months? We all assumed you’d decided to stay in Port Crestfall permanently. Such a charming little city, I’ve heard.”

The emphasis on “little” was deliberate.

“Port Crestfall served its purpose,” Elara said. “But I was summoned to return for succession proceedings.”

“Yes, the succession proceedings.” The Sixth Princess’s smile widened. “So exciting, isn’t it? All of us sisters competing. Though I suppose some of us have better chances than others.”

Meaning: you’re the weakest, and everyone knows it.

Elara didn’t react. “Was there something you needed, Sixth Sister?”

“Oh, just welcoming you back! We’re all so happy you survived your time away. There were rumors, you know—assassination attempts, poisonings, all sorts of unpleasantness. We were worried you might not return at all.”

“I survived.”

“Clearly.” The Sixth Princess’s eyes flicked to the ten beast knights standing guard. “And you brought your… pets… with you. How quaint. Though you know palace regulations limit beast knight presence in the imperial complex. Ten is rather excessive, don’t you think?”

“Palace regulations allow up to fifteen for a princess. I brought ten. That’s within limits.”

“Technically, yes.” The Sixth Princess’s tone suggested she found the entire thing distasteful. “Well, I won’t keep you. I’m sure you’re exhausted from your journey. Do rest, Fourth Sister. The succession proceedings begin in three days, and you’ll want to be… prepared.”

She turned to leave, then paused.

“Oh, one more thing. First Sister—Princess Eleana—mentioned she’d like to speak with you when you’re settled. Something about… family matters. I’m sure you’ll make time for her.”

It wasn’t a suggestion. It was a summons delivered through a proxy.

“I’ll consider it,” Elara said.

The Sixth Princess’s smile tightened. “Do. It wouldn’t be wise to ignore First Sister’s invitations.”

She swept out, attendants and knights following.

When they were gone, the fox knight let out a breath. “Your Highness… that was—”

“Expected,” Elara finished. “The Sixth Princess came to assess my condition and deliver veiled threats on First Princess Eleana’s behalf. Standard succession battle reconnaissance.”

“What will you do about the meeting request?”

“Attend it. Eventually.” Elara walked to the window, looking out at the palace complex. “But on my schedule, not hers. Let Eleana wait. It sends a message that I’m not jumping at her summons anymore.”

“That’s risky, Your Highness. First Princess Eleana is—”

“Dangerous. I know.” Elara turned back. “But so am I now. Six months ago I fled this palace with nothing. I’m returning with independent wealth, operational businesses, trained guards, and intelligence on my enemies. That changes the power dynamic.”

“Does it change it enough?”

“We’ll find out.”

She looked around at the dusty hall, the covered furniture, the palace that had been searched and neglected during her absence.

Six months ago, this place had been a prison. Now it was just… a building. Temporary headquarters while she navigated the succession battle.

Nothing more.

“Continue preparations,” Elara ordered. “I want this residence fully operational within forty-eight hours. And send a message to the palace administration—inform them that Princess Elara Blackwood has returned and is resuming residence at the Azure Lotus Palace. Formal. Official. No room for misunderstanding.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The fox knight left to carry out orders. Elara stood alone in the dusty hall, listening to her knights work, feeling the oppressive weight of the palace complex pressing down.

She was back.

In the capital. In the palace. In the succession battle.

Where First Princess Eleana Blackwood and Third Princess Mingzhu Blackwood had already tried to kill her multiple times.

Where the Emperor watched everything and favored no one.

Where multiple other princesses competed for one throne, and most of them would die before a winner emerged.

Four days until succession proceedings began.

Four days to re-establish her position, gather intelligence, and prepare for whatever her sisters had planned.

Elara pulled out one of her intelligence reports and started reading.

Time to get to work.

—

# Scene 4: The Emperor’s Unexpected Reward

Two days after her return, Elara received a formal summons to the imperial throne room.

Not a request. A command.

She dressed in her white suit—the one that had become her signature—pinned the butterfly brooch to her lapel, and walked through the palace complex with the fox knight two steps behind.

Other nobles and courtiers stopped to stare as she passed. The Fourth Princess looked different from when she’d left. Sharper somehow. More present.

The throne room doors opened.

Inside, the space was exactly as she remembered—vast, intimidating, designed to make anyone entering feel small. Marble columns rose to a ceiling painted with historical scenes. The Emperor’s throne sat on a raised platform at the far end, elevated above everyone else.

The Emperor himself sat there, dressed in black and gold ceremonial robes. Around him, various ministers and officials stood in precise positions. And off to the sides, Elara could see several of her sisters.

First Princess Eleana stood closest to the throne—position of favor. She wore pale blue silk, hair perfectly arranged, expression calm and controlled. When she saw Elara enter, something flickered in her eyes. Not quite anger. Not quite concern. Calculation.

Third Princess Mingzhu stood further back, nearly in shadow. Dark green robes, face serene, hands folded. She looked at Elara without any visible reaction at all.

Sixth Princess was there too, along with two others Elara recognized as Fifth and Seventh Princesses. All watching. All assessing.

The succession battle, assembled in one room.

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