Chapter 275: Elizabeth and the girls are going to provide backup!

The rhythm of Elizabeth’s footsteps echoed through the hall like an out-of-control metronome.

From one side to the other.

And back again.

And again.

The sound of her heels against the polished floor filled the room with an insistent, almost irritating cadence, contrasting completely with the serenity that place usually held. The tall windows let in the morning light in soft beams, illuminating the elegant furniture, the carefully chosen tapestries, and the central table where maps and documents remained organized… untouched.

Because, at that moment, Elizabeth couldn’t concentrate on any of that.

Absolutely nothing.

“Two weeks.”

She stopped abruptly in the middle of the hall, her arms crossed tightly, her fingers pressing lightly against her own arm as if trying to contain something internal.

“Two weeks have already passed.”

Her voice wasn’t loud.

But it was heavy.

Tense.

Ester, seated in one of the nearby armchairs, slowly raised her eyes from the book she had been pretending to read for several minutes—because, in reality, she hadn’t turned a single page since Elizabeth had begun that incessant back-and-forth.

Aria, on the other hand, made no effort to hide her amusement.

Sitting relaxed on the back of a sofa, with one leg dangling slightly in the air, she rested her face in her hand, observing the scene with a brazenly amused smile.

“You’ve already said that about… eight times,” Aria commented, in a light, almost humming tone.

Elizabeth turned her face slowly in her direction.

The look.

That look.

Cold.

Sharp.

Capable of making anyone rethink their life choices.

But Aria… only smiled more.

“And I’ll say it again,” Elizabeth replied, her voice controlled, but dangerously close to losing her patience. “Two weeks have passed.”

Ester carefully closed the book, placing it on her lap as she watched Elizabeth with a… curious expression.

Not worried.

Not irritated.

Curious.

Because this… wasn’t normal.

Not for her.

Elizabeth had always been the type of person who controlled everything around her with almost surgical precision. Cold, calculating, impossible to read completely. Even in critical situations, her posture remained firm, her mind clear, her decisions quick.

But now?

Now she was pacing in circles like someone who had completely lost control of something.

Or… someone.

“He’s probably busy,” Ester said calmly, trying to bring some balance to the atmosphere.

Elizabeth let out a short laugh.

A dry laugh.

“He’s always busy.”

She started walking again.

Faster this time.

“That never stopped him from sending information before.”

Aria tilted her head, her smile becoming more mischievous.

“Or maybe he’s… busy with something else.”

Elizabeth stopped.

Again.

Slowly.

She turned her face away.

“Be careful what you insinuate.”

Aria raised her hands in theatrical surrender.

“I’m not insinuating anything~” she said, though she was clearly doing just that. “I’m just saying Arven isn’t exactly a… boring place.”

Esther glanced quickly at Aria, as if to say “that doesn’t help.”

But it was too late.

Elizabeth was already thinking.

And that… was never a good sign when emotions were involved.

“He would have texted.”

The sentence came out lower.

More to herself than to the other two.

But it carried something different.

It wasn’t just irritation now.

It was… worry. Aria noticed.

And her smile softened a little.

Just a little.

“You miss him,” she said bluntly.

Silence.

Complete.

Absolute.

Elizabeth didn’t answer immediately.

And that, in itself, was an answer.

Esther blinked a few times, clearly surprised.

“…you do?”

The question came out almost as a whisper.

Because that…

That was new.

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath, as if deciding whether or not to deny it.

When she opened them—

There was less resistance in her gaze.

But there was still pride.

“That’s irrelevant.”

Aria laughed.

This time for real.

“It’s completely relevant.”

Elizabeth turned again, resuming her movement across the hall, but now there was something different in the way she walked.

Less irritation.

More… unease.

“He left on an important mission,” she continued, trying to justify herself. “Without proper communication. Without reports. Without any confirmation of progress.”

She stopped again.

But this time she didn’t look at either of them.

She looked out the window.

“The lack of information is… unacceptable.”

Esther tilted her head slightly.

“Are you worried about the mission… or about him?”

Silence.

Again.

Longer this time.

Elizabeth didn’t answer.

And Aria… smiled.

“Definitely about him.”

“Aria.”

The tone was dry.

But it didn’t have enough strength to end the conversation.

Before any of them could say anything more—

A sound.

Soft.

But distinct.

A flapping of wings.

The three reacted almost simultaneously.

Their gazes turned quickly to the window.

And then—

She appeared.

The eagle landed on the windowsill with impeccable precision, its wings opening briefly before elegantly folding back. The morning light reflected off its feathers, highlighting golden and dark tones, while its attentive eyes scanned the interior of the hall without a trace of fear.

Silence.

Total.

For a second—

Two—

Three—

“…this is new,” murmured Aria, straightening up slightly.

Esther was already standing.

“She’s not ordinary.”

Elizabeth said nothing.

But her eyes…

Narrowed.

Analyzing.

Calculating.

Recognizing.

The eagle tilted its head slightly.

And then—

It took a step forward.

As if it knew exactly where it was.

As if it knew exactly who to look for.

Elizabeth advanced.

Slowly.

Controlled.

But with absolute focus.

As she approached, she noticed the small tube attached to the bird’s leg.

Message.

Of course.

She reached out her hand.

Without hesitation.

The eagle didn’t flinch.

Didn’t react.

Just watched.

Allowed.

Elizabeth released the small cylinder with precision, twirling it between her fingers before quickly opening it.

Her eyes scanned the contents.

Once.

Twice.

And then—

She stopped.

Completely.

The silence in the room returned.

But now it was different.

Heavy.

Loaded.

Aria stepped forward.

“And then?”

Esther didn’t speak.

But she also waited.

Elizabeth slowly lowered the paper.

And when she looked up—

Something had changed.

The unease?

Gone.

The doubt?

Disappeared.

In its place—

Focus. Cold.

Sharp.

“He’s alive,” she said simply.

Aria let out a small sigh.

“What a relief.”

But Elizabeth continued.

“And he found something.”

Now both their interest increased.

“Big?”

Elizabeth folded the paper carefully.

“Big enough.”

She walked to the table, placing the message on the surface as she began to mentally organize her next steps.

“Arven isn’t just a political problem,” she said. “It’s structural.”

Esther frowned slightly.

“Explain.”

Elizabeth looked at the two of them.

And then—

A slight smile appeared.

Not of relief.

Not of amusement.

But of anticipation.

“The war has begun.”

Silence.

Aria… smiled.

Slowly.

“Finally.” The silence that followed that last sentence was not one of hesitation.

It was one of alignment.

As if, at that exact moment, something invisible had shifted between the three of them—a tacit understanding that there was no more room for waiting, excessive analysis, or prolonged caution.

Elizabeth didn’t look away.

She remained steadfast, observing Ester and Aria as if assessing, for the last time, whether they were both ready for what was to come.

“I’m going to Arven.”

The sentence was spoken with absolute naturalness.

Without dramatization.

Without emphasis.

But with a weight that completely filled the room.

Ester was the first to react, her eyes narrowing slightly as she absorbed the decision.

“In person?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

Elizabeth nodded once.

“Yes.”

Aria, on the other hand, smiled immediately—not in surprise, but in pure satisfaction.

“Ah… now it’s interesting~”

Elizabeth ignored the provocative tone, turning back to the table as she began to mentally arrange the pieces.

“If what Damon described is correct—and I have no reason to doubt it—then we’re dealing with something that can’t be solved remotely.” Her fingers lightly touched the map on the table, sliding to Arven’s region. “Mind control on a political scale… external influence… direct manipulation of leadership.”

She looked up again.

“This isn’t just a local conspiracy.”

Ester slowly rose from the armchair, now completely serious.

“Do you think it’s already at an advanced stage?”

Elizabeth didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

Simple.

Direct.

Irrefutable.

Aria crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly.

“And you want to get right into the heart of it all?” she asked, still with that curious glint in her eye. “Alone?”

Elizabeth let out a small sigh through her nose.

“I didn’t say alone.”

Her gaze moved between the two of them.

The message was implicit.

Ester crossed her arms, thoughtful.

“If you go, it changes everything here in Mirath,” she said. “You are… essential to keeping certain things under control.”

“That’s precisely why I need to go,” Elizabeth replied immediately. “If Arven falls completely, Mirath will be the next target. We can’t wait for that to happen to react.”

Aria gave a small push and stepped off the back of the sofa, landing lightly on the floor.

“So it’s not just longing~” she commented, amused. “It’s strategy too.”

Elizabeth glanced quickly in her direction.

“Those things can coexist.”

Aria laughed.

“Admitted. I like it.”

Ester, however, wasn’t smiling.

“This is risky,” she said. “If this woman is already at this level of control… entering her territory could mean—”

“Death?” Elizabeth interrupted calmly.

Ester didn’t answer.

But she didn’t need to.

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.

“Yes. I know.”

Silence.

But it wasn’t a silence of fear.

It was one of acceptance.

She looked back at the map.

“But staying here… waiting… while she moves on?” Her eyes narrowed. “That’s more dangerous.”

Aria walked slowly to the table, leaning against it.

“And Damon?” she asked, this time without provocation. “Are you going to him… or to the problem?”

Elizabeth didn’t answer immediately.

Her fingers lightly touched the message paper.

For a second—

Just one—

Something softer passed through her gaze.

Then it disappeared.

“Both.”

The answer was low.

But firm.

Ester let out a slow sigh.

“Then we need to prepare your exit immediately,” she said, already switching to practical mode. “Discreetly. Without drawing attention.”

Elizabeth nodded.

“No official escort.”

Aria raised an eyebrow.

“Of course. Because that always works.”

Elizabeth ignored the comment.

“Let’s go in threes.”

Now Aria smiled genuinely.

“I knew you’d like that part.”

Ester, however, still seemed thoughtful.

“If we go… we need to assume we’ll already be under observation before we even arrive,” she said. “If there’s infiltration in Arven at that level, the main routes might be compromised.”

Elizabeth nodded slightly.

“Then we won’t use main routes.”

Aria tilted her head.

“Alternate route?” she asked, curious.

“Slower,” Elizabeth replied. “But safer.”

Ester took a deep breath.

“Then we need to leave today.”

Elizabeth didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

The pace picked up again.

But now it was different.

It was no longer the restless pacing of before.

It was purposeful movement.

She began to gather some documents from the table, separating only the essentials, folding maps, discarding what wouldn’t be needed.

Every gesture was precise.

Calculated.

No waste.

Aria watched with interest.

“You change quickly,” she commented.

Elizabeth didn’t stop what she was doing.

“I adapt.”

Esther was already heading for the door.

“I’ll prepare what’s necessary,” she said. “Provisions, appropriate clothing, routes… and—” she hesitated for a second, “—weapons.”

Elizabeth nodded.

“Take only what we can carry without drawing attention.”

Esther agreed with a nod and left the room.

Aria remained.

Silent for a few seconds.

Observing.

Then she approached a little closer.

“You were really worried,” she said, her voice lower this time.

Elizabeth continued organizing the papers.

But she didn’t answer immediately.

Aria tilted her head slightly, trying to catch her eye.

“It’s not just strategy,” she insisted.

Silence.

A few more seconds.

Then—

Elizabeth stopped.

Just for a moment.

And answered.

“No.”

A single word.

Defenseless.

No explanation.

But honest.

Aria smiled.

Not provocatively this time.

Just… satisfied.

“Then let’s go get him.”

Elizabeth resumed her movement.

But now—

There was something different.

No more unease.

No more doubt.

Just direction.

“No,” she said calmly.

Aria raised an eyebrow.

“No?”

Elizabeth looked up.

Cold.

Focused. Lethal.

“Let’s finish what we started.”

The silence that followed was short.

But sufficient.

Aria smiled again.

This time—

Sharper.

“Now that’s more like it…” she murmured.

Outside, the eagle still remained on the windowsill, motionless, observing the interior like a silent witness to the decision that had just been made.

And, deep down, very deep down—

The war had truly begun.

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