-The only way for her to give up her claims on your throne is if your people rebel and demand your return. Thats why she wants you dead so badly.Your mere presence could start a revolution against her.

-Then why I continue to hide?

-Sometimes I wonder if you are stupid or act stupid because you are too bored to think.I just explained it. If you were to appear,Fate would simply kill you,present it as an accident and be done with it. No,someone else must become the symbol of the uprising. Someone powerful,with a high rank and the capability to lead.That is why,for the first and last time,I am doing you this favor.

He put a folded piece of paper on the marble table and pushed it to her direction. Eve took it,unfolded it and read it carefully. Multiple times. She couldnt believe her eyes.

-It says here you relinquish any rights you have to abuse,harm or kill Angelica. You basically set her free!

-Exactly. All she has to do is survive Eric's attack,which has already begun so its impossible to stop him now,and then she is free to take the role of Duchess of the Third Class since we made it clear we have no wish to test her strength and resilience.

-But....with this paper you are also exposed since anyone with enough information can connect the dots and discover your assistance in the revolution.

-So you are smart,in some degree. Yes,what you say is true but it is a calculated risk.In the end your only job is to keep Angelica alive.You are also lucky because according to the protocol the Queen's approval is not required for the position of Duchess. Only her survival the attacks of one or more of the Shadows' Princes. Or in this case,a high ranking Shadow.

-But isn't Eric exiled? Is he still considered a high ranking Shadow?

-Technically yes. We cant deprive him of his birth rights. We just made it quite clear that he is no longer welcome to associate with any of us.

Haures spotted something with the corner of his eye and turned to Eve.

-I think we agreed on the basic points. We can discuss the details later.Why dont you go explore our palace? Feel free to visit all rooms. Its a rare chance since no one other but the four of us is here at the moment.

Eve could recognise a polite way to send her away and since she was a guest in their house she obeyed. She passed Paimon on her way out but they didnt exchange words.

Paimon walked inside the garden when she gad left. Thanks seemed extremely happy to see him and Paimon returned the joy by approaching the basket and started playing with him.Only Haures's words stopped his childish behaviour.

-Did you do what I asked of you?

Paimon's silence was an answer of its own and Haures didnt seem to like that answer.

-Why Paimon?

-Because I dont like lying to Eve. She feels alone and scared right now and we cant take advantage of that.Thats why.

-We are helping her reclaim her position as Queen. We are doing her a big favor as it is. We dont have to concern ourselves with her emotional state as well.

-Helping her? How exactly are we assisting her by announcing her "death"?

-Her death will anger her people and as a result will retaliate more easily.We are making it easier for Angelica to start the revolution.

-Do you have any idea what it will do to her sisters?This is not the time to toy with the emotional stability of the Four High Spirits. If they were to neglect their duties due to mourning the results would be catastrophic. We already prevented one destabilisation of the multiverse,why do you insist on risking another?

-If Fate remains on the throne we are at risk of war. And we barely survived the last one. I will take any chances I got and all risks I can to prevent that. And I think its about time Eve learns the harsh truth and nature of being a ruler.

-I think you are overly harsh at her. I can feel your anger but promise me you wont let it cloud your judgement.

-I dont let anything influence my thinking. Not anger and certainly not fear. Now,will you follow our plan as we discussed?

-....Okay

Paimon left the garden and headed to his office. He closed the door behind him and locked it. He reluctantly picked up his phone and dilated Mary's number. She was the one with the weakest connection to Eve so she wont take it so heavily.

-Hello?

-Erica? Isn't this Mary's phone?

No,no. Not Erica.

-Yes but I was passing by and when I saw your name on the screen I decided to pick it up myself. Whats wrong?

Dont tremble,Paimon. Just say it.

-Paimon?

-I found Eve.

-Oh,thank the spirits. I couldnt feel her energy since yesterday so I was starting to worry. Can I speak to her?

-She is dead Erica.