Day 30 of the Fourth Month, Year 1016 – afternoon

Braun City, Cacao Province

Victoria arrived in Braun the next afternoon, with her entourage behind her. Amongst all her friends, she only brought Luz, as Ethan was still involved in war to the south, Rex was taking care of some business for her, and Alize was handling things in the Capital, also for her.

She slightly felt like she overworked her aides too much, but what else could be done? Things were indeed busy, and they were very capable. So, she didn’t bat an eye when she asked Luz to follow her.

Braun, despite being far from the Kingdom’s Capital, was a big, bustling city in its own right. The people of Cacao flocked to the place. It was prosperous, something that she had always heard about. First of all, since it was a place that was far from other cities, it was a destination for many couples’ elopement. That was why it still had a big population—and also why Dev had convincingly mentioned this place in his made-up excuse back then. Victoria smiled when he remembered that.

Another reason was that the place was quite prosperous itself. The soil was said to be blessed by the Goddess and a lot of odd plants could grow on this land. One in particular was cacao, a plant that was discovered in the Northern Forest and became a particular icon of the province. Well, truth to be told, the plant was named after the province, or maybe the other way around. Historian couldn’t be sure.

This plant couldn’t be grown in any other part of the Kingdom, so Cacao became the sole supplier and, no need to be said, their economy was quite good.

In fact, Victoria felt that her second uncle had truly struck a gold mine. Aside from the distance from the Royal Capital, this place was truly a good thing. If he was smart, he wouldn’t really do anything to jeopardize that. So, coming here this time, she wasn’t really nervous about her uncle. The least she would be jeered at, and the most she would get assassinated. Not really the first time she encountered either of those.

That was why she was surprised when Duke Elbert welcomed her with a big smile on his face.

His wife the Duchess, called Amelia Lockhart, was from a local nobility, and also equally friendly towards her. She pulled Victoria aside and told her various things about the city, making her aware about all the good shops, nice restaurants, and best sceneries. Victoria could only nod and smile along.

“I wonder what the purpose of Her Highness’ visit is?” Her uncle asked after the conversation mellowed down.

Victoria smiled. “To visit, of course. I have long heard about the city’s magnificence. Also, I have some business to talk with Uncle.”

Hearing this, the duchess stood up. “Then it’s best that Your Highness go with husband to the study,” she said smilingly. “I am going to prepare the lunch.”

Victoria glanced at the duke, who nodded and led her to the study.

After she sat down comfortably, Victoria observed her uncle. Truly, beside hobbling a bit with his cane, her uncle had impeccable manners. Unlike second uncle who always sneered at her, Duke Elbert never showed any bad expression. But that didn’t mean Victoria lowered her vigilance. When the duke offered her wine, she nodded and accepted it, but she only held the glass on one hand and use the other hand to play around with the glass’ rim. “Your Grace must’ve heard about the attack on Northern Grizzle,” Victoria began, staring at him.

The duke nodded and took a sip of his own wine. “Of course, I have heard about this. I heard the battlefield was full of blood.” He sighed. “This thing was really troublesome. Who would expect my father’s matter would escalate this far and turned into a big problem?”

The father in his sentence was naturally Victoria’s grandfather, King Fernand. She wasn’t born at that time, but she heard about it all the same. People said King Fernand made a big mistake in his life, which was marrying Arlette Lio-Quinn, her grandmother. While the Quinn family had been eager for the match, Arlette herself already devoted herself to another lover. Though, under her family’s pressure, she finally caved and broke up with said lover.

The matter should have ended like that, but who knew at the wedding feast, all the food was poisoned? The matter was so big that the whole kingdom knew. People were told that everyone were successfully saved, but this clearly set the gloomy tone for the marriage. Even King Fernand was found tragically murdered at the end of his life. The ministers whispered that one of the princes did it, but many also believed that Queen Arlette’s lover did it.

Her lover was named Lirsk Blackward. As it happened, he was a far relative of the Blackwards, clearly without enough influence to stop Arlette’s marriage. But the animosity between Ulysess’ and Blackwards had lasted for centuries, and perhaps this thing broke the straw of fragile peace. Lirsk started a rebellion not long after her grandfather died—during her father’s reign, when the country had yet to stabilize after the whole battle for the throne. The rebellion succeeded, he started a small country, and now even powerful enough to start another war with Forewood.

As what happened with the Quinns and the other Blackwards, no need to be said. Their standing on the nobility collapsed, Blackwards worse than ever. Many of the Blackward family even decided to join Lirsk. The ones that were left could barely survive and had to seclude themselves on the countryside.

Victoria sighed. “Yes, no one would expect this matter could spark such a big rebellion.”

Duke Elbert put down his wine glass. “Things are certainly bad now,” he commented. “But our military is strong enough to withstand this, don’t you agree, Your Highness?”

Victoria looked at him quietly, then smiled. “Your Grace is wise,” she said. “But Lirsk’s forces was more than we imagine he could gather.”

The duke stared back at her. “Certainly, the military can hold,” he said. “Our kingdom had been preparing for a decade.”

Theoretically, yes, but also, the wait time was too long. People started to slack off when they thought Lirsk wouldn’t attack them, and even thought a small kingdom wouldn’t be able to start a war. No one would think he could raise a big army out of nowhere. “I am going to be honest with you,” Victoria replied. “There might be a traitor in the Kingdom.”

Duke Elbert raised his eyebrow. “A traitor?” He said in interest. “Now that’s fascinating.”

Victoria didn’t say much. For all she knew, this man could also be one of the traitors and even worked together with the traitor she talked about. “So, I am going to be blunt and request Uncle’s help,” she said sincerely.

The duke was smiling. “Really, do you think I can help?”

Victoria also put down her wine glass and inclined her head. “The Duke of Braun is generous, I heard.”

The duke chuckled. When Victoria looked up, she saw him standing up. “I will consider it,” he said. “Let’s go now. I’m sure my wife is done preparing a sumptuous meal. My niece must be hungry after the far journey here.”

Victoria knew the duke was avoiding the subject, even after she bluntly stated it, but she also expected it. She really didn’t expect this uncle to help, anyway, so she agreed easily. It was fine. It was fine as long as she could convince another important leader...

She had to succeed. []