“Menna? What happened to her?”

 

Lilya was slightly stunned, her eyes widening as if realizing something.

 

“Wait, you don’t think that girl has ambitions for the throne, do you? Don’t joke around. She’s only 12 years old. In terms of psychological state, political acumen, or according to the kingdom’s traditions, she is far from the age to inherit the throne.”

 

In fact, Lilya herself was still two years away from the legal age of succession, which is 18 in the kingdom. However, for the princess, whose prestige and abilities far exceeded her older brothers, this small age difference wasn’t a significant issue.

 

But for Menna at the age of 12, it was far from sufficient. Regardless of the circumstances, it wouldn’t be accepted by the people. Besides, Lilya and Menna were full sisters born to the same mother, so she never considered the possibility of Menna becoming a competitor.

 

Other princes probably held similar thoughts.

 

“Well, I didn’t mean it that way. Before I came to see you, I happened to overhear…”

 

Then, Violet roughly explained how she accidentally entered the sixth princess’s sleeping quarters and heard the conversation in the backyard.

 

“What? Menna was poisoned?!”

 

Lilya abruptly stood up, knocking over the chair behind her. She seemed greatly shocked by this news. However, she wasn’t the immature girl she was when she first met Violet. She quickly regained her composure and sat back down, righting the overturned chair.

 

“Are you sure it’s someone from the ‘Eternal Throne’?”

 

“Hmm? What do you mean? The other party didn’t explicitly reveal their exact identity. But when it comes to undead beings, aside from that notorious organization, are there other places where they exist?”

 

The priestess tilted her head, asking in return.

 

“I’m not sure… But now the capital is in too much chaos, with all the factions mixed together. I can’t determine absolutely that it’s the ‘Eternal Throne’ solely based on the identity of an undead. What do you think, Violet?”

 

“Well…”

 

Violet remained noncommittal. She hadn’t considered so many factors, but since she had already marked the abducted maid, she would find out who was behind it when she had the time to investigate.

 

On this matter, she also informed Lilya. The princess’s suggestion was…

 

“Don’t worry, don’t worry… Let me gather some people and personally deal with this matter. Also, Violet, regarding the struggle for the throne, if the enemy doesn’t present an extraordinary opponent beyond common sense, please don’t easily intervene to help me, alright?”

 

It seemed that the princess still valued her relatives. This could be seen from the fact that despite the repeated attempts by her brothers to hinder her and even take her life, Lilya hadn’t turned the tables on them yet. Her nervousness about her younger sister, Princess Menna, also indicated this.

 

Attacking Menna might indeed be squeezing Lilya’s soft spot. If Violet hadn’t coincidentally encountered it, she might have suffered a great loss when the truth came to light.

 

But… was this matter really so simple?

 

Princess Menna, being of royal descent, certainly wouldn’t be foolish. Even though she’s only 12 years old, as the younger sister of Lilya, a clever girl, would she really not notice someone secretly dosing her for seven consecutive days?

 

Either she genuinely trusts the maid, or… is she intentionally not exposing it, silently observing and turning the tables? Is that a possibility?

 

Violet didn’t share this thought with the princess. Her perspective on things differed from Lilya’s, she observed from the standpoint of a partial bystander, providing a more comprehensive and clear view than Lilya, who was deeply involved in the situation.

 

In this case, instead of being influenced by Lilya, it would be better to completely free herself and investigate independently. After all, the princess had already indicated not to get involved too much.

 

Violet had already assisted Lilya a lot. If, in the end, she failed in the competition for the throne, it would only mean that the princess lacked the strength and wasn’t suitable for the position. Violet wouldn’t force her way into helping the princess ascend to the throne, at most, she would ensure her safety.

 

Of course, if someone truly caused chaos and brought something far beyond the human realm into play, the priestess wouldn’t mind teaching them a lesson in cruelty.

 

“Alright, let’s go with your plan. I’ll head back for tonight. Here’s the address of the inn where I’m staying. If you’re ready to act, send someone to find me.”

 

Violet placed a pre-written note on the table and pressed it down with a corner of a book.

 

“Huh? So soon?”

 

The princess, who had been furrowing her brow in contemplation, was suddenly surprised. She quickly stood up, holding the fair hand of the black-haired girl with an expression of reluctance, and sweetly attempted to detain her.

 

“Why stay in an inn? Violet, you can just stay in my Mingluan Palace. For as long as you want, and if there’s anything you need, just order the servants to prepare it anytime. These are all minor issues. Can’t you spend more time with me~”

 

The priestess, now held back, couldn’t help but smile wryly.

 

“No need for that. I’m not someone close to Lilya. Staying with you directly might not be a good idea. Besides, after putting on the mask, no one recognizes me, and it would be inconvenient for both of us. Or, do you not mind if I reveal my identity~?”

 

“Uh… Well…”

 

Seeing the young and adorable princess with tearful eyes, like an abandoned puppy, Violet could only reach out and gently touch the silky sky-blue hair.

 

As a pampered princess, Lilya’s carefully maintained smooth and silky hair felt excellent, rivaling even Xiao Guang, the pure-blooded dragon. The priestess couldn’t resist running her fingers through it a few times.

 

It wasn’t until Lilya started making some strangely content purring sounds due to the excessive comfort that Violet realized her actions. She quickly withdrew her hand, took a step back, and looked at the princess with a regretful gaze, awkwardly laughing a few times.

 

“Ahem, anyway, for the next period, I’ll be freely moving around the city, silently observing Lilya’s efforts. As you said, unless there are special circumstances, I generally won’t intervene.”

 

“So, even if it’s just to avoid disappointing me, you must successfully claim victory and become the esteemed Queen, Your Majesty.”

 

“Yes!”

 

Lilya took a few deep breaths, calming her slightly rapid breathing. Her complexion shifted from flushed to normal as she nodded solemnly.

 

“I will definitely win, even for you, Violet!”

 

The priestess, still immersed in the sensation from earlier, didn’t detect the subtle difference in these two sentences. She simply thought that the princess was mustering determination and smiled contentedly.

 

“Well then, I’ll take my leave for now. Don’t worry, if there’s a chance, I’ll come to see you often. Don’t miss me too much.”

 

Waving goodbye, Violet put on the Cognitive Obstruction Mask again and turned away. In the instant she pushed the door open, she disappeared without a trace.

 

After the girl left for a long time, the princess, dressed in splendid attire with a jeweled crown and sky-blue hair cascading down, still stared blankly in the direction she had gone. She remained motionless for a while.

 

After a moment, she took out a hefty manual and another bound notebook from her spatial ring, gently caressing the black cover of the manual with a soft expression.

 

Lilya opened the notebook, filled with neatly written, elegant small characters. It was a copy of the manual she had painstakingly transcribed into the kingdom’s language using the translation glasses borrowed from Violet.

 

In order to protect the unique secret between her and Violet, all of these tasks were accomplished solely by Lilya. For the past few months, apart from official duties and sword training, most of her free time was spent transcribing and translating texts.

 

She had never intended to monopolize the magical translation device, so she had made preparations early on, even though Violet had not mentioned when she might reclaim it.

 

Since she returned the glasses to the priestess, rendering the manual unreadable, the princess didn’t casually discard it. Instead, she cherished it, carefully placing it into a crystal box she had prepared long ago and stowing it back into her ring.

 

Lilya retrieved a pendant from her chest, hanging close to her skin, carrying a faint warmth and the fragrance of a young girl. She gently rubbed it on her face, exhaled contentedly, and smiled.

 

“Violet, even for you, I will become the queen.”

 

In the empty room, she repeated the promise made long ago, the gaze of the blue-haired princess firm and distant.