'Everyone has their price, even the spies,' the Third Prince claimed. 'Since the battle four years ago, His Majesty has recognized the North discontent was growing and began preparing.' Suddenly, Alexander veered the conversation. 'Did you know, Lady Estella, no matter how perfect the imitation appears, a person's unconscious habits are the hardest to discard?'

'Unconscious habits?'

'Similar to how you always clutch your dress when you are nervous, milady.'

His words shook Elaine like an earthquake. Even she had not realized the action had become a coping mechanism. She stared at the silver-haired young man, and feelings of awe and horror washed over her. How observant he was to notice the minor movement, even with their limited encounters counting on one hand.

Alexander watched her reaction, and the corner of his lips quirked with amusement. 'The same concept also applies to the spies,' he pivoted back. 'The Capital has many spies. Though His Majesty neither seeks nor exterminates them, he closely monitors them throughout the years. The persuadable few shall continue living with a slightly altered mission.'

And those who refuse will die. Elaine finished the implied portion in her mind. The remaining spies played double agents, providing misleading information to the Northerners. 'But Your Highness, how could His Majesty be confident he had uncovered all the moles?' she doubted.

'There is never a need to unearth every single one,' Alexander answered. 'His Majesty only desires to create a muddling of information returning to the North.'

An ingenious plan, she marveled. By distributing conflicting intelligence to the enemy, the Étoile Emperor created confusion within their ranks and achieved his goal without lifting a finger. Elaine controlled the urge to grip her dress despite the torrents of unnerving emotion surging within. Tonight's twist and turn forced her to face a somber reality—her inadequacy. Though the book equipped her with the knowledge of future events, no longer was she reading about these characters through innocuous pages. Whether it was the Duke of Geris or the Emperor, they gained their sharpness and cunning through years of experience—stepping on the enemies' corpses with their hands soaked in blood. No matter how much Elaine tried to acclimate herself, she could not change her twenty-two years of peaceful life on Earth. Could she outwit such formidable opponents and achieve her goal once the story began?

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

'Now, regarding the Northerners' troops marching toward Soleias,' he continued. 'The d'Amboise heir is on his way to intercept them.'

Elias?

'Your Highness, is Sir d'Amboise the Commander in this operation?'

'You are correct, milady.' Alexander nodded, then shook his head in disappointment. 'Since our court magicians can open the portal to where his troops are stationed, I wanted him to enjoy himself at the celebration before his departure,' he explained. 'Unfortunately, he staunchly refused my offer.'

Elaine finally understood the Duke of Lévis' cryptic words in the Ballroom. Despite following the Emperor's order to quell the North's rebellion, the male protagonist probably did not agree with the tactic deployed in Soleias. Of the aristocrats that would meet their demise tonight, a notable amount were children of the targeted Houses. It was, for lack of a better description, an indiscriminate massacre. Though Elias' personality differed from the book, his principles appeared unchanged. After the Croix downfall in the original story, many wanted revenge for previous grudges. Yet, the black-haired young man convinced Alexander, the new Crown Prince, to implore the Emperor to grant clemency to the remaining innocent Croix members. He argued the action would project the Étoile sovereign's image to his citizens and neighboring empires in a more favorable and compassionate light.

'Lady Estella?' Alexander's voice pulled Elaine back from her rumination.

'Please forgive me, Your Highness. I was processing all the critical information you have provided.' She glanced at him apologetically and fabricated an excuse.

'You should take heed of your surroundings, milady.' The Third Prince rose from her lap and returned to his previous position. He lifted his head to watch the exploding crimson. 'Danger always lurks in the shadow and will strike when you least expect it.'

'I understand,' she conceded. Elaine was too familiar with the monstrous creatures hiding in the veil of darkness, bidding their time and waiting for an opportunity to snatch away her soul. 'How is inside the palace right now, Your Highness?' She moved to another topic, not wanting to dwell on the horrid memories.

'The banquet is concluding,' Alexander replied. His eyes stayed transfixed by the spectacle above.

'I see.' Elaine's gaze studied the silver-haired young man. His translucent form appeared slightly dimmer than a while ago. Did something happen to his main body? 'Your Highness, are you alright?' she asked.

Alexander turned to face her, and a spark of surprise lit his azure eyes before immediately hidden under the familiar cavalier expression. 'I am well, milady.'

'I apologize, Your Highness. I did not mean—'

'No need for apologies, Lady Estella,' he interrupted her. 'Controlling two bodies is an arduous task. It is I who should seek forgiveness for my current unbecoming form,' Alexander chuckled.

Elaine suddenly realized the Third Prince was only a few years older than Estella—a child by her world's standard. He should be in school and enjoying his youth. Yet, the silver-haired young man spent his adolescent years navigating through the schemes and treacheries of Étoile's court, fighting for survival. He had to accept the cruel fact that the Emperor used his son's birthday as a front to slaughter his enemies. Perhaps Alexander was correct. He and Estella shared many similarities, though his situation in the palace might be even more dangerous than the Croix estate. 'It must have been difficult,' Elaine blurted before she could stop herself.