'Lady Estella, please enlighten me. How did you know those two soldiers are Marquis Veros' daughter and her servant?' Alexander inquired.

He did read my mind. So much for not intruding. 'It is just my humble guesswork, Your Highness.'

'Oh? Now I am intrigued. Could you please elaborate, milady?' Elaine could not see Alexander's expression, and he probably hid under a false exterior. But she could already imagine his azure eyes radiating, combining with a mischievous grin while asking her the question.

Elaine swallowed. 'On the outside, the joint expedition is a friendly competition between the Léonas Empire and us. However, I believe we all know the true underlying purpose. Thus, both sides will only choose the most elite of soldiers and knights in training in their ranks to participate. Yet, Your Highness, if you closely scrutinized those two individuals in the d'Artois troop, you would notice that they are smaller and scrawnier than the rest. For that reason, I suspected they were not the original soldiers.'

'How interesting. Then, milady, even if your deduction was correct, how did you conclude that the two soldiers were Lady Celeste and her maid?'

'As I stated before, Your Highness, all that I have relayed to you is merely an unsubstantiated guess based on previous rumors I have heard about Lady Celeste. Nothing more and nothing less.'

'Haha. I was correct. You are a very entertaining person, Lady Estella. I look forward to our future cooperation.'

'Thank you, Your Highness.' Elaine's face twitched, and she struggled to withhold insults from her thoughts. 'Are you not going to inform Marquis Veros? He will be indebted to you.'

'It is an enticing proposition, though watching how this situation plays out might be more interesting. I wonder how two fragile young ladies will survive in the wilderness?' he mused. 'Besides, assisting Veros yields no benefit for me.'

'Is he not from your faction?'

'On the surface, yes. But the man is more of an outlier and likes to pursue his own path.'

So he is a rogue piece on your chessboard. 'Did he not fall for your charm?' Elaine asked, amused.

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'Though I am highly confident in my ability, not everyone will be affected. Are you one of those individuals, Lady Estella?'

'You might have to figure out the answer to that question yourself, Your Highness,' she chuckled, using his earlier statement against him.

'Haha. Of course, milady.' Alexander's pleasant laughter sounded in her mind.

'Now that I have satisfied your curiosity, Your Highness. Please teach me about the barrier.' Elaine circled back to her primary objective.

'You are relentless in your pursuit. Though I must admit, I admire that quality in you, milady. Fine, since you insist, I will provide you with the instructions,' he finally agreed.

'Thank you, Your Highness.'

While Elaine and Alexander's secret conversation continued, the departure ceremony concluded. Both armies marched into the Insidious Forest, leaving behind excited onlookers. Though they could not observe the entire event like previous occurrences, the nobles could imagine the inevitable carnage in the days ahead. Boiling blood rushed through their bodies, thrilled at the prospect.

"May the goddess of luck shine upon you all." Finally, the emperors bid their soldiers farewell and returned to their seats.

Elaine watched the Croix troops enter the forest while applying a barrier inside her mind, knowing many would not return. However, she suspected the soldiers and knights in training also understood their fate. Yet, she could still recognize the fierce determination imprinted in their gazes. They were proud to sacrifice themselves for the House of Croix and the Étoile Empire. Elaine remained unable to fathom the idea of unquestionable devotion. Still, she realized why the knights stayed behind to fight till death during Croix's downfall event despite having the odds stacked against them. Absolute loyalty was a trait embedded in Croix's training method since the men were little, molding their soldiers into loyal puppets. Even when Elias, who led the invasion, gave them the option to surrender, the majority resisted.

After the ceremony, Elaine requested permission from the Duke to dismiss herself. Though Alexander's instruction was simple, erecting the mental barrier drained her energy and exhausted her body. Gerard accepted her request, and she retired to her tent. Elaine saw the Third Prince in the ceremonial field when she left, socializing with other aristocrats. After she returned, she again tried conversing with him but did not hear a response.

I can't communicate with him anymore. Our distance right now is probably further than the connection would allow. Elaine contemplated her conversation with Alexander. She refrained from her thoughts before, fearing he would eavesdrop. Elaine's rationale about Celeste seemed logical. However, she mostly improvised the reason on the spot, hoping Alexander would believe her, though she did not know if it had worked. To her relief, however, Alexander did not poke holes through her lies, even if he were skeptical about how she obtained the knowledge.

The Third Prince remained faithful to his calculating nature, unwilling to act unless it advanced his aim. Yet, he surprised Elaine by not informing Marquis Veros of his daughter's shenanigan. Of course, she preferred him not to, for it would derail her plan. But his decision confused her. In the book, Alexander and Veros were allies. Though sometimes the Marquis' actions displeased him, the Third Prince tolerated the man because of Celeste's relationship with his older cousin, Elias. Alexander was one of the few main male characters who did not pine after Celeste in the story. Still, Elaine suspected he had reserved a soft spot for the benign and lovable girl. After all, who could resist her allure? Unfortunately, to Alexander, love would always be secondary to the throne, and Elaine wondered if he ever fell in love. Not that the answer to such a question mattered to her.