9. The Downfall of the Grand Duchy (2)

From the beginning of the subjugation campaign, the plans she had made with the Grand Duke would unfold. Eve needed to prepare for what was to come without delay.

Eve looked around her room to ensure she was alone, then approached her vanity and carefully opened a drawer with a double lock. From inside, she took out a well-worn notebook with frayed edges.

Eve took the notebook and headed straight to the library. There was no better place for clear thinking.

She settled in, sat at a desk, and opened the notebook.

The notebook contained detailed notes about Medric, the Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess, King Gregory, and the Crown Prince—all the figures Eve needed to consider in her plans, along with their characteristics and what she needed to obtain from each of them.

‘Duter Betenberg.’

The Grand Duke of Lonavita.

‘And Gregory Habsburg.’

The King of Ptotr.

The ones who deserved the most painful revenge.

But with just her status as the Duchess of Archild, it would be difficult to even scratch their feet.

“We had a common enemy.” The Grand Duke’s voice echoed in her mind.

She closed her eyes.

She wanted them to face each other as enemies.

And she wished them a terrible end.

‘When I open my eyes, may everything happen as I desire.’

She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the plan she had drawn up.

This operation couldn’t afford even the slightest deviation.

‘Now that the Duke has departed… at the speed of the Anas knights, they should reach Bekins Plains in a day or two.’

Eve recalled the day she had contacted the Grand Duke via communication stone immediately after returning to Archild territory from the Grand Duchy.

“Do you have some kind of plan?”

“I will send a signal about three days after the Duke of Archild departs. At that time, Your Grace should station cavalry and infantry at the border.”

“Why just station them? Why not go straight for the King’s neck?”

As the plan became more concrete, the Grand Duke showed his conquest ambitions more openly.

“That won’t work. If we do that, the King will realize the situation and recall the subjugation forces to Ptotr. Then, with returning troops, we would be trapped from both sides, and the tide of battle would turn against us.”

“Hmm… so I just stay in one place?”

“Yes. The King will certainly send a letter to Your Grace to buy time. Then, you should engage in dialogue with the King.”

“Dialogue? I was expecting war, but this is merely negotiation.”

“…Starting a war would lead innocent citizens to their deaths. Shouldn’t we avoid innocent sacrifices?”

“I thought you were ruthless, but you’re softer than I expected. Without sacrifice, you can’t get what you want. Someone must die for others to prosper.”

The Grand Duke’s ugly, filthy greed extended to his desire for conquest and power.

It made her shudder to think of how Roanne had suffered under such a man.

Eve’s lips trembled, and she lowered her head.

Taking a deep breath inwardly so he wouldn’t notice, she replied:

“That may be true. But isn’t it better to use an available method rather than making things unnecessarily complicated?”

The Grand Duke snorted at Eve’s words.

“Fine, your plan seems harmless enough, so we’ll proceed that way. So, what do I need to obtain through this dialogue?”

“You should secure the authority of the Grand Council.”

Private armies can only be mobilized with the approval of more than half of the Grand Council. Without the Grand Council’s authority, one cannot even propose an agenda, meaning that even if a standing army is established, private troops cannot be freely mobilized.

Securing the Grand Council’s authority might not be a complete defense against the establishment of a standing army, but it could serve as a reasonable alternative.

However, the Grand Duke didn’t seem pleased with this approach.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, that should be sufficient.”

“…Is it alright to leave the Habsburg family as they are?”

Considering the power of the Habsburg family, who had been able to use magic for generations, and their right of succession, it was indeed risky. But for now, it was acceptable.

Eve shook her head and answered:

“That will be fine for now.”

Eve had further plans, and the Grand Duke taking control of the Grand Council would be enough for this “warning.”

But the Grand Duke, dissatisfied with this approach, merely snorted without responding.

“You want me to invade a country with an army and only take the authority of the Grand Council? What happens afterward? What will we tell the Papal Office?”

The fate of a country that invaded another nation under the peace treaty of the Papal Office was predictable. Without proper justification, it was a dangerous plan that might erase the Grand Duchy of Lonavita from history.

Therefore, Eve had thought of a legitimate reason to confront the Papal Office.

“Your Grace can say that you nearly suffered an assassination attempt by the Grand Duchess in Lonavita.”

“…The Papal Office would never believe such a ridiculous story.”

The Grand Duke spoke as if bewildered.

“They will have no choice but to believe it.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Because I will stand as a witness.”

If the Grand Duchess of the Grand Duchy, who was the first princess of Ptotr, had attempted to assassinate the Grand Duke, even the Papal Office couldn’t easily hold the Grand Duchy responsible. It would provide legitimate grounds for invading the country.

‘Though if that story spreads, the Grand Duchess and Ptotr will be in an awkward position for a while.’

The Papal Office would persistently investigate the relationship between Ptotr and the Grand Duchy, and the Grand Duchess would have to live in constant fear of imprisonment or execution.

But she only needed to endure for a short time.

Soon enough, it would be proven that the Grand Duchess’s assassination attempt was false, and the Grand Duke’s actions against the Grand Duchess would be revealed.

‘Then the tide will turn.’

Roanne could escape from the Grand Duke’s grasp, and Eve would move closer to her desired revenge scenario. She felt sorry for making Roanne suffer in the process, but it couldn’t be helped.

“If you, the Duchess of Archild, stand as a witness, the Papal Office would certainly accept it.”

“If you’re still worried, you can forge letters from the Grand Duchess afterward. That should provide sufficient evidence.”

Since he had likely been intercepting the correspondence between Roanne and King Gregory, it would be easy to fabricate the middle part of their exchange.

Tap, tap, tap. Through the communication stone, she heard the rhythmic sound of fingers tapping on a chair.

Despite confidently expressing her opinion, Eve was anxious about whether the Grand Duke would agree. Ignoring the cold sweat running down her back, she calmly waited for his response.

‘Please…’

Eve bit her lower lip hard.

A long silence continued through the communication stone.

Finally, the Grand Duke spoke:

“…Very well. For now, we’ll proceed as you suggest.”

Though his tone wasn’t one of complete agreement, it was enough. If the Grand Duke followed the plan, it would be easier for Eve to prepare for what was to come.

Eve placed her hand on her chest and sighed.

This conversation via communication stone had taken place immediately after arriving at Archild territory, making it over a month old now.

Eve slowly emerged from her past reflections.

Looking again at the notebook filled with dense writing, she considered the Grand Duke.

The Grand Duke was someone highly likely to deviate from Eve’s plans at any moment for his own benefit and desires.

He was a dangerous person who could become cruel whenever necessary to achieve what he wanted. If he didn’t follow their agreed plan and moved according to his own wishes, how would he act?

Would it be war after all?

Eve tried to see further. Even further ahead.

She looked at the shortcake and cookies placed on the desk. Marie had left them for her to eat.

Eve cut a large piece of cake and put it in her mouth.

The sweetness that followed the soft texture made her blood flow through her body. After chewing for a while, she took a sip of the strong brewed black tea, and the bitterness harmonized with the sweetness. The refreshed feeling in her mouth improved her mood.

She put down the fork and picked up her pen again to check what was written in the notebook.

In preparation for possible war, she had sent someone to Arante village. If there were any changes in the village’s situation, he would contact Eve.

‘That’s taken care of.’

In case the Grand Duke might harm Roanne, she had placed someone by her side. She had also given her a holy stone that Eve had created, so she should be prepared for any situation.

‘That’s done too.’

And now what remained was Crown Prince Glishakov.

‘The Grand Duke would want to sit on the Habsburg throne.’

The next heir to the Habsburg throne was in danger.

More precisely, Crown Prince Glishakov was likely to be the next target.

She couldn’t figure out how to help him.

Feeling frustrated, Eve stabbed a piece of fruit on top of the shortcake with her fork and put it in her mouth. The soft cream combined with the tangy fruit juice made her mouth sweet.

‘Yes, let’s try everything we can.’

After swallowing the cake in her mouth, she closed the notebook and stood up.

***

The speed of the Anas knights heading to the subjugation campaign after leaving the territory was formidable. Or more accurately, the knights were struggling to keep up with Medric’s pace.

They had allowed plenty of time for travel, so there was no need to move so quickly.

Nevertheless, Medric’s riding speed continued to accelerate.

At this rate, the knights would surely be exhausted before joining the subjugation force.

David, who had been following behind, approached Medric’s side.

“Why are you going so fast from the start?”

“……”

Medric, who was focused only on the path ahead, looked impatient to David.

“Your Grace, at this rate, we’ll have plenty of time before our scheduled meeting with the subjugation force. Is there a reason for this haste?”

Medric shifted his gaze to David.

“You’ve been acting strange since we left the territory.”