Cecilia had never expected to get an answer through persistent interrogation alone.
If everyone in this world treated each other with absolute sincerity, then many problems would become far too simple.
Compared to the various hypotheses Cecilia had made previously, Aierteer had already been quite cooperative, and there was no need for Cecilia to continue making things difficult for her.
Cecilia turned around and sat back in her seat, keeping her gaze fixed on Aierteer in front of her, making it impossible to guess what she was contemplating.
Her thoughts were actually quite simple: it was time to ask the question that mattered most to her right now.
“Lady Aierteer.”
Cecilia glanced at the other woman’s face, deliberately adding the title Lady after her name.
This deliberate gesture sent a clear message: Cecilia’s vigilance toward her had completely vanished—at least on the surface.
“I have one more important question I wish to ask you.”
“Fourth Princess, ask whatever you wish,” Aierteer replied.
Cecilia naturally took hold of Lita’s hand and squeezed her palm with her knuckles, guiding Lita to take a step closer to her side.
“Regarding Lita’s Crest, I still have a few questions I need to consult you on solemnly.”
Although the previous conversation could hardly be called pleasant, Cecilia had already obtained the information she wanted.
While she wasn’t certain, it was much better than moving forward blindly.
The palace corridors seemed even colder than when Cecilia had left.
Even with the plush carpets on the floor, Cecilia felt as if the entire Royal Palace was wrapped in a lingering chill.
In Cecilia’s mind, the Royal Palace at this moment was like the layers of ice seen everywhere in the Northlands; it appeared perfectly smooth, but undercurrents were surging beneath.
“Winter is here,” Cecilia lamented.
“But it’s not as cold as the Northlands,” Lita interjected.
“I wasn’t talking about the climate.”
Cecilia lowered her eyelashes.
“No matter where it is, it’s winter,” Lita continued.
“That was a sentiment, a metaphor. When you hear it, all you have to do is say, ‘That’s right.’ Rebutting me like this makes it very hard to continue the conversation.”
Cecilia silently pinched the back of Lita’s hand.
This was one of the few bits of soft flesh she could find on Lita this winter that was convenient to pinch.
Lita pulled her hand back with a bitter expression and muttered in a small voice.
“I understand.”
Cecilia couldn’t exactly reach up and pinch Lita’s face.
It would be fine in a room, but she was still a Princess; frolicking and playing in the corridors was unseemly.
Eliya was different; she was born with an aura of joking with everyone.
Even though many people knew she might not be as naive as she appeared on the surface, everyone showed the greatest degree of tolerance for Eliya’s pranks.
If anything, Eliya knew her limits very well.
Her pranks might be a bit embarrassing, but they were never excessive and wouldn’t make people hold a grudge.
In this regard, she was infinitely better than Lilia.
Speaking of Lilia, she hadn’t been in the Royal City lately, and no one knew what she was up to, though it likely wasn’t anything good.
As for Amelia, according to recent rumors, she seemed to be getting very close to the other ministers.
Just as Cecilia thought of the First Princess, she saw two shadows slowly approaching from the opposite direction.
The person in the lead was exactly the one she had been thinking about.
Amelia’s poise was as dignified and composed as ever.
She was currently wearing a well-tailored, pale gold court gown.
The dark blue shawl over it was embroidered with gold thread, as if wearing gold was the only way to highlight her nobility.
One had to admit, Amelia could indeed carry off such magnificent attire.
Even winter clothing perfectly accentuated her proud figure, adding a touch of flirtatiousness to her nobility.
A high-altitude flower that one wanted to defile but could only sigh at from afar—that was likely the impression Amelia gave people.
To put it more bluntly, everyone wanted to see her scream.
The person following behind Amelia was the Personal Knight with short blue-and-white hair.
Even in court, he wore that suit of armor so magnificent it was almost gaudy, with a strangely intoxicated expression on his face.
Lita had actually seen Twin Moons before; that armor was hard not to notice.
However, she had been constantly busy in the Royal City, and Twin Moons’ movements were completely unpredictable, so she had never had a chance to interact with him.
The two parties met in the Courtyard and stopped their pace.
“Cecilia, my sister, what a coincidence.”
Amelia spoke first, her voice as gentle and intoxicating as her appearance.
“I heard that your trip to the Northlands this time has affected many people’s hearts.”
Cecilia showed her understanding through her actions, but her words carried no pleasantries.
“Sister, I’m afraid this isn’t a chance encounter. You were waiting here for me specifically.”
“That’s right. The Royal City isn’t large; not even a slight rustle of grass can escape my ears. Especially lately, my ears have been particularly sharp,” Amelia did not deny it.
“Lady Aierteer entering the palace is something easily captured, even without asking around.”
“It is truly touching that Sister waited here specifically for a sister she hasn’t seen in a long time.”
‘Here we go again! This kind of conversation I completely don’t understand and can’t join!’
All Lita could do now was keep a straight face and look at Amelia seriously.
She tried her best to hear the other intentions that surely existed in the woman’s words.
Amelia’s eyes curved as she smiled exceptionally gently, making Lita feel an aura of maternal radiance.
“Of course. Firstly, I’m here to welcome my sister back, and secondly, to congratulate her.”
The question was, what did she have to celebrate?
The same question lingered in Cecilia’s heart, but she couldn’t show even the slightest hint of wavering.
“What matter is Sister referring to?”
“Sister, regarding your choice of Personal Knight, there was actually no need for such a grand display. The reasons for the matter were explained clearly enough that day. I wanted to speak up for my sister, but unfortunately, the situation back then didn’t allow for it,” Amelia said.
‘Liar! Back then, you said something about how so many things happening around Cecilia were truly strange. You clearly had no intention of helping her!’
Lita thought to herself: ‘But why did this woman suddenly bring me up? What is she up to?’
“But Sister also knows that the Trial set by Father is actually mostly just a formality. Only a rigid person like Aierteer would push you into such danger. But in reality, the so-called Trial is just a matter of a single sentence. I was waiting for my sister to come to me early on, but unfortunately, she didn’t appreciate the favor at all. So, I had to come and find her myself.”
Lita was slightly shocked.
Did Amelia’s words mean she didn’t intend to make things difficult for her?
Cecilia, however, heard a different meaning.
First, the other party had changed their mind and did not intend to be her enemy.
Second, the other party had absolutely no cooperative relationship with Aierteer.
Perhaps she wanted one, but Aierteer had not agreed.
Twin Moons bowed slightly at the right moment, his tone still carrying that unique, chant-like rhythm.
He reminded Lita of a beautiful turkey.
“I always follow Princess Amelia’s orders. The evaluation is nothing more than loyalty and courage. Ah, what wonderful words! The duel with the Crest Knight, the hardships in the Northlands! Miss Lita has already engraved such virtues into the hearts of countless people with her actions. In that case! I naturally won’t become an obstacle on her path.”
Amelia smiled, a smile so perfect it was impeccable.
“Cecilia, I have already cleared the final obstacle for your Personal Knight. Doesn’t this deserve a celebration?”
“I thank my sister. I will naturally keep such a great kindness in my heart.”
“That’s right, Cecilia. After all, we are sisters. The Royal Selection has pushed us to opposite sides, but I have always believed we shouldn’t be life-and-death opponents. The Kingdom needs stability and needs people to display their talents in various positions. Cecilia, you are a person of talent. Even if you lose to me at the King Selection Ceremony, I will have no regrets.”
This was just pretty talk.
Amelia’s actions didn’t seem like those of someone who would hand the victory of the Royal Selection over to others.
She was indeed recognized as the most powerful competitor for the Royal Selection.
These words were useless except for comforting Cecilia. Even Lita could tell that much.
Lita also knew that Amelia letting her off like this was far too suspicious.
Even though it could almost be said that the general situation was decided, if Amelia wanted to make things difficult for her, there would be no problem at all.
Her master was a competitor for the throne—even if her competitiveness wasn’t that strong.
Now that the other party had appeared out of thin air to give such a huge benefit, even if it was just going with the flow, she couldn’t possibly be seeking nothing.
As expected, Amelia’s smile gradually faded, turning instead into a sigh.
She sounded as aggrieved as a wife complaining about her complicated household affairs.
Cecilia’s silence gave her the chance to continue.
“It’s a pity. The turmoil in the Royal City lately has been far too great.”
“Turmoil? Referring to what?” Cecilia followed Amelia’s lead with a calm tone.
“The stances of several ministers seem to be wavering slightly, and some families that were originally silent have started to become active. The Glen Faction is being active, and even though Lilia has struck out several times, she hasn’t been able to catch their tails,” Amelia said, closing her lips tight.
Her gaze fell upon Cecilia, and she only continued once their eyes met.
“Of course, there’s also you, my dear sister. You personally went deep into the dangerous lands of the North. In the eyes of many, that was a very bold move. Ministers or families—these are all just necessary turmoils on the eve of the Royal Selection.”
The Glen Faction? Lita had never heard that name, and neither had Cecilia.
But since it was connected to Lilia, it should have some connection to the Mysterious Piper in that small village.
Seeing Cecilia remain silent, Amelia’s gaze deepened, and the maternal tenderness in her voice was enough to move even Lita.
“The wind and snow of the Northlands must have been very cold, right? I heard you encountered quite a lot of trouble, especially that thing you met on the Everfrost Wasteland.”
Cecilia nodded in agreement.
“Yes, I thought I was going to be buried in the Northlands. But that’s in the past. The trouble on the Everfrost Wasteland has already been reported to Father. I’m sure he will make a decision soon.”
“Ah, that’s good. That’s good. In that case, I won’t disturb my sister any further.”
Amelia nodded gently, and the accompanying Twin Moons followed with an exaggerated bow.
They bid each other farewell, and Amelia’s figure disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Except for the two Personal Knights, no one heard the two Princesses let out a heavy sigh afterward.