Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 137 - 45. Preparations

Chapter 137: Chapter 45. Preparations

— Your Highness, I apologize for returning unannounced and violating your decree. But when I heard the news, I just couldn’t do anything else!

Selman Hirsch, the faithful assistant of the second princess, bowed his head in front of her in sincere remorse for his transgression. But the pretty girl with blue eyes, looking at him, only sighed softly.

«It’s okay, I understand,» she said, trying to sound confident. «You don’t have to blame yourself. But... Have you managed to find out anything during this time?

Selman faltered for a moment, his confidence faltering. He knew that the expectations placed on him were high, and he did not want to disappoint his mistress.

«I...» he began, gathering his thoughts, «Your Highness, throughout this time I have been carefully monitoring Lady de Walt and her entourage. However... I have not been able to reveal the Crown Princess’ plans.

«Really?» Jerica asked, her voice soft, but there was a hint of disappointment in it.

Selman continued, his voice becoming quieter and more cautious:

— The Crown Princess’s subordinates were there, and I also kept an eye on them. However... — he hesitated, his shoulders slumped a little, — It’s possible that they were hiding too well, because I couldn’t see anything suspicious.

As soon as Selman said that, he felt guilty again and lowered his head. The man really felt ashamed that being one of the best soldiers in the Imperial Army, he still couldn’t succeed and as a result returned to his mistress with nothing. After all, how could he be called the princess’ reliable right-hand man?

«......»

There was silence in the room, and only the sound of paper rustling on the table broke it.

After such a resounding failure, the deputy commander of the Imperial Army was ready to take on any consequences.

«Your Highness, I sincerely apologize for failing in your task and letting you down! I deserve to be punished!» he exclaimed.

However, the princess didn’t seem angry at him for that. Jerica de Ronan just shook her head.

«Don’t say that,» the girl objected, «After all, Kaena has always been known for her resourcefulness, and even our parents have never managed to catch her in her antics. Therefore, the fact that you couldn’t find out anything was not so expected.

— You did your best, — she continued, her voice full of warmth. — I believe in you, and I know that next time you will be able to achieve more. We’ll find another way to figure out Kaena’s plans.

The knight raised his head and met her gaze. He was touched by the lady’s kindness, but at the same time...

— But... — Selman hesitated, — Then what should I do now? Should I go back and continue following the lady?..

— No, I don’t think that’s necessary anymore.

— what? — The knight couldn’t help but be surprised by this.

Jerica continued:

— As you’ve probably already heard, Kaena is going to embark on a military campaign against the Empire of Ruberon. I believe that this should be the focus of our attention now.

— The Ruberon Empire? Yes, I’ve already heard about it... But do you know why the Crown Princess decided to go there so suddenly?

«Unraveling my sister’s true intentions is something I’ve never been able to do,» Jerica chuckled softly, «However, I’m not going to ignore it anyway.

«Hmm?»

While her subordinate looked at her blankly, the second princess was deep in her own thoughts.

Given the current turbulent situation on the borders of the empire, Jerica de Ronan herself intended to go there in the near future in order to resolve this situation. However, she couldn’t have imagined that Kaena would also decide to start a war with this empire right now. So, it could be said that the current circumstances had developed in the most appropriate way.

Regardless of what exactly her older sister was up to, Jerica had to control it anyway and, if necessary, intervene in what was happening. That’s because from the very beginning, she had a kind of bad feeling about all this. And her inner instincts have never failed the princess.

Based on this, the second princess made a firm decision, which she informed her subordinate about:

«If Kaena is really going to go there, then I will follow her.»

***

Meanwhile, in the Empress’ chambers.

«Your Majesty, we have received information from our spies that the Crown Princess has already left her residence and traveled with the troops to the borders of the empire.»

The mercenary reported this important information to the Empress while kneeling on one knee.

«Really?» The woman asked calmly, «Does that mean she’s already left the capital?»

«That’s right, Your Majesty,» the servant confirmed.

After hearing about this, the mother of the empire’s people seemed much more calm than expected. It was because she already had a plan prepared.

«In that case... Is everything ready yet?» Valencia asked immediately.

«Don’t worry, Your Majesty!» The mercenary hastened to assure her, «Our people have also already made all the necessary preparations to properly welcome the Crown Princess.

«......»

Because of the servant’s words, the Empress couldn’t help but smile on her face. She even laughed softly.

«That’s great. I’m glad to hear that.»

Despite the fact that initially the Empress was expectedly wary when she heard about her stepdaughter’s sudden decision to go to war, but... Later, she came to the conclusion that it was very good for her. More precisely, it was possible that this was the last chance to finally get rid of this nasty girl before she could take the throne.

And this time, the Empress seized this chance with all her might, for the first time personally overseeing the process of the trap set for her from beginning to end. Even the slightest oversight in this matter was unacceptable.

No matter what Kaena de Ronan was up to this time, the Empress was planning to prevent it and win anyway.

It was the last attempt that Valencia Gross de Ronan put everything on. Including my life, too.

— Wonderful! — The woman with golden curls repeated it once more and grinned, — In that case, make sure that this trash can never come back from there.