Escape from the evil lady (GL)
Chapter 155 - 16. The Decisive Moment

Chapter 155: Chapter 16. The Decisive Moment

The next day, in the semi-darkness of the early morning light, when the world was just beginning to wake up, the Crown Princess left her tent.

The sky above hadn’t fully blossomed yet, and a light mist was shrouding the ground. At this time, Caena de Ronan left her military camp to conduct peace talks with the Ruberon Empire.

Only two of her subordinates went to these negotiations with the princess, while the rest stayed in the camp to wait for news.

However, no one suspected that another person had secretly followed them.

Jerica de Ronan knew that her sister had gone to peace talks with the enemy empire, but there were still doubts in the girl’s heart about this.

«Is it really going to be that simple...?»

Suspicions about the possible secret plans of the Crown Princess did not leave her mind. Jericah had always been the protector of her family and empire, and therefore, she definitely couldn’t afford to stand by at such a crucial moment. Moreover, her instincts unconsciously told her that something was wrong here.

Thus, Jerica de Ronan made this decision, secretly following her sister to find out everything. After all, that was why she had come here.

«I have to make sure that Kaena is definitely not up to anything this time.» The girl was determined.

Thus, the second princess also secretly left the camp, and continued to follow her sister’s motorcade the entire time.

However, fearing that Kaena might discover her presence, Jerica did so from a considerable distance. At the same time, her spirit beast was also directly observing what was happening, and with its help, the princess could also assess the situation.

That way, she could continue to conduct surveillance without fear of being caught.

At the same time, a strange premonition about one thing also did not leave Jerico, when, even before her departure, she noticed something suspicious in what was happening in the camp.

«It’s weird. Why didn’t I see Lady de Walt at all this morning...?»

The duke’s youngest daughter, who was currently temporarily pretending to be one of the knights of the Dark Host, just suddenly disappeared from sight, which unwittingly alerted the princess. In the end, Jericho couldn’t even feel her aura, so she was worried that something might have happened to the girl.

However... Since the Crown Princess’s motorcade left early in the morning, Jericho also didn’t have any extra time to conduct this investigation, and in the end, she decided to postpone this matter for later.

«When I get back, I should definitely check on Lady de Walt. What if Kaena has already been able to expose her...?»

All these restless thoughts continued to worry the second princess until she decided not to put everything aside and focus on her current mission. And just then...

The spiritual beast that had been the hidden eyes and ears of the second princess all this time suddenly stopped communicating. This alerted Jericho when she realized that something was wrong here. And soon she managed to figure out what exactly.

The connection was cut off at the very moment when Kaena crossed the neutral border and entered the territory of the Ruberon Empire camp. This led the girl to certain reflections.

«It looks like there’s a barrier that keeps magic out,» she guessed.

And yet...

Jerika frowned involuntarily, as this was not at all what she had hoped for.

«What should I do now...?»

The girl clenched her fists. After all, her plan to follow up on these negotiations was now in serious jeopardy.

***

The military camp of the Ruberon Empire was located at the intersection of the borders between the neutral territory and the territory of the Empire’s lands. An atmosphere of intense anticipation prevailed in the tents decorated with flags with the symbols of the empire.

The Crown Princess, along with her subordinates, approached the central tent where the commander of their army was.

«Wait for me outside,» Kaena ordered.

«Yes, Your Highness!»

Glancing around the room, Kaena frowned and then went inside. The man inside was already waiting for her.

«Your Highness,» a soft voice said, «when you suddenly asked for this meeting, it came as a big surprise to me. What exactly brings you here?

A tall, middle-aged man with a penetrating gaze and an expression that boded no good was none other than the commander-in-chief of the army of the Ruberon Empire. His name was Gael Hunston. This man was also one of the emperor’s offspring, which also made him close to the imperial bloodline.

The Crown Princess casually walked closer and approached the table, and the man stood up to greet her.

«Commander Hunston,» she chuckled, «I’ve come to you with a suggestion.

The commander of the enemy empire raised an eyebrow. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

«And what kind of offer could that be, Your Highness?» he asked.

Kaena took a step forward, and her voice sounded more firm and confident.

— I suggest you conclude a peace agreement between our countries.

— what?» he asked. «A peace agreement?»

— You heard right.

However, the commander of the Ruberon army only frowned.

«You’ve got to be kidding,» he said, «right now, in the midst of a war between our countries, how can you suddenly suggest something like this to us?»

«Why not?» The princess said, «Isn’t this proposal better than continuing the suffering and losses on both sides?»

«........»

At this moment, the commander of the Ruberon army hesitated.

«You know... The Emperor sent me here to win. What do you think I should tell him if I end up coming back with nothing?»

Hearing his words, Kaena de Ronan chuckled.

As expected, the numerous rumors she had heard about the ruler of the Ruberon Empire were true. This man was completely uninterested in the needs of his own people. Instead, he was willing to do anything to get more privileges and power. After all, it was this man who was audacious enough to be the first to dare to challenge the Reuven Empire. He knew that their empires were in almost identical positions, and therefore he was not afraid of the possible consequences because of this.

However, before these negotiations, Kaena was already ready for anything. So she spoke again:

— You haven’t even listened to my sentence to the end. Why don’t you check it out?

The Crown Princess handed her interlocutor an envelope with a peace treaty enclosed in it. Gael Hunston took it and slowly opened it, still staring suspiciously at the woman.

The moment the man finished studying this agreement, he couldn’t help but chuckle.

— ...Your Highness, what does that mean? Is this an agreement, isn’t it?» he asked.

Then Kaena interrupted him.

«What if I tell you that with my help you can take the throne?»

— what? What are you talking about?» he asked, stunned.

— I am aware of your position in the Ruberon Empire. Even though you are the eldest son of the emperor, but your younger brother inherited the place of the crown prince. Doesn’t that seem unfair?

The man with the sideburns involuntarily pursed his lips when Kaena de Ronan touched on the personal background of his family at that moment.

It was the truth.

Despite the fact that Gael Hanston was the eldest son of the current emperor, but he had to give up the place of crown Prince to his younger brother only because he was the son of the Empress. While Gael himself was just the son of a low-ranking concubine. Because of this, throughout his life, a man had to deal with various kinds of injustice due to his status.

Now, when, for the first time in all these years, the emperor entrusted him with such a great honor to lead the army of their empire, he was clearly determined to prove his abilities to his father.

But anyway.

It was really hard to argue with the Crown Princess’ statement. After all, even if Gael Hanston won this war that would bring glory to their empire, he would still never be able to become the crown Prince.

«.......»

At this moment, the man slowly got up from his seat and stared at the princess.

— Do you really expect me to follow your words so easily? — Army Commander Ruberon said, and his voice became serious. — What if I refuse?

— Then you’ll lose everything, — Kaena replied casually, without looking away. — Since victory will be mine in any case, this war will only bring suffering and destruction to your people. Then it won’t be any better than if you kill them with your own hands.

At that moment, the man couldn’t stand it and grinned.

In fact, this «peace agreement» seemed more like a real threat than a voluntary negotiation. However, at this moment, the commander involuntarily hesitated.

Of course, Gael Hanston had heard about the rumors that were circulating about the Crown Princess of the Reuven Empire all over the continent. The woman was called a bloodthirsty despot, who was not only insanely strong, but also possessed dark magic. And it was this circumstance that made Gael hesitate.

«If the rumors are true, and this woman really possesses the magic of the dark element... Then our army might really not have a chance to deal with her,» he thought.

The magic of the dark element, which was also called cursed, was considered the most powerful of all existing. In turn, the army of the Ruberon Empire, which had only a few low-ranking magicians in its ranks, probably did not even have a chance to compete with it. After all, if this battle really takes place, then its outcome may indeed be quite predictable.

At that moment, Kaena de Ronan casually asked again:

«Well, Commander? What is your decision?»

«........»

There was a moment of tension in the air.

Of course, it was a decision that could affect not only the outcome of this war, but also, quite possibly, the future fate of their empire. Gael Hunston knew that it was his word that could be decisive at this moment.