A stagnant yet tense silence fell upon the room. An abnormal serious expression rested on Duke Eston Veronique’s face.

“Viscount Demerylis is interacting with Imestrians, I suspect that they are waiting for a chance to revolt, they have also displayed some suspicious behaviour in the underworld," explained the Duke.

For normal children, their views on their parents would falter when they find out that their parent or parents are involved in the underground dealings, but Corlissa Veronique is not a typical child. 

She has lived through torture.

She has lived each life, valuing every single bond, only for her entire world to come crashing down to rock bottom simply because of the term ‘villainess’. In every life, she was hopeful, she clung onto a fragment of hope bestowed upon her by the fake affection her mother gave her but all she received in return were wounds. Permanent emotional and mental wounds that weighed down on her wellbeing.

Yet once her fragment of hope was forcefully shattered by the blades of her beloveds, she would only wake up to find herself reliving the same life again and again. 

She was alive but could she even consider herself living?

Though that is all in the past, in this life, her 8th life, she has vowed to make an impact on the kingdom. She has sworn to at least pave a better future for the people of this kingdom before she dies, thus that is why she is at this meeting and is where the fire blazing in her heart is derived from.

“We may have to take preventative measures to ensure that they won’t rebel or impact the kingdom’s economy too much,” Duke Veronique continued. 

“Yeah, it appears so, but how will we do that?” questioned Marquis Rendall Lancelot, or otherwise, the scarlet haired male.

“Put pressure on them, limit their supplies, also make it harder for them to gain the necessary supplies that will allow them to revolt,” the green-haired male, Count Valion Prudentius, answered. “I trust that you will be able to do that, Eston,” he continued.

“Yes, that is within my capabilities, I’ll pull some strings and it should be fine,” the Duke replied. 

“May I suggest something?” For the first time since the meeting began, Corlissa Veronique spoke.

“Very well, you have already gained permission to attend this meeting thus you have a right to speak,” the King permitted.

“Before I begin, I would appreciate it if Your Majesty would judge this fairly and would not deem my statements as treason or insults to Your Majesty’s ruling,” Corlissa’s first statement had already aroused curious and surprised expressions from the others seated in the room. 

Despite speaking in a serious sophisticated manner, the adults in the room still couldn’t take her seriously because she was seated on the Duke’s lap and being hugged simultaneously. 

‘She’s so cute! I want to cry...I wonder if she’ll marry one of my sons. I want a daughter!’ cried Marquis Rendall Lancelot in his thoughts.

“Don’t worry, I will not consider any of your statements as treason against the throne, also you may speak more casually as this is a private event,” the King responded.

“You have my gratitude. Anyway, I have done my research on the Demerylis family and can state with certainty that they are simple to deal with. The Viscount holds the position of the head of their estate, however, he is weak. The Viscountess holds more power in society, she was originally the daughter of a Marquis, the only way that the Viscount could hold the title of Viscount is due to the Viscountess. She had fallen madly in love with the Viscount thus they married, the Viscount then rose to his current social status which means that now he must prioritize the feelings of the Viscountess to ensure they don’t divorce. This makes everything easier, you wish to put pressure on them, correct?”

“Yes, that is the idea, what are you implying?” questioned the King.

“It’s simple. There is an upcoming annual tea party with the noble ladies, although it appears to be a civil meeting to increase their relations and gain support from each other, the tea party is a medium to flaunt their wealth through their clothing and accessories. I have sent a valuable magic gem to Baron Stephenson, renowned for his jewellery creations, the gem itself is worth 18 million Ascentes. I have already paid him to make a piece of jewellery and also for him to show it to the Viscountess first.”

“Don’t tell me you’re going to-” the Duke began before he cut himself off from speaking more.

“Yes, that is correct. The Viscount will do anything to make the Viscountess happy since he needs her influence in politics. He will spend over 18 million Ascentes on a single piece of jewellery. That will deplete his wealth enough to ensure that their revolt can be halted, right?”

“Certainly, in fact, that is more than enough, it takes at most 15 million Ascentes to start a revolt,” answered the silver-haired male, Marquis Orvon Geraint.

“But how can you be certain that he won’t try anything else?” questioned the King.

“I have dug into this matter myself,” she began, eliciting shocked expressions from the adults. “My informant has gathered intel on their transaction, the Viscount is merely cooperating because the Imestrians have promised that he will gain a portion of the Kingdom’s wealth should they succeed. He is merely taking a high-risk gamble, the Imestrians are relying on him to purchase all their weapons, currently, they are reaching out to other low ranking nobles involved in the black market dealings--”

'What informant, it was myself, I can't risk any informant knowing even a clue of who I am otherwise everything will go downhill,' 

“He was not promised more than 18 million Ascentes, and since the revolt is still in its early stages of progress, the Viscount must prioritise his current façade. In the scenario that the revolt is foiled early on, he desires to escape scot-free and push the blame onto the Imestrians,” Corlissa Veronique finished.

“That is a simple plan but requires great understanding of others’ psychology to be certain that it would be possible to pull off,” Marquis Rendall Lancelot then laughed heartily, “I’m surprised you were able to make enough preparations already, young girl,” the Marquis finished. 

“So, should we follow through with this?” asked Marquis Orvon Geraint.

“How long will it take for the jewellery to be complete?” questioned the King.

“It is already finished, the Baron is currently awaiting orders for action,” replied Corlissa.

“Very well, since everything has already fallen into place, we might as well take the risk,” confirmed the King.

From the shadows, a figure shrouded in darkness spoke almost to a whisper, no one was able to hear them.

“AV794D is deviating, send in Agent A44 to dispose of it.”