The empress stormed into her chamber, frustration evident in her every step as she lay on her bed. She had put the emperor in a position where there seemed to be no way out, and yet, he emerged from it without any problems by stalling. While she may have lost this battle, the war was far from over. The emperor had not truly won; he had merely gained additional time. Time, however, that she intended to use to her advantage, shredding any opportunity the DeMontforts had of coming out of this unscathed.

With no time to waste, she rang the bell, summoning her lady-in-waiting. There was urgency in the air. The assassination attempt had to be postponed until the Sterlings arrived in the capital; otherwise, the whole plan would end up in chaos. But then again, with the Sterlings not around, she could manipulate the trial as she pleased. Besides, it was best to strike while the iron was hot. It was time to utilize her beloved pawn in the Sterling family to good use.

There was no time to waste. The Sterlings would likely arrive in a day or two, and it was best to conclude matters before their arrival. The empress knew she had to act swiftly to ensure her plans unfolded seamlessly. With that in mind, she had ordered her lady-in-waiting two things. The first was to contact Vivienne Sterling and the second, was a short letter to her father requesting him to inform the guild about the absence of the head of house Sterling to make alterations to the assassination plan.

Lysandra would make sure that the trial restarted tomorrow. Even if the Duke of DeMontfort was present, she would try to use Vivienne and the absence of Count Sterling to her advantage. She was gifted a beautiful pawn that could destroy two of her enemies and she was not going to let it go to waste. If anything she would continue to support Vivienne even if her family failed to. Having a puppet control the wealthiest noble house in the empire was not a bad option at all.

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Around the same time, approximately two days of travel from the bustling capital, a distance that would have typically taken two days for an ordinary carriage. However, this particular mode of transportation was anything but ordinary; it stood as a testament to luxury and refinement, second only to the prestigious royal carriage itself. The Sterlings, known for their immense wealth and extravagant lifestyle, spared no expense when it came to their carriages. This journey, however, left them with little time to indulge in the usual morning routine, forcing them to skip breakfast and settle for a tardy brunch. In their pursuit of expediency, they resolved to abstain from further meals until dinner, all in a bid to ensure their timely arrival in the capital by the following night at the latest. Despite having already changed horses once, they found themselves compelled to do so again, as the current steed exhibited unmistakable signs of weariness.

"Why not make a stop there?" suggested Genevieve Sterling, pointing towards a stately luxury inn that had garnered favor among wealthy merchants. Count Bartholomew, a man typically discerning in matters of appearance and hygiene, might have deemed the inn barely passable on any other day. However, today was not the day for such considerations; the urgency of their journey demanded pragmatism. The count, well aware of the potential repercussions of any missteps by his daughters Vivienne or Hailey in the capital, suppressed any reservations about the inn's standards. There would be time for reflection later, for now, his primary focus was on reaching the capital swiftly. Moreover, he contemplated the delicate matter of making amends with the DeMontforts for the recent upheaval caused by Viviene, a situation that had jeopardized his dreams of elevating the Sterling house to Marquis status. Thoughts of these intricate matters were set aside for the moment; the count knew he had to make judicious decisions upon his return, as the unfolding events in the capital remained shrouded in uncertainty. And so, the duo entered the inn to partake in a leisurely brunch and facilitate the necessary horse switch.

As the Sterlings enjoyed their midday brunch, the peaceful ambiance of the inn was disrupted by the entrance of a familiar woman. The Count's expression shifted to one of bewilderment upon recognizing her. He could have sworn she was a maid laboring within the confines of the royal palace. His suspicions were solidified when she approached him and handed over a letter. A quick perusal of the parchment confirmed his earlier intuition – this missive was from none other than Aurelia Vespera, the princess herself. The revelation left the Count momentarily stunned. Most believed the princess was still engrossed in her studies overseas, not slated to return for at least another six months. However, the contents of the letter would soon unveil his nativity to the fullest.

After the initial shock subsided, the Count breathed a sigh of relief. His decision to throw support behind Aurelia Vespera had proven wise; this letter served as tangible evidence. The princess, despite her physical absence, demonstrated an uncanny ability to observe and navigate the intricate web of politics within the capital. How had she managed such a feat? Was the Lux Hesperus Consortium involved? Such thoughts flitted across the Count's mind, but in that moment, they were secondary. The true importance lay in the letter's contents. With a swift motion, he tore the seal and began to peruse its words.

Genevieve, unable to contain her curiosity, interjected, "Who is it from, and what does it say?" The Count responded not with an answer but with a hushed plea for silence. "There are multiple houses at play, it seems. The princess herself is involved, and I must read this carefully. Do not inquire further now; I will explain later. It appears we can no longer afford a leisurely journey to the capital, for the princess has her own set of plans in motion. To err on the side of caution, let us ensure we arrive by tomorrow night." The urgency in the Count's voice conveyed the gravity of the situation, leaving Genevieve to wonder about the plays and acts set in motion by the enigmatic princess.