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I turned to see Mia standing at the edge of the garden, Mia is one of the spies I have planted in the inner circle of the Rutherford family.

"Are you alright?" she asked, concern etched in her features.

"I am fine, Mia," I replied, my voice steady. "Just contemplating our next move."

Mia approached cautiously, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of intrusion. "The council meeting... did it go as planned?"

"In some ways," I admitted, my thoughts still heavy with the weight of Lord Ashwood\'s revelations. "We have secured their loyalty, but the Royal family\'s influence looms larger than I anticipated."

Mia nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "What about Samael? Has he been informed?"

I sighed, my heart heavy with concern for my son. "He knows. He sees this marriage as a necessary sacrifice for the family\'s stability."

"If I may interject, Lady Elysia," Mia hesitated, her voice respectful yet firm. "There might be another angle to consider."

I regarded her with curiosity. Mia had proven herself astute in navigating the complexities of court intrigue and familial politics.

"Speak, Mia," I urged, my interest piqued.

"Why not flee, perhaps to your home country?" Mia paused, choosing her words carefully. "There, you could seek asylum from the Royal family\'s influence and regroup with allies who might provide a safer haven."

"You mean, Silvandor—The Continent of Elves?" I asked, but memories of my previous home resurfaced in my mind— those painful memories. Blood, slaughter, and fire where ever eyes could see- "NOOOO!!!"

"My lady! My lady! Calm down," Mia rushed to my side, concerned by my sudden distress. She gently placed a hand on my shoulder, trying to calm me.

"Lady Elysia, please, take a deep breath. You\'re safe here," Mia urged softly, her voice soothing.

My breathing was ragged as I tried to regain control of my emotions. The mention of my home country, Silvandor, had stirred painful memories—memories of bloodshed, fire, and the loss of loved ones. I had fled from there years ago with my younger sister, seeking refuge and a new life in Blackthorn.

"I-I\'m sorry, Mia," I managed to say, my voice trembling. "Silvandor is not an option. It holds too much... pain."

Mia nodded understandingly, her expression sympathetic. "I understand, Lady Elysia. I didn\'t mean to reopen old wounds. We will find another way."

Mia\'s hand remained gently on my shoulder, a silent gesture of support as I collected myself. Taking a deep breath, I straightened, pushing aside the haunting memories that threatened to overwhelm me.

"You\'re right, Mia," I said finally, my voice steadier. "Silvandor is not an option. We must focus on finding a solution here, within Blackthorn."

Mia nodded in agreement, her gaze steady. "There are still avenues we can explore. Perhaps leveraging our alliances with other noble houses, seeking support from those who share our concerns about the Royal family\'s influence."

"That may be our best course of action," I acknowledged, thoughts already racing with possibilities. "We need allies who are willing to challenge the status quo, to stand with us against external pressure."

"Exactly," Mia affirmed, her voice firm with determination. "And we must also consider strengthening our defenses here, within Ashwood Manor. Preparing for any attempts by the Royal family to exert further control."

I nodded, appreciating Mia\'s strategic insight. "Secure the perimeter, strengthen our ties with loyal allies, and prepare for negotiations with Lord Clearwater on our terms."

"I will see to it immediately, Lady Elysia," Mia assured me, her demeanor focused and efficient.

"Thank you, Mia," I said gratefully, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders as I leaned on her capable assistance. "Your counsel and loyalty are invaluable to our cause."

"It is my honor to serve you, Lady Elysia," Mia replied with a respectful nod.

"Ah, Mia," I began, contemplating the recent events involving our spies within the Rutherford family. "Have you noticed any unusual activity or developments among our contacts there?"

Mia paused for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly as she considered her response. "There have been whispers, Lady Elysia. Rumors of increased correspondence with the Royal family, particularly Lady Clarissa\'s connections."

I frowned at the mention of Lady Clarissa, Lord Rutherford\'s eldest daughter known for her ambition and strategic alliances. "What do you make of it? Could it pose a threat to our plans?"

"It\'s hard to say at this point," Mia admitted thoughtfully. "Lady Clarissa has always been a shrewd player in court politics. If she\'s aligning more closely with the Royal family, it could complicate our efforts to secure our position."

I nodded, absorbing Mia\'s assessment. "Keep a close watch on her movements and any communications. We need to know if her loyalties are shifting, and if so, how it might affect our alliances."

"Of course, Lady Elysia," Mia affirmed, her gaze determined. "I\'ll ensure our network remains vigilant and report any significant developments immediately."

"Good," I replied, feeling reassured by Mia\'s competence. "Inform the others to stay alert as well. We cannot afford to overlook any potential threats, especially now."

Mia nodded once more, her expression resolute. "Consider it done, Lady Elysia. I will oversee everything personally."

I watched as Mia left the garden, My mind heavily focused on those resurfaced memories. I sat on the chair in the shades of pergola, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. The tranquility of the garden offered a temporary respite from the turbulent currents of politics and intrigue that surrounded me in Blackthorn.

As I sat in the shade of the pergola, my thoughts drifted back to Silvandor, my homeland. Memories flashed vividly before me—of lush forests alive with magic, of towering spires and bustling markets, and of the warmth of family bonds that had once sustained me.

Elysia Starcrest.

The second daughter of the late king Elonn Starcrest and the late queen Raenaria. Elder sister of Caeria Starcrest.

Born into the ruling family of Silvandor, I had once known a life of privilege and responsibility. My father, King Elonn, was a wise and just ruler, beloved by his people. My mother, Queen Raenaria, was a beacon of strength and grace. Together, they instilled in me the values of duty, honor, and compassion.

But those days were long gone, swept away by the tides of war and betrayal. The memory of that fateful night, when Silvandor was plunged into chaos, still haunted me. Flames engulfed our palace, the acrid smell of smoke filling the air as screams echoed through the halls. I had barely managed to escape with Caeria, my younger sister, as our kingdom fell to invaders.

We had fled across the seas, seeking refuge in Blackthorn, where we were strangers in a foreign land. Here, I had reinvented myself as Elysia Ashwood married into a noble family, and started anew. But the scars of my past remained, a constant reminder of the price I had paid for survival.

Caeria, my younger sister, whose current location is unclear as she left after I married, still haunted my thoughts. She had always been spirited and determined, much like our mother. The last time I saw her, she was resolute in her decision to find her own path, to carve out a new life away from the shadows of our past. I respected her choice, but her absence left a void in my heart.

A rustle in the bushes nearby snapped me back to the present. I tensed, my hand instinctively reaching for the dagger concealed in my gown. The garden was supposed to be a sanctuary, but in these uncertain times, no place was truly safe.

"Lady Elysia," a voice called softly from the shadows. It was one of the Ashwood guards, a young man named Gareth. He stepped into the light, his expression wary but respectful.

"What is it, Gareth?" I asked, keeping my voice calm and steady.

"There\'s been a message," he said, holding out a sealed envelope. "From The King."

My heart sank at the sight of the royal seal. "Thank you, Gareth," I said, taking the envelope. "You may go."

He nodded and retreated, leaving me alone with the message. I broke the seal and unfolded the letter, my eyes scanning the elegantly penned words.

To Lady Elysia Ashwood,

It has come to our attention that recent events have caused considerable tension within the noble houses. The Royal family wishes to extend an invitation to discuss matters of mutual interest and ensure the continued stability of Blackthorn. A meeting will be held at the Royal Palace in three days\' time. Your presence is requested.

Sincerely,

King Cedric Blackthorn.

I folded the letter and clenched my fists, feeling the weight of the royal command. It was a summons I could not ignore, but the timing was suspicious. The Royal family was tightening its grip, seeking to control and manipulate the noble houses to maintain their power.

My thoughts raced, considering the implications of the King\'s invitation. This was not a simple request; it was a test of loyalty, a way for the Royal family to gauge the extent of our alliance and perhaps even to sow discord within our ranks.

I stood and began to pace, the letter crumpled in my hand. The stakes were higher than ever, and I needed to be strategic in my response. With the Royal family\'s influence growing and our position increasingly precarious, every decision had to be calculated and precise.

.

..

...

[To Be Continued]

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This is the last Elysia POV chapter, For now.

In the next chapter, we will go back to our MC.

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