Chapter Seven: The First Step in Winning Over the Eldest Sister-in-Law, Guardian of the Sea

In just half a day, Chu Xuan was escorted to Quarry Fortress, with Moffitt accompanying her as her guard. Naturally, Ludwig III didn’t want to lose such a useful double; watching over a child wouldn’t cause much trouble, so he agreed to her request. Soon after, they met Fena, who was stationed there, and Selena, who would soon be married off for alliance.

Fena and Peggy glanced at the imperial decree Chu Xuan brought, exchanging looks of disbelief. Fena couldn’t help but ask, “Vladino is still alive?”

“What! Vladino is still alive?!”

Before Chu Xuan could reply, a composed girl sitting diagonally across from her suddenly stood up, her eyes wide as she stared at Chu Xuan.

Exhaling, Chu Xuan handed over a spatial ring she held, smiling, “You'll understand once you look at this.”

“The imperial decree orders me not to announce your identity while you’re at Quarry Fortress, but only to reveal it to Kassel when you meet him?” Ignoring her friend’s excitement, Fena was cautious, but the decree was genuine; she couldn’t doubt it.

Chu Xuan had changed into a white, floor-length gown in the Greek style. Even when not smiling, her face bore an air of nobility and mystery, with a temperament that complemented Selena’s dignified, gentle, and clever demeanor. It was as if these two were royal princesses facing each other; yet in truth, only Fena and Peggy, who had seen the decree, knew Chu Xuan’s true identity.

Lifting her long, curled hair, Chu Xuan smiled at Selena, “Since you can’t return to Pompeii right now, Selena, there’s a reason I wish to discuss with you privately.”

When she was addressed as ‘sister,’ Selena realized this girl’s relationship with Vladino was anything but ordinary. She hadn’t seen the decree herself and knew nothing of the girl’s origins. An indescribable pang of emotion forced her to steady herself, deciding to handle the encounter carefully.

Feigning contemplation, Selena squeezed the ring in her hand and waved, “Fena, Peggy, you may leave.”

Fena returned the decree to Chu Xuan and, after glancing at Selena, withdrew with Peggy. Only when they were out of sight did Chu Xuan approach Selena. Selena, now composed, greeted her with a noble smile: “How does my little sister address Vladino?”

Testing me?

The feeling of being tested made Chu Xuan uncomfortable, but as this was her future sister-in-law, offending her would make life difficult; everyone knew how devoted Chu Tian was to his wife. She swallowed her discomfort, handed over the decree, and said, “I am the imperial first princess chosen by my elder brother, here to take your place in this alliance marriage. Vladino is my biological brother—we were separated for a long time and only recently reunited. Seeing him troubled over your marriage, I decided to come in your stead without telling him.”

As expected, a trace of emotion flickered in Selena’s eyes. She glanced at the decree and said, “It truly is my elder brother’s handwriting. Little sister, you needn’t worry about me. I... I believe Vladino won’t abandon me...”

Chu Xuan sensed she wasn’t truly certain, but knew Selena’s heart had been moved by her and Chu Tian. She smiled mysteriously, “Rest assured, royal sister. I wanted this private conversation precisely because of that. My main purpose in going to Rheis to see Kassel is what matters. As for not letting you return to Pompeii just yet, I want to see whether my brother dares to come rescue you.”

Seeing Selena’s puzzled look, Chu Xuan smiled again and continued, “I’ll go to Rheis and meet Kassel. If anything goes wrong, it will be my responsibility alone. I’ll just tell him I deceived him by pretending to be the imperial princess—then Rheis will have no excuse to trouble our empire. If nothing happens and I achieve my goal, all the better.”

Selena was deeply moved, believing Chu Xuan to be a strong woman with the empire’s interests at heart. She also understood the logic; if she met Kassel, she’d serve no purpose apart from the marriage. Any attempt to gather military intelligence could bring trouble to the empire, but with Chu Xuan, any risk would be hers alone.

With that, Selena bowed deeply to Chu Xuan and said, “On behalf of Caesar, I thank you. From now on, you are the true imperial princess.”

Chu Xuan smiled gently, accepting the bow with pleasure, thinking to herself: Wonderful—Kassel, just wait to be fooled~