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“Does Westhaven have a civil service exam for women?” Sophie asked.
Rafael shook his head. “No, wormen usually enter court through recommendations. Westhaven has a women’s academy where a selection is held every three years, but only three women are chosen each time. It’s like a single plank bridge with fierce competition. So, it’s quite difficult for women to serve in court.”
Sophie’s gaze lingered on them. “It may be difficult, but at least it gives women a chance. Choosing three every three years, thirty every ten years-slowly, more women will enter the government and their influence will grow.”
Rafael hesitated for a moment, but at the hopeful expression on her face, decided not to elaborate further.
In truth, it wasn’t as easy as she imagined. The selection every three years only allowed women into official positions, but the opportunity for promotion was slim. Wormen who held positions above the fourth rank were only found in the palace, not at court.
Rafael’s eyes scanned the ranks of guards, spotting a face with a flat expression.
That person..
As the Westhaven delegation’s procession gradually disappeared from view, their mood became more serious.
There would be a royal banquet tomorrow evening to host the envoys. The royal family and high-ranking court officials, those of third rank or higher, would attend. The negotiations wouldn’t take place on that night, but the envoys’ attitude could be gauged from the banquet.
The next day, Winona’s sources gathered information that after the Westhaven envoys had checked into Concord Lodge the day before, Harvey had secretly returned to his estate. Early this morning, he had disguised himself and left again, apparently mobilizing some people. Winona thought for a moment, then seemed to understand Harvey’s intentions.
“Be careful. If he’s working with Leroy, he might try to make a move against you,” she said. Sophie nodded. ‘Got it.”
In fact, Rafael had already informed her the night before, having spotted someone amongst the Westhaven guards who resembled Harvey. So, the two of them had spent the whole night speculating, coming up with various possibilities.
The royal banquet hall glittered under the lights, as bright as daylight, its beams twinkling like stars in the sky.
By the time Rafael and Sophie arrived, the Westhaven envoys had already entered the palace and were seated to the right of the hall. The guards and palace attendants waited outside. As weapons were not permitted inside the palace, the guards weren’t armed with swords.
Victoria and Kylie sat at the head of the room. Since the banquet hadn’t started yet, they were busy entertaining Lisandra.
Normally, Victoria wouldn’t have come, but she heard that the Westhaven grand princess was attending. The queen dowager had a fondness for capable women, so she ignored her persistent cough and insisted on making an appearance.
At the moment, Lisandra and Victoria were deep in conversation. What was surprising to Sophie, however, was that the two of them spoke without needing an interpreter. At times, they used Starhaven’s language, Stellish. At other times, they switched to Westhaven’s tongue, Westic. It wasn’t surprising that Lisandra spoke Stellish, but Sophie hadn’t expected Victoria to be fluent in Westic.
Rafael and Sophie entered to pay their respects to Salvador first, then moved on to greet Victoria.
Upon hearing that Sophie was Hector’s daughter, Dominic’s granddaughter, and had distinguished herself during the Southem Frontier’s reconquest, Lisandra couldn’t help but study her a little longer. After observing her for a few moments, the grand princess shifted her gaze away, her expression complicated.
The Hell Monarch’s household had gathered plenty of information on Lisandra, and the grand princess, in turn, had made inquiries about some important people in Starhaven, especially Sophie and Freya. The former because of her family background and abilities, and the latter due to her involvement in the massacre at Victory Pass.
When Sophie stepped forward, Lisandra stood up and curtsied to her, her head bowed low, initiating a formal gesture of respect.
“Lady Sophie, the Hell Monarch’s princess consort. I’ve long heard of your esteemed name,”
Lisandra said in fluent Stellish.
She addressed her as Lady Sophie instead of Commander Devin, because tonight, those entering the palace were either high-ranking royal relatives or powerful ministers and lords. Though Sophie held an official position in court, tonight, she was entering as a princess consort.
As the banquet was meant to welcome the Westhaven envoys, other matters were set aside for now.
“Long have I admired you, Your Highness, Sophie said, curtsying respectfully. “It is a great honor to finally meet you today.”
She was seated beside Lisandra. As the banquet had yet to begin, the group was just chatting casually. Of course, such conversations weren’t open to just anyone.
Once seated, Sophie felt a piercing gaze on her. She looked up and met the eyes of a man sitting across from her. His features bore a striking resemblance to Liam’s, though his eyes were sharper, colder, and full of disdain. He didn’t even attempt to hide his scrutiny, and there was an unmistakable air of contempt in his gaze.
Rafael sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving him a light pat. “Mr. Stellwyn, we’ve met before. Do you remember?”
Though not as physically broad as Leroy, Rafael was tall and imposing, his presence more commanding than the other man.
Leroy’s eyes flickered away from Sophie, turning to the prince with a forced smile. Earlier, he’d been speaking in Westic with Jeremiah, deliberately ignoring Starhaven’s language.
Now, facing Rafael, he switched to flawless Stellish, saying, “How could I forget? It’s been years, and you’re no longer the young man you once were, Your Highness.”
Rafael shot him a brief, cold glance, the weight of his gaze still lingering. “A young man should never be underestimated. Now, you’re staring at my wife with such malice, Mr. Stellwyn. Is it because you think me weak, that I can be trampled upon?”
A flicker of displeasure flashed in Leroy’s eyes. They had agreed to set aside past grievances for tonight-to offer the Westhaven envoys a warm welcome. Why was the Hell Monarch violating this truce and provoking him so openly? What was this all about?
Leroy glanced at Salvador, silently hoping he would rebuke the Hell Monarch
But at that moment, the Starhaven king shifted his gaze to Lisandra, smiling as he spoke,” I’ve heard much about your king. A young and valiant ruler, he was on the battlefield by the age of sixteen. I must say, I have great respect for such courage.”
Lisandra smiled graciously. You flatter us, Your Majesty. When you were crown prince, I heard that you too fought alongside Grand General Hector on the battlefield and were never defeated. It’s truly your skills that I admire.”
The polite exchange was nothing but mutual flattery.
While Edmund was indeed brave, his military accomplishments were minimal. As for Salvador’s supposed undefeated record, it was more of a courtesy than a reflection of reality. Hector’s strategic brilliance had kept them safe, and the wars at that time were not large-scale, so claiming an unblemished record was more a compliment than a fact.
Leroy grew increasingly frustrated as he realized Salvador was deliberately ignoring him. To make matters worse, Rafael continued to exude an oppressive aura beside him, which only deepened his irritation. He could hardly suppress the urge to bring up the Victory Pass situation and settle it once and for all.
As his anger burned, his thoughts were interrupted by Rafael’s voice, “I heard Marshal Liam was injured. Is he fully recovered now?
Leroy broke his glare and replied stiffly. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My brother is no longer in any danger.”
“I thought he would be accompanying you today,” Rafael said, his tone casual.
Leroy’s gaze tumed icy. “Though my brother is no longer seriously injured, he sustained heavy wounds and is not fit for travel.”
“General Sullivan also suffered severe injuries. He was struck by arrows twice within a year, and has just recently turned 70. Yet, for the sake of our two kingdoms, he has come back to the capital from Victory Pass, replied the prince, pretending to be unaware of the fact that Liam had been thrown into prison.
Leroy furrowed his brows. What was that supposed to mean? They had agreed not to bring up such matters today. If they were to speak of it, he had plenty to say in return.
But before he could respond, Rafael casually shifted the conversation, saying, “By the way. I’ve heard that you have a great passion for crafting swords, Mr. Stellwyn. Have you recently forged any exceptional weapons? I’d love to see one.
The topic had shifted with such ease, leaving Leroy seething with rage.
His eyes bulged as he snapped, “Military duties have kept me too busy to forge swords. If you want to see Westhaven’s weaponry, there will be plenty of opportunities, Your Highness.” After all, Rafael could always see them on the battlefield, right?
Rafael met his gaze and responded with a soft, almost nonchalant, “Sure.”
Though the words were spoken quietly, they struck Leroy as strangely provocative. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the prince was subtly daring him, perhaps even seeking conflict.
However, that didn’t make sense. Harvey had said that the Hell Monarch was the one who most wanted to avoid further conflict between their kingdoms. If war broke out again, the Sullivan family would inevitably bear the blame.