Sip.
What a fine wine this water is, Ett thought wryly. Not that she cared for it. Being stuck in a child's body had its disadvantages, and one of them was that the adults refused to let her drink anything worthy of her age. She made a mental note to keep this in mind for later.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the lively sounds below. The echoes of conversation, the shuffle of feet, and the faint clinking of glasses washed away the dull weight of her boredom. Ett glanced down, settling comfortably in her usual spot. From here, she could observe the ball without drawing attention.
She would have forgotten her position entirely if not for Ares' subtle reminder.
He was supposed to remain unseen by Count Shubert.
Akan could not escort him he had other obligations and Ett, officially the "Daughter of the Archduke Ettna," was simply taking a vacation in the outskirts under the guise of enjoying a different view. In reality, it was her own way to assess the situation firsthand, away from the prying eyes of the palace.
"Matriarch, shall I add more grapes to your bowl?" Ares' small head peeked over the edge of the tray, his expression almost comically serious as he noted her near-empty dish.
"Mhmm. Thank you," Ett replied, lifting a small hand to accept the refill.
"Glad to serve, Matriarch," he said, bowing slightly, the picture of efficiency in miniature form.
Ett smirked to herself. Fruits were far superior to cookies, especially in a body so young. Who knew what kind of misfortune would follow if she indulged in sweets? No tooth fairy would appear, no magical compensation awaited her.
She would deal with her own consequences and she would endure.
Cashim hovered nearby, a subtle presence among the crowd. More people had gathered around him than the last time he appeared, though it was still a modest assembly by noble standards. Without an official title, he was limited in authority, but the fact he was a count's son gave him enough credibility to attract attention.
His charisma was undeniable. Ett's sharp eyes noted the noble ladies drawn to him, whispering behind delicate fans. The subtle scent of wealth clung to him in the form of fine fabric, polished shoes, and carefully arranged jewelry. Yet rumors painted him as a black sheep, a stain on the otherwise impeccable family record.
Ett's gaze drifted to her papers. She had divided the attending nobles into three categories: the valuable, the worthless, and the middling those who might become valuable with proper shaping. From her vantage point, she could only observe, like a strategist watching a battlefield from afar.
"Hah. I should speak to one of these nobles directly," she murmured, glancing at her growing appointment list. Her small notebook would barely suffice.
She reviewed her secret plans, a framework that had to remain hidden at all costs. The stakes were too high for open action.
But timelines were never guaranteed. Events had already shifted the Baquet had been postponed, and the Butterfly Effect she had triggered could alter years into months or weeks. She could never relax. Every moment demanded vigilance.
PROJECT LIFE
Status: Ready for Immediate Action
Objective:
Project Life is designed to safeguard the future of the Adiand Empire. By protecting key individuals, nurturing the next generation, and laying strong foundations for governance, this plan ensures stability and long-term prosperity.
Core Priorities:
1. Protect Key Figures: Ensure the survival of critical individuals until the pivotal "D-Day."
2. Care for Children: Prevent overwork or harm to children until Guren's D-Day, keeping their potential intact.
3. Moderate Tyranny: Extend the lifespan of influential figures to temper impulsive or harmful behavior.
4. Increase Public Support: Strengthen the people's favor toward the Adiand Rule, creating a more efficient and cooperative workforce.
5. Strengthen the Empire:
A. Expand trade and form strategic treaties
B. Maintain military readiness
C. Develop infrastructure and resources
D. Manage the workforce effectively and establish labor protections
6. Build Loyal Factions: Identify and cultivate allies to support future governance.
7. Leadership Preparation: Observe and nurture children who show potential, including a possible future Empress.
Implementation Approach:
A. Every action will be subtle, low-profile, and designed to maximize long-term advantage.
B. Focus on discreet groundwork that appears minimal but yields real impact.
C. Establish a phased approach with regular review to adjust plans as needed.
D. Timeline: approximately nine years—sufficient for key individuals to mature and for foundational work to take hold.
Expected Outcomes:
A. Critical personnel and vulnerable children are protected.
B. Citizens' trust and loyalty toward the empire are strengthened.
C. Military, economic, and social systems become more resilient.
D. The next generation of leadership is ready, with loyal allies in place.
Conclusion:
Project Life is a practical, strategic plan to secure the empire's future. By acting quietly, deliberately, and occasionally juggling metaphorical cats, we can ensure the people, institutions, and leadership are prepared for what lies ahead while secretly sipping tea and wondering why nobody ever asked us to do anything fun before.
Crash.
Ett's attention snapped to the ball below.
Two young noblewomen dominated the center of the room: Arandel Ecluss and the Marquis Rasmond's daughter. Ett could not hear their words, but she read the tension in their postures. Wine stained Arandel's attire, yet her composure remained pristine.
The Marquis' daughter smiled, an indifferent curve of her lips. Ett's brow lifted. No one seemed angry but she could feel the drama unfolding like a medieval play.
The crowd reacted, whispering and shifting with anticipation. Then Arandel's hand, still holding the wine, moved with sudden intent. She advanced and spat the contents directly onto the other girl's dress. Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
Veralis Garth, standing nearby, froze in astonishment. This was no minor scandal these two families were closely intertwined.
Ett's eyes followed the reflection of the chandelier above, glittering off Arandel's jeweled attire. The stain seemed insignificant against her poise.
Ett tapped her finger to her lips and called softly, "Ares."
"Yes, Matriarch?" His head emerged from his perch instantly.
"The chandelier above those two make it 'accidentally' loosen. Quickly."
Ares hesitated a fraction of a second, but obedience overrode caution. "Will do, Matriarch."
Just a few feet above, he calculated the fall, tugged the rope, and allowed the chandelier to descend. It struck the floor with a crash mere meters from the noblewomen, forcing the Marquis' daughter to stumble. Count Shubert watched, amused, oblivious to the subtle orchestration behind the spectacle.
"Good shot, Ares," Ett murmured, her expression calm despite the chaos below.
Arandel remained composed, dabbing her lips and staring blandly at the flustered girl. Ilyana's accusations, baseless and cruel, had been refuted with grace and precision.
Arandel spoke evenly, deliberately. "Ilyana, though you are my brother's fiancée, you should respect his sister. I am born of the same mother, yet still an Ecluss of the High Nobility."
Ilyana stiffened, biting her inner cheek to contain frustration. She raised a handkerchief to wipe the wine, her smile a thin mask. "Indeed. Enlightened teaching for an Ecluss daughter, I see."
"It is my discretion," Arandel continued.
"Your behavior is unbecoming. Either act without reserve or remain in ignorance." She glanced at the wine-stained dress. "Your performance, however, is truly inferior."
Nobles observed keenly. Experienced eyes saw the truth: one woman's grace, the other's clumsy pretension.
Social status was reinforced not merely by birth but by mastery of interaction, by subtlety and timing. Ilyana had failed spectacularly.
Yet she did not flee. She bowed subtly, fan in hand, conceding. "Indeed. I still have much to learn. Please excuse me; Adanel summons me for tomorrow's luncheon."
Her words acknowledged her brother while preserving dignity.
A sudden cry froze her in place. Ilyana instinctively sensed danger as a chandelier toppled toward her.
"Watch out!"
A forceful push helped her avoid impact, the chandelier crashing to the floor with violent precision.
"Arandel!"
"Physician! Bring a physician!"
Ett watched from above, unmoved. Bullseye, she noted internally. Perfect execution, and no casualties. She rose, collected her papers and emptied fruit plate, and wrote briefly in her notebook. Her gaze met Ares'.
"Let us return," she instructed.
Ares bowed, questioning silently why she left the chaos intact. Surely she did not intend to kill the noblewomen outright? Yet Ett's plan was subtle. Spite and scandal were sufficient for her purposes.
Cashim leaned against the wall, distant yet vigilant. His attention was on the chandelier's previous position. He sensed observation, honed by battlefield experience. Only someone within the palace or close to the Matriarch could manipulate such property.
Impossible, he concluded. Akan would never permit such audacity on imperial property. He would confirm this once he could approach the man again.