The snow outside was heavy. The maid took a carriage to deliver the food to the Chancellor's residence.
Victoria was still busy, leading a team planning new laws.
Once these new laws were implemented, Aethelred's chaotic governance could be reformed based on them.
"My Lady, the food made by Lord Sylas have arrived."
The maid placed the food box on Victoria's desk.
Victoria was discussing the feasibility of the laws with Jade.
Seeing the food box, she smiled and asked, "How is Lord Sylas at home?"
Maid: "The weather was cold today, so the Lord retired early."
"True. His health is weak, and I still troubled him to cook. Really... ah." Victoria couldn't help but feel ashamed.
The subordinates around her laughed.
"My Lady is truly blessed. On such a cold day, your Lord still makes food for you."
"Lord Sylas is so attentive, providing food and clothing. Look how well he serves the Chancellor—so young and beautiful now.
With all due respect, My Lady, you look like a girl of seventeen or eighteen now."
"It's what My Lady deserves. Not to mention how much the Chancellor dotes on her Lord."
These people were rather blunt.
After all, they were Victoria's close confidants, usually informal and disregarding hierarchy.
And this was them being somewhat restrained.
If they were drinking, they would be even more unrestrained.
Victoria laughed and scolded them, "You're just jealous of me. Hmph, delicious food is before me; I can't be bothered with you."
She opened the food box.
Instantly, a fragrance spread through the room.
These subordinates had been working hard with Victoria for several days. Even though their usual meals were good, their appetites were whetted now.
Mainly, this delicious food came with the bonus of being made by a beauty!
They all shamelessly came over to ask for some.
Victoria wasn't stingy, giving each a portion.
Jade also received a piece.
She was usually quiet, so she didn't join in the banter now.
She silently ate it, her expression rather complex.
Little Sylas's cooking... still so sweet.
But... she probably had no chance anymore...
However, she felt she had lived a full enough life.
Her thoughts drifted to two months ago when she held Little Sylas in the dungeon, lost in their own world.
Thinking of this, Jade felt both guilt and sweetness.
She looked at Victoria, seeing her eating happily and contentedly.
Jade felt somewhat lonely, but she sincerely wished Sylas well.
If Victoria could treat him well, it would be a good outcome for him.
"Sister Jade, what are you thinking about?" Victoria asked her with a smile.
Happy women loved to smile these days.
It had to be said, Victoria was very different from before.
Now dressed neatly and cleanly.
She had shed her previous dejection.
She was as radiant as the midday sun.
Hearing this, Jade sighed, "My daughter..."
"Wasn't Crystal pardoned?"
"Ah, I mean, she's disappointing. She's started slacking off again, not studying or learning useful skills."
"When she's old enough, find her a job to gain some experience."
"Your words are extremely apt, My Lady." Jade smiled and nodded in agreement.
She was now considered Victoria's right-hand woman.
The next afternoon, Victoria even took her to the Duchess of Arbor's residence for drinks.
It was well known that Celeste and Victoria didn't get along.
But now Victoria held great power and was highly influential.
Celeste had no choice but to yield and show weakness.
Hosting a banquet for Victoria was also her way of letting her elder sister, the Empress, know that she wouldn't obstruct the reforms now.
Victoria didn't hold much hostility towards Celeste.
Her heart was only filled with her own ideals.
Anyone who stood in the way of her ambitions was an enemy.
Right now, no one was blocking her.
So, this banquet proceeded very smoothly.
Victoria loved to drink. She had been busy with work lately and hadn't had many opportunities.
This time, Celeste served fine wine.
She started overindulging.
Anyway, Jade was by her side; if she got drunk, Jade could send her back.
Telling Sylas yesterday to come pick her up was just teasing her little husband.
To see what place she held in his heart.
On such a cold day, she would rather walk back herself than have Sylas come out.
Thinking of Sylas, Victoria's smile widened.
It wasn't the wine intoxicating her, but her own emotions.
She was now riding the crest of success. Even the snowy white outside couldn't dampen her joy.
"Drink!"
Victoria toasted with everyone present.
The more exuberant she was, the more annoyed Celeste on the host seat became.
How come she gets all the benefits?
Celeste could only force a smile and endure until the banquet ended.
By now, Victoria was thoroughly tipsy.
When drunk, she tended to become unrestrained.
Holding her wine cup, she staggered to Celeste and drunkenly boasted, "Your Grace, the Duchess of Arbor, today your subject is drunk, but there's one thing I really must advise you."
Celeste said with a forced smile, "Please speak, Chancellor."
She thought Victoria would say something depressing.
The close aides nearby also glared angrily at Victoria.
Her Grace invites you to drink, and if you dare be impertinent, we will not let you off!
But unexpectedly, Victoria said with a smile, "Get married soon. Have a husband at home. Doesn't matter if he's handsome or not; at least he'll know if you're cold or warm."
"I told him today, if I get drunk, he has to come pick me up."
"Look, everyone here, which of your husbands would come out to pick you up?"
The crowd roared with laughter.
After all, those with families wouldn't let their husbands risk coming out to fetch them.
Victoria immediately added, "But how could I not care for my man? So, I'm not drunk!"
She could barely stand steady but still loudly proclaimed, "I'm not drunk, I tell you! I can drink all of you under the table!"
She was truly drunk.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have caused such a scene at the Duchess's residence.
Jade hadn't drunk much, so she made arrangements to send Victoria back.
Of course, back to the Chancellor's residence.
This drunk, if she went back, who knew how she might treat Sylas.
The lively banquet finally ended.
Celeste sat on the host seat without moving.
She had been very irritated, hating Victoria's boasting.
But a vicious idea emerged in her mind.
A trace of ferocity appeared on Celeste's delicate face.
Elder Sister bullies me, and now you, Victoria, join in?
Well then... let's do it!
...
Late at night.
Sylas, wrapped in a thick quilt, smelling Isolde's scent on the bedding, was sleeping warmly and cozily.
A fire burned in the hearth indoors; snow drifted outdoors.
He felt a long-lost tranquility.
Isolde had come again today.
She brought a pile of tonics, obviously fine medicine from the palace.
After taking them for six months, he would reach the optimal state for preparing for pregnancy.
He didn't want to take them, but he couldn't refuse her.
He had taken them at noon, and his body still felt warm now.
In his drowsy state, he suddenly heard a call outside the door: "Young Master, someone from the Duchess of Arbor's residence is here. They say the Master is drunk and need you to pick her up."
Sylas slowly sat up and replied, "Understood. Wait a moment."
Then, he started putting on his clothes.
While dressing, he sighed inwardly.
Such a drunkard. Gets wasted and knows only how to cause trouble.
But he still had to pick her up.
If Victoria held a grudge over this, when she returned, he would face another beating and vomiting session.
He dressed quickly. Soon, an elegant, handsome young husband opened the door.
Page stood at the door, hurriedly draping a thick cloak over him.
"Young Master, let's go. The carriage is ready."
Sylas looked at the blizzard, stepped onto the snowy ground, and got into the carriage.