Sylas typically enjoyed considerable freedom.
As long as he remained within the city of Lorynth, he could go almost anywhere.
Victoria placed few restrictions on him.
Furthermore, since Page was Isolde's agent, any escape attempt was futile.
Sometimes he didn't even return to the manor overnight, a fact Victoria was largely unaware of as the household staff answered to Sylas.
This time, however, he had been gone for three full days.
The steward finally panicked.
Previously, Sylas always sent word when he would be absent.
This time, he had entered the palace and simply hadn't returned—something was clearly wrong.
With no other choice, the steward went to the Chancellor's residence to find Victoria.
Victoria was deep in discussions with her Chief Secretary, with Jade assisting nearby.
After the steward whispered his news, Victoria froze, speechless for a long moment.
She took several deep breaths before slumping powerlessly into her chair. The usual vibrant light in her eyes dimmed considerably.
The others present exchanged confused glances.
Jade gestured for them to leave.
She approached Victoria, placed a hand on her shoulder, and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
Jade was seven or eight years older than Victoria, who had always viewed her as an older sister.
Highly capable with a gentle and virtuous temperament, Jade complemented Victoria's firmness perfectly, and their relationship had grown increasingly close.
Victoria felt like she couldn't breathe.
She blinked, suppressing the distress in her heart, and said quietly, "Her Majesty has detained Sylas."
"Little Sylas has been detained?" Jade was startled.
The New Year had just passed; was the Empress already making moves?
Detaining the family member of her own Chancellor—what was she planning?
She suddenly remembered New Year's Eve, her drunken state, and Little Sylas coming to her... and secretly kissing her.
Jade's face flushed slightly.
That boy, always using his impossible charm to make her sink deeper.
"Ah..." Victoria looked up at Jade, her beautiful face full of worry. "Does Her Majesty think I'm moving too fast?
But the reforms are just beginning to show results! Many of the troublemakers have already backed down.
Can't Her Majesty see that Aethelred is getting back on track?
Our great nation is on the verge of a peaceful and prosperous age, a land of happiness!"
Without waiting for Jade's response, she stood up, speaking with passion and fervor, "Just in these past few months, how many corrupt officials have I dealt with?
How many difficult problems have I solved?
Now, all we need to do is promulgate the new laws and use them to govern Aethelred's people, and our nation will become the most powerful in the world.
Is Her Majesty going to retreat now, at this final step?!"
Agitated, she swept everything off her desk.
Then she slumped back into her chair, covered her eyes, and began to sigh.
Jade stroked her back, soothing her while offering comfort, "My Lady, please calm down.
Perhaps in a few days, Her Majesty will let him return.
You know yourself, Sylas... his charm is considerable. Her Majesty is also very fond of him..."
"That's not the reason!" Victoria cried out angrily.
Jade sighed, "I know! I know..."
Isolde's actions, on the surface, seemed like a personal slight against Victoria.
The deeper meaning was that a rift had opened between them.
This kind of hint was deadly.
Victoria was at a critical juncture.
Without the Empress's support, the suppressed factions would immediately counterattack.
"I must seek an audience with Her Majesty." The thought of her dream being shattered made Victoria stand up, agitated.
Jade quickly pulled her back: "What are you doing?
Going to the palace now will only make others think you are there to demand your man back.
If Her Majesty returns him, where does that leave her dignity?
If she refuses, what will you do then?"
For this kind of private scandal, the best approach was discretion.
Making it public meant mutual destruction.
If the Empress was humiliated into anger, she might resort to drastic measures.
"Then what should I do? Just wait for death? I only have ten days! Ten days!" Victoria's face was flushed red; she was descending into desperation.
Jade pondered for a long time before finally saying, "Then let me try."
Victoria looked at Jade doubtfully, "You? You're a surrendered official from Lyonesse. Will Her Majesty value your opinion?"
Jade smiled, "If Her Majesty receives me, it means she still supports you.
You should just continue working hard.
If she refuses to see me, that's also an answer worth reporting—I'm just a surrendered official, of no consequence.
But you should also understand... we should start considering how to make a strategic retreat."
Victoria calmed down.
Thinking it over, she found Jade's reasoning sound.
She arranged a carriage to take Jade to the palace.
Jade requested an audience with the Empress.
She wasn't sure of Isolde's attitude. But Isolde actually summoned her.
Jade breathed a sigh of relief for Victoria; this indicated Isolde still supported her.
There was still room to maneuver.
She wasn't taken to the imperial study but to a pavilion in the imperial gardens.
The door opened, and Jade entered.
She saw Isolde dressed in simple clothes, carefully pruning some plants.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty," Jade said respectfully, saluting.
Isolde glanced at her and said coldly, "Why have you come?"
Jade was silent.
Well-versed in the ways of court, she naturally knew which words were for her to say and which were not.
Sure enough, Isolde cut off a branch and tossed it in front of her, "Don't you think these peonies are both lovable and hateable?
I water and fertilize them every day, yet they insist on growing these unnecessary branches and leaves.
Don't they need to be pruned?"
Jade knew she was alluding to Victoria.
Her body as soft and pliant as dough. "Whether peonies or roses, they are all things within Your Majesty's grasp."
Isolde sneered, "Hmph, what use is your submission? Why didn't Victoria come herself?
I've detained her husband, and she's still playing the fool in her Chancellor's residence?"
Jade: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Chancellor has suddenly taken ill with a chill.
She is unwell and will likely need to recuperate quietly for a while."
"Taken ill? If she's ill, how will the laws be promulgated ?"
"Recovering her health is most important."
"How long will the recovery take?"
"...A year."
"A chill requires a year to recover?!"
"For as long as Your Majesty says it takes!"
Isolde laughed.
She sat in a chair, her expression relaxed, "As expected of the former Chancellor of Lyonesse.
Your posture is as soft and pliant as a serpent. Fine."
Isolde crossed her legs, looking at Jade, "Do you know why I haven't killed you?"
Jade remained motionless, not daring to reply.
Isolde said faintly, "Return to Lyonesse for a time. Victoria's actions have been too disruptive.
The commanders of the six border garrisons have complaints.
You were the Chancellor of Lyonesse.
Go back and make the people of Lyonesse behave."
The main reason Isolde hadn't killed Jade was that she served as a voice for the Lyonesse faction.
Her words still held sway there.
Recently, the six northern garrisons had grumbled due to Victoria's reforms, and Lyonesse was also beginning to stir.
This was simply shaking the foundations of the state.
"Your subject obeys..." Sending Victoria's right-hand woman to inspect Lyonesse now was a clear move to make Victoria cool down.
"Anything to say before you depart?" Isolde offered a carrot after the stick, asking an extra question.
"Your subject... your subject would like to see..." Jade stammered, unable to get the words out.
Isolde's killing intent instantly surged: "Jade, you have quite the nerve.
Trying to steal my man, are you?
I let you have your fun with him in the dungeon before; you should be satisfied.
Still can't forget him? That deserves death!"
Jade hastily explaining: "Your subject wouldn't dare! It's just... he is a fellow countryman.
I thought to offer a few words of advice."
Isolde pondered for a moment, then finally said: "Hmm... Very well.
Do talk some sense into your fellow countryman.
He's been quite uncooperative these past few days."