CHAPTER 169: THE PLAN [PART 1]

My original plan was to come at the noble ladies with nothing but words. However, when I recalled the encounter with Diana in my attempts to share her court, I learnt a very good lesson.

This was politics, and something of value was needed. Having a sob story would not always guarantee my success. I was dealing with the noble ladies, and none of them had any experience of a lesser life.

In the means of respect, they will look for strength, but I have already shown that when I climbed from a nameless human to a princess, having the Royal Princess by my side and a wealthy house heir, Ravyn. Then my coronation.

I knew that wouldn’t secure my win, given that Sloane had already set her claws into the inner court.

So, I thought of something else: value. I was part snowblood, something that had never existed before. My origins were still unknown, but I knew the gravity of my existence.

I may not have agreed with the Dowager, but she spoke the truth when she mentioned that my bloodline could strengthen the royal family. That was the value, and the Dowager had no idea she gave me what I needed to win this.

I kept my stern gaze on Celia Everest. She came from a well-known House rivaling that of Sloane or even more powerful.

Her ability to speak up during the murmurs showed she doesn’t follow Sloane blindly. She was her own person, and I caught her interest when I stated my value.

She was exactly who I needed to confront me, and be the rift I shall create and also build my inner court.

"Yes," I replied. "The blood that runs through me is ice."

"Show me," she demanded.

"Watch your tone!" Ravyn growled.

"It’s alright, Ravyn. Lady Celia needs proof," I said.

"Yes, I do. As you know, rumors are not always accurate; you were a victim of one once."

I like her.

"Yes, I’m shocked that a noble lady understands the gravity of false rumors, and it’s wise of you to come to me to seek validation."

"Will you show me? What you’re capable of as a snowblood? Why your bloodline can strengthen the royal family and why you can be a woman of power."

"Your Majesty," Ravyn cautioned. "There is no need to display anything; she’s clearly sent by Lady Sloane for some kind of ploy."

"I agree," Diana said sternly.

"No, she’s not. Besides, what kind of queen will I be if I cannot prove myself?"

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes, when I opened them, icy crystal flared to where she stood.

Celia’s eyes were in awe as the ice twirled around her with soft cracks filling the air. I released a breath as it retreated, but the temperature in the room had dropped.

"Magnificent! My great-grandfather was one of the elders who studied snowbloods; he mentioned nothing of this. Your powers are exceptional!"

"Of course, Everest!" Ravyn pitched. "I knew that name was familiar. It was included in the biography of the ancient texts we acquired!"

"Oh... you got your hands on it, I’m amazed, my family has looked for those for many years now."

"The monarch was able to acquire it."

"Splendid."

"Ravyn," I said. Seems like she knew something I didn’t know about House Everest, something that wasn’t included in the profile.

I knew of the ancient text they spoke, but I haven’t seen it. Drevon mentioned it when he told me about his research about my bloodline.

"House Everest isn’t just famous for being a house that rivals House Altherin, but also for the skill they have. They are renowned Healers and practitioners of science. Where Sir Garrick was trained," Ravyn explained.

"How come I didn’t know that?" Diana murmured.

"The practitioner of Science was just whispers that flew about our house, but it is true. We are only known to train healers."

"The monarch was tempted to ask for their help when you were bedridden, but he didn’t trust House Everest, nor would they agree to help a human."

"Lady Ravyn speaks true. If the Monarch had come to us, we wouldn’t have helped the human."

"Not only that, Your Majesty, their loyalty is questionable."

"Why are you here now?" I questioned sharply. "As Ravyn said, you’re not to be trusted, and you’re clearly in cahoots with Sloane. She is queen to you."

"Only because she begged for my support, I had no interest otherwise. The other ladies were convinced that Sloane would be Queen, so they followed her without question."

"And now? I’m queen now, do they still think in their little brain she had a chance?"

Celia laughed softly before she replied. "She held a meeting with us and had a lot of things to say about you. Many things. You can guess, Your Majesty."

I see. She had been sowing the seed of discord just to keep the inner court on her side. I don’t need to guess; she must have said terrible things about me.

"But you’re not like other noble ladies, are you? You came to me to see for yourself. It’s obvious that you hold no loyalty to anyone."

She smirked. "Not necessary, we just haven’t seen a worthy person to follow."

"I want to make the inner court mine. To put it in short, I want to create a court with only the noble ladies."

Celia’s eyes trembled at my words. "The inner court has never been a court. It’s just a gathering of the noble Ladies so that the queen consort can have meetings and treat the ladies, plan their marriages and so on."

"I do not want it to be just a gathering when it can be so much more. An inner court of the noble ladies who also share a vision of change, isn’t that what it’s meant to be? Existing only as entitled spoiled brats when they can put their skills into something meaningful."

"Skills?"

"You, Lady Celia, you come from a house of great healers and tutors we have today, even though you claim you stopped some practices."

"I’m just a lady, Your Majesty. I don’t indulge in such things, unfitting of my character."