Page 87 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“Without more information, I can’t say.” She sighed, dropping her head. “But I’m sure she’s unaware of her own power. Until then, it’s imperative that the balance of mana and divine power within her is maintained. If she falls sick or is injured, priests cannot be called to heal her. She could be harmed if it happens.”
The very thought made my stomach roll.
“Great care should also be taken to ensure the temple doesn’t find out—they may well try to bring her into their fold if they know of it. The Lovetts have always been able to use the purest divine power, and I don’t believe they’d hesitate for a second to try to claim her as belonging to them.”
“They’re welcome to try if they don’t value their lives,” I said in a low voice. “What about the magic stone you just gave me? Will that harm her?”
Aerwyna shook her head. “Even people devoid of mana can use them, which is why they’re so highly regulated. I’m confident no harm will come to her while using the communication stone.”
“Would you stake your life on it?”
“Yes.”
“Good. If not, I’m holding you personally responsible.” I glared at her. “I’ll connect you with Illusion. Find out whatever you can, and no matter what you do, make sure the Imperial Palace doesn’t find out about this. The Empress already has designs on my fiancée—as you said, we need not give her any more reasons to covet her. Aside from that, the last thing we need is a disagreement between the temple and the palace.”
Aerwyna closed her eyes. “As you wish.”
Chapter Twenty – Alicia
The Test
“My lady, please calm yourself!” Annie asked, flapping her hands in a direct contradiction to her words. “You did wonderfully!”
“No! I can’t and I won’t!” I perched on the edge of the chaise longue at the end of my bed. “What if they hated it? What if they don’t agree with my thoughts?”
“Impossible.” Bella grabbed my face. “If I do, I’ll kill them.”
I blinked at her. “Stein has corrupted you. Where has my sweet maid gone?”
“You made her a lady-in-waiting, and she decided to take up arms to protect her lady.” Bella flexed her non-existent arm muscles. “You’ve slaved over this policy, my lady. If they reject it, I will be forced to rebel in your name.”
“Perhaps we should put the rebellion plans on the backburner,” I said soothingly, smoothing my hands over my skirt. “I fully expect there to be some pushback. There are holes in my plan, but I can only hope that the main houses agree to assist me.”
That was what my work depended on right now.
I was putty in the hands of Marquess Talwick, Marquess Druvsa, Countess Townwood, Count Barman, and Viscountess Evsea. They were the five major noble houses who’d assisted the empire and had suffered great losses under the rule of the previous duke, and thus the ones I was relying on to support me.
Kalon had kept his promise. They’d all attended today and listened dutifully as I’d presented my policy, but that didn’t mean it would be a walk in the park.
There was no guarantee they’d accept my work.
All five were talented, intelligent people who would undoubtedly scrutinise every last bit of my plan. Even those who had no idea about the societal structure here would know they’re the leading nobles in Stein merely based on how they carried themselves. They each held an indisputable air of honour, from the suave gentlemen that were Marquess Talwick and Druvsa to the elegant poise of the elderly Countess Townwood. Count Barman and Viscountess Evsea were closer in age to Kalon, but that didn’t mean they were any less intimidating.
If she didn’t scare me a little, I thought it might be nice to be friends with the viscountess.
After all, I was alone here.
“I need some fresh air,” I said, getting up. “I’m just going to fret if I stay here. Bella, let’s go to the garden.”
“Of course, my lady.”
We left Annie and Lydia behind to clean my room and headed out of the East Wing. The ground floor here had direct access to the central garden that was sheltered from the cool wind that was sweeping down from the mountains. Although the sun was shining daily and most of the snow on the ground had melted, it was still colder than in the capital.
I didn’t mind.
I hated hot weather.
The gentle warmth of the sun tickled over my skin, and I let out a weighty sigh. I’d been terrified of standing up in front of the council and explaining it to them, and I couldn’t imagine doing it without my experience as a lawyer in my past life.
