Chapter 19: A Matter of Loyalty and Revenge

“Before we delve into specific strategies, there is one matter we must settle, Your Majesty.” The Duchess abruptly halted the discussion, then pointed towards Levi. “What do you intend to do about her?”

Queen Isola remained silent, contemplating inwardly.

“What do you mean, ‘what to do’?” A sudden sense of unease flickered within Levi.

At the Duchess’s mention, a crucial realization dawned on her.

She and Isola, to put it plainly, were merely companions in flight. Now that they had found refuge, Levi’s position had become rather awkward. She was not from the Starry Night Kingdom, nor was she truly allied with Isola or the Duchess, yet she knew many of their secrets.

Levi didn’t believe Isola and the others would kill her to silence her; if they intended to, Isola would have acted long ago.

However, house arrest and detainment were not out of the question.

This would be quite troublesome, to be kept by two beautiful witches in a lavish mansion… though, truthfully, it didn’t sound like an entirely terrible option.

“She won’t betray us; she is now a witch herself,” Isola stated.

“If we don’t detain her…” The Duchess leaned closer to Isola, speaking in a voice only they could hear. “What if we simply let her go and fend for herself?”

“This…” Isola hesitated. “She might be captured by the Heretic Inquisition.”

“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but your judgment isn’t tainted by personal feelings, is it?” the Duchess asked with a teasing tone.

“Then what are your thoughts, Patra?” Isola tossed the question back with a hint of displeasure.

“As I see it…” The Duchess tapped her cheek with a finger, pondering for a moment before addressing Levi. “Levi, would you be willing to serve the Queen?”

“Does this mean you want me to join you?” Levi’s reaction was swift.

“Our nation has a precedent for recruiting foreign witches through a ‘Witch’s Coven.’ You are now a witch, stripped of your past identity, and a target for the Heretic Inquisition. You might be discovered any day and burn at the stake; you need protection,” the Duchess explained.

Listening to the Duchess’s words, Levi couldn’t help but seriously consider her future.

“Let me rephrase the question: what are your own plans for the future?” The Duchess suddenly posed another question.

“I…” Levi recalled, and the malicious face of a certain young lady immediately appeared in her mind.

“I plan to get my revenge,” Levi answered without hesitation.

“Against the Viscount’s daughter who framed you and had you imprisoned?” the Duchess inquired.

“Precisely. I want her to receive her just deserts,” Levi replied earnestly.

She was a person who valued fairness. An eye for an eye, an arrow for an arrow. When Camilla and her associates had repeatedly bullied her, she had severely beaten them, considering the score settled.

Later, when Camilla framed her, causing her to suffer torment in prison and nearly die, it was only natural for her to return the favor.

“On that front, I can assist you,” the Duchess said with a smile. “In exchange, how about you join us?”

She now virtually controlled the entire ducal territory. Though she lacked the title, her power was no different from that of a true duke. Dealing with a landless viscount’s daughter would be an effortless task.

“Why go to such lengths to win me over? I shouldn’t have any particular value to you, should I?” Levi asked cautiously.

“To be honest, I thought the same, but Her Majesty doesn’t seem to agree—ah!”

The Duchess gasped mid-sentence, for Isola had subtly kicked her under the tea table.

“Whether you accept or not is up to you; we won’t force you. After all, you are an Imperial citizen, aren’t you?” Isola took over the conversation, addressing Levi. “Rest assured, even if you refuse, I will still find a way to ensure your safety.”

“Can I truly be considered an Imperial citizen?” Levi gave a self-deprecating laugh at that. “I was born into the lowest strata of this country, without even a formal identity. I tried to change my fate, but reality showed me it was impossible here. From childhood, I’ve watched this country devour everything: neighboring nations, its own people. I am one of those it consumed. This land is my homeland, but the emperor of this country is certainly not my sovereign.”

“Then are you… agreeing?” Isola asked tentatively.

“I agree,” Levi nodded in assent. “You help me with my revenge, and I’ll work for you.”

She was alone and without a place to go, harboring a desire for revenge that would be difficult for her to achieve alone. The Duchess’s proposal was a godsend.

“How wonderful that we could reach an agreement. Your Majesty must be pleased as well,” the Duchess said, clapping her hands with a smile.

Isola again subtly extended her foot to kick the Duchess’s foot, but this time, the Duchess was prepared and withdrew her foot, leaving Isola kicking empty air.

Just then, Levi’s stomach rumbled.

“Apologies, the refreshments weren’t very filling,” Levi admitted frankly.

“It’s about time anyway. Why don’t we take a short break and continue our discussion over dinner?” the Duchess suggested with a smile.

****

An hour later, in the dining room of the ducal estate.

At the far end of a long table capable of seating nearly twenty, the three gathered for dinner.

Isola and Levi sat on opposite sides, while the Duchess occupied the head seat. This might seem presumptuous, but it was a necessary measure to prevent the estate’s servants from suspecting Isola’s true identity.

The dinner was lavish. The main course was garlic butter bread, the soup a creamy stew made with seasonal vegetables and chicken, and the side dish was steamed fresh fish covered in spices. The main entree was an entire roasted suckling pig, neatly portioned. Fruitcake, as dessert, would be served after their meal.

Levi devoured her meal with a whirlwind appetite. In stark contrast, Isola ate very slowly, taking only small bites. As a near-divine being with preliminary immortal characteristics, she could go days without food without any threat to her life, requiring only very occasional eating and sleeping.

“Regarding our next strategy, Your Majesty, we must reclaim control of Starry Night City.” After dismissing all the servants, the Duchess brought up the main topic. “However, I advise you, for now, not to consider directly reclaiming the throne from Princess Nafti.”

“What do you mean by that?” Isola asked expressionlessly.

“If we openly depose the Saint White Queen, who is supported by the Empire, the Empire will undoubtedly send troops again. I believe it’s unwise to alert the enemy before we’ve amassed sufficient strength.”

“Then what is your suggestion?”

“We must target Lady Nafti using assassination methods. Either control her, making her your puppet, or find a double to replace her,” the Duchess stated her suggestion plainly.

“I can accomplish that directly,” Isola said faintly.

The Great Witch Nafti was a ‘Gorgon’ of the Fourth Rank. While only one rank apart from Isola, there was an additional divine rank threshold separating them.

“Not necessarily now, Your Majesty. If the Princess truly has the Empire’s support, the Church might help her acquire a Third Rank Holy Relic,” the Duchess whispered.

“Are you saying she might have already advanced?” Isola understood her meaning.

“Yes, if she were to reach the same rank as you, we couldn’t take that risk so easily,” the Duchess said seriously.

Isola remained silent, thinking for a long time, then spoke: “Patra, after Starry Night City fell, I’ve actually been considering something.”

“You intend to advance to the Second Rank, ‘Prophecy’?” The Duchess immediately understood her sovereign’s meaning.