Millie shivered involuntarily when she saw the coldness reflect in the Crown Princess's eyes. Her complexion paled as she once again averted her gaze.
She was suddenly reminded of some rumors circulating lately.
While it was unclear to the Courtenay Family what business the Crown Princess had in Starhorn, there had been speculations that the Emperor's move in creating the Elite Force was not only to deal with the matter of Gray, but also to keep all of the different factions in the empire in check.
It had been said that the Emperor had been planning this move for a long time. There were even rumors that he had decided this right after the incident with the Spirit attacking the Crown Princess.
Though there were no evidence to back this up, the mere fact that the Emperor had been preparing the Crown Princess at such an early age to be his successor said a lot.
Of course, it was normal for the royal family to prepare their successor at an early age. Even the noble families practiced this. What was worth taking note of, was the fact the Crown Princess possessed the bloodline of the Winfrey Family. The original rulers of the empire.
And then there was another rumor that shook the heart of the Patriarchs from the Three Noble Families.
It was said that after the Crown Princess's birthday, she had left to visit the family's Ancestral Land. However, no one was able to confirm which Ancestral Land she went to, because both the Arthall and the Winfrey Ancestral Lands had always been clad with mystery.
Either way, the Courtenay Family and the Montgomery Family, the oldest noble family in the empire along with the Regis, were convinced that the Crown Princess visited the Winfrey Ancestral Land. And if their speculation was correct, then the empire was bound to face a drastic change in the coming days.
Thinking of this, Millie shivered. She was now beginning to think that the Royal Family's first target was the Conclave of the East. If this was true, it would only be a matter of time before the other noble families would be targeted.
While the Crown Princess appeared to only be interested in talking business with Chairman Noir, Millie did not understand why she had to go directly to the Tower of Conclave.
She was the Crown Princess, as long as she decreed it, by the authority bestowed by the Emperor, she could summon anyone to the Countenay residence. Even if that someone was the leader of a big faction.
From across the seat, the short exchange was witnessed by Mimi. The moment she saw her sister's pale complexion, she was reminded of what the Courtenay Patriarch had told her this morning. She did not put it to heart not because she was making light of his words, but because even if he did not say it, she intended to do it.
The Courtenay Patriarch's words were:
"Be vigilant when dealing with the Crown Princess. Do not provoke her in any way."
Now, Mimi could understand why the Patriarch used the words be vigilant, instead of be careful. They truly had to stay vigilant. Because the Crown Princess seemed to be showing a side they were not aware of.
It was not a surprise that their impression of the Princess was different. After what happened involving a Spirit attack, she had never once made a public appearance. Only those approved personally by the Emperor were able to meet her, ever since.
Those people had said that the Crown Princess was a very amiable and cheerful person. And Mimi also felt the same way when she met her the first time during her coming of age birthday. It was still the same when she had arrived in the Courtenay residence this morning.
However, at this moment, Mimi felt something was completely different with the Crown Princess. And she honestly felt fearful.
Suddenly, Haylee giggled at Millie's reaction, "Ms. Millie, from what I can see, it appears you fancy, Disciple Tyr."
A shade of red spread across Millie's pale cheeks as she turned to look at Haylee again, "T-That's not— I w-wasn't—!"
"Ahahaha!" Haylee, seemingly amused at seeing Millie's discomfort, burst out in laughter.
Her laughter was not exactly loud, it even had a melodious ring to it that all three women inside could not help but gape at her in fascination.
"This is quite refreshing," Haylee remarked as she smiled at Millie.
To Millie's surprise and utter confusion, Haylee's smile was not like the one she had earlier. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled, that all three of them felt their hearts were also moved.
"I don't get a chance to interact with other women my age… or at least someone whose not that old from me. Apart from Macey, that is." Haylee said as she looked at Millie and Mimi.
"Thank you for keeping me company."
"Your Highness…" Mimi and Millie were at a loss for words.
They looked at Haylee with mixed emotions.
The Crown Princess was such an enigma they could not figure out.
Vera, who was silently observing from her seat, was the only one who realized that the Crown Princess had been testing the two Courtenay sisters from the start.
And the Crown Princess's verdict could not be seen from her expression, but the sudden magic barrier that she had summoned around her.
The Courtenay sisters probably could not see it, but as a mage with Space magic, it was easy for Vera to see. Especially at how the space around the princess had distorted.
'From the short exchange the princess had with them, she was able to gauge their personality and thoughts. Princess Haylee determined Lady Millie can be easily manipulated because of her childish infatuation. As for Lady Mimi, her lack of reaction proved the Courtenay Patriarch already warned her to keep an eye on the princess.
'Though I am not sure how the princess was able to understand that, I could more or less guess it has something to do with her innate ability. An ability to understand a person's heart.
'For a future ruler to have such a terrifying innate ability… no wonder the Emperor placed the Crown Princess at such high regard. She will definitely be a formidable ruler.'
Vera thought and smiled inwardly.
Four hours later….
In the Tower of Conclave, the Security Team were done with their prepartion. All of them were now wearing metal armors, and even had their magic weapons ready. Each team were now stationed in different key areas within the tower.
Though most of them had just recovered from their injuries, none of them showed signs of fear. On the contrary, they all looked very determined to properly protect the Tower of Conclave this time.
Hugh and Malia, were now with Stella in her quarters. They were currently in Stella's study and was watching a huge projection on the wall where all key areas of the Tower of Conclave were being shown.
In one of the key areas, in front of the South Tower, Malek stood with his golden staff, with a dark green spirit stone hovering a few inches on top of it. At the moment, it appeared to be 'sleeping.' But if one looked closely, ripples of energy surrounded the spirit stone, giving a feeling of bursting into action with just a mere thought from Malek.
At another projection, they could see all of the Array Specialists and Blacksmiths from the Blacksmith Order gathered at the receiving area. This receiving area was the one used when receiving guests, and not the one that Stella uses.
Then there was the projection of an underground hall of the tower. This hall was where the core of the tower's defensive array was located, and Noir, Sigma and Kyran were currently inside.
Kyran sat in the middle of a glowing array calculation with his eyes closed, while Noir and Sigma stood at the sides watching with shock expressions.
For the past couple of hours, Kyran had not done anything but sat on the floor. If Noir and Sigma were not well-verse in array creation, they would probably think Kyran was still trying to analyze the whole calculation. However, both of them had a deep knowledge in Array and was able to detect the formulas inside the array changing constantly.
Apart from this, Noir and Sigma could also feel the other key points of the whole array formation located at different areas of the tower was changing at the same time the core array calculation was changing.
Something that both of them knew was impossible to do.
"In my years of researching all methods of array creation," Noir suddenly said, "I remembered coming across a method, wherein one could simultaneously change the different parts of the array formation. In order to do this, however, one must achieved the highest level of control of magic sense."
Sigma's eyes widened after hearing Chairman Noir say this, he looked at him and said, "Does that mean this rascal— I mean Kyran, was able to achieve that level?"
"It is a possibility."
"No way!" Sigma exclaimed but then clammed his mouth while looking at Kyran.
Seeing that he did not disturb him, Sigma sighed inwardly and turned his attention back at Chairman Noir.
"Chairman, something like that is impossible!" He said while shaking his head. "I've sparred with this rascal— I mean Kyran, and he sucks in using magic sense. No. To say he sucks is still giving him credit. He doesn't even know how to use it!"
Noir sighed. He could understand Sigma's doubts, but if attaining the highest level of magic sense was not the reason why Kyran could do this, then what?
Apart from this, there was something else that completely overturned Noir's worldview. It was the fact that Kyran had not once used any materials when he was completing the calculations on the formation that could not be completed due to lack of materials.
In the end, Noir could only smile slightly and reply, "The world is vast."
Finally, after an hour, the three carriages had arrived in front of the Tower of Conclave's main gate.
It was time to meet the people inside the carriage.
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