Chapter 351: Chapter 351: I Also Hope to Be With You, As Sun and Moon
Deep down, Claire Sinclair really didn’t want Ethan Kingsley to become president, but she still had her worries. "If Princess Morinka returns empty-handed, won’t that be detrimental to Aridia?"
"A marriage alliance would be the truly terrifying outcome. In this new century, no two nations have become so intimate as to be a single family. The risk is too great. It’s best not to gamble with the nation’s lifeblood."
"That’s a good point..."
’To put it bluntly, what if they got divorced someday? Wouldn’t the two countries end up at war? It would make any future meetings incredibly awkward.’
"Teacher Hartwell, what should I do?"
"Take the initiative and make a friendly overture. Go write an article about Ethan Kingsley’s charity work, and use it as a chance to interact with him on social media. The paparazzi will seize on any hint of a story, so all you have to do is maintain an ambiguous relationship with him."
"Okay, I know what to do."
Claire Sinclair was a sharp woman, after all; she formulated a plan almost instantly.
But... "Teacher Hartwell, can I wait to do this until after the candidate debut tomorrow?"
"Yes, as long as you finish before Princess Morinka’s visit."
"Okay."
"Go on, then."
Claire Sinclair nodded, then turned and left.
...
At Sovereign Plaza, the tightest security in history had been activated. Voters gathered outside the security cordon, holding up signs for their favored candidates as the roar of the crowd swelled, one wave after another.
With an hour to go before the candidates’ debut, the crowd was already electric with anticipation.
「Backstage at Sovereign Plaza.」
Reporters from Astoria Daily, Astoria Television, and other smaller media outlets were all in position, each one raring to go, just waiting for the candidates to take the stage so they could compete for the day’s top story.
Given the gravity of the event, every reporter permitted to cover the debut was an accredited, seasoned professional.
Astoria Daily sent only Henry Hartwell. Claire Sinclair was supposed to join him, but she had more important matters to attend to.
Astoria Television anchor Holly Fleur stood beside Henry Hartwell, a years-old press pass hanging from her neck. Its cover was slightly worn—a testament to her veteran status.
Henry Hartwell gazed out at the tens of thousands in the square with a faint smile. An inscrutable emotion lurked deep in his eyes, but his demeanor was one of utter calm.
Holly Fleur glanced at him and suddenly asked, "Why isn’t your little protégé with you today?"
"She said Young Master Quincy had a task for her, so she couldn’t make it." After a pause, Henry Hartwell turned to her proud, beautiful face. "Technically speaking, you ought to call her sister-in-law."
"If she wants me to call her that, I’d be more than happy."
"She has a ways to go. When there’s nothing left for me to teach her, take her under your wing. It’ll be time for her to learn how to handle herself in front of a camera."
Holly Fleur nodded. "Let’s hope she can hold on to her principles."
...
「The Presidential Building.」
Claire Sinclair had secured a room with a view of the speaker’s platform at Sovereign Plaza. She plugged in her laptop, connected to the network, and opened the program she had stayed up all night to design.
Thousands of surveillance feeds automatically opened in the background. The program tapped into public and private security cameras across the most critical areas of Aethelgard. If any suspicious individuals appeared on screen, she would be alerted; the alarm was the watch on her left wrist.
With only ten minutes until the debut, Claire Sinclair picked up her phone and sent him a message: I hope that when your day comes to shine with boundless radiance, I too can glitter like a star.
A moment later, his reply came: I hope so too. To be with you, companions like the sun and moon.
