One of the duties the candidates had been focusing on aside from learning the strict imperial palace rules was maintaining the food storage in each small town within the empire. It was up to the candidates how they would put the division on the food, their deal with the people for harvest, and how they would take care of it and its people.
At first, everyone handled food storage for small districts, so even if the candidates failed, the chief supply (the empire) could support its people to prevent a shortage of food. The first phase immediately eliminated the candidates in half, sending the ladies back to their homes.
As the competition continued, the number of candidates gradually decreased. Some forfeited their participation to support another candidate, and the empire had allowed it. While others deliberately surrendered because they couldn't handle Sunny's mischief.
Currently, there were only three candidates left: Aries, Lady Ivory Norwood, and Princess Agnes. The other candidates, although they dropped from the competition, were granted to stay in the Hyacinth Palace as the empire believed whoever would become the empress would need capable ladies by her side.
Lady Norwood had kept Lady Julienne and a few ladies as lackeys. Princess Agnes only kept Lady Fatima Wendell as her handmaiden. Meanwhile, Aries couldn't choose between Veronika, Suzanne, and Sybil. Hence, she kept the three to assist her in handling the west district food storage while the other two official candidates — Lady Ivory handled the east and Princess Agnes the south.
"The competition is coming to an end and they would soon be announced who handled the storage well." Suzanne clapped to get the attention of the ladies, who were currently traveling to the west district to hand over relief. The three — Suzanne, Sybil, and Veronika — came to assist Aries's project as winter approached, and Aries wanted to give out blankets and clothes to keep the people warm.
"I'm certain Lady Daniella will win!" Sybil intoned excitedly, sitting beside Suzanne. Aries and Veronika were sitting across from them. "This is the third time you're going to visit the west district and everyone had shown solid support."
"I could swear there won't be any problem in your coronation," Veronika chimed with a warm smile, proud of how amazing Aries handled the matters diligently.
Aries had always said it was because she was once been a crown princess and had handled such affairs in the past. They took it as her time in the Maganti Empire, but Aries meant it as a princess in Rikhill. She didn't want to clarify this matter, though. There was no need for that.
"Do not jest, just yet." Aries chuckled at the three enthusiastic ladies. "Princess Agnes and Lady Ivory had shown significant results. I heard the East and South districts had been in a better state, and the empire didn't need to send a reinforcement, as they could sustain themselves throughout the winter."
"Lady Daniella is too humble." Suzanne shook her head while smiling warmly. "Even the men in the inner palace had shown admiration for your proposition in each royal court you had attended. I heard the emperor was pleased."
"More than the praise and recognition, I would rather focus on the well-being of those under my jurisdiction," Aries expressed, hinting at them they should change the subject.
Every time the three of them would sing praises about her, Aries couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable. They speak with so much certainty that Aries would win, and somehow, it felt strange. Not that she couldn't feel their sincerity, but because she felt like cheating the rest of the candidates.
"That's right. Lady Daniella might feel a little uncomfortable. This is the crucial time for the candidates." Veronika nodded, flashing Aries a reassuring smile before setting her eyes on the ladies across from them. "Let's just focus on giving out relief to the citizen. The cold season had come earlier than it should have. I could imagine the pain of those who couldn't afford to warm themselves in the night."
"Princess Veronika has a point." Suzanne rocked her head and cast Sybil a knowing look. "Let's have fun while we're at it."
"Mhm!" Sybil nodded, holding her fist up.
The three ladies chatted on their way to the west district, touching upon a variety of topics. They shared quite a fair amount of laughter and a bit of gossip, as Suzanne had held a lot of grudges against other lackeys of the official candidates. Those Suzanne had problems with mostly moved under Lady Ivory; Princess Agnes and her handmaiden, Fatima Wendell, couldn't be bothered.
Chatting took away their boredom as they reached their destination not long after. Aries's carriage was escorted by a small unit of elite royal knights to keep her and the ladies safe. When they reached the plaza of the small district town, the townsfolk were already waiting for them.
Aries furrowed her brows, holding Roman's hand as she hitched outside the carriage. Roman was the leader of her escorts while Climaco also joined them as Aries's personal knight.
"What's going on?" asked Aries to the nobleman, who welcomed her arrival, looking around at the people gathered in the plaza for relief. "Why are they gathered here?"
"My lady, they were waiting for you."
"I know that. However, the weather is rather cold. You should've handed them soup and clothes without waiting for me." Aries frowned, assuming these people had been in here since morning. "Hasten. Tell the knights to give them blankets and hot soups to warm them up. Prioritize the children and the elderly."
"Yes, my lady." Roman bowed, casting the nobleman a sharp glare before shouting the orders to the knight so they could execute it properly and accordingly.
The ladies also helped Aries out as they served the people food and clothing. This had been the third time Aries had been in this place, and the people already felt familiar with her. They accepted the relief with a warm smile.
While Aries handed the children and elderly soups and clothes to warm them, their warm smiles and sincere words of gratitude warm her heart. As the plaza felt warmer and warmer with the presence of Aries — their future empress, as everyone believed — little did they know, a figure was standing in a narrow alley watching everything unfold silently.
The person was wearing a thick cloak and a hood over the head. The person's lips curled up into an amused smirk, keeping those shining dark eyes on one particular figure. Aries.
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