Conspiracy
Deep within the palace, in a luxurious room overlooking the main ceremonial avenue, the heavy velvet curtains were drawn only slightly.
Queen Katerina was elegantly holding up a fine brass telescope, watching from afar the slowly moving, incredibly noisy princess procession outside the window.
On her well-maintained face, though the signs of age were undeniable, the corners of her mouth involuntarily curled upwards, revealing a cold and gleeful smirk.
Through the telescope, the gilded luxury carriage looked like a magnificent prison, carrying one of her greatest concerns away from the center of power.
"Hmph... That little bitch Louise has finally gotten out of the Royal Capital." She put down her binoculars and muttered to herself, her voice filled with a relieved joy.
In her view, this eldest Princess, born to the late former queen, was young and beautiful, and more importantly, she carried the purest and most impeccable direct bloodline of the Broomflower Royal Family.
This in itself constitutes the greatest potential threat to her youngest son Sigmund, who barely ascended the throne through a coup and with the support of the Eisenberg Family, and whose foundation was far from secure.
As long as Louise remains in the Royal Capital, even if she herself has no ambition, she will be enough to become a banner and excuse for the old nobles and former officials who are dissatisfied with her and her son's rule to stir up trouble.
This thorn in her side, this stumbling block, constantly made her feel like she had a thorn in her side.
Now that the stone has finally been kicked to the far-off, desolate Northern Territory, she feels much better able to breathe.
Just then, a pair of strong arms quietly wrapped around her slender yet taut waist from behind.
Katerina stiffened at first, then immediately relaxed, even leaning back with a hint of languor, and nestled into the person's arms with practiced ease.
She knew without turning around that the person who had come was none other than her trusted lover, Viktor.
"You saw everything?" Katerina gently rested her head on Viktor's muscular chest, feeling his steady and powerful heartbeat, her tone carrying a subtle hint of self-satisfaction.
"Our ' Her Highness the Princess ' has finally set off, embarking on the 'broad road' to her 'heroic Prince Consort's' Northern Territory fortress. Now, the Royal Capital finally have some peace and quiet, and those old fogies who like to bring her up should shut up."
Viktor's chin rested gently on the top of her head, his gaze also fixed on the celebration avenue outside the window, which was gradually becoming empty again, with only a few onlookers and soldiers maintaining order remaining, and the trail of the convoy on the horizon that had almost turned into a thin golden line.
His voice was low and calm, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself. "Yes, she left, in a grand manner, in accordance with all royal protocol, in a way that those pedantic historians and poets could not find a single fault with. Your Empress Dowager, your arrangement was indeed brilliant."
However, he immediately changed his tone, becoming calm. "However, Your Empress Dowager, compared to those veteran officials who still hold sway in the court, deeply entrenched and each with their own agendas, and compared to those local governors and grand Duke who wield real power and outwardly comply with the Royal Capital..."
"Princess Louise is probably just the most insignificant and easily removed obstacle; the real tough nuts to crack are yet to come."
Katerina nimbly turned around in his arms, the silk morning coat slightly opening as she moved, revealing her well-maintained, snow-white neck and an alluring collarbone.
She tilted her head back, and on that face that was a blend of mature charm and sharp aura, a kind of girlish dependence and adoration appeared.
She extended her well-maintained, slender fingers, teasingly tracing the outline of Viktor's sharply defined chin with its bluish-gray stubble, her eyes sparkling with allure:
"Isn't there still you? My Viktor... You're so capable, so resourceful. Those stubborn old fogies, those local tyrants with their own armies, sooner or later... sooner or later we'll take them down one by one, slowly, right?"
Viktor chuckled softly, then took her hand that was playing with his chin and brought it to his lips, giving her cool fingertips a light kiss. His eyes flashed with a mixture of desire and control.
"Of course, I will always be by your side, clearing away all obstacles for you, my Katerina," his voice was seductively hoarse, "Those obstacles will disappear, and this kingdom will ultimately be yours, ours."
The air temperature between the two seemed to rise rapidly, and an atmosphere of ambiguity and desire quickly replaced the previous calm discussion about power.
Viktor tightened his arms, as if he were about to lift her up and carry her to the more private couch on the inner side of the room, which was covered with thick silk and velvet.
However, at this moment of confusion and impending doom, Katerina seemed to be suddenly struck by a cold thought, and her brows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.
She raised her hand and pressed down on Viktor's strong arm that was already wrapped around her knees.
"Wait, Viktor ..." The languidness and allure in her voice faded slightly, replaced by the sobriety and calculation befitting Empress Dowager. "I suddenly remembered... there's something else that... worries me."
"Hmm?" Viktor stopped what he was doing, looked down at the worry in the woman's eyes, and gestured for her to continue.
He understood her; he knew she wasn't the kind of foolish woman who would be completely blinded by lust, and her concerns must be justified.
Katerina's brow furrowed even more. "You mean... what if, I mean what if, Louise and that border Lord named Karl, they... they really had a child? What then?"
She quickened her pace, analyzing the worst-case scenario. "That's true, legitimate royal blood! Born to the Former King's eldest daughter! Their legitimacy and order of succession far surpass our little Sigmund!"
"At that time, those old forces who are already dissatisfied with us can easily use the banner of 'upholding the rightful heir' to support that baby with the purest royal blood! Then... wouldn't all our efforts be in vain?"