Study Tea Fragrance and the Cold Scales

Deep within the Duke Windsor's estate, in a study far more private than the one used for family business, and imbued with a regal air, incense smoke curled lazily. The decor here was not the customary opulence of the Windsor family, but a fusion of the Royal Family's grandeur and the gravitas of an ancient lineage. Portraits of past Emperors of the Augustus dynasty hung on the walls, alongside the eagle emblem symbolizing royal authority. The air was filled with the scent of precious sandalwood from distant Eastern lands, not ordinary spices.

Elinor Augustus, the Eldest Princess and the current Emperor Augustus VI's younger sister, sat elegantly on a divan upholstered in deep crimson velvet. Though past forty, she was exceptionally well-preserved; time seemed to have etched only a few fine lines around her eyes, lines that accentuated her dignity and wisdom. She wore a deep purple palace gown, simple in style yet made of extremely fine material, its hem embroidered with intricate Augustus family patterns in silver thread. Her hair was styled in a noble updo, adorned with a few small, yet priceless, amethyst jewels. Her face still held echoes of her youthful beauty, but what drew the most attention were her eyes—similar to His Majesty the Emperor's, deep as a cold abyss—which were currently fixed calmly on a magically encrypted scroll in her hands, her gaze sharp and composed.

Her husband, William Windsor, the future Duke Windsor, sat opposite her in an armchair. He appeared gentle and refined, dressed in comfortable casual wear, holding a cup of steaming black tea. However, a faint, lingering melancholy and guilt shrouded his brow. Compared to the Eldest Princess's contained sharpness, William resembled a scholar immersed in books more than the heir to the Empire's financial power.

"Elinor," William set down his teacup, his voice gentle, with a hint of imperceptible hesitation. "Alyssa's Coming-of-Age Ceremony is next month... time passes so quickly."

Elinor Augustus's gaze did not leave the scroll. She merely gave a faint "Mm," as if listening to an ordinary matter of no personal consequence.

William hesitated, then continued, "Thinking about this child... about to formally get engaged to Leon of the Hohenzollern family, I can't help but feel... somewhat indebted to her, and to my second brother and his wife." The "second brother" he mentioned was Alyssa's father, Charles Windsor.

Hearing this, Eldest Princess Elinor finally slowly raised her eyes. Her deep gaze met her husband's, devoid of anger or warmth, only a clarity and calmness bordering on the cold.

"Indebted?" Her voice was steady, betraying no emotion, yet carrying an undeniable authority. "William, in what way do you feel indebted? Do you feel it's beneath our Windsor family's pearl to be matched with the second son of the Hohenzollern family?"

William was momentarily stunned by his wife's direct question, offering a wry smile. "You know I don't mean it that way. The Hohenzollern family is a pillar of the Empire; their lineage is certainly a match. It's just... Leon, you and I both know his reputation and character. Alyssa, she's a bit cold, but exceptionally talented, pure of heart... to have her marry someone like that... I truly..."

"You truly feel that, for the sake of family interests, we are sacrificing our niece's happiness?" Eldest Princess Elinor directly finished his sentence for him, the corners of her mouth curling into an extremely faint, almost mocking, arc. "William, you are still so... naive."

She put down the scroll, picked up her cup of uniquely fragrant flower tea from the Southern Elven Territory, and took a gentle sip, her movements exquisitely elegant, yet exuding a composure that suggested complete control.

"Happiness?" She repeated the word, as if savoring an unfamiliar concept. "In the center of this vortex, happiness is a luxury. Survival, and surviving with sufficient influence, is the primary task. Alyssa is a daughter of the Windsor family; from the moment she was born, her marriage was destined to be more than just her personal affair. She possesses enviable magical talent; this talent is her capital, and also her responsibility. Where to invest this 'capital' to bring the greatest, most stable returns for the Windsor family—that is what we need to consider."

Her tone was as calm as if she were analyzing a business investment, not discussing her own niece's lifelong commitment.

"The Hohenzollern family, guardians of the Northern Territory, the Empire's strongest military bulwark. Marquis Otto is a staunch Royalist, but His Majesty is aging, barbarian incursions in the North are frequent, and undercurrents surge within the Empire's core. At this critical juncture, binding our Windsor bloodline, through Alyssa, firmly to the most core direct bloodline of the Hohenzollern family—do you not understand what that signifies?"

She looked at William, her gaze piercing. "It signifies that, in any potential future turmoil, we, who control the Empire's financial lifeline, and the Hohenzollern, who wield the Empire's sharpest blade, will become the most stable alliance. This is more important than any movable wealth, any empty fame! This is the cornerstone that will ensure the Windsor family stands tall for the next few decades, even centuries!"

William opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but found himself speechless. His wife's analysis was cold and precise; he could not argue from the perspective of family interests.

"But... Leon he..." William finally struggled to say, "He's utterly useless! This marriage, the Hohenzollern family internally must also..."

"Precisely because he is 'utterly useless'!" Eldest Princess Elinor interrupted him, a glint flashing in her eyes. "If the heir to the Hohenzollern family were someone like Karl, this marriage might not even happen. Even if it did, we would have to worry about being constrained by a powerful in-law in the future. But Leon? A spoiled good-for-nothing, perfect!"

She put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, which made her words even more oppressive. "An incompetent husband means Alyssa will have greater autonomy within the Hohenzollern family. With her talent and disposition, plus the support of our Windsor family behind her, she might be able to subtly influence that family. At the very least, she can ensure that the next generation of the Hohenzollern family carries our Windsor blood and is closer to us! As for Marquis Otto and that Karl... no matter how disappointed they are in Leon, as long as Alyssa gives birth to an heir carrying the blood of both families, they will have to consider this relationship! This is the long-term strategy!"

William felt a chill run down his spine. His wife had calculated everything to the core, even turning Leon's "incompetence" into a usable "advantage." The ruthlessness and foresight in this made him feel a pang of trepidation.

"Then... having Alyssa apprentice under Countess Margaret Strauss was also part of your plan?" William recalled this matter. Countess Margaret was notoriously difficult to deal with and maintained a distant relationship with the Royal Family.

"Of course." Eldest Princess Elinor admitted calmly, the curve of her lips deepening slightly. "Although the Strauss family is not numerous, Margaret herself is one of the Empire's top Grand Archmages, possessing immense hidden influence within the magical world and the court. She is also Leon's aunt. Having Alyssa become her sole student serves three purposes: first, to enhance Alyssa's strength and value; second, to establish a closer connection with the Strauss family; and third... it is to more naturally wedge a nail into the periphery of the Hohenzollern family. The facts prove this step was very correct. Margaret values Alyssa greatly, which indirectly strengthens our say in the Hohenzollern family."

She paused, seeing her husband's still troubled expression, and her tone softened slightly, but still carried an undeniable weight. "William, I know you dote on Alyssa and feel she is like a pawn being manipulated. But you must understand, I do not love her any less. On the contrary, precisely because I value her, I am choosing this path for her—a path that is difficult, but whose destination is destined to be noble. Marrying a hero does not guarantee happiness; but becoming the link in a powerful alliance, wielding real power, and controlling one's own destiny—that is true 'happiness'! Alyssa, that child, is intelligent and perceptive. She may not understand now, but one day she will understand my intentions."

"As for guilt?" The Eldest Princess let out a soft scoff, her gaze returning to the night view of the Imperial Capital outside the window. It was brilliantly lit, yet harbored hidden dangers. "At this position, feeling guilty towards everyone is the most fatal mistake. What we must do is ensure the scales always tip in our favor. Filial piety and romantic love are too insignificant in the face of family survival and power struggles."

She picked up the encrypted scroll again, saying lightly, "Enough, this matter needs no further discussion. Alyssa's Coming-of-Age Ceremony must be grand, making everyone see the union of the Windsor and Hohenzollern families as a powerful alliance, a blessing for the Empire. As for Leon... as long as he isn't foolish enough to cause an unrecoverable mess at a critical moment, the rest is up to him. An incompetent facade is sometimes more useful than a shrewd opponent."

William Windsor sat in silence, watching his wife's profile as she immersed herself back in state affairs, his heart a mix of emotions. He knew his wife was right; at least from the perspective of a family leader, every step she took was precise and ruthless. But the softness and guilt he felt as an "uncle" could not dissipate because of it.

He picked up his now lukewarm tea and drank it in one gulp, the bitter taste spreading from his tongue to his heart. In this game of power, family affection, love, and personal joys and sorrows were merely pieces on the chessboard. And his wife was the most composed, and the most ruthless, player. He could only hope that Alyssa's seemingly cold heart was resilient enough to withstand this meticulously "arranged" fate, and within it, find her own true sea of stars.

Meanwhile, Eldest Princess Elinor, amidst her husband's silent sigh, unconsciously brushed her fingertip over a certain name on the scroll, a deeper, unfathomable light flashing in her eyes. The Emperor's throne was precarious, her two brothers were locked in a bitter struggle, and she had long since laid out a more far-reaching plan. The Windsor family was her bargaining chip, the Hohenzollern family was her bargaining chip, even her children and niece were important pieces in this grand game. What she sought was never merely temporary stability, but... the supreme power to laugh last when the final reckoning arrived. Alyssa's marriage was merely a seemingly ordinary, yet crucially important, move in this vast strategy.