86: Chapter 86 Bilateral Talks! Ended on Unhappy Sides! Princess Alice's Meeting!

As the atmosphere of the banquet reached its peak.

The representatives of the Royal Family and The Senate finally met with the Church officials in the central area of the banquet hall.

The two sides engaged in brief pleasantries.

Subsequently, led by several attendants, the key figures from both sides left the clamor of the main banquet hall and headed toward a small, private meeting room prepared in advance within the manor.

As this group of core figures, who truly held the reins of the situation, departed,

a subtle shift occurred in the atmosphere of the banquet hall.

The music remained melodious, and the fine wine continued to flow.

However, many people's minds were clearly no longer on the party.

Though the chatter hadn't stopped, the conversations became perfunctory, and gazes began to drift, frequently darting toward the closed doors of the meeting room.

A mix of anxiety and anticipation spread silently through the crowd.

Inside the well-insulated small meeting room,

the atmosphere was heavy and formal.

Representatives of the Church and the Empire sat on opposite sides of a long table.

Scarlet Sacrifices had broken out almost simultaneously across three counties in the Northern Border, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent civilians. This news was currently under strict censorship to prevent widespread panic and turmoil throughout the North and the rest of the Empire.

But everyone knew—

The fire could not be wrapped in paper forever!

The Empire had to quickly come up with an official explanation for the public and a resolution plan for internal affairs.

Currently, the only breakthrough lay in Gino County.

The sacrifice in Mist Whisper Town had been successfully thwarted, and the core cultist, the Pale Knight, had been captured alive by the Church.

The information held by the Church had become the focal point for all factions within the Empire.

Princess Alice elegantly picked up her teacup and took a light sip, in no rush to speak.

Kevin, who came from a courtly Marquis family, understood the cue.

He cleared his throat, looked at Aria opposite him, and spoke in a steady, direct tone:

"Priestess Windsor, regarding the captured Pale Knight and the overall plot of this Scarlet Heresy, I wonder if the Church's interrogation has yielded any results?"

"His Majesty and The Senate are very concerned about this matter, as it pertains to the stability of the Northern Border and our subsequent response strategies."

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Aria.

Hearing this, Aria met Kevin's gaze with calm eyes, her gaze seemingly brushing past someone present without a trace. Her voice was cold and devoid of any emotional fluctuation:

"Still under investigation..."

Only three words.

No explanation, no elaboration,

and no substantive information provided.

The air in the meeting room seemed to freeze for a moment.

The members of The Senate quickly exchanged looks, each seeing gravity and a hint of displeasure in the others' eyes.

The Church's attitude was firmer and more closed-off than expected.

Theodore Witton frowned slightly.

Lucius Winter's expression grew even colder.

The smile on Eli Holmes's face faded slightly.

Vanessa Bryce looked at Aria thoughtfully, her fingers unconsciously tracing light patterns on the tabletop.

Ultimately, it was Kevin who spoke again, his voice dropping a few pitches, carrying a pressure that could not be ignored:

"Gino County is in a state of panic following this upheaval, and many affairs have come to a standstill."

"The subsequent impact of the Scarlet Peril is far-reaching."

"The Royal Family and The Senate hope that the Church can... accelerate the process, clarify the details of the case as soon as possible, and stabilize the region. This would allow the Empire to timely reassure the public, punish the wicked, and reward those who have rendered meritorious service."

These words carried an obvious tone of urging.

Aria remained silent for a moment.

She seemed to weigh her options briefly before speaking slowly, still in that same indifferent tone:

"I will try my best."

The conversation that followed proceeded in an atmosphere that was seemingly polite but distant.

The Church held firmly onto the Pale Knight and the initiative of the investigation, refusing to disclose more.

The Senate, on the other hand, repeatedly emphasized the urgency of stability, responsibility, and subsequent handling.

Specifically regarding the Scarlet clues and the redistribution of the lands belonging to the convicted nobles.

The Empire was testing the Church's bottom line and true intentions.

But clearly, this first formal contact failed to achieve any breakthrough progress.

About half an hour later, this meeting with its heavy atmosphere ended in a rhythm that was almost a stalemate.

The three from the Church rose first. Bishop Cole took his leave politely, while Aria and Commander Calvin gave a slight nod before leaving the small hall directly under the escort of the Temple Knights.

They did not return to the main banquet hall but left the Golden Gorse Manor immediately to return to the Dawn Cathedral.

Princess Alice and the five members of The Senate returned to the banquet hall a step later.

They wore appropriate social smiles once more.

However, those with sharp eyes could still detect a trace of gravity and contemplation lingering in their eyes.

The banquet continued for about another hour.

It wasn't until Princess Alice elegantly expressed that she was fatigued from her travels and needed to retire early that the banquet gradually drew to a close.

However, just as Rowan and Mira were preparing to depart,

a female official dressed in royal court attire approached them, stating that Princess Alice would be holding a small-scale informal tea party to meet individually with her loyal royal vassals.

Hearing this, Rowan and Mira exchanged a look and nodded, signaling for her to lead the way.

The official led them out of the main banquet hall, through several quiet corridors, and to an even more private reception room within the manor.

Inside the small reception room, the lighting was soft, and the fireplace emitted a relaxing warmth.

The air was filled with the rich aroma of black tea and a faint scent of fresh flower incense.

Several summoned vassals entered one after another and, according to their assigned positions, performed the standard vassal's salute to Princess Alice, who sat in the seat of honor.

Rowan and Mira stood near the front.

"Please rise, everyone. There is no need for such formality."

"Today is not a formal court session; it is merely a private chat between me and the loyal pillars of the kingdom."

Princess Alice's voice was even gentler and more cordial than in public.

She raised her hand slightly in a gesture, her posture elegant.

But even so, the noble aura and invisible majesty belonging to a royal princess still permeated the entire room, making people unconsciously more respectful.

Rowan stood up, his hands hanging at his sides.

Viewed from this angle,

Princess Alice's seated posture was perfect, every inch of her bearing exuding innate royal elegance.

A magnificent court dress draped and spread out, its voluminous skirt rippling slowly along the chair like layers of blooming violet petals, gentle and dignified.

The lines of her shoulders and jade-like neck were soft, and a faint smile played at the corners of her mouth, though that smile didn't seem to reach her eyes.

Deep within her eyes were composure and scrutiny.

The Princess first encouraged the group, praising the loyalty of the various vassal families to the Royal Family throughout the generations.

And then—

Her gaze softly landed on Mira.

"Miss Mesa," Princess Alice's voice carried a perfect amount of sympathy,

"regarding the unfortunate fate of the Red Maple Knight and the Mesa Family, I once again offer my most sincere condolences and sympathies on behalf of the Royal Family."

"Please believe that the Empire will never let the blood of the loyal flow in vain, nor will it leave the descendants of heroes homeless."

"Once the Church's investigation is fully concluded and the Mesa Family's innocence is proven, the Royal Family will provide full assistance to ensure that the Maple Flower Territory is returned in its entirety to the name of the Mesa Family."

Mira's eyes reddened as she bowed deeply again:

"The Mesa Family will never forget Your Highness's kindness! We shall serve with all our hearts to repay Your Highness!"

Princess Alice nodded with satisfaction, and her gaze then turned toward Rowan.

Her eyes seemed a bit more focused, and the smile at the corners of her mouth deepened slightly.

"Baron Flynn, regarding the details of Count Farrell's execution and... some subsequent matters, I still have some questions. I hope to speak with you alone."

Her tone remained gentle, but the meaning behind her words made the other vassals' hearts skip a beat, and they quickly and tactfully bowed and took their leave.

Mira glanced at Rowan and, under the guidance of a maid, also exited the room along with the others.

The door closed softly, leaving only Princess Alice, Rowan, and an expressionless middle-aged female official standing in the shadows behind the Princess.

...