The next day, Carlisle and Elena welcomed the morning together. After Elena began her story last night, she told Carlisle everything else she knew about the future. What was regrettable was that many things had changed since then, and the information she had was not of much use now—there was no way she could have predicted Sullivan’s early death, nor of the ambush attempt. However, Carlisle still gave Elena a grateful smile, though his eyes contained a deep hurt as she recounted the pain she experienced in her last life.
“You have suffered so much, my wife.”
“It’s alright. I’m in a better place now.”
Her expression softened.
“I have you by my side this time. Perhaps one of the reasons I came back was to meet you.”
She had believed that her only purpose for her return was to save her family, but now she was also reunited with Carlisle. If she truly had died in her last life without meeting him, she would never have known what love was, and left this world with only bitterness in her heart.
Carlisle couldn’t contain a pleased huff, and his face was flush with the same happiness as Elena.
“How dare you say such beautiful words?”
He tilted his head and peppered small kisses across her face. His touch was light at first, but his kisses grew hungrier by the second, and Elena was forced to block his mouth with her palm. Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment, but she managed to stall him for a moment.
“Wait, I still have something to say.”
The heat in Carlisle’s eyes slightly cooled, and he smiled at her.
“Very well. Go on.”
He pulled away regretfully, and she continued on with a clear voice.
“I have to tell you the current information given to me by the head of Astar.”
She told him how the noble houses aligned with the previous emperor were pleased to hear that Carlisle was safe, and they would gather their forces and support him immediately. Elena could also considerably boost their forces by hiring mercenaries with her business profits. However, that was still insufficient. In order to deal with Empress Ophelia, and then Paveluc afterwards, the power of the Krauss family was needed.
After explaining each point, Elena finally spoke her opinion.
“Just in case, we need to bring the Krauss family to your side.”
“Hmm. Although Count Krauss may appear pliant, he is a very stubborn person. It will not be easy to secure an alliance with him.”
Not even the Emperor or Empress could caused the man to shift. Many powerful figures coveted his influence and resources, but in the end, they decided it was better for Krauss to stay neutral, rather than try force his hand and unintentionally turn him into an enemy. In any case, Count Krauss preferred to stay away from the squabblings of the noble courts.
“There is no guarantee that he can be persuaded, but I will try my best before the other nobles convene. I can’t give up without at least trying.”
Carlisle smiled in admiration of Elena’s ambition. Despite her slim figure, she towered even the most massive of war generals. In Carlisle’s eyes, the feminine and beautiful Elena was far more powerful than anyone he had ever known on the battlefield.
“Very well.”
When Carlisle granted his permission, Elena’s face quickly turned to that of a knight with a purpose.
“Leave it to me. I’ll do my best.”
As the two were devising their plans for the future, there was a knock on the door. Impatient for news, Elena looked towards the entrance and quickly replied.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and Isaac entered the room. He bowed to both of them and spoke in a polite voice.
“I apologize for interrupting at this early hour. When I delivered the brooch as ordered, the young master of the family sent an answer.”
“What was the answer?”
“He seems to have been travelling near the Ruford Empire. He asked if he could meet you tomorrow evening, and set a time and place.”
Harry, as clever as he was, wasn’t ignorant of Elena’s current situation. He likely prearranged a safe place for them to meet.
Elena turned expectantly to Carlisle for his opinion, and he nodded in affirmation. She looked back at Isaac, her face set in determination.
“When and where shall I meet him?”
This time, it was Elena’s turn to bring Krauss to her side.
***
Harry sent Elena a carriage that would bring her safely to the appointed meeting place. The head of the Krauss family had never chosen sides, and never made enemies of anyone. Elena didn’t think they would attempt to ambush them, but she equipped various weapons on her being just in case.
As she boarded the carriage, none of Krauss’ men realized that she had several small daggers tied to her ankles, nor that she had expertively hidden a small explosive. She did not intend to be taken by surprise this time.
Carlisle wanted to accompany Elena to the meeting, but she insisted that she act alone. There was only one reason why—Carlisle was the man to become emperor. Now was the time to make a request of the Krauss family, and Elena would not allow Carlisle’s honor to be tarnished by a potential rejection.
‘I will be the one to protect him.’
It was a promise that remained unchanged from the beginning. Meanwhile, Carlisle was uneasy letting Elena go by herself, and he warned that if he did not hear from her in two hours, he would rush to the meeting place himself. She smiled at the icy expression on her husband’s face. It was a little amusing that he was the one so concerned about her, and she became even more determined to not let him down.
Elena stared at the scenery passing by through the carriage window. Outwardly she had a leisurely demeanor, but inside her head she was busy thinking of how to persuade the Krauss family to her side.
She finally arrived at the meeting place, a small mansion that the Krauss family often used as a vacation home. Harry was waiting for her outside, and he graciously opened her carriage door himself and greeted her.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
“Yes. I was worried that you’d be gone for a while, but I was glad to hear from you right away.”
“Of course. I was not too far from the Ruford Empire, so I was able to come here straightaway.”
Harry’s demeanor was livelier than before, and Elena smiled at him in satisfaction. He seemed a bright and sensible boy. Harry led her into the mansion.
“Please follow me, Your Highness.”
She walked behind him, and he looked back at her with a curious expression.
“What can I do for you? Have you ever thought about—”
“I wish to see Count Evans.”
Harry’s brows lifted at her response. However, he had guessed that would be one of her requests, and he continued on calmly.
“I had wondered what you would ask for, Your Highness. My grandfather may not give you assistance in your affairs, but…it’s possible that you can at least meet him.”
Elena was secretly worried that Harry might turn her down. Fortunately for her, he accepted, and she smiled inwardly. Harry suddenly changed the direction of his footsteps.
“Follow me this way, please.”
Without any further explanation, he guided her to the head of the Krauss family, Count Evans. Contrary to many people’s assumptions, Carlisle’s primary enemy wasn’t Ophelia. While dealing with the Empress may seem more urgent now, Paveluc was patiently waiting to draw out his claws. With two powerful enemies before Elena, she needed more power to safely secure Carlisle’s ascension to the throne.
Elena’s eyes shone as sharp and as bright red diamonds as she moved forward.
