The princess sat in the reception room of the royal palace, lightly tapping her white nails—painted with a black design depicting the royal family's coat of arms—against the armrest of the chair she occupied. Today, Carolina was expecting an important guest who was due to arrive shortly. Thinking about this, she broke into a smile, knowing that everything, in all likelihood, would go according to her plan, at least this time. Viscount Lines had stubbornly refused all her proposals, so the princess had decided to change her tactics and her target.

  A knock sounded at the door leading into the room, and Carolina merely said quietly, "Enter." The door to the reception room opened, and in walked a tall, fair-haired young man with hair that barely reached his shoulders. The girl hadn't seen him in a long time, but she had to admit, he had clearly become more handsome. Apparently, those rumors about his escapades together with the first son of Count Cloud, Adrian Cloud, and that upstart baronet Richard, were not unfounded. If Katerina were in the place of those girls without any noble lineage, she too would have used that one chance in their lives to get into bed with a nobleman, especially if he looked like a handsome prince from a fairy tale, like Leon. Girls who liked the not-so-handsome Richard, who moreover had no noble lineage—she didn't understand them, especially when Leon or the equally attractive Adrian were nearby. Baron Star bowed to the princess and said:

  "I greet you, Your Highness, Lady Carolina."

  "Oh, Leon, you can address me informally, we've known each other for a long time," the girl said slyly, making a few waves with her fan to hide her smile. Then, folding it, she pointed to a sofa opposite her chair. "Please, sit down. We have much to discuss."

  "Much obliged, Lady Carolina," the Baron replied and carefully sat down on the sofa.

  The princess mentally clicked her tongue, watching the young man's reaction. Knowing of the current Baron Star's love for women, Carolina had deliberately dressed somewhat more provocatively for this reception: a slightly deeper décolletage on her black dress, which showed off her breasts, but not like that of street prostitutes, whose breasts threatened to spill out of their attire with every movement. No, this was precisely the kind of outfit that simultaneously displayed all the girl's assets but didn't look vulgar. In short, it was just enough to make a man of noble birth start looking her way with interest, not just with lustful desire. On her legs were black lace stockings, which, admittedly, were not visible under her voluminous dress, but the princess knew that at some point in the conversation, she would, as if by chance, stretch one of her slender legs to show the young man her sexuality. Even her hands were clad in silky, black elbow-length gloves, slightly translucent, showing off the princess's white skin. Carolina knew that men needed mystery in a woman, that they wanted to unravel it, which is why she had appeared before Leon in this manner—somewhat mysterious, not too vulgar, but moderately provocative.

  And yet, this oaf wasn't paying her any attention at all. His gaze was mostly directed at the floor, not roaming over her luxurious body. Was this truly the famous womanizer Leon Star? Even dressed in less revealing attire, Carolina had caught interested glances from men at receptions and balls, one of which belonged to that commoner Richard. Had he changed that much? Of course, the girl had heard that when people experience severe stress, they can change dramatically, or conversely, fall into a state where they want nothing, indulging their bad habits even more. Usually, nobles or other wealthy segments of the population were prone to this, although sometimes one could encounter peasants in such a state. Carolina was certain that Leon would be drinking all his alcohol supplies as soon as he arrived in the capital, so she had arranged through her people to slip an aphrodisiac into all his wine barrels. As her contact claimed, this substance could make any man throw himself at a woman, especially combined with alcohol. Trusting the Tsveta gang—one of the most wanted bands in the kingdom—was, of course, a dubious idea, but the princess knew that without such people, power could not function fully. There were things that couldn't be done legally without losing the people's approval. And as long as no one could prove your collaboration with such gangs, things should go well. She hadn't met their leader, of course, but she was satisfied with the intermediary through whom she placed her orders. Even the letter she had previously sent to Viscount Lines was delivered with their help, and she liked how they worked—these guys didn't even ask unnecessary questions. Of course, Carolina did everything through her servant Robert, and never went to them personally. She had considered even such details.

  But now she had the feeling that all her carefully laid plans were going down the drain, as if she were playing a chess game against an invisible opponent and losing several moves ahead. However, she didn't believe that this someone was Leon. Perhaps it was the old Viscount trying to play her? When the princess had tried to find out anything at all about Howard Lines, how surprised she was that there were no records of him. All that was known was that he was alone, had no wife, no children, no other direct heirs, and that he had served the father of the current Count Sky, the late Lord Elgar. And that was it. Really, that was all. Where he was from, who his father and mother were—nothing was known. Carolina found this very strange, but even the royal archives contained nothing, and they even held records predating the founding of the Kingdom of Crow. It was all very strange and mysterious, but the girl understood that she could not find any information about this old man. So it was logical for her to assume that Viscount Lines was to blame for all her current troubles.

  "So then, Leon," Carolina said after some thought, continuing the informal conversation and making a few waves with her fan. "I would like to discuss important matters of state with you."

  "Yes, Lady Carolina, I read your letter," Leon replied evasively, still looking at the floor.

  Carolina mentally clicked her tongue again, expressing extreme dissatisfaction with the situation, but continued, with slightly irritated notes in her voice that she couldn't hide:

  "Let's get down to business, then. I want to help with the railway construction. I know you currently have very little money and manpower, so I don't understand why the Barons Star resist my help so strongly, only to end up accepting it anyway."

  "Excuse me?" Leon questioned in surprise, for the first time during their conversation lifting his gaze to the princess.

  *Finally, he's turned his eyes on me. Maybe he did drink wine yesterday and is now resisting lust in order to pounce on me,* the girl thought.

  "Your father, Lord Charles, Baron Star, also initially refused cooperation—I really don't understand why—but then he accepted my proposal and slightly adjusted the railway route. However, a few days after that, that unfortunate accident occurred," Carolina said, hiding part of her face behind her fan, watching the young Baron's reaction.

  His face said it all. He was extremely surprised by this information, clearly unaware that Carolina had already collaborated with his father. Primarily, with this deal she wanted to strengthen her authority in the kingdom, and then her brother's authority, so that he would remain king even after Arthur IV could ascend the throne. Unlike Idivig, who showed no interest whatsoever in the throne, the princess tried in every way to demonstrate her power and her brother's power. The train and the railway were symbols of a new era and impending power. Whoever controlled such an important strategic resource and decided how and where it was built would govern the Kingdom in the future even more than the king himself. Perhaps the king would even have to do something about such growing noble influence. In its time, this had happened with Arthur I Crow, who rebelled against his king, Alex III Celestial, having behind him the then still barony of Crow's strongest army. Reading stories about her great-grandfather, Carolina was always inspired by him and his achievements. And now, she, as a true descendant of Arthur I Crow, wanted to strengthen her forces and keep the kingdom under a strong hand, because so far, she did not see Arthur IV as a strong ruler. Although, without a doubt, he was a good boy in her eyes and the eyes of others. And her sister Vanessa was simple-minded, with no claim to the throne. Therefore, Carolina believed their country needed a strong ruler, like her brother, or herself if Idivig couldn't handle the burden.

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  That's why she smiled, watching Leon's reaction. Of course, she didn't know why his parents and brother and sister had died, but it played too conveniently into her hands to have influence over the construction and route adjustment of the railway.

  "That's..." Leon suddenly began, but the princess cut him off mid-sentence.

  "Of course not, I didn't kill or order the killing of your family," Carolina replied, slightly narrowing her eyes, hinting with her gaze that the Baron was starting to talk nonsense. But his gaze was still not directed at the girl.

  Carolina noticed that her interlocutor was turning unnaturally pale and was already beginning to doubt that her information had brought him to this state. Leon was clearly feeling unwell, but the girl wasn't a doctor to understand what was wrong with him. Not every doctor could assess a patient just by looking at them. Having no other options, the princess asked her guest:

  "Leon? Are you alright? You don't look well. I didn't know this information would shock you so much."

  The young man raised his head and looked at the princess again. In his eyes, she saw inexplicable terror, and his hands trembled slightly. Coupled with the unnatural pallor of his face, the girl quickly concluded that he was frightened. Had Leon figured out her plan? Then she had no time to wait for the Baron to come to his senses and feel better, or to give her an answer.

  *I need to act faster while he's here,* Carolina thought, rising from her seat but continuing to cover part of her face with her fan.

  "I'll repeat once more, Leon. Are you ready to cooperate with me?" the princess said sternly, quickly changing the subject from concern to business. Admittedly, her sternness came from all the girlish strength she tried to project. Of course, it didn't turn out as well as her mother's or the elder Lady Blood's, but she thought to herself that she had performed tolerably.

  "No," the Baron replied very quietly, lowering his gaze to the floor.

  *Well, there's no choice,* the princess thought.

  "HELP!" she screamed, throwing her fan to the floor and falling back onto the chair behind her. She hit herself slightly, of course, but that pain was something she had to endure. During her fall, she also slightly stepped on the hem of her dress, but that was enough to tear the stitched strap on her shoulder, baring part of the princess's body.

  The disconcerted Leon first stood up abruptly, clearly wanting to approach the princess, but then his eyes widened slightly, apparently experiencing some kind of horror, and he sat back down.

  *He definitely figured it out,* Carolina thought and continued screaming with her girlish squeak, as loudly as she could.

  "HELP!"

  But there was no particular reaction from beyond the door of their room, and this was strange. Carolina knew for certain that Robert should be outside the door and should have immediately entered, accusing Baron Star of harassing the princess. Driven by the aphrodisiac, he could have done that. But now all the princess's plans were crumbling like a house of cards.

  Finally, the door opened, but to the princess's surprise, it wasn't her servant who entered, but a man she certainly hadn't expected to see here.

  Count Hollow.

  A tall, stately man with eyes full of darkness stood in the doorway of the reception room, observing the strange scene before him. A frightened young man sitting on the sofa and a half-undressed girl in a torn dress lying on the chair, covering her nakedness. In his place, any other man of noble blood would have immediately gone to Leon, demanding an explanation, and Carolina could have added fuel to the fire while he stammered something. But the Count simply stood in the doorway, motionless, watching the scene. He didn't even utter a word, just surveyed what was happening before him. Undoubtedly, her sister's suitor was as strange as the elder princess herself.

  "What's going on here, Gabriel?" Carolina heard a familiar girlish voice, whose owner immediately appeared in the doorway, stopping next to the Count.

  *Speak of the devil, and she shall appear,* the princess thought, continuing to cover her body. It was a little humiliating for her to appear before other people in this state, but still Carolina tried to maintain some of her dignity.

  "I..." Leon began, but immediately fell silent, lowering his gaze to the floor.

  *What the hell is wrong with him?* the girl cursed inwardly, watching her guest's strange reaction. Today, not one man in this room was behaving like a man.

  "We heard a woman's cry for help and came," Vanessa said, smiling somewhat foolishly and innocently.

  Count Hollow merely nodded at her words, continuing to survey the room with his gloomy gaze.

  "Could you maybe help me?!" Carolina shouted slightly, unable to bear the absurdity of the whole situation.

  "Oh, yes, little sister, of course!" Vanessa immediately said, as if snapping out of a trance, and headed straight for the younger princess. Gabriel, meanwhile, left the room, leaving the three of them. "Oh, Lord Leon, could you also step outside to Gabriel? We wouldn't want to embarrass my dear little sister, would we?"

  "But..." Carolina began, but her sister immediately interrupted.

  "No BUTS, little Carolina! You're almost undressed, appearing like this before a man. Don't you have any shame?!"

  Carolina was getting angry listening to her sister's words. Why, when she was supposed to be the victim, was she being made out to be the guilty one instead?! And where the hell was her servant Robert?!

  To the younger princess's surprise, Leon quietly left the room, looking dejected, not raising his head, staring at the floor. When he finally left the room, Vanessa moved away from her sister, said something quietly through the door, apparently to Gabriel, and then closed the door. Carolina, as usual, didn't listen to what her sister was saying, but simply continued lying in the chair. She was upset that her plan had failed, that she had had to sacrifice a bit of her pride for this, as well as a beautiful dress. And to appear before her sister and her lover the Count in such a shameful state. And all because of Leon! If he had done things right, she wouldn't have had to be so humiliated. To her surprise, Carolina started crying, and her sister immediately offered her a handkerchief, wiping the tears from her face.

  "Hush, little Carolina, hush," Vanessa said, then hugged her sister tightly. Although the elder sister was a bit simple-minded, she was very kind.

  "Thank you," Carolina whispered quietly, calming down a little in her sister's embrace.

  "What happened here?" Vanessa asked gently and quietly, matching her little sister's conversational tone.

  "I was talking with Baron Star, and then I slipped, stepped on my dress, and screamed in panic," Carolina decided to tell the truth. There was no point in lying now. If Robert had entered, then her servant would have been the first to accuse the Baron of harassing the princess. But as it was, everything had gone against plan.

  "That's so sad, little sister," Vanessa replied, pressing her younger sister to her.

  After a few minutes, as they sat quietly embracing, a knock sounded at the door. Vanessa stood up and approached it, opening it slightly so that no one could see her sister's condition. After all, Vanessa didn't care about her own reputation, but when it came to her family's reputation, she was extremely sensitive and responsive, so that no one could offend them. A strange and foolish girl. She meanwhile took a dress that was handed to her and let in Carolina's maid, whose name the younger princess still hadn't remembered.

  The maid, together with Vanessa, helped Carolina change into new, un torn clothes, and then touched up the princess's makeup so that it wouldn't be obvious she had been crying. All the while, the maid bemoaned Baron Leon, while the princesses remained silent, though one of them listened to these lamentations with a foolish smile on her face. When the girls finished tidying up Carolina, Count Hollow entered the room, followed by Baron Star, a couple of guards, and, to Carolina's surprise, King Idivig.

  "Greetings, ladies and gentlemen," her elder brother said in an informal tone, while everyone else took seats on the sofas or chairs arranged around the room, except for the servants and guards. The King himself also decided to remain standing.

  "I've already heard Lord Gabriel's version a bit while waiting for the ladies to tidy up my sister, and so I have already reached a decision as King of Crow," Idivig said, surveying all those present. "In one month, the Royal Ball of Crow will take place, and at it, we will send Baron Leon Star to the Duchy of Storm for military training."

  Any questions that arose from Carolina and Leon, Idivig stopped with a single raised hand, demanding universal silence, for the King was still speaking.

  "My decision is based on the fact," Idivig continued, "that Baron Star demonstrates a clear inclination towards the female body and cannot always control his emotions. If today things turned out fine and he didn't manage to harm my sister, a princess of our kingdom, I am not certain he will restrain himself in the future. After completing military training in another duchy, I will allow Baron Star to return and finish the Royal Academy of Crow, if his results in military training are positive. No objections will be accepted, for such is my royal decision. The alternative for Baron Star is death. I hope you understand that this is a good compromise that I, as King, can offer. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must continue attending to state affairs."

  After Idivig finished his speech, all those present stood up and bowed low to the King, waiting for him to leave the room. The second to leave the premises was Leon, who also bowed to all present and departed.

  No one else heard how, in the corridor where only the Baron walked, the gentle female voice of his maid Molly whispered in his ear as if from nowhere:

  "You did well following my instructions, Leon. Now neither you nor Viscount Lines will die."