Many royal aristocrats ostensibly supported Paris and the Emperor since he had replaced the major titles with the ones closest to Apollonia judgedital after his enthronement.
He was also aware of the emperor’s cruelty to those who were against him.
Since Caelion began to grow in power, many nobles had secretly expressed their support for him.
Some had a grudge against the Emperor, and many hated his and his son’s tyranny.
Marquis Edwin and Viscount Esteban were deliberately on the side of withholding judgment.
Both had a considerable amount of soldiers and their force and strength were significant in securing territories since it wasn’t far from the capital.
In the case of Marquis Edwin, they still had room for persuasion as he appointed Uriel as his daughter Lorelei’s son-in-law although it was a judgment based on love and not politics.
He was a teacher who taught economics to Apollonia when she was young and a scholar cherished by the Emperor.
After that, he secretly expressed disappointment at Apollonia’s changed appearance but he supported Gaius externally as a logical compromise.
However, Apollonia judged that his heart might be shaken from side to side.
“Marquis Trion would also be there. If you want to approach them, you should bring me with you.” Evangeline added.
Caelion slightly raised an eyebrow.
Marquis Trion had been the Emperor’s supporter for quite some time and until recently, his relationship with Marquis Edwin hadn’t been very good because their daughters were becoming rivals in society and keeping each other in check.
“Marquis Trion ousted his brother 10 years ago and took his title. The emperor had helped him accomplish it.”
“I don’t know about their past but the three did have a secret exchange. And from some point on, the information had stopped with Duke Ripper.”
Evangeline’s information wasn’t wrong because Caelion knew that best.
“Marquis Edwin was reserved when I tried to contact him. That means——”
“Both you and Paris weren’t good enough for him.”
Caelion bit his lip.
Evangeline shrugged as if something was wrong.
However, Caelion didn’t think that what she said was wrong.
Many powerful nobles who insisted on neutrality didn’t fully support either Paris or Caelion.
Although they received some attention for aligning themselves with the royal family for a long time, they were still reluctant to support Paris, who kept pretending he was part of the royal family’s bloodline.
If Paris possessed the virtues and characteristics of a great King, they would have supported him even if they were opposed to the Emperor’s current policies.
“That’s what I guessed,” Caelion murmured.
He and Apollonia had some insight into the aristocrats’ movements and as a result of several conversations, they came to only one conclusion.
The person whom they wanted to take over the throne was Apollonia.
However, the fragile image she had shown so far will not buy their support.
It was time for her to put down her mask little by little.
* * *
“When did you plan this?”
“What do you mean?” Uriel replied casually to Apollonia’s flustered question.
At first glance, he seemed perplexed at Apollonia’s question but his smirk showed that Uriel had anticipated it way before she asked.
“What do you mean? Are you asking about when I made a reservation here?”
The two were at Avienne, the capital’s most famous restaurant.
“You can never come in here unless you make a reservation a month in advance. You either have to be my father, aunt, or Paris to make exceptions. You can never reserve a seat like this under your name. So, yes! I’d have to agree with you.”
“That statement isn’t complete. There’s no place I can’t get in if I mention Eileen Idena’s name. Of course, I didn’t sell your name.”
Avienne was like a castle built in the middle of the capital.
The size and color of each stone constituting the building reflected the owner’s luxurious taste, and the rose garden surrounding it was also splendid.
The huge garden, where colorful roses bloom harmoniously and giving off their own scent, was the capital’s specialty.
Day after day, many customers visited the restaurant without hesitation to take a tour of the garden.
The coveted seat of all Avienne’s guests was in the middle of the garden.
The place, which boasted sunny weather throughout the year with the use of magic, was surrounded by blooming red roses, far from other seats in the restaurant.
It was fantastic and beautiful.
As soon as Uriel entered Avienne, the store manager guided him and Apollonia to a seat in the middle of the rose garden.
Even without ordering, the large marble table was filled with high-quality food.
“I guess you liked me.”
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