[AN: we are visiting Soleil Listere and William Aerielle this chapter. For anyone that may have forgotten their existence, I updated the character list in Lily's memory box to include everything that happened for them till now.]

Soleil Listere's Point Of View

Everything is a mess. Large parts of the academy is empty. All of the knight students are gone... but it isn't just them. Most of the students with family dealing with merchanting have been excused from classes to help out their families since armies need their work to make ends meet with food and equipment.

In addition to that, most of the dukes and marquesses have all withdrawn their family members from the academy until the danger is gone.

'They're safer in the forts than in the capital' I hear them argue. I may not be as good as strategy as Lionel or Eric, but I know that the capital would likely end up falling before many of the forts, since it isn't... defensible.

Even our family has mostly withdrawn to the fief. Only father and I will remain after tomorrow. Tonight might be the last time I will see my sisters. The thought makes my stomach scrunch up like a sour raisin.

—-*—-

As you can imagine, the remaining students are feeling quite tense and nervous. As a high noble, another part of our job is keeping people calm under these circumstances... but instead...

"What is going on here?"

I call out sternly to a group of people discussing loudly in the school courtyard. On one hand is Millet Greenhall a future count, and on the other is William. Other than William both crowds mostly consists of nobles ranked that of a count or lower.

William is excellent at mediating arguments with deals that favor both sides, so knowing that this had gone on for long enough for a commoner to come to me, begging me to do something about it was a shock.

Millet Greenhall turns towards me with steeled determination in his eyes. He's a bit shorter than William, but even short Millet outshines William for a moment as Millet straightens up and places a hand to his own chest.

"Lord Soleil. We were discussing the accusations of treason armed at house Celeste."

Millet's eyes narrow with bitterness as he puts additional emphasis 'accusations' as if trying to tell me that it was nothing but accusations. Just enough to let me know what was going on, and at the same time make a snap remark at the other part in the discussion. William. Seeing how Millet glances to William with spite, their argument must have gotten quite heated

William's resting scowl is worse than usual so he must be quite irritated as well. This is unusual. William is a Duke, and everyone else here are ranked lower than him. For an argument to last this long must mean that Millet's side is desperate, as ruining their relationship with William can cause quite a lot of political and economical problems. He even has enough power to mess with the taxes the crown demands of them.

"It is nothing for you to worry about, Soleil. It is merely an argument over suspicious behavior."

William crosses his arms. He's a bit taller than most, but as usual doesn't have muscle to make up for his slight frame, so he doesn't look as intimidating as he attempts to be by flashing the honor student badge and student council brooch.

I feel a wave of discomfort at William's attempt at pushing me aside when he is clearly failing at his work. As the future prime minister, causing fear and discord like this is the opposite of what he should be doing. If he does not intend to untangle this mess then I will do it.

"House Celeste would not do such a thing," Millet Greenhall insists. A few other students of lower rank stare daggers at William. It isn't surprising. A good bunch of them are barons and viscounts managing lands under House Celeste. If House Celeste is turned against the empire then so will they and their families.

William immediately goes into defensive mode.

"There is no other reason for him to be chosen. The enemy wouldn't just randomly choose an enemy war genius to take over the enemy country. It would be foolish. Furthermore, he even had a meeting with the enemy and could have had several while he was abroad, or can you not even comprehend this?" William sneers back at Millet in irritation. This is not acceptable.

"William. That is enough, spreading suspicion and hostility among allies will not do us any good," I say calmly and move between Millet and William. I push Millet out of William's wrath to make him focus on me. He takes the bait.

"...how can you even be sure they're allies?"

William sounds bitter and degrading as he says that. He's usually quite calm, but he must be quite settled on this hilltop to actually go at me. Though, rather me than the lower ranked nobles. Our family can take the side affects of a disagreement.

"William, please remember that Augustus cannot have children. Even if he took the throne his bloodline wouldn't continue. Furthermore, he would harm his sister's possibility for becoming a queen by going against the throne. The rest of House Celeste would have nothing to do with it even if Augustus was a fool that did not care for his family."

I watch William closely and see how his scowl turns even more bitter as he speaks out the following line.

"Possibility? His highness will end up with Claire Talwen. It is quite obvious that he is fond of miss Talwen. There is no longer any possibility of that woman to become a queen, Soleil."

Claire was really good at handling William, and I think seeing her near the prince made William... an idiot. As usual his mutual grudge with Lady Lily seeps into any conversation about her.

"If that was the case then they would have tried to kill Claire rather than get a hold of something they cannot keep and get in trouble for treason," I retort calmly and shut down his partly unrelated argument. I won't accept any biased comments like this. It wouldn't surprise me if the biggest reason he suspects Augustus of treason is because Alstair dislikes Augustus.

William looks distant as he mulls over my arguments versus his own while placing his own chin between his fingers in thought. I'm sure he'd be the type to stroke his goatee if he had one, with how much he adores dealing with money.

"I accept your point."

William concedes with a hint of bitterness. Millet's shoulders visibly sink with sheer relief. His territory is bordering House Celeste's so conflict would have affected him directly as well. With this the lower nobles are out of trouble and the suspicion of treason settled for now.

I see hints of dissatisfaction between the people around William. Those who look guilty for going too far, and those who simply look irritated. At least one of them looks dissatisfied that the argument ended, but I cannot tell if it is from not believing my arguments or if they were hoping for discontent...

No. I'm taking it too far. I must be getting paranoid as well. Still, time to deal with the biggest problem in this.

"William, as the son of the prime minister your words carry much weight. Please be careful and think your words through carefully before spreading panic. You should be pulling people together in these times, not splitting them apart. If you cannot live up to this you'll be a failure for a prime minister," I scold him lightly for his carelessness.

I'm aware that now may not have been the time William preferred the scolding, but this way he will remember it. William can be surprisingly dumb with people. Just see how he is with Lady Lily. If he would just once swallow his pride and not insult her, he would find that she can be very reasonable to deal with.

William looks directly at me and presses his lips together. Visibly bitter. I don't care. Putting people in a position where they have to fight an ally because of foolish bias and dislike is unacceptable. Especially for someone with as much power as he will have in the future. Even Lady Lily gave her all and killed people to prevent Claire-chan from suffering this fate.

"Of course.. I will keep this in mind... Now, if you'll have me excused." He gives a slight bow and then walks off in a rush, leaving me with the minor nobles. Dear lord, he's overreacting isn't he? Why is it that he can never see things clearly whenever it comes to himself?

That aside. Let's focus on the minor nobles.

"The same goes for you. Act as is appropriate for your rank. If you cannot keep calm what will the commoners not end up thinking? If you cannot keep your mind calm you're failures as nobles. We are allies, and trying to harm each other is disgraceful," I snap at them.

"Now, return to your classes," I demand. They comply, although some are still discontent.

I'll admit I am worried as well. Excessively so too, but we have a duty to uphold even though we aren't going to the battlefield.

"Yes, Lord Soleil."

---*---

Our mansion is abuzz from our servants running around as I walk in to find my sisters. After everything that happened I want to enjoy their smiles one last time.

"Soleil-sama, a letter has arrived."

A servant interrupts me by holding out a neatly written letter. The only problem is the sender... or rather, the lack of their identity. The servant who handed it to me is currently looking rather... nervous... I can even see him sweating while looking at me.

I usually do not accept anonymous letters like this, but it's quite clear that my servant will be in trouble if I do not accept it. It would be unacceptable for me as a lord to bring my servant in danger over a letter.

"I see... thank you, Alberto."

I take the letter and watch his expression. If he is relieved then he was just asked to deliver it, if not...

Alberto straightens up and leaves hurriedly, leaving me there with the letter just like that... did I overreact?

...I really must be getting paranoid. I've never been this on edge before. He was probably just warm from moving baggage.

I continue to the terrace where my mother and three sisters sit cozily in the woven chairs.

My three adorable blonde and angelic sunshine sisters smile at me as they see me.

"Welcome home, Soleil."

The oldest, Mirenne, was getting married in a month. It will have to wait now.

"You look tired. Need to have us braid your hair again?" Mirenne suggests slyly in an attempt to cheer me up.

"Thank you, Mirenne, but I will skip the hairdo for today." I sit down next to her and look over my sisters. Avile, the youngest, is braiding a strand Michella's hair while my mother is embroidering yet another handkerchief.

"Why are you staying in the capital, Soleil? There's nothing you can do here anyway," Michella speaks out with a sullen pout on her lips as she narrows her bright brown, almost honey colored eyes at me. The rest of our family usually has silver or pale yellow eyes, but Michella has quite intense eyes. In the end I can only smile.

"There are still a good deal of people at the academy, Michella, and they need someone to keep order," I try explaining. She'd start at the academy next year, so she has a feeling of what kind of place the academy is.

"Isn't that William-chan's job?"

My mother perks up and joins into the conversation as Avile changes her braiding target from Michella to me... even though I said no...

"William needs support. Apparently he's been quite affected by the declaration too and even accused House Celeste of treason."

I let out a sigh while my mother and sisters let out a collective gasp. Avile even accidentally tugs at my hair a bit too hard.

"Oh dear. Eric has always been such a polite child though, and Lily became such a polite girl too."

...polite... perhaps towards the adults and those she find equal in some way. I shake my head.

"I managed to clear it up so things should be fine for now."

I manage a smile to calm my mother.

"I see. That is good. Still, I'm worried about the situation. I hope things improve or I won't know what kind of place the little new one will be born into."

Little one?

"Are you with child?" My mind goes blank as I instinctively end up looking to her belly.

She laughs warmly and gently puts a hand to her stomach, caressing it.

"You sound so excited. Hoping for a brother?"

I... clear my throat a bit. Was it that visible?

"No. Another sister. They're all lovely and I could wish for nothing better." Even while I say this Avile is still tugging and braiding my hair.

My mother laughs, and just for a moment everything is right.

—-*—-

I open the letter later after my mother and sisters have left for the fort. If nothing else it cannot hurt to read it, right?

...

Oh how wrong I was... and how I wish I had never read the letter, or found out that my mother was pregnant.