Chapter 31

The day for leaving the palace finally arrived, and it was a bright, hot, and sunny day, with the sun blazing high in the azure sky above. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with the sounds of laughter and the distant chatter of people enjoying the beautiful weather outside. Cassandra was seated at a large, ornate deck located in a spacious room on the top floor of Restaurant Le Voile, a place known for its breathtaking views and exquisite cuisine. In front of the deck stood Baxtor, flanked by Sir Paeris, Marcel, Lizzy, and Vanessa. They formed a small assembly, all standing in a respectful silence as Cassandra meticulously read through the information that had been gathered by Bextor and his dedicated people.

The documents contained crucial intelligence that would guide the princess's next steps, and the weight of her thoughts hung in the air.

"Currently, I have been unable to find everyone you have requested, your highness," Baxtor came to inform Cassandra of this fact, his tone apologetic but resolute.

The small princess had given him a comprehensive list of individuals who appeared in her vivid dreams, each one a potential key to her grand ambitions. She wanted Baxtor and his team to gather detailed information about these people and their current locations, if at all possible. These individuals were not just random figures; they were either those who had aided Tylra in his endeavors or those who had obstructed his path. At this moment, she felt an urgent need to locate these exceptionally talented individuals, as they would play a crucial role in the intricate plans she was meticulously crafting.

Cassandra was aware that some of the individuals on her list might not even be alive yet, given their race and the fact that they had yet to be born. However, the list was not limited to those who had made personal appearances in her dreams; it also included historical figures mentioned in the annals of time—mentors, founders, and those who had shaped the destiny of organizations that had long since faded into obscurity.

With the fragmented information she managed to gather from her dreams, where these individuals were mentioned, she had painstakingly filled in the blanks, relying on the expertise of Baxtor's people to help her piece together the puzzle.

Yet, she harbored a lingering concern that mere names and basic descriptions would not suffice. She had feared that their effort would yield little more than shadows of the people she sought, especially since many of the names were potentially aliases or accompanied by vague descriptions that provided little clarity.

"I wasn't expecting you to find so many this quickly." Cassandra said, her eyes scanning the last sheet of paper before placing it onto the growing pile in front of her on the desk. "Especially since some of them only had names that might be aliases or descriptions that weren't clear."

She was genuinely surprised, as she hadn't anticipated such swift results. In her mind, she had been prepared for a long, arduous wait—months, or even years—before acquiring any substantial information or pinpointing the locations of the people she was determined to find.

However, there was something that piqued her interest when she was reading about one of the individuals she had requested to find.

"I noticed that the 'Harlan' you found doesn't match the description I managed to give you." Cassandra expressed her intrigue, puzzled as to why Baxtor included this particular person in the report. She had expected clarity, yet the details were muddied.

"Yes, there is a reason why." the middle-aged man explained, slightly lowering his head while placing his hand over his chest in a gesture of earnestness. "It might be true that his appearance doesn't align with the description your Highness provided us, however, his name and background do."

"But fallen nobles from Baron families aren't uncommon." The young princess interjected, asserting her point as she leaned forward in her chair, her brow furrowing in thought.

"You are correct, your highness." Baxtor conceded without hesitation. He didn't deny her words; however, he didn't seem to doubt the information that his people had gathered for him. "It is true that this man doesn't match the description."

Cassandra couldn't help but notice the way he emphasised 'this man,' as if there was an underlying significance to his choice of words.

"However, as you informed us, Harlan has a younger sister." The moment Baxtor spoke her name, Cassandra felt a spark of recognition. "The younger sister is called 'Estella,' and she matches the description exactly."

Suddenly, everything clicked into place for Cassandra. She now understood why Baxtor had included this individual in the list. In her dreams, Harlan was the name that belonged to the founder of the 'Star-fall' Company, a merchant establishment destined for greatness. It was set to become a major player within the empire, establishing shops in every corner and catering to the needs of both commoners and the nobility alike. The company's ambition extended beyond the empire's borders, forging connections with foreign lands and becoming the sole importer of exotic goods.

The Star-fall Company… at the time, Cassandra never truly understood why it had been called that peculiar name. However, now that she reflected on it, she did vaguely remember that the president of Tyrla's era had mentioned that the company had been named after the sister the founder tragically lost in a devastating fire, along with his parents. This revelation lingered in her mind, stirring a sense of melancholy. Maybe it was really named so that 'Harlan' wouldn't forget their true name or maybe something deeper? Because Estella, as she recalled, translated into star.

However, that left another question lingering in the air… Why did she pretend to be her brother to found the company? Why not simply open the company herself? After all, she had the talent and ability to do so, and she was more than capable of running a successful business on her own.

Perhaps Vanessa was able to sense the question swirling in Cassandra's mind, for she had come to ask a question of her own.

"Your Highness." The maid spoke politely, slightly bowing her head in a gesture of respect. "Might I inquire about the race of this individual?"

"Race?" Cassandra replied, momentarily puzzled by the nature of the question and its significance. "Human?" She answered, her tone laced with uncertainty.

Vanessa nodded knowingly. "It may seem strange to those of us from other races, but within human society, females are often viewed as insignificant compared to males." She continued to explain, her voice steady yet tinged with concern.

Honestly, Cassandra wasn't the slightest bit surprised by this revelation. Even during her time as Annabel, a woman who lived in an era where female empowerment was high, she had encountered individuals clinging to outdated views. Some believed women should only concern themselves with appearing attractive and being subservient to men. While these sentiments were more prevalent among the older generations, there were still some her own age who harbored similar beliefs.

"Women cannot inherit titles or properties, even if their husbands pass away," Vanessa elaborated, her expression serious. "They are treated almost like property themselves. Before marriage, they belong to their fathers or brothers; after marriage, they are expected to serve their husbands and their families. If their husbands die, they become dependent on the family or sons of their deceased husbands."

Cassandra felt a sense of indignation rise within her at the injustice of it all. She had always believed in equality and the inherent worth of every individual, regardless of gender. The thought of women being treated as mere chattel infuriated her. She thought about how this oppressive mindset could stifle ambition and creativity, especially for women who might have the potential to lead or innovate.

"Alright, I've made up my mind." The princess looked right at Baxtor, her expression resolute and unwavering. "Gather all the information you can on the Baron 'Marsden' family." She had given him the order with a tone that left no room for hesitation.

Cassandra knew she had to delve deep into the intricate web of Estella's family dynamics. She would start by examining their situation and the nature of their relationships with one another. If it turned out that their bonds were strong and filled with mutual support, she would gladly offer her assistance and devise a plan to help their family. However, if she discovered that their relationships were fraught with tension and discord, well then…