Chapter 194: The Tension of Meeting Face-to-Face

Walking on the neat bluestone path, Silas looked up and happened to see the huge alarm bell above the city gate.

Looking ahead was a wide passage like a mountain stream, with towering walls on both sides.

This was both a major thoroughfare and the second line of defense after the city gate was breached.

The entire passage looked to be at least two hundred meters long. Both sides were empty, and combined with the at least twenty-meter-high walls, it gave an oppressive feeling.

Elaina's status seemed to be very high. After entering, she could move freely without needing guidance or supervision from soldiers.

The two walked in front, and behind them, two soldiers carried a stretcher with Tess, who was still unconscious.

Elaina valued this person very much. Several times when others wanted to help, she directly refused them, only allowing the two people she trusted most to follow her and carry him into the imperial palace.

Five minutes later, the two walked out of the city passage and first saw a very wide, pure white square.

In the middle of the square was a huge ten-meter-high statue of a heroic middle-aged man in armor. Due to the war, the surrounding fountains had stopped, but it did not affect the overall magnificence.

With the square as the center, seven roads radiated in all directions.

Each of the seven roads corresponded to a heavy, thick gate and a large number of guards.

Elaina led Silas through the third gate on the left. Then, after passing through a flower bed, they entered the solemn, silver-grey imperial palace through a side door.

Walking through the main door, the first thing they saw was a side hall and a straight corridor. The two guards at the door tensed up when they saw the suddenly appearing people. Just as they were about to draw their guns, they recognized Elaina.

"Chief of Staff!" The two hurriedly put down their weapons, saluted, and said.

Elaina nodded and asked, "Where is the Queen now?"

"The Queen should be working in the study at this time," the guard immediately replied.

"Hmm, work hard. Victory is in sight!" Elaina encouraged and quickly moved forward.

Silas looked around as he walked.

This imperial palace was not as resplendent and magnificent as he had imagined. It gave more of a feeling of elegance and simplicity, like slightly yellowed book pages that had been washed by time, possessing a unique charm.

Passing through the long corridor, the two had just arrived at the main hall when they happened to see a middle-aged woman in a black butler's suit leading four maids carrying trays, preparing to go upstairs.

"Chief of Staff! Why did you suddenly come back without notice!" the middle-aged woman asked with a surprised expression.

Elaina smiled. "Long time no see, Maria."

"It went relatively smoothly, and I found some important clues, so I hurried back."

The middle-aged woman named Maria nodded slightly, then her eyes fell on Silas. "This is…"

"This is Mr. Silas Sotos, a powerful… merchant. I was attacked when I went out this time and almost lost my life. He saved me. Without him, I probably wouldn't have made it back."

Maria was shocked upon hearing this and then said with a grateful expression, "Thank you, kind Mr. Sotos."

Silas smiled slightly. "Rescuing a beautiful lady is, in itself, the most basic principle of a gentleman."

"What is the Queen doing now? I have important intelligence," Elaina said.

Maria said directly, "The Queen is currently receiving Prince Sako."

"Why is it this guy again? Hasn't the Queen already completely rejected him?" Elaina seemed to dislike this guy.

Maria sighed. "Prince Sako seems very confident this time. He has recently won over many nobles. Marquis Raul and Marquis Clinton also came with him this time."

"Let's go, take us there!" Elaina, without hesitation, very assertively led the way upstairs.

Maria hurriedly said, "This doesn't seem to conform to etiquette."

Elaina's almond eyes glared. "What etiquette are we talking about at a time like this? That bastard, relying on being the Queen's former senior, always makes advances on the Queen, completely lacking a prince's demeanor. If it were me, I would have burned him to death long ago!"

The head maid, Maria, knew this one's temper and said, "Then let's be a bit more composed. We'll go in first to announce, and then you can go in."

"Alright!" Elaina didn't make things difficult for her.

Following Maria upstairs, they walked about twenty meters down the corridor on the second floor and stopped in front of the third door, waiting quietly.

Maria knocked on the door, walked in, and said with a smile, "Queen, the tea is ready."

"What took so long?" Vanas's calm voice, with a faint hoarseness, came.

"Her voice in reality is much nicer than in the dream," Silas thought.

Arriving here, Silas suddenly felt a sense of nervousness.

"Why does it feel like meeting a netizen offline? My heart can't help but beat faster."

Silas's nervousness wasn't like that of two online lovers worried about the other not liking them. Instead, he was worried that his performance would be too poor, causing his status as Pope to plummet.

"I need to pay attention later!" Silas made up his mind.

"Your esteemed Majesty the Queen, in our country, these maids would be sentenced to death for such a situation. To delay for so long when His Majesty the King is receiving guests is a great disrespect. If you need, I can send you a batch of servants I have carefully selected; they are much more professional than these impolite underlings."

A greasy and frivolous voice came from the room at this moment, which sounded annoying.

Vanas's voice came, "You don't need to worry about my affairs."

"What's wrong?"

Maria said with a calm expression and tone, "The Chief of Staff has returned. She just met with her subordinates and exchanged a few words."

"Elaina is back!?" Vanas's voice clearly rose.

"Yes, the Chief of Staff said she has important intelligence to report to you now."

"Let her in quickly!" Vanas said immediately.

Maria responded and then asked tentatively, "The Chief of Staff brought someone back, saying he is a powerful merchant and a very trustworthy partner of the Chief of Staff. Should he be brought in as well?"

"Since he is the Chief of Staff's partner, he is definitely my friend. Let him come in with the Chief of Staff."

Ten seconds later, the door opened.

Maria extended her hand and bowed. "Please, you two."

Elaina walked in with great composure.

Silas, beside her, took a deep breath, first cast a Mantra of Serenity on himself, then made himself appear sufficiently calm and composed, while striving to maintain that elegant and mystical temperament about him.

Adjusting his hat, Silas walked in with his staff.

"Elaina, my good sister, long time no see." Walking in, Silas saw a circle of luxurious black leather sofas in the middle of the spacious living room.

At this moment, four people were sitting there, drinking tea.

Vanas, wearing a dark red queen's dress with hollowed-out lace edges, gently hugged Elaina.

Prince Sako, beside her, was a young man who looked to be in his thirties with thinning hair, a long face, and triangular eyes. Although he wore a luxurious and well-fitting ruffled formal suit, his overall temperament gave a very listless feeling.

Beside him were two slightly overweight, balding middle-aged men.

Although the two looked ordinary, they possessed a special aura of authority, clearly not ordinary people.

"Come! Let me introduce you. This is Mr. Silas Sotos." At this moment, Elaina stepped aside and introduced Silas.

The moment Vanas, following Elaina's gesture, saw Silas, she was completely stunned.