Chapter 87

Elara heard Mathias call Maurice "Big Brother" and knew that even though he hadn't admitted it out loud, he had basically started to believe everything she said today.

But the grudge between Mathias and the Pei Family had lasted for years. Even if Maurice now understood the truth behind it all, his feelings couldn't possibly change right away.

Elara wasn't in a hurry. Everything she said was true. Mathias had always swallowed all his suffering in silence, because the former princess never tried to understand him. He had never dared show his true feelings in front of the original Elara. If he had angered her, she could have killed him and then taken it out on the Pei Family. That would have made all his efforts meaningless.

If Elara hadn't come, Mathias entering the princess's mansion alone would have led to a dead end. The final outcome would have been dying with a ruined name and unbearable humiliation.

But now that Elara was here, she had opened a crack in the path that had been completely blocked for Mathias. She planned to help him walk out through that opening.

Elara looked at Maurice and smiled slightly. "I do have another purpose."

Maurice's back instantly stiffened. His eyes locked onto Elara's hand, which was still gently touching Mathias's face. But then he noticed that his brother showed no reaction at all. His eyes remained fixed on Elara.

"Second Master Pei, don't be nervous," Elara naturally noticed Maurice's reaction and gave a soft laugh. "It's not a big deal. I'm going to leave Plumera Capital in a few days. During this time, I need your brother to take care of everything I'm leaving behind in the city. I'm sure you're aware that my backyard is full of strange and dangerous people. I only trust your brother. I want to hand over everything to him, but after all these years of suffering, I can't give him too much openly. Otherwise, others in the mansion would notice something is off. And your Pei Family already abandoned him long ago."

Maurice's breath caught, and his clenched fists tightened even more. He couldn't help but look at Mathias.

But Mathias was still looking at Elara. And once Elara finished speaking, she turned her head toward him too. She gently held one of his hands, playing with it while softly stroking it.

"So before I leave, I want to find someone who will never betray my court attendant. Someone who can support him and help him."

Mathias's hand was held by Elara. More precisely, she was half-holding, half-playing with it. Her fingers lightly touched the calluses on his palm, as if studying them.

Her hand was much smaller than his. Even though Mathias was thin, he still had the bone structure of a grown man, so his hand was much bigger than hers. With both of her hands around his, Mathias lowered his eyes and saw that one of her hands was almost half the size of his. Right now, even though she was softly stroking the calluses on his fingertips with both hands, if he closed his palm just a little, he could easily wrap both of her hands inside his.

After a while, she lifted her eyes and looked at Maurice, who looked very much like Mathias.

"What do you say? Maurice, your brother has suffered enough all these years. From now on, don't let him suffer anymore, alright? While I'm away from Plumera Capital, help him. And try to understand what your brother has gone through for the Pei Family over these years."

Maurice stayed silent for a long time. Only the sound of his breathing and his chest rising and falling could be heard, growing heavier with each second.

He stared at Elara and Mathias's joined hands. After a long while, he finally said in a hoarse voice, "Alright…"

Elara's lips curved upward. Then she turned to Mathias again, her tone soft in a way he had never heard before. "Mathias, when I return, I'll personally take you back to the Pei residence and clear your name, alright?"

Mathias didn't even know how he responded. This woman had once been so cruel to him. Even though she had changed lately, everything she did now still carried a purpose.

He was Maurice's brother. If Maurice could sense something was off, how could he not?

But at that moment, Mathias suddenly felt like none of it mattered anymore. So what if she had a motive?

Looking at the gentle smile on the woman's face in front of him, a feeling he had never known slowly filled his chest. Her calm voice still echoed in his ears. She said she would take him back to the Pei Family. She would clear his name…

Mathias felt like his mind had been split in two. One part was pulling tight with reason, giving warning after warning, telling him not to trust this woman so easily. She was no longer the same, and he could no longer see through her.

But the other part of his mind suddenly recalled the day he collapsed in front of the Pei gates, and when he woke up, she was holding him in her arms…

Going back to the Pei Family… with her…

If he had heard that in the past, his first reaction would have been to stop it immediately.

But now…

Mathias's thoughts were in complete chaos. He didn't even know what he had agreed to in the end.

When he came back to his senses, he saw Elara's hand had moved from his own back to his face.

The smile on her face was softer and more content than before. She gently cupped his face, her posture even closer and more intimate than earlier.

"Good. Since you agreed, then I will not break my promise. My court attendant, for the next few months, I'll be counting on you."

Elara officially handed over most matters in Plumera's capital to Mathias.

This included the development of the two shops in the city, the coordination with the Bai family trading company, updates on Lord Gregory's movements, monitoring changes in the royal court and palace, and all the internal affairs of the Princess's residence.

These were things Elara had to keep control of even after leaving the city, to lay the foundation for her return and to keep the city from being fully taken over by people like Lord Gregory.

On the surface, Mathias was still someone from her inner court, so it wouldn't be easy for him to freely enter and leave the Princess's residence without being watched. That was why Elara secretly brought in Maurice today, and on the basis of reconciliation between the two brothers, made Maurice willingly agree to become Mathias's insider in the city.

No matter how capable Mathias was, he couldn't do anything without people he could use.

He was still considered part of her court, and recently, rumors had been spreading that he was favored by her. Lord Gregory and others were definitely keeping an eye on him, so at times like this, he needed someone absolutely loyal, with enough skill and access to resources, who wasn't too noticeable.

There was no better choice than Maurice, his biological brother who appeared to have cut ties with him.

Of course, the reason Elara could entrust all important city affairs to Mathias wasn't because she trusted him completely. Not even after she captured Maurice today for this emotional tactic.

Elara was a businesswoman. She didn't trust loyalty that came without conditions.

Even though she had just significantly raised Mathias's stats today, there was no way she would hand over everything with no backup plan.

She had long been used to tying people down with interests and consequences. So when she brought in Maurice to clear Mathias's name, first, she truly wanted to help this pitiful and unlucky man. He had suffered too much for the Pei Family. But more importantly, capturing Maurice was also a warning to Mathias.

Maurice now knew her true identity, had heard all about her plans in Plumera's capital, and would soon act as Mathias's ally in the city. That meant he was now on Elara's side.

From now on, the two Pei brothers, and the entire Pei Family behind them, could only belong to her.

Elara believed Mathias would realize this sooner or later. And once he did, he would never betray her. Both he and Maurice would become hers completely.

With arrangements for Mathias settled, Elara could consider most of the city's affairs handled.

After returning to the residence, she wrote letters to Damon and Emory, explaining the development plans they needed to carry out after her departure.

That afternoon, Elara didn't want to waste any more time. Under the escort of General Qi and his troops, she officially left Plumera's capital and set out toward her fief, Huayan County.

Huayan County was located slightly to the west of the southern border of the Plumera State and was the largest city in the region.

Before chaos broke out in the country, it had been the richest area in the south. The land was fertile, local products were abundant, and the terrain was high and easy to defend, making it an ideal city in every way.

Huayan County also bordered the third-tier countries of Xuhua and Fanxi. While both countries were weak in power, they were stable. Their rulers were not ambitious, and though their economies were modest, their border cities were peaceful and without conflict.

The people lived in relative peace, making them perfect partners for business and trade.

Elara sat inside the carriage, looking at the map of Huayan County and surrounding powers that System 92 had displayed in her mind.

All kinds of information merged together to form plan after plan in her head.

After getting mentally exhausted from overthinking, Elara told the system to put the map away. She leaned back and closed her eyes, reaching up to rub her temples.

Before she could touch her head, a pair of pale, slender hands gently began to massage her temples. Elara opened her eyes and met Imani's beautiful, concerned gaze.

"Your Highness, are you feeling unwell? Let me take care of you," he said.

He was very close, leaning in to rub her temples. His tall figure almost pressed against her entirely. A light herbal scent came from his body, wrapping around Elara. It was refreshing and made her mind feel clearer.

Imani's massage technique was excellent, as if he had learned it properly. His cool fingertips moved in small circles, and in just a few seconds, Elara's aching head felt much better.

She looked into his long, narrow eyes, then her gaze moved over his straight nose and full lips. Remembering what Lord Gregory had said in his letter, Elara didn't send Imani away. She decided to enjoy the moment.

After all, wasn't Imani sent here to serve her? Until they arrived in Huayan County, she might as well enjoy it while she could.

Elara didn't notice that after she closed her eyes again, Imani's face lit up with joy. His movements became even more gentle, and as the carriage rocked slightly, he slowly and subtly drew her into his arms.

His low, husky voice sounded near her ear, warm breath brushing against her skin. It was soft and teasing.

"Princess, sleep in my arms. It's comfortable here. I promise you won't get bumped or bruised."