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 emperorâs 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 sonâs 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 wasnât far from the capital.
In the case of Marquis Edwin, they still had room for persuasion as he appointed Uriel as his daughter Loreleiâs 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 Apolloniaâs changed appearance but he supported Gaius externally as a logical compromise.
However, Apollonia judged that his heart might be shaken from side to side.
âMarquis Trion would also be there. If you want to approach them, you should bring me with you.â Evangeline added.
Caelion slightly raised an eyebrow.
Marquis Trion had been the Emperorâs supporter for quite some time and until recently, his relationship with Marquis Edwin hadnât been very good because their daughters were becoming rivals in society and keeping each other in check.
âMarquis Trion ousted his brother 10 years ago and took his title. The emperor had helped him accomplish it.â
âI donât know about their past but the three did have a secret exchange. And from some point on, the information had stopped with Duke Ripper.â
Evangelineâs information wasnât wrong because Caelion knew that best.
âMarquis Edwin was reserved when I tried to contact him. That meansâââ
âBoth you and Paris werenât good enough for him.â
Caelion bit his lip.
Evangeline shrugged as if something was wrong.
However, Caelion didnât think that what she said was wrong.
Many powerful nobles who insisted on neutrality didnât 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 familyâs bloodline.
If Paris possessed the virtues and characteristics of a great King, they would have supported him even if they were opposed to the Emperorâs current policies.
âThatâs what I guessed,â Caelion murmured.
He and Apollonia had some insight into the aristocratsâ 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.
* * *
âWhen did you plan this?â
âWhat do you mean?â Uriel replied casually to Apolloniaâs flustered question.
At first glance, he seemed perplexed at Apolloniaâs question but his smirk showed that Uriel had anticipated it way before she asked.
âWhat do you mean? Are you asking about when I made a reservation here?â
The two were at Avienne, the capitalâs most famous restaurant.
âYou 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! Iâd have to agree with you.â
âThat statement isnât complete. Thereâs no place I canât get in if I mention Eileen Idenaâs name. Of course, I didnât sell your name.â
Avienne was like a castle built in the middle of the capital.
The size and color of each stone constituting the building reflected the ownerâs 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 capitalâs specialty.
Day after day, many customers visited the restaurant without hesitation to take a tour of the garden.
The coveted seat of all Avienneâs 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.
âI guess you liked me.â