Timid and Shy - Chapter 75

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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75.

Sophia spoke carefully, masking her concern over Crown Prince Robert.
“There’s no evidence against Cressida in Oberon. Compared to Philip Wiscom arriving in Oberon and drawing suspicion, Cressida has been far too quiet, hasn’t she?”
Helen replied.
“We could bundle Oberon, Cressida, Wiscom, and even Crown Prince Frederick together into one conspiracy. But is that too convenient a theory? Ah—! If we push it that far, it might actually backfire on the Crown Prince instead. He’s already facing criticism over Philip Wiscom’s scandal, so linking Cressida or Wiscom without evidence feels risky.”
Parma spoke.
“No, I think they are connected. But as Helen said, punishing them is another matter entirely. Doesn’t everyone know that the easiest way to make Crown Prince Frederick the next in line is for Crown Prince Robert to die?”
Sophia nodded in agreement.
“Saturn’s invasion would be the perfect opportunity. Oberon’s influence has extended into Umbriel for years now. The reports showing that the Umbriel lords’ bankruptcies stem from Oberon prove as much. Surely Oberon still has connections there. If we use those old ties, Cressida could slip free of suspicion. We can simply report that remnants of Oberon’s faction attacked the Crown Prince.”
Helen spoke.
“Shouldn’t we inform Crown Prince Robert? Shall I call Gunter?”
Sophia smiled at Helen’s concern. She spoke gently.
“He already knows, of course. That’s precisely why he didn’t detain Lady Cressida when she said she was going to Ariel. He trusts Lord Gareis, certainly, but there’s simply much work to be done in Umbriel as well. Besides, if Lady Cressida were here, it would only complicate matters.”
Helen spoke, her expression uneasy.
“Is that so?”
Sophia spoke with quiet hope.
“This crisis is also the Crown Prince’s opportunity. We must use it to rebuild Umbriel and establish his strength. I hope we can turn this into a fortunate turn for Ariel as well.”
Pina spoke.
“They’ve likely prepared well in Ariel too.”
“I think so as well.”
Sophia trusted the Ariel family. The abilities of Baron Ariel and Inspector John were far more reliable than her own modest efforts.
And Lord Gareis.
The rumors about Lord Gareis were many, as Philip Wiscom had said, but one thing remained constant among them all.
Martial prowess.
‘It would be best if I never had to witness Lord Gareis’s strength firsthand.’

***

They departed Oberon at dawn and arrived in Ariel around midday. As Sophia gazed out at the familiar landscape, she reflected.
‘Half a day’s journey—traveling between Ariel and Oberon won’t be so difficult after all.’
Ariel seemed peaceful, contrary to Sophia’s anxieties. The people of Ariel Castle looked startled at the sudden arrival of so many horses and carriages thundering in.
They were even more astonished by the company itself. When Baron Ariel was introduced to Lord Gareis and Lady Cressida, confusion crossed his face—he couldn’t fathom why the siblings of House Gareis had come to Ariel at all.
Baron Ariel drew Sophia aside and asked pointedly.
“What on earth is going on?”
“I should have sent word ahead, but I thought coming directly would be faster. Once Oberon’s plan was discovered, they fled in the night. Baron Oberon was the true orchestrator, but he was found dead—and the acting representative’s whereabouts remain unknown. I came to Ariel in haste out of concern for a possible surprise attack from Saturn.”
Inspector John began directing people to their lodgings. It was no small task to arrange accommodations for so many guests and assign attendants to each.
When Gunter appeared, Inspector John called out to him urgently.
“Inspector! I need a word—!”
Gunter and Inspector John spoke privately in a corner. Jack quickly took over the work John had been doing and continued the arrangements.
Sophia could readily guess what the two men were discussing. Gunter was likely being pressed for any possible information about Saturn’s expected troop strength and timing of attack.
Parma observed the surroundings. She had known of Ariel’s poverty from the moment she heard the name Sophia Ariel. In social circles, the description of Sophia Ariel could be summed up in a single word: poor.
She had heard that a salt mine had been discovered in Ariel, but as it had only recently opened, the territory still bore the marks of widespread hardship.
Seeing the direction of Parma’s gaze, Sophia felt more curiosity than shame.
‘When I went to Oberon, I never imagined I’d bring the Gareis siblings back with me to Ariel.’
Baron Ariel ushered all the guests inside. Given the threat of Saturn’s attack, everyone gathered together at once to share information rather than rest.
The Ariel household, the Gareis siblings, the family from Pinega, Gunter, Inspector John, and Jack—the reception room was crowded with people.
They began their discussion before a table laden with tea, cookies, and simple refreshments.
Baron Ariel addressed Lord Gareis and Lady Cressida.
“I must apologize for not offering proper hospitality given the urgency of the situation.”
Lord Gareis replied.
“Not at all. I understand completely.”
Gunter briefly recounted what had transpired in Oberon, and mentioned that Crown Prince Robert was currently in Umbriel.
Parma was eating the cookies piled high before her without any apparent hesitation. Sophia smiled at the sight.
When she had first met Crown Prince Robert at her debutante presentation, she never could have imagined things would come to this. At that time, she had also heard the name Parma Gareis and learned about her nature.
‘Now that I think of it, both the Gareis siblings are suffering under malicious rumors. Who would deliberately spread such tales?’
Rather than sit, Sophia walked slowly through the reception room. As Gunter and Lord Gareis spoke, Baron Ariel, Inspector John, and Alex posed questions about what they wished to know.
Those around them listened to the exchange and pieced together their understanding of the situation.
Sophia paused at the window, gazing out toward the Titania Mountain Range. Saturn had its eye on Uranos from the beginning. Even if the surprise attack on Umbriel failed, they would try again.
When the exchange fell silent, Sophia spoke.
“If Oberon and Saturn have made a promise, and Saturn is planning a surprise attack on Ariel, wouldn’t that attack fail? No—it will definitely fail.”
Alex replied.
“Because we’re already preparing for it?”
“Not quite. Rather, I suspect it’s meant to cover up the real invasion. We have evidence and testimony that Oberon has already been in secret communication with Saturn. So Saturn will likely attempt a surprise attack, but it won’t be the one they’ve truly prepared for. It’s just a guess, though.”
Sophia knew her conjecture could be wrong. Yet preparing based on that suspicion would not leave them at a disadvantage.
Baron Ariel spoke.
“In other words, after we’ve basked in the joy of repelling Saturn’s invasion and grown complacent, thinking this defense is sufficient, they can then push through with something harder, something stronger.”
Sophia nodded. Gareis seemed to think the same.
‘If a surprise attack does come, that’s exactly how it would unfold.’
As everyone fell into contemplation, Alex spoke.
“Then let’s prepare for the surprise attack, boost morale with a victory, and drill thoroughly in preparation for the real assault to come.”
Administrator John rose from his seat.
“I’ll draw up a detailed action plan. Starting today, we’ll increase night watch patrols. Then.”
As Administrator John left the Reception Room, Alex followed. Lady Pina departed with Sol and Helen to rest.
Jack spoke.
“The Young Noblewoman Gareis’s room has been prepared. And Lord Gareis’s room is also ready. I shall show you to them.”
As Jack showed everyone to their respective rooms, only Sophia and Baron Ariel remained in the Reception Room. Pina had followed Lady Pina to talk with Sol and Helen.
Sophia spoke to Baron Ariel.
“Who would know that while high mountains are difficult to breach with armies, the human heart is easy to break through with women and greed?”
Baron Ariel replied.
“There are always clever people who know how to find the easiest path.”
“What kind of person executes an entire plan with such patience? If Baron Oberon’s child is six years old now, the planning must have begun before that—a full six years of preparation. Yet they abandon it so easily. I’m frightened wondering how tremendous the next plan must be to warrant such a move.”
“It’s not that the next plan is so grand, but that this person knows when to let go, even after significant investment, if there’s no hope of success. If they’d stubbornly continued, they couldn’t have used another traitor from Uranos. That means the faction is immense—incomparably larger than Oberon. What troubles me is that it seems almost to mock what Ariel always says: that our true enemy lies without these walls.”
“Exactly. It seems to twist Ariel’s own words to their advantage. Is it mockery?”
“I don’t wish to lose to those who mock us.”
Sophia laid bare her doubts, suspicions, and anxieties to Baron Ariel. Baron Ariel listened and contemplated alongside her.
As Baron Ariel engaged in conversation to help Sophia organize her worries, suspicions, and plans, he found himself impressed by her.
‘Perhaps our Sophia is an even finer advisor than Gareis. She surpasses him precisely in understanding Ariel and Titania.’

***

As afternoon came, snow began to fall. Saturn seemed unafraid of Titania’s winter, but Ariel dreaded it.
Ariel’s winter was a harsh season that could only be endured with thorough preparation of food and fuel. Every winter and early spring, there were always those who froze to death climbing the mountains or starved from lack of provisions.
No matter how improved circumstances had become, one could not help but fear a winter that perpetually brought hardship.
Yet now, Saturn’s schemes and ambitions frightened her far more. Sophia grew to despise Oberon and Saturn all the more for planning their attack in this brutal season.
‘If they dare launch a surprise attack in this winter, then come! We’ll give them a proper defeat to remember.’
Sophia wanted to make that surprise attack fail decisively. That way, Saturn would later convince themselves that the next attempt was the real one.
Baron Ariel’s thoughts aligned with hers.
“That’s when Saturn will believe we’ve grown careless. Not a single soldier must cross the Titania Mountains.”
Before Gareis had even finished unpacking, he toured the newly prepared encampment that Ariel had arranged. For a freshly formed army, it was not bad at all.
Yet if actual battle came, even Gareis could not be certain of the outcome. Still, he acknowledged Ariel’s soldiers.
They were preparing as if Saturn would definitely attack. They did not settle for the anxious comfort of uncertainty.
To never forget the fundamentals and to execute them with full preparation is no easy task. All the more so in times like these, after such a long period of peace.

***

That night, when Sophia’s party returned to Ariel, the Titania Mountain Range blazed with light. Simultaneously, sounds loud enough to wake everyone in Ariel’s Territory erupted across the night.
Drums thundered, and something shattered. A succession of sounds rose—the kind that could wake the dead.
Gareis bolted from his room and surveyed the Titania Mountain Range and the castle. Sophia was already outside in her cloak. She led Gareis up onto the castle walls.
Many people had rushed out of their homes and now stared at the mountains.
Sophia too gazed intently at the range. Gareis turned to her and asked.
“Is there a fire on the mountain?”
“No. The guard posts are sending signals. Saturn has launched the surprise attack. We were fortunate. It’s happening tonight.”
“Indeed. One battle is far less exhausting than waiting through many uncertain nights—assuming there is only one, that is.”
Gareis stole a glance at Sophia, watching her gaze calmly toward Titania.
‘She doesn’t panic.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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