The Villainess Wants To Retire-Chapter 189: The Study Of Suspicion pt 2

Something flickered across Aldric’s face... not agreement, but maybe the beginning of consideration.

"As for ulterior motives..." I leaned forward slightly. "If I wanted to harm Soren, I could have done so a dozen times already. We’ve been alone together. Vulnerable. I’ve had opportunities that would make your blood run cold if you knew about them."

I saw him trying very hard not to imagine what those opportunities might have entailed.

"Instead," I continued, "I’m here. In this room. Asking for your help learning how to govern an empire I have no claim to and no particular desire to destroy. So either I’m playing an extraordinarily long game that requires extensive education in Nevareth’s tax structures..."

I let my tone suggest exactly how absurd that sounded, "...or perhaps I’m exactly what I appear to be: a woman who made a political alliance and intends to honor it."

"Or," Aldric said quietly, "you’re intelligent enough to know that the best way to gain trust is to appear trustworthy while you position yourself."

I laughed again, this time with genuine amusement. "Gods, you really are good at this. No wonder Soren keeps you close." I stood, moving closer to him, and watched him hold his ground despite clear instinct telling him to step back. "Let me ask you something, Master Aldric. Your emperor... this man you’re so devoted to protecting... is he stupid?"

"Of course not."

"Is he easily manipulated? Does he make rash decisions without considering consequences?"

"No." Aldric’s tone was firm. "His Majesty is one of the most strategic minds I’ve ever encountered."

"Exactly." I smiled. "So do you really think he’s so easily controlled? That a woman, no matter how cunning, could simply waltz in and bewitch him into making decisions against his own interests?" I let my voice drop lower. "Or perhaps you’re underestimating both of us."

The silence that followed was different than before. Not hostile, exactly. More... reassessing.

Aldric studied me with new eyes, and I could practically see him reorganizing his thoughts, fitting this conversation into whatever mental framework he maintained for evaluating threats to his emperor.

"Very well." His voice was still guarded, but some of the rigid hostility had eased. "I’ll assist you as His Majesty commanded." A pause. "But know that I will be watching."

"I would expect nothing less." I returned to my chair, settling in as Bjorn shifted to rest his head against my leg... the absolute traitor. "In fact, I’d be disappointed if you weren’t. Soren deserves people who protect him properly. Even from me, if necessary."

Something in Aldric’s expression shifted at that... surprise, maybe, that I’d acknowledged his concerns as legitimate rather than dismissing them.

He moved to the table where the maps were spread, organizing them with the kind of efficiency that spoke to years of practice.

"If you’re to understand Nevareth’s political landscape well enough to... assist His Majesty..." he said the words carefully, as though still not entirely convinced that was my actual goal, "...you’ll need comprehensive education in several areas."

"Such as?" I leaned forward, genuinely interested now.

"First, the political structure." He pulled out a detailed map of Nevareth, marked with various territories and colored regions. "Five major duchies, each governed by a duke or duchess who maintains significant autonomous power. Understanding their interests, their alliances, and their grudges will be essential."

I studied the map, noting the careful annotations in what was clearly Aldric’s precise handwriting.

"Second, economic systems. Trade routes, tax structures, major industries. The empire’s wealth flows through specific channels, and knowing where that wealth originates and where it can be interrupted provides significant leverage."

"Military organization," he continued, pulling out another document. "Chain of command, border defenses, troop deployments. His Majesty’s military strength is considerable, but it’s distributed across vast territories. Knowing where forces are concentrated and where vulnerabilities exist is crucial."

"Cultural protocols." This was delivered with particular emphasis. "Court etiquette, religious ceremonies, imperial traditions. Many of these have political significance beyond mere formality. Violating them... even accidentally can create diplomatic incidents."

He paused, then added with careful neutrality, "And finally, you’ll need to understand... the Regent Empress’s network. Her known supporters, her methods, potential weaknesses in her faction."

Ah. There it was. The real reason Soren had thrown us together.

"You want me to help dismantle Vetra’s power base." Not a question.

"His Majesty wants," Aldric corrected carefully, "a stable empire free from... competing power centers."

"How delicate." I smiled. "Yes, let’s call it that. Competing power centers. Not ’the woman who raised him but also traumatized him and now won’t let go of control.’"

Aldric’s face remained impressively neutral, but I saw the slight twitch at the corner of his eye. Hit another mark.

"I’ll have a study prepared for you," he said, smoothly redirecting the conversation. "Near His Majesty’s office. Materials will be brought there, histories, economic reports, military documents. We’ll begin formal lessons tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning," I repeated, noting how he’d taken control of the schedule without actually asking if that suited me.

But I didn’t object. He was testing boundaries, seeing if I’d push back against his authority in this domain. And honestly, the sooner I started learning, the better. Nine days until the wedding meant nine days to position myself properly before Vetra made her inevitable move.

"Is there anything else you need to know, Lady Eris?"

I considered him for a long moment, this exhausted, brilliant man who was protecting Soren in the only way he knew how. I didn’t particularly like his suspicion, but I could respect it. Respect him, even, for caring enough about his emperor to risk being openly hostile to someone who could probably make his life very difficult.

"Just one thing." I stood, and Bjorn reluctantly lifted his head from my leg. "You’re right to be cautious. You’re right to watch me. But consider this, if I wanted to destroy your emperor, I wouldn’t do it through politics or manipulation." I moved toward the door, then paused. "I’d simply let his enemies do it for him while pretending to be his ally. Far more effective, and considerably less work."

I left him with that thought, Bjorn trailing after me like he’d completely forgotten who he was supposed to be loyal to.

Behind me, I heard Aldric exhale... a long, controlled breath that suggested I’d given him an entirely new set of concerns to lose sleep over.

Good.

If he was going to watch me for signs of betrayal, he might as well do it thoroughly.