Chapter 121: Supreme Minister of State.

Chapter 121

The heavy oak doors creaked inward against the chill northern gust, revealing the weary form of Leo standing upon the frost-dusted threshold. The moment his gaze swept past Chester’s towering frame and landed on Sigrid, his anxious expression vanished, replaced instantly by a look of sheer relief. His face lit up as he hurried into the warmth of the foyer, his heavy boots clicking against the flagstones. Sigrid watched his swift approach with a raised eyebrow, her composure entirely unbothered. "Leo, what an unexpected arrival," Sigrid remarked softly, her crimson eyes scanning his snow-dusted cloak.

Leo offered a quick, enthusiastic bow, catching his breath as he straightened. "Yes, Your Grace, I came immediately upon the road," he explained eagerly. "The funds you granted me allowed me to secure a private carriage and travel without delay across the mountain passes, though the roads were treacherous."

As the initial relief of seeing her subsided, the heavy gloom of anxiety returned to the young man’s face, his eyes betraying a deep, troubled worry. Sigrid noted the sudden shift in his demeanor at once. "What is the issue, Leo?" she inquired calmly.

Leo shifted his weight nervously, his fingers tightly clutching the trim of his cloak. "It is the gazettes, Your Grace... and His Royal Highness," he blurted out, the words tumbling past his lips in a rush.

He opened his mouth to elaborate, but Sigrid raised a slender hand to stay his tongue, cutting off his frantic explanation. "Let us speak of this in proper comfort first," Sigrid instructed smoothly, gesturing toward the adjoining parlor before glancing over her shoulder. "Lilith, prepare a warm tray of tea for us." Her head maid bowed respectfully, replying, "At once, my lady," before quietly departing toward the kitchens.

Sigrid glided into the parlor and sat upon a velvet armchair, motioning for Leo to take the seat opposite her. "Now, continue," she commanded. Leo leaned forward, twisting his fingers together in distressed agitation. "The scandal you instructed me to publish—the one that stirred such massive outrage against the royal court—has deeply shaken the capital. Knowing the Crown Prince would be utterly devastated by the backlash, I sneakiky frequented the primary gazette printing houses to gauge the reaction. While I was there, Prince Ragnar himself burst into the building in a violent rage. He declared to the editors that the published reports were nothing more than malicious falsehoods, sneaked into the press out of sheer, venomous jealousy." Leo paused, his voice faltering with genuine hurt on her behalf. "He proclaimed publicly that you must be plotting treason, shouting that only a woman of profound wickedness would expose such matters to the realm while our noble soldiers are deployed at the war front."

Leo looked up at her with glistening eyes, his voice thick with frustration. "He stood before the entire room shouting brazen lies. I could scarcely believe that such a man is heir to the throne and destined to rule over us." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a trembling whisper. "Furthermore, I overheard that the Queen has personally ordered her inquisitors to hunt down whoever leaked the truth to the press. Will you be in danger, Duchess? The Duke is away at the border, and the court is turning hostile. What course shall you take?"

Sigrid let out a quiet, amused chuckle at his frantic worry. She reached forward, placing a gentle, reassuring hand atop his head to calm his spiraling mind. "I admire how deeply concerned you are for my well-being, dear Leo, but should you not be far more concerned for your own safety?"

Leo puffed his chest out slightly, shaking his head with fierce determination. "No, Your Grace! I knew the perils when I undertook your task. Besides, you gave me your word that I would be protected under the shield of Aethermor, and I trust you implicitly."

Sigrid offered a serene, approving smile as she withdrew her hand and rose to her full height. "Indeed, you shall remain entirely safe. Do not fret over these matters, Leo. I am grateful for the swiftness with which you brought this intelligence, but you must never endanger your life merely to satisfy the whims of a duchess."

Leo stood as well, placing a hand over his heart with unyielding devotion. "I would risk anything to satisfy your commands, Your Grace."

Turning toward the frosted window, Sigrid contemplated his report while a faint, cold smirk touched her lips. So Ragnar attempts to turn the public tide by playing the wounded martyr, she thought, her mind working through the tactical implications with sharp satisfaction. How marvelously foolish. His desperate outburst will only confirm his guilt in the eyes of the high nobility, though he is correct in assuming I am orchestrating his ruin. Maria must have fed him whispers of my intentions. Aloud, Sigrid turned back to the boy, her tone shifting to calculated inquiry. "Leo, tell me... have you heard any news regarding recent developments within the royal sanctuary itself?"

Leo thought for a moment, nodding slowly. "Only that the Crown’s administrators have officially opened the rolls for several high governance positions, Your Grace. The King’s personal aide is actively seeking candidates to fill the vacant seats."

Sigrid’s interest was instantly piqued. "Can you recite these open offices for me?" Leo took a deep breath, reciting the grand titles in a single, practiced breath: "Lord or Lady Regent, who governs on behalf of the monarch when the throne cannot directly exercise power; Lord or Lady Protector of the Realm, holding supreme delegated authority during national crises; First Minister of the Crown, overseeing the general government and supervising the High Chancellor; Grand Minister of State, coordinating the highest national policies; Sovereign’s Principal Advisor, directing high-level political strategy; Lord or Lady President of the Royal Council, presiding over the highest council deliberations; Grand Strategist of the Crown, developing intricate long-term political maneuvers; High Justiciar of the Realm, holding supreme authority over major judicial disputes involving the Crown; High Commissioner of the Crown, exercising delegated authority over provincial governors; and the Grand Arbiter of the Realm, tasked with resolving bitter disputes between the royal family, high noble houses, and senior ministers."

"And what of the Supreme Minister of State?" Sigrid asked smoothly, her crimson eyes gleaming with sudden, sharp intent.

Leo blinked in confusion, his brow furrowing as he processed the question. "What, Your Grace?"

Sigrid repeated calmly, "Is there a roll open for the Supreme Minister of State?"

Leo nodded hesitantly. "Yes, Duchess... though that position is granted exclusively through the personal selection of the King himself."

A brilliant, cold smile spread across Sigrid’s features. "Excellent. I shall submit my formal application for the seat of Supreme Minister of State without delay."

At that exact moment, Lilith re-entered the parlor carrying a heavy silver tray laden with steaming tea. Upon hearing Sigrid’s bold declaration, the maid’s hands trembled so violently that the delicate porcelain cups nearly slid across the tray. Leo gasped aloud, looking at the Duchess in sheer disbelief. "Your Grace! You wish to apply for such a seat?" he stammered.

"There is no issue with my ambition, is there?" Sigrid asked, her tone light yet unyielding. Leo swallowed nervously, adjusting his stance. "No, Duchess, but securing an appointment directly from the King, especially while the court is in turmoil, will prove exceptionally difficult and how your name repeatedly roams the streets."

Sigrid merely tilted her head, unbothered. "Do not trouble yourself with the difficulty."

Leo hesitated, curiosity overcoming his initial shock. "Why have you suddenly taken an interest in the royal ministry, Your Grace? You have always remained detached from the capital’s administrative affairs."

Sigrid offered a light, nonchalant wave of her hand. "Simply put, I find myself bored within these quiet walls."

Yet boredom is the least of my motivations, Sigrid added silently, her internal calculations spinning into place. Securing the seat of Supreme Minister of State will grant me unhindered access to the inner sanctum of the royal palace and grand authority over national policy. It will place me directly within reaching distance of Maria and Ragnar, giving me the administrative power required to dismantle their influence piece by piece. With Caspian securing his position as Lord Chancellor against Lord Sebastian Crownhill and Marquess Tristan Bellamy, we shall control both the judicial and executive branches of the realm. I shall methodically ruin every single soul who contributed to my past misery.

Lilith carefully set the tea tray upon the mahogany table, her voice trembling slightly as she addressed her mistress. "Duchess... are you truly intent upon entering the royal court’s ministry?"

Sigrid paid no mind to the maid’s anxiety, turning instead back to the young messenger. "Leo, how does one formally submit their candidacy for these rolls?"

Leo answered quickly, "You must draft a formal missive of intent bearing your house seal and deliver it directly to the Palace Registry."

Sigrid smiled with chilling grace. "Magnificent. Lilith, fetch my parchment, quill, and wax seal at once."

Lilith bowed deeply, hurrying from the room to retrieve the writing materials.

Within minutes, Sigrid sat at her writing desk, her hand moving with fluid, elegant strokes as she penned her formal claim for the Supreme Ministry. Once the ink dried, she folded the heavy parchment and stamped it with the dark, crest-embossed wax of the House of Aethermor. She summoned Maude to the parlor, handing the sealed document to the armored guard. "Maude, dispatch your fastest rider to deliver this missive directly to the Palace Registry in the capital."

Maude bowed low, accepting the letter with total obedience. "It shall be done immediately, Your Grace," she replied, turning on her heel to execute the order.

As Maude’s armored footsteps retreated down the hallway, Sigrid leaned back in her chair, resting her chin upon her hand in quiet contemplation. "Tell me, Leo," she murmured, her gaze fixed thoughtfully on the crackling hearth, "do you happen to know who else has put their name forward for the Supreme Ministry?"

Leo scrunched his eyebrows together, searching his memory as he frowned. "Yes, Your Grace... there is one prominent noble who has already launched a massive campaign for the seat."

Sigrid turned her head toward him, her interest lingering. "And who might that be?" Leo looked at her somberly before answering, "Viscount Henry Dumbledore." Upon hearing the name of her rival, Sigrid’s smile widened into a cold, triumphant smirk.