Cloud Thinking

Chapter 354 Sisters Fighting

Suspicion, like silent mold, grows and spreads in the dark.

Stella and Ansel, the two who noticed Helia's unusual behavior, did not communicate with each other at first. Instead, they cautiously probed in their own ways and on their own paths.

Stella's probing revolves more around her past private matters.

She would "casually" bring up secret codes only sisters understand, point to a certain scene and recall embarrassing incidents that only the two of them had experienced, and during meals, she would place out a dessert that Helia hated the most but later forced herself to accept because Stella liked it, observing the other's reaction.

Like a patient archaeologist, she used the fine brush of memory to carefully examine the true texture beneath the "Helia" shell.

Ansel's probing, on the other hand, leaned more towards a game of pragmatism and self-interest.

Taking advantage of the increasingly frequent contact between Tasley and the new regime in the North, he deliberately set up some subtle steps that tested human nature and past tacit understandings when discussing cooperation and the transfer of benefits.

He would bring up a certain type of deal that Helia had explicitly expressed her aversion to, to see if "she" would compromise for the sake of profit; he would mention "past events" and promises about certain gray areas that only the two of them knew during negotiations, to test whether "her" memory and attitude were consistent.

He was like a shrewd chess player, placing his pieces on the edge of the rules, proceeding cautiously step by step.

Their paths never intersected until that drizzly afternoon.

Stella, on the grounds that she was "proposing on behalf of the Church of Charity and taking the opportunity to visit her sister," went to wait in the side hall of the government office.

Ansel, on the other hand, happens to have a supplementary clause regarding the concession for the southern trade route, which requires "Princess Helia" to make an immediate decision.

The two met unexpectedly in a side hall.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Their eyes met briefly in the air.

Without a word, but in the instant their eyes met, the same thought flashed through their minds—did she/he also guess something?

"Your Highness Stella, good day. You are the pure white rose of the Otes Empire, a dazzling gem." Ansel broke the silence first, his manners impeccable, yet a sharp glint flashed deep within his dark eyes.

“Lord Ansel.” Stella nodded slightly, her azure eyes sweeping over the secret letter before returning to Ansel’s face. “It seems that business in the Southern Territory keeps you always in such a hurry.”

"The changes in the North are happening all the time, and opportunities are fleeting." Ansel said meaningfully, his gaze sweeping over Stella's face, which seemed to have a magical power to calm her down, before landing on the box of pastries in her hands. "The two princes have a very deep affection for each other, which is truly enviable."

Stella paused slightly after hearing this, then lowered her gaze and sighed, "It's a pity that Aya has been busy pushing forward with the Northern Reforms lately, and the bond between the sisters has somewhat..."

She didn't continue, as if she had just realized that these words were not appropriate to talk to Ansel, and smiled again, "When I occasionally think back to the past, it feels like a dream, so beautiful, yet so short."

She turned her head to look at the box of pastries in her hand and joked, "I'm afraid if I don't hang around Aya more often, this busy woman might forget that she has an older sister like me."

“How could that be?” Ansel disagreed. “Everyone knows that Princess Helia cares about you the most. Perhaps she is just too busy to find the time.”

"Your Highness Stellis, please don't be saddened by your own sorrow. If Princess Helia knew, she would be heartbroken again."

Stella didn't speak, but just smiled faintly, out of politeness, yet with a hint of disapproval, helplessness, and sorrow.

The brief exchange was filled with subtle wit.

Both understood that the other was not an ordinary visitor or collaborator.

They all sensed something unusual about Helia and were taking action.

After a moment of silence, Ansel tentatively said, "To be honest, Your Highness, I have my own reasons for coming here." He lowered his eyes, seemingly embarrassed, to look at the documents in his hand. "I also want to take advantage of official business to have more interaction with Her Highness Helia."

A light blush rose perfectly to his face.

Stella feigned surprise, covering her mouth and widening her almond-shaped eyes. "So that's how it is..." Then she smiled with relief. "But thinking about it carefully, it's not surprising at all. After all, everyone knows how outstanding Aya is. It's easy to fall in love with her, isn't it?"

Ansel smiled and nodded. "As the greeting suggests, Princess Helia is indeed the most dazzling jewel of the empire, so radiant and desirable." His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he looked up at the eyes that were so similar to Helia's. "I have a request, though I don't know if I should say it."

Sterry raised an eyebrow slightly. "Please go ahead."

“I would like to learn more about Princess Helia from you…” He hurriedly added, as if making a fuss, “As you know, Princess Helia always keeps her personal and professional life separate. If I try to find out about her in a public setting, I’m afraid I’ll never see her again.”

"If I were to approach her subordinates rashly, she might suspect that I have ulterior motives, which would only leave a worse impression on me, something I absolutely do not want to see."

"After much thought, I feel that perhaps only you can give me the information I want to know. After all, you are her most respected and valued older sister, aren't you?"

Upon hearing Ansel's request, Stella felt offended and uncomfortable, and her brows furrowed.

Because the two were hardly familiar with each other, if it weren't for Helia's presence, they would be complete strangers.

Therefore, Stella felt disgusted and angry when a stranger tried to get information about her younger sister from her.

But when she caught a glimpse of the scheming glint in the other person's eyes, she suddenly understood.

It's a collaboration, and Ansel probably noticed Helia's unusual behavior and wanted to join forces with him to find more flaws!

After a moment's thought, she put on a serious expression and said, "Then, Your Excellency Ansel, I'm afraid you'll have to pass my inspection first. I can't just let some shady characters get close to my sister."

“That’s natural,” Ansel said without objection.

This means a cooperation has been reached...

The two did not continue, nodded in tacit agreement, and disappeared from each other's sight, as if it had just been a casual greeting.

The collaboration was remarkably efficient from the outset.

Through clandestine channels, Ansel uncovered subtle contradictions between some of Helia's decisions over the past six months and her earlier plans. He even discovered several seemingly insignificant instances of improper transfer of benefits that contradicted Helia's principles.

Stella, using her identity, verified some of the confidential conversations provided by Ansel that were "only known to Helia" in several private exchanges. The responses she received from "Helia" were either vague or subtly different from the facts.

In order to exchange information and discuss countermeasures, the two inevitably met more frequently.

Sometimes it was in the study of the villa where Stella was staying, sometimes in a secluded property under Ansel's name, and sometimes it was just a brief conversation when they "chancely met" while out.

They considered themselves secretive enough, but in the vortex of power shifts in the North, with countless eyes watching, any unusual approach was easily magnified and interpreted.

First, rumors began to circulate among the maids and low-ranking officials that "Princess Stella is very close to the leader of the Tasleys."

Then, at the aristocracy's afternoon tea party, "the two royal roses seem to have fallen out because of a man" became the new topic of conversation.

Rumors spread like ink drops on water, quickly spreading outwards.

"Have you heard? That Mr. Ansel is actually Princess Helia's secret lover!"

"No wonder Princess Helia trusts him so much, granting him the special trade route license in the Southern Territory!"

"But now Princess Stella is with him every day..."

"Oh my, sisters fighting over a man? That's a royal secret!"

"It doesn't seem like a power struggle to me. It seems more like Princess Stella is dissatisfied with Princess Helia's new policies and is deliberately getting close to her sister's lover to sow discord and try to seize power!"

"It's also possible that the merchant was playing both sides, maneuvering between the two princesses..."

The rumors grew increasingly outrageous, with countless versions emerging. At their core, they revolved around two points: first, that Stella and Helia had fallen out because of Ansel; and second, that Stella coveted power in the North and attempted to use Ansel to overthrow her sister.

Being at the center of the controversy, Iros naturally caught these rumors immediately.

To outsiders, her reaction perfectly matched the emotions that "Helia" should have—shock, anger, and the pain of being "betrayed" by both her closest relatives and trusted people.

During what should have been a routine meeting to discuss tax policy, Iros erupted when several officials "inadvertently" steered the conversation toward recent rumors and implied that Her Highness Stella's association with Mr. Ansel seemed to be damaging to her reputation.

She slammed the file she was holding onto the table, the exquisite porcelain cup clattering loudly. Her face, identical to Helia's, was filled with frost and suppressed rage, her sapphire blue eyes brimming with disbelief, heartache, and a sharp, vile sense of being violated.

"Enough!" Her voice wasn't loud, but it instantly silenced the entire council chamber. "My sister's character is none of your business! Mr. Ansel is an important partner of the North, and I have my own judgment on his loyalty!"

She stood up, her gaze sweeping across everyone present like a knife, finally landing on Stella, who was pale in the corner. Her tone was full of disappointment and sharp sarcasm: "As for those boring rumors... Sister, I didn't expect that you would express your dissatisfaction with me in this way."

“And I never imagined that you would get so close to him…” She paused, as if finding it difficult to speak, but every word struck Stella’s heart with crystal clarity. “You know perfectly well… he’s mine.”

The last few words, spoken softly, carried a trembling tone of betrayal and a resolute declaration.

Stella was first shocked, then confused, and finally overjoyed at having found a weakness.

She didn't show it on her face; she maintained that fragile, innocent look, trying to argue, but no matter how many times she opened her mouth, she couldn't utter a single word.

Helia would never criticize her because of a man, an outsider.

They would never, at the height of the reform movement, declare a man's right to belong in front of so many people.

This is not something Helia could do, nor is it something she would do.

Iros underestimated Helia. She misjudged the relationship between Helia and Stella, and even more so, she misunderstood the relationship between Helia and Ansel.

She believed that Helia's love for her was as sincere and passionate as she believed in herself.

“I didn’t…” Stella hesitated for a moment, and finally managed to utter only a few words with difficulty, her voice dry.

His heartbroken expression didn't seem like an act.

"No?" Iros sneered, her smile filled with heartbreak and mockery. "Then what important national affairs are you discussing in your frequent private meetings that require you to avoid everyone? Sister, I always thought we were the people we trusted most. It seems I was too naive."

She stopped looking at Stella and stormed off, leaving behind a room full of silent officials and a swaying Stella.

This public and intense conflict was like cold water being poured into boiling oil, instantly igniting all the rumors.

What were initially just some unfounded speculations have now become irrefutable evidence.

"Princess Helia angrily denounces her sister for stealing her lover," "The sisters have completely broken ties," "Royal civil war breaks out"... Various sensational headlines spread rapidly among the nobility and the common people.

Since then, Iros has begun to openly show wariness and distance from Stella.

Citing the reasons of "avoiding suspicion" and "focusing on government affairs," she refused to meet with Stella privately and remained aloof in public.

She even adjusted some policies, taking back some of the privileges and rights that Stella had gained through her princess status, adopting a deeply hurt and businesslike attitude.

Stella, on the other hand, was forced to bear the infamy of "coveting her sister's power and lover," making her situation in the North awkward and difficult.

Those who supported Helia naturally treated her coldly, and even those who sympathized with her or remained neutral dared not get too close to her during this sensitive time.

Her connection with Ansel had to become more covert and difficult.

In just half a month, the entire North knew that the once inseparable royal sisters had become bitter enemies.

The trigger was the leader of an underground organization from the southern border, leading to a love triangle and power struggle that was difficult to discern as real or fake.

Only a very few insiders, such as Ansel, and certain forces secretly watching the matter, could see the strangeness behind this "sisters turning against each other" drama.

But for most people, this is just another melodramatic soap opera about power and love, a common occurrence among the court nobles.

In a secluded corner where no one can see him, when Iros handles state affairs alone, the mask of heartbreak and anger on his face is removed, revealing a cold calm.

She looked out at the gloomy sky, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the table.

“Rumors…sometimes are more effective than swords.” She muttered to herself, a hint of inhuman, calculated indifference flashing in her eyes. “Stelli, Ansel…you want to test me, you want to expose me. Then I’ll give you a truly convincing 'betrayal' drama.”

"Right now, everyone's attention is focused on the gossip about sisters fighting over a man and the power struggles. Who would care about... some of 'Helia's' subtle changes?"

"As for 'my man'..." A faint, emotionless smile curved her lips, "He's just yet another... usable identity label."

"Emotions are such a useful and inexpensive weapon."

She successfully exploited the expected reactions of "Heria," transforming a crisis concerning her true identity into a much-talked-about ethical farce. This both rationalized her estrangement from Stella to avoid further testing, reinforced the premise that "Heria deeply loves Ansel," increased the realism of her performance, and also dealt a blow to Stella's reputation and ability to act.

Three birds with one stone.

The price to pay is that the once warm sisterly bond has been completely shattered in the public eye.

And this seems to be a negligible part of Iros's calculations.

What Iros could not have imagined, and could never have guessed, was that the seeds of affection between Helia and Stella had already been sown long before they first met.

He Liya, who came from another world, once loved the protagonist, Stella, so much that she wanted to give her everything she had after meeting her.

However, Iros, with her cold eyes filled with self-interest, viewed all the interactions between Helia and Stella as a series of premeditated performances.

She always believed that Helia's kindness towards Stella must have some ulterior motive.

She didn't believe in unconditional kindness in this world, just as she struggled to understand human emotions, even though she was born into those emotions that were hotter than fire and more resilient than rock.

However, the ropes of control, in the soil of emotion, only sprouted branches of reason.

Perhaps due to the power of control, emotions can lead people to make uncontrollable decisions, so reason must take the lead. This is why, even though Iros inherited most of Helia's memories, he was still unable to perfectly portray her.

Because Helia herself is an irrational, uncontrollable, and emotional person.

Therefore, Iros could not understand Helia's love for Stella.

Therefore, it is incomprehensible why Stella trusted Helia.

Iros's biggest mistake was his emotional decision.

How can a heartless creature prevail over a compassionate human being?