The Princess' Harem-Chapter 27: The Slave Trading Network

The next day, Viana visited the Tobias family estate. Dressed in an elegant light green gown, her hair styled in a thick braid, she looked like the perfect image of a future queen, beautiful and composed.

Accompanied by Reyes, Joel, and several Royal Guards, she stepped down from the carriage. Reyes escorted her as she entered the front courtyard of Marquis Tobias's castle.

The servants and guards who saw her immediately bowed in respect, while a young woman with chestnut-colored hair descended the staircase leading to the entrance.

"Your Highness, welcome to the Tobias estate," Seraphina greeted her in a soft, polite tone. Her blue eyes held a hint of curiosity, wondering why the princess had come so suddenly.

Viana smiled gracefully and stepped closer. "Lady Seraphina, it's been a while since we last met. I'd love to have a conversation with you again, just like before."

The young noblewoman seemed slightly surprised. After all, the princess had withdrawn from social gatherings for some time, and they had never been particularly close. "Of course, Your Highness. Please, come in."

Not long after, the two of them were seated facing each other in a luxurious drawing room. The carpets and furniture were made from rare and exclusive materials, with interior decorations sourced from outside the Elysia Kingdom.

Before them, tea and delicate pastries were served on a tiered tray, while a few maids stood near the door, ready to assist at any moment.

Joel and Reyes, as expected, stood behind the princess with their arms crossed behind their backs. Lady Seraphina couldn't help but steal a few glances at them.

Both Royal Guards were strikingly handsome, with strong, athletic builds, no woman would simply overlook them.

Viana, who had been discreetly observing Lady Seraphina's reactions, smiled slightly as she pretended to sip her tea.

She set the cup down onto its saucer and spoke, "Lady Seraphina, your father is one of the most respected figures in Elysia."

Her words successfully drew the young noblewoman's attention away from the guards. She paused for a moment, placing her hands gently in her lap.

"I know your father is close to Duke Callisto. But I want to know, have you ever heard anything about them? Rumors, perhaps?" Viana continued.

Lady Seraphina hesitated but eventually responded, "I—I don't involve myself much in politics, Your Highness. What I do know is that my father trusts the Duke completely."

Viana nodded at her response and crossed her hands over her lap. "I only want to ensure that both our families don't get caught up in anything dangerous. So, if you ever notice anything suspicious about Duke Callisto, I hope you'll help me."

She watched Seraphina for a moment, gently tracing her nails over her lap. After a brief pause, the young noblewoman nodded. "I understand, Your Highness."

They continued their conversation for a few minutes, with Viana carefully planting seeds of doubt in Lady Seraphina's mind. She wanted the young woman to begin questioning her father's loyalty to Duke Callisto.

This was something Viana had planned carefully. According to several investigative reports, Marquis Tobias was not directly involved in the kidnapping or slave trade.

However, Seraphina's father had been childhood friends with Duke Callisto, which meant he had inevitably been pulled into the Duke's schemes.

Viana also had another objective, she needed Lady Seraphina's help in quieting the rumors that had been spreading, some of which had been started by a servant within the Tobias household.

Finally, Viana stood and approached Lady Seraphina. She gently held the young woman's hand.

"I hope you can see who truly wants to protect this kingdom," she said before stepping out of the drawing room.

***

A few days after her meeting with Lady Seraphina, Viana received a report from Joel. He had stationed his men to monitor Marquis Tobias, and it seemed that the Marquis had been meeting Duke Callisto and several Counts more frequently.

Meanwhile, Joel and the Independent Committee members had also provided their latest findings, which Viana was now reviewing in her bedroom, seated at her desk.

Suddenly, a notification appeared on the transparent screen in front of her.

[Latest Progress:]

Kaley — Love Percentage: 23%

Arden Daelis — Love Percentage: 5%

Reyes — Love Percentage: 16%

Prince Rayne Elwick — Love Percentage: 12%

Joel — Love Percentage: 3%

Reading the screen, Viana finally allowed herself to smile in relief. She had been worried that her efforts to expose the slave trade would divert her too far from her original plan—to build her harem.

***

The golden sunset bathed Valendale Empire's capital in warm hues.

In a small, hidden tavern near the market square, a man in a dark cloak sat in silence. His sharp gaze swept across the room, ensuring no one was watching him.

He was waiting for someone, hoping that everything would go smoothly. A few moments later, a woman in a deep blue hood entered the tavern and sat across from him.

"What did you find, Lysandra?" the man asked in a low voice.

The newly arrived woman, Lysandra, pulled a scroll from beneath her cloak and placed it on the table.

"According to the latest reports, the slave trade that had previously been suppressed is beginning to grow again. Even some Valendale nobles are involved," she said.

The man sighed heavily. "We managed to shut down the main slave trade routes months ago, but they've found new ways."

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Lysandra nodded grimly before adding, "Worse still, there's evidence that they're working with networks outside Valendale. One of their connections leads back to Elysia."

The man lifted his head and repeated her last words. "Elysia?"

"Yes," Lysandra confirmed.

"This is exactly what the Prince was concerned about. Elysia and Valendale have only recently formed the Independent Committee. But for an investigation within Valendale itself, we need people like you to expose their networks," he murmured, mostly to himself.

The woman across from him remained silent for a long moment, as did the man, until a server approached and asked if she wanted to order food or drink.

***

Inside Duke Callisto's estate, the Duke sat across from an unknown figure. The man was dressed in a dark hooded robe, with the lower half of his face concealed beneath a matching cloth.

The Duke listened to his informant's report, details about the princess's movements, as well as the situation in Valendale regarding the slave trade.

The updates only deepened his frustration. He clenched his jaw upon hearing that Viana had visited Lady Seraphina, the only daughter of Marquis Tobias.

"That woman truly doesn't know her limits."

The shadowy informant, who was also embedded within the leadership of the slave trade network, spoke up. "If Elysia and Valendale's investigation successfully connects the dots and finds proof of this network, our entire operation will be at risk."

Duke Callisto exhaled sharply. "We have to stop them before it's too late. And I have an idea."

His informant waited for him to continue.

"We'll spread false information, twisting the narrative slightly. We'll make Valendale believe that Elysia is secretly collaborating with the Empire, with ulterior motives. We'll convince them that Elysia is quietly planning to seize power from Valendale."

A sly smile formed on the Duke's lips.

The informant chuckled at the suggestion. "That just might work."