A Web of Lies
"Well, Counselor Ophelia? Wasn't it perfect?" Stella squared her shoulders triumphantly. She had completed the homework assigned by her counselor flawlessly. Since she had befriended that rascal, she had also happened to make friends with Leo, who was standing right next to him. No matter how she looked at it, her execution had been absolutely perfect.
"...Please stop making it so obvious that you have no friends."
"W-What?!"
"Sigh. I did wonder if putting two friendless people together might be a bit awkward... but I never imagined it would be this bad."
"That is highly offensive! I made friends exactly as you told me to, Counselor!"
She had intentionally befriended two people in public so that others would spread the rumors, and she had even gifted Leo—who looked quite destitute—a coat that carried the premium of having been worn by an imperial princess. If he sold it on the black market or a secondhand exchange, he would easily pocket a tidy sum. For some reason, the public seemed to love anything she used. Since it was an item she was going to discard anyway, she thought gifting it to Leo to win his favor was an excellent piece of improvisation. Yet, here she was, being told to stop acting like someone with no friends. Stella could not comprehend what she had done wrong.
"This is why friendless people are so..."
"I do not understand why I must endure such ridicule, Counselor Ophelia. If you do not provide a valid reason, I shall become genuinely angry."
"...Real friends are people you find yourself close to without ever having to explicitly ask, 'Will you be my friend?'"
"?!"
"Asking someone to be your friend in front of a crowd as if you're arranging a marriage proposal..."
W-Was that how it worked? But how could she verify if that was the truth? Then again, the counselor had no reason to lie about such things... Stella quickly realized she had fallen into a trap. Agreeing with the counselor's words would be tantamount to admitting she had never had a real friend. Yet, she couldn't deny it either. Counselor Ophelia wasn't the type to lie about something like this. Surely, normal friendships did form naturally without formal requests. But denying it would only confirm her ignorance of how friendships worked due to her own friendless history. After all, she had already openly asked them to be her friends in front of everyone. ...Checkmate!
"Well, fine. It was only a half-success, but you did complete your homework."
"T-Then...!"
"I shall give you your next assignment."
"?!"
"Why so surprised? You only half-succeeded, after all. Your Highness needs to learn how to get closer to people."
This was something she already knew. To survive, Stella had to build her own faction, and to build a faction, she inevitably needed the charisma to draw people to her side. Stella did not consider herself a naturally warm or embracing person. That was precisely why she was trying so hard to cultivate that charisma by following Counselor Ophelia's guidance. ...Still, hearing the word 'homework' couldn't help but dampen her enthusiasm. What a dreadful word.
"...So? What is the next assignment?" But just because she didn't want to do it didn't mean she could refuse. Stella suppressed the urge to let out a deep sigh and asked for the details of her next task. Since she needed to expand her influence, it would likely be another task to expand her network.
"Making a friend."
"The target?" As expected. Stella suppressed a smirk as her prediction hit the mark. She had already done it once; the second time would be even easier.
"The Watcher, Anastasia."
"...What?"
"The Watcher. Surely you know of her?"
But the moment the name left Counselor Ophelia's mouth, Stella's face contorted in disbelief.
"...Counselor, isn't the difficulty spike a bit too extreme? That is impossible."
"Why is that?"
"Because the relationship between the Imperial Family and the Church is utterly abysmal! Surely you are not ignorant of this!"
A decade ago, the world had been consumed by madness. The Pope, seemingly senile, had repeatedly picked fights with the Imperial Family, and the Emperor had responded with exceptional aggression. What began as a minor feud between two men quickly escalated into a full-blown war, leaving deep, festering scars in the hearts of their subjects. While the leaders made the decisions, it was the common soldiers and citizens who fought and died. Eventually, realizing that continued conflict would lead to mutual destruction, the two rulers halted the war—but the hatred in the hearts of the people remained. In such a climate, an imperial princess and the Watcher of the Church becoming friends? Unless they were completely insane, there was no way...
"Why not? Shouldn't you actually be thrilled about this?"
"...What?"
"Now, think about it. Princess Stella, what is it that you are currently trying to achieve?"
"What am I trying to achieve...?" Obviously, she was trying to become the Emperor to survive. Since it was Counselor Ophelia who had advised her to do so, there was no way she could have forgotten. Stella directed a questioning gaze at her counselor, who merely offered a serene smile.
"Dethroning your brother, who currently holds all the power, so that Princess Stella can ascend the throne... What do you think of that?"
"What do I think? What is that supposed to mean..."
"Regardless of what others might think, the Imperial Family will certainly view it as treason."
"...Ah."
Come to think of it, she was right. Stella had acted because she believed it was her only path to survival, but from her brother's perspective, it was undeniably treason. Of course, since she was merely participating in the imperial succession struggle, they couldn't formally charge her with treason yet. However, her brother practically controlled the Imperial Court. Framing her for a crime she didn't commit would be child's play for him.
"T-Then what should I do?"
"What do you mean, 'what should you do'? Just go ahead and commit it. Treason, I mean."
"...Huh?"
"That is precisely why I am telling you to get close to the Watcher. Every rebellion needs a righteous justification." Wearing a gentle smile, Counselor Ophelia leaned in close to Stella's face and whispered.
"Ousting a father who started a senseless war, and extending a hand of reconciliation once more... Isn't that a splendid justification?"
"..."
"Befriending the Watcher will surely win you the passionate support of the populace."
...Seriously, did this counselor just want to watch the world burn? Even though Stella knew that couldn't be the case, the thought crossed her mind. She wished Ophelia would be a bit more mindful of her phrasing. Even knowing she wasn't actually that kind of person, it still sent shivers down Stella's spine.
"You make a valid point, Counselor. But there is a problem."
"...A problem?"
"While I would certainly benefit from befriending the Watcher, there is no benefit in it for her." Stella was willing to play the part of an enemy's dog if it meant achieving her goals. But would the Watcher do the same? The Church was an even more conservative institution than the Imperial Family. There was no way the Watcher would willingly associate with her, an enemy...
"Who says there isn't?"
"Hmm?"
"Ah, my apologies. Please forget I said that." Counselor Ophelia abruptly shut her mouth as if she had made a slip of the tongue, causing Stella's eyes to narrow. Come to think of it, the Watcher had dropped by a few times while she was playing chess with the counselor. She hadn't paid much attention to it back then, but could it be...?
"Is there a reason she must get close to me?"
"...Ah, this is supposed to be a secret."
"Do not worry, Counselor. My lips are sealed. On my honor as an imperial princess, I swear I shall not speak of this to anyone."
"Hmm... You must keep it an absolute secret. I am only telling you because Princess Stella's life depends on it."
"Of course."
"And you understand that the fact I was the one who told you must also remain a secret, yes?"
What on earth could it be to warrant such hesitation? A creeping sense of unease began to bloom within her. It felt as though she were sticking her neck out to overhear something she shouldn't. Should she back out now while she still could? ...No, she couldn't do that. Befriending the Watcher without knowing her true motives carried far too many unknown risks. By any means necessary, she had to discern the Watcher's intentions.
"Very well. This is a secret, but..." Gulp. Hearing another's secret was always a nerve-wracking affair. Stella's body tensed up unnaturally.
"The Watcher isn't particularly fond of the current Church either."
"...What?" Incredibly shocking information echoed in Stella's ears. Well, yes, she suppose anyone could harbor discontent. No one could live in perfect harmony with everything. But to bring up her dissatisfaction with the Church in the middle of a conversation like this could only mean one thing...
"Re... rebellion...?"
"Who knows? Does the concept of treason even exist within the Holy See?" Stella's mind began to race. Since when? No, why? For what reason? Was there a compelling motive for her to do so?
"Though everyone keeps quiet about it, the one who started the war was the Pope, wasn't it?"
"...Indeed."
"Surely, the righteous Watcher must have found that intolerable... She wishes to restore the Church to its former glory, but the Pope refuses to listen. She must be desperate for someone's help..."
She is someone you can cooperate with, Counselor Ophelia whispered in an alluring, suggestive tone. The Watcher could help Stella become the Emperor. Stella could help the Watcher become the Pope. They could aid each other in striking down their respective leaders.
"...Counselor Ophelia, when does the Watcher usually visit?"
"Well, it is not on a fixed schedule, but she certainly drops by the counseling room quite often."
"Very well. It seems we shall be seeing a lot of each other from now on, Counselor Ophelia."
"The honor is entirely mine."
"I must organize my thoughts, so I shall take my leave first. Thank you for the advice." Stella hurriedly bid farewell to Counselor Ophelia and swept out of the counseling room. Because of her haste, she failed to hear the quiet whisper that escaped Ophelia's lips.
"Well, it's all a lie, of course. For now, at least."
Leaning back in her chair, Ophelia murmured to herself. "Now then, what on earth should I tell Anastasia...?"