Chapter 9: Set up Steps and Plans (1)

Chapter 9 - Set up Steps and Plans (1)Nolan strolled leisurely down the hallway, both hands tucked into his pockets. His mind wandered back to the conversation he'd just had with his father. How could the old man agree so easily? Is there something going on behind the scenes? He rubbed his chin, a flicker of unease crossing his face. Admittedly, he was thrilled by his father's approval. In fact, he had expected to be rejected. He'd even prepared a long list of arguments to convince him. To his surprise, the old man agreed after just a brief explanation. His only condition was simple—protect Elina. Asked or not, he was always going to protect her. He kept thinking it over, trying to understand the reason behind his father's sudden approval. But no matter how many times he turned it over in his head, he couldn't find the answer. Before he knew it, he was standing in front of his bedroom door. Pushing his thoughts aside, he grabbed the doorknob and turned it slowly. "Brother!" Elina suddenly popped out of nowhere, making him jump. "Damn it, Elina! You scared me." Nolan clutched his chest and let out a soft sigh. What a troublesome little sister. If he had a heart attack, wouldn't the world mourn the loss of its most handsome man? Surely the women out there would cry, right? Elina smiled and blinked playfully. "Sorry, brother. I was too nervous waiting for you. As soon as I heard footsteps outside, I rushed to greet you." Before Nolan could respond, she grabbed his hand and led him to the sofa in the center of the room. "Come on, sit down first. I'll make some tea for you." Once Nolan was seated, Elina hurried to the minibar at the far end of the room and began preparing tea for the two of them. Watching her move around so energetically, Nolan sighed and rubbed his forehead. "She really is nervous," he muttered with a soft chuckle. Unlike most people, Elina became more active when she was anxious—it was her way of hiding it. But that wasn't surprising. Her greatest dream was to become Emperor, just like their father. And if she tried to claim the throne on her own, the outcome was clear—she didn't stand a chance. Especially since she'd have to face her own brother, who would be dragged into the struggle for succession. In the end, the decision he and their father had just made would determine whether Elina's dream could ever come true. Elina finished brewing two cups of tea and brought them over to Nolan. "Here's your tea, brother," she said softly, handing it to him with care. Nolan accepted it and took a slow sip. The rich aroma of jasmine, blended with honey and herbs, spread across his tongue, drawing a smile to his lips. "As always, your tea is perfect, Elina," he said sincerely. Before reincarnating into this world, he had been a true tea lover. Whether to clear his mind or simply unwind, tea had always been his go-to comfort. That's why he had taught Elina how to brew it from an early age. To him, tea made by a little sister had a special kind of warmth. He had always longed for the affection of a sweet younger sibling. And in this life, with Elina by his side, he intended to savor every bit of that long-cherished wish. Elina smiled at the compliment, though her hands trembled slightly—a subtle sign of her nerves. "Brother... how did your talk with Father go? Did he agree? Or... did he say no?" She asked, biting her lower lip. Becoming Emperor had long been Elina's dream, but as a princess, her chances were slim—almost nonexistent. That all changed when she stepped forward in her brother's place. With Nolan's support, her confidence soared. After all, she knew just how capable he was—intelligent, sharp, and cunning. Nolan had simply chosen to stay in the background, hiding his strengths beneath a laid-back attitude. With him on her side, Elina believed she had at least a fifty percent chance of defeating their siblings and claiming the throne. Seeing the anxious look on her face, Nolan couldn't help but chuckle. He took another sip of tea, then set the cup down on the table. "Relax. Father gave his approval," he said calmly. He had briefly considered teasing her by pretending their father had refused. But in the end, it felt too childish—and he didn't want to see her upset. Aside from their mother, Elina was the one person he truly cherished. "What did you say? Father approved?" Elina froze for a moment, then her face broke into a joyful smile. She had braced herself for rejection, but she hadn't expected that Father would actually agree. It was truly a surprise! "Yes, Father accepted," Nolan nodded. "Now I'm free of that obligation, and you're taking my place. So, get ready for the fight ahead, okay?" "Of course, I'm ready!" Elina clenched her fists, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "Good." Nolan let out a sigh of relief and smiled. "By the way," he added, taking another sip of his tea and turning to look at Elina seriously, "now that this is settled, we should focus on the succession to the throne. It's about to begin." To most people, the succession might seem like a grand celebration—a rare event that only happens at certain times. But for the nobles and others with vested interests, the succession was more than a mere event. It was a defining moment that would shape the future of the Empire and potentially shift the balance of power across the continent. From high-ranking to low-level nobles, everyone would eventually make their choice. They would throw their support behind one of the contenders for the throne. That decision would determine their future—whether they would rise to glory or be destroyed. If they backed the winning candidate, they could expect honor and great rewards. Their families would be closely tied to the new ruler. But if they chose the losing side... setbacks, or even total destruction, awaited them. Nolan's words immediately shifted Elina's expression to one of seriousness. "What should we consider first, Brother?" she asked. "Hold on a moment." Nolan slowly stood, walked over to his desk, and opened a drawer. He pulled out several sheets of paper and laid them on the table. Elina's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the papers. "Is this... information about our siblings?!"