Reborn as the Psycho Villainess Who Ate Her Slave Beasts' Contracts

"Princess Elara." Her voice was soft. Almost gentle. That made it worse somehow. "Sit."

There was no second chair.

Elara remained standing. "My Lady. You summoned me."

"I did." The First Consort studied her with those unsettling eyes. "You’re leaving soon. Port Crestfall. Taking your entire household. All twenty-five beast knights. Very ambitious for someone who couldn’t walk two weeks ago."

It wasn’t a question. Just observation delivered like a scalpel.

"The preservation magic requires on-site supervision," Elara said carefully. "The merchants—"

"The merchants are convenient cover." The First Consort waved a hand. "Don’t insult me with the performance you give the Emperor. I know why you’re leaving. Someone tried to kill you. You’re running."

Elara’s jaw tightened. "Strategic withdrawal."

"Call it what you like." The First Consort stood. She was tall—taller than Elara by several inches, and the resemblance to Eleana became even more pronounced. "You’re the first one."

"First one?"

"First daughter to actually ’leave’." Something flickered across her face. Not quite a smile. "The others scheme and poison and sabotage each other within these walls. Circle like sharks in a pool. But you—you’re swimming for open water."

Elara said nothing. Couldn’t tell if this was approval or threat. And the fact that this was Eleana’s mother made everything more dangerous. Was this a warning? A threat on behalf of her daughter? An attempt to manipulate?