They are all characters I control.

Prince Alvin's face flushed red. "I...I thought..."

"With your brains, you're not so stupid as to think this is just normal interaction between sisters, are you?" Claire's words immediately blocked any way out.

This immediately shut Prince Alvin's mouth; he didn't want to be seen as a fool.

“You think she’s just mischievous, just willful, just corrupted by the Marquise Marla?” Claire’s voice was calm. “But she’s not. She’s evil. Have you ever seen me approach her even once?”

Prince Alvin remained silent.

In response to the past, everything is just as 'Lia' said.

Chapter 102 Your Father Is Going to Rebel

At the Royal Academy, everyone knew that the Marquess of Rost had two daughters.

Young Lady Lia lacks the talent for elemental perception, making it a useless talent. Her mentor also said that she doesn't possess any talent at all.

The second young lady, Elena, possesses outstanding magical power and elemental perception, and is praised by everyone as a genius and an excellent student.

Perhaps that's why everyone is so tolerant of Elena.

Regardless, Elena is the daughter of a marquis, and she has a good personality; at least in front of others, she always appears well-behaved and polite.

No matter who she's with, Elena seems to get along very well with them.

But every time Elena is with Lia, she becomes a little different. Her personality isn't terrible, but it certainly doesn't feel like a family getting along.

This is an indisputable fact, and Prince Alvin is well aware of it.

With Anna, the maid, testifying just now, it seems that Elena's dual nature is an undeniable fact.

“Elena won’t repent. She’ll only get worse. Today she offended Rosemary and got imprisoned, tomorrow she offended the Acting Saint, the day after she offended the Archbishop. How many times can you plead for her?”

Prince Alvin remained silent; he indeed could not save Elena every time.

To be honest, he was also quite exhausted.

The first time they were sent to the church's prison was when Leah, Earl Orlando, and Knight Commander Karl came out of the Royal Academy. At that time, Elena took the initiative to stop Leah.

As it turned out, it was Knight Commander Karl who asked Lia to investigate, and Elena was arrested for interfering with the church's work.

Then the Marquis of Rost was imprisoned because Bishop Simon suspected him of being involved with heretics.

At that time, Rost's entire family was pleading with him, hoping that he would let them out.

Only he, as a prince, would be willing to approach the Marquis of Rost's family; everyone else avoided the Marquis of Rost like the plague.

But at that time, it was Bishop Simon who wanted to imprison them, and even his own father, His Majesty Darian, could not break ties with Bishop Simon for the sake of the Marquis Rost's family.

Of course, his father did try to release them, but Bishop Simon simply moved them to another place and locked them up again.

It was indeed Elena who provoked Lia this time; she went straight here to question Lia as soon as she came out.

So upon closer reflection, it seems that Lia really didn't intend to approach Elena; it was Elena who actively sought out and got entangled in trouble.

“Prince Alvin, you’re not helping her.” Claire seemed to be speaking up for Prince Alvin. “You’re harming her. Because of your constant help, your unconditional help without any cost, that’s emboldened that guy to act so recklessly and even disregard the bishop.”

"If you weren't around, do you think Elena would dare to come looking for trouble with me? Do you still think you're so great?"

"It is precisely because you don't know what you are doing or what you should be doing that the situation has gradually become so ugly."

"What's even more ridiculous is that you still have to stand here, bow your head and apologize to me, and listen to me say all this, just to release the person who caused you trouble? And then what? To do it again?"

Prince Alvin clenched his fists. He was indeed a bit foolish, but not a complete idiot.

At least upon hearing 'Lia' say that, he was reminded of the past.

Almost everything 'Lia' said perfectly matched what happened between him and Elena, which made Prince Alvin feel very empathetic.

He has worked very hard, and there is absolutely no need for him to go through such a difficult time pleading for leniency.

So that Elena will cause more and more trouble next time, and he will have no choice but to keep doing this kind of thing with her.

Looking at Prince Alvin, who was deep in thought, Earl Orlando glanced at Claire, who was drinking tea.

She knew it was halftime.

The previous topic could now be put to rest; there was no point in continuing the discussion. Count Orlando spoke up at the opportune moment. "It seems Prince Alvin has come to understand the true nature of his friends. 'Lia,' you shouldn't continue to criticize Prince Alvin. I think he already knows what to do from now on, doesn't he?"

“Is that so?” Claire looked at Prince Alvin.

“Yes, I know. I understand what I’m doing and what trouble I’ve caused.” Prince Alvin took a deep breath, stood up solemnly, and bowed to 'Lia' in front of him.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you, and I also bear some responsibility for Elena's situation. I think I will make more rational judgments in the future."

There was nothing wrong with the answer, but Claire was somewhat satisfied with it.

"That would put the matter at hand," Claire continued. "Do you know why your father is forcing me to marry you?"

Prince Alvin looked up, somewhat puzzled, upon hearing about the engagement. "Is it because... the engagement was arranged by both families?"

“No, even without the engagement, your father insisted on this marriage. The engagement is not important.” Claire looked at the innocent-looking Prince Alvin.

This guy is a bit hopeless; he knows nothing about what his father and the royal family are doing.

Although this was partly due to His Majesty Daryan deliberately concealing it from Prince Alvin, this seemingly kind emperor was clearly not the kind person he was supposed to be, but rather a powerful and controlling individual.

Therefore, even if it is a prince, or one's own son, one will not be drawn into one's own circle and will not know what the royal family is doing.

Even so, Prince Alvin was completely unaware of the changes taking place in his father, the royal family, and the empire he was to inherit.

It's actually a bit funny; as long as this prince doesn't cause trouble in the future, things will be fine.

Claire, at this moment, seemed more like a father, instructing Prince Alvin on the current political climate within the Empire. "Because he wants to win over the Acting Saintess. He wants to use me to get in touch with Lady Isabelle, break free from Bishop Simon's control, and free the royal family from the Church's control."

"Your father wants to restore the glory of the empire, to make it independent of the control of the Goddess Church, and to let your royal family take control of the empire themselves."

"Otherwise, your father wouldn't remember my name, and he certainly wouldn't be in such a hurry to push forward with the engagement."

"He has also fallen out with Bishop Simon to such an extent, and he is not very cooperative with Bishop Augustine either. This is what your father is doing."

Prince Alvin's expression changed.

You should know that if such words were said out loud, the people of the Goddess Church would probably think it was a rebellion.

The last ruler of an empire independent of the Church of Goddess was the evil god emperor Claire.

Chapter 103 The Prince Needs to Grow His Brain

For Prince Alvin, he is a member of the royal family.

But His Majesty Daryan, his own father never brought him into the circle of power.

This made Prince Alvin not quite understand what his father was doing. As an observer, he only felt that his father seemed to be making some changes to the current empire.

However, everything he didn't know was now revealed by the 'Lia' in front of him.

This is the first time Prince Alvin has faced his father so directly, and the current crisis facing the royal family.

So, when faced with the question 'What are you doing now?' that 'Lia' had asked him again, Prince Alvin felt that he was not wronged.

At this moment, Prince Alvin completely adjusted his mindset regarding what 'Lia' had said.

"Do you know why your father never cared whether you liked me or not, only whether I was willing to marry you?" Claire looked at him. "Because in your father's eyes, you are not a son, but a bargaining chip."

This statement was somewhat hurtful, but Prince Alvin did not deny it.

This is an undeniable fact.

Her father had never invited her to join their circle, nor had he ever told her what had happened or what he was going to do.

He described himself as a prince who was merely a pretty face, a tool for personal gain.

The engagement was only pushed forward because someone was needed to win over 'Lia' to their side and to take advantage of 'Lia'.

Prince Alvin clenched his fists after figuring this out.

He longed to prove himself to his father, but his father had not assigned him any tasks.

Even the desire for 'Lia' to marry into the royal family did not motivate Prince Alvin to pursue her.

In fact, it was Bishop Augustine who suggested that he become 'Lia's' attendant, not his own father.

On the one hand, he scolds himself for his incompetence, but on the other hand, he doesn't let himself participate in anything.

"What did your father do? Did he govern an empire? Did he lead troops into battle? Did he handle crises?" Claire's voice was calm.

"He'll just hide behind Bishop Simon and pretend to be a good guy. Once Bishop Simon loses power, he'll jump out and seize territory."

"Undeniably, your father was a truly remarkable and ambitious man."

"However, he is just a simple opportunist with no real ability, and he is trying to cross the line of the Goddess Church. This is dragging the empire back to the brink of danger. What do you think?"

Prince Alvin bit his lip tightly; he couldn't think of any reply.

His father was indeed as the 'Lia' in front of him described.

But in the end, he was still his father. He respected his father, but he felt helpless in the face of the facts.

While he was still struggling with his decision, Claire didn't ask him for an answer.

“Prince Alvin, you can make your own decisions and walk your own path.”

"I am not criticizing the royal family, but I am dissatisfied with your father's behavior. Even if you force a marriage between me and you, it will not help the current state of the empire."

"Because I have no goodwill toward the new empire or your father, even if we are engaged, no matter how much effort your father tries to put into controlling me, it will be to no avail."

"And I will resist, which will only further escalate the conflict between the new imperial family and the Church of Goddess. That's not what you want to see, is it?"

"So I think, Prince Alvin, you are one of the key figures in saving the new empire and the royal family. You just need to remember that you are you and your father is your father. Don't always act like a child, and don't care about your father's neglect and distrust. You have your own path to walk."

Prince Alvin lowered his head; every word 'Lia' uttered was like a knife to his heart.

It is completely beyond refutation.

At the same time, isn't this also Prince Alvin's own sentiment? Isn't this what he has always wanted to do? That is, as a prince, to share the burdens of the royal family and the empire.

This is the moment when he wants to share the burden, but has no way to do so.

What should he do? This had been troubling Prince Alvin, especially now that he knew what 'Lia' had said about what his father had done.

If they simply stand by and watch, their father might actually do something that would harm the empire and the royal family.

“What… what should I do? If I want to save the empire, if I want to redeem the royal family.” Prince Alvin looked at 'Lia' in front of him.

When Prince Alvin raised this question, Claire's goal had already been achieved.

I'm not afraid that the other person is brainless, I'm afraid that the other person doesn't want to improve.

If you want to improve yourself, you can solve most problems by using the so-called name of justice to hold others hostage.

“Prince Alvin, do you understand the current situation? I mean, do you remember what ‘Lia’ mentioned earlier?” Earl Orlando chimed in from the side.

At this point, Prince Alvin was completely in the mindset of a student, and he would have no resistance to the conversation that followed.

This is precisely the issue that Prince Alvin is reflecting on.

After thinking it over carefully, Prince Alvin gave his answer.

"Bishop Simon has lost power, Bishop Augustine is planning a major purge, Knight Commander Karl is making arrests, and His Majesty Darion is seizing power to break free from the control of the Church of Goddess—is that correct?"

“That’s true, but not entirely. The problem is that the royal family and His Majesty Daryan are unaware that they are in danger.” Claire’s voice was calm.

Looking at Prince Alvin, who instantly tensed up, he continued.

“Your father thought he could reap the benefits without lifting a finger. But he didn’t realize that he was the prey.”

"You should know that even if Bishop Simon loses his power, he is still a member of the Church of Goddess. Even if Bishop Augustine and Bishop Simon are rivals, they will not allow Bishop Simon to be suppressed and persecuted by outsiders."

"If His Majesty Darian wants to take advantage of Bishop Augustine's advantage to continue to suppress Bishop Simon, it will only arouse Bishop Augustine's dissatisfaction and retaliation."

"But your father is determined to completely eliminate Bishop Simon as an obstacle, and his statements and actions are likely to arouse the vigilance of the Church of Goddess."

"So your father was too eager for quick results, and who is the great purge that Bishop Augustine is launching now targeting? It's the nobles of the empire."

"Even if some of the corrupt parts of the Goddess Church are cleaned up, the entire church of the Goddess Church in the Imperial Diocese will not be cleansed."

"So what would happen if the nobles of the Empire discovered a large number of heretics? Do you understand what that means?"

Prince Alvin's pupils contracted slightly as he recalled the teachings he had just heard from 'Lia'.

"Does this mean the Church of Goddess is going to regain control of the royal family? Are the royal family's actions being recorded by the Church of Goddess?"

Claire nodded in agreement, while Earl Orlando suppressed a laugh.