Mei Ruan March 30th, 20XX

Almost as a testament to how terrifying the Cap was to Fairies Lillian visibly stiffened as it was placed onto her head but she did not fight it and even went as far as to tighten it onto her head and make sure it wouldn't fall off.

“ Lillian. Based on what you have observed so far do you think I have upheld my duties?”

Lillian took a deep breath and mentally ran through her answer before speaking out loud. She said each word slowly and as clearly as she could and didn't dare use any exaggerations in her speech.

“ With the exception of orders from Jaya, Mei never abused the power of the Ruan clan nor the power of the Army.”

The cap trembled ever so slightly and Aruna looked away with a yelp but it settled down and Lillian’s wings remained intact.

Meanwhile Jaya paled even further as she realized the implications of her actions once more. Without the cap perhaps Lillian would have replied with a simple yes or no but now she had to go into detail. As well, she couldn't even accuse Lillian of exaggerations to defend her case.

I continued the questioning.

“ Lillian. Based on what you have observed so far do you think Aruna had upheld her responsibilities?”

In the same careful manner as last time Lillian responded.

“ With the exception of Orders from Jaya, Aruna has completely upheld her duties in maintaining the wealth of the Ruan family and keeping the whole clan informed on the happenings of the other clans.”

And finally what I had been waiting for.

“ Lillian. Based on what you have observed so far do you think that Jaya has upheld her duties?”

Jaya bit her lip so hard that she began to bleed and tried to send threatening glares towards Lillian, but whatever coercion she may have been able to do in the past were now impossible due to the truth cap of her own request.

The golden-bronze blood dripped down her face as a testament to her nervousness.

“Based on my observations Jaya Ruan has most definitely not upheld her responsibilities as the head of the Ruan clan. She has repeatedly abused her political powers to bully other families and clans and has used her authority within the household to oppress her two sisters and has repeatedly put them under physical and mental harm. In order to respect her authority Mei has had to release her anger in fighting arena’s around the queendom and has had a facial paralysis spell in her face for the past 17 years in order to avoid Jaya thinking she showed in subordination.. and Aruna has avoided meeting with her to the point of completely leaving the house on dangerous missions that others would have sent subordinates like myself on.”

Jaya desperately looked up at the cap but it didn't even tremble as Lillian spoke.

“ As my Role as the Representative I suggest the immediate termination of Jaya’s post as the duchess and recommend immediate punishment for her past actions.”

Mother remained silent throughout all of this and I began to panic.. after all, if she ruled that Jaya should keep her post then the only other option I would have would be a total rebellion and overthrowing of the dukedom.

While such thing was within my capabilities i knew that the repercussions would be much too high.

Finally my mother spoke.

In the quietest voice i've ever heard from her she said.

“ Approval for Jaya’s termination as the Duchess… Jaya”

She called Jaya by name for the first time. My elder sister reluctantly stepped forwards..or rather was pulled forward by the chains to hover right in front of my mother.

“ What?”

She spat out. My mother only sighed in disappointment in response.

“ Jaya... I suppose it’s my fault… even as a child you were prone to such things but i thought that making you the duchess would be enough responsibility to snap you out of it.. As your mother i have to apologize. With such power in your hands even the most rational person would have become skewed never mind you who was already sideways.”

Jaya remained silent and her lip kept bleeding, forming small droplets that fell into the abyss.

“Mother”

She whimpered pathetically but my mother only looked away. Speaking in a colder voice she continued.

“ Aruna is to be groomed as the next duchess. Jaya will continue to manage the duke dom under my careful supervision until Aruna is ready to take the seat and as reparations Mei will be permitted to keep the Ruan army after assuming the throne. As for punishment; Jaya’s powers will be halved and evenly divided between the two sisters…... that is the end.”

The screen blacked out and we were suddenly back in my room where i had activated the spell.

Jaya immediately flew out of the room leaving the three of us alone. meanwhile Aruna was in a daze.

“ I’m the duchess? why me? Mei would be so much better of a duchess.”

Lillian nonnded and in her usual dry tone said.

“ Mei is going to be the queen so why would she settle for being a duchess?”

ah… I forgot about that.

I had just dealt with one egotistic power mad psycho….I forgot that I might be marrying one.

I let out a dry laugh at the realization, summoning confused expressions from the two women beside me. Aruna ran to my side, since her wings were still sore from earlier, and put her hand on my upper arm.

“ Mei, are you okay?”

I shook my head in response and gently pushed her away from me then stood up from my crumpled position on the floor.

“ Lillian.”

She snapped to attention and after steading Aruna who had been caught off guard by my push,rushed to stand in front of me.

“ General Ruan.”

I fixed my posture to stand a bit taller and said as calmly as i possibly could.

“ Reach out to the Castle...Let them know of my intention to visit and solidify my engagement with the prince.”

Before any other family could dig up casual words from the past queen like we had to claim their right to being queen, I needed to solidify it.

In order to protect Aruna from whatever schemes my elder sister would hatch as well as to protect myself I knew that I needed more power than the still young Aruna could give me. .