Helen’s confidence wavered as she had trusted the provincial officials and many of them were personally appointed by her, so even promoted under her recomndation.
She had been so sure they were loyal and would never turn against her, yet here Yenna was, telling her otherwise.
"Who are they?" Helen’s sharp gaze flickered toward Yenna.
"Who exactly is planning this? Who has the influence to turn the officials and military leaders in these provinces against us?" Her voice, though steady, carried a thin edge of tension.
Yenna didn’t answer imdiately, but instead, she shifted her gaze directly toward Robert Rienfeld.
Everyone’s reaction was different as silence filled the room
Helen’s eyes narrowed, her mind piecing things together at an alarming speed while the forr Chancellor and her father—remained eerily neutral, as if he had already suspected what was about to be said.
The elder who had first spoken rely sighed as his fingers tapped rhythmically against the table but Robert, however did not react with his expression as unreadable and posture as composed as ever.
But Yenna wasn’t here to play gas.
"Elder Robert, isn’t it about ti you speak?" she said smoothly, "After all, you must already be aware of how your family mbers have been operating in the outer provinces. Or should I spell it out for you?"
A heavy weight settled in the room.
Helen’s breath hitched previously she had suspected their family were working against hers as it was normal for two political clash, but she had not imagined it was this deep.
Because if this spontaneous uprising were to successful then it would definitely over for her family and all this was orchestrated and perfectly planned by the Rienfeld family.
She could feel it and judging by the expressions around the room, she wasn’t the only one.
The Rienfeld family had always been her greatest political rivals and had always sought to increase their influence, to expand their power base, to position themselves as the next rulers of the Federation.
But if Yenna was right and if they were using this crisis to accelerate their plans then this wasn’t just about political maneuvering but was about seizing full control.
"I see where you’re going with this." Robert finally sighed and, without any hesitation t Yenna’s gaze. "But even if certain mbers of my family have been rallying support, that doesn’t an they intend to declare independence."
His voice was asured, calculated but Helen saw it imdiately as he wasn’t denying it but also wasn’t defending it instead reframing it while turning it into sothing that sounded reasonable.
"You act as if consolidating influence is a cri," Robert continued while tilting his head slightly. "As this is how power works and every political family builds its base. Even you, Chancellor Helen, have done the sa so what makes this different?"
Helen hated that his tone was so calm and collected because he was right as every influential leader strengthened their position. It was political survival.
But in this case there’s difference as he wasn’t just securing influence instead was preparing to break away.
"And what if I order an imdiate reassessnt of the provincial officials?" Helen asked as she clenched her jaw with her voice colder than before.
Henry who was silent before smirked and interjected. "Do you have the resources for that?"
Helen froze and in that mont, she realized that the Federation was already stretched thin with their entire focus was on Central Province.
Robert’s words had been deliberate, calculated, and evasive because he hadn’t denied anything, nor had he outright confird it. He had rely shifted the conversation, as if the truth could be buried under layers of political rhetoric.
"I know you think gathering influence isn’t a cri, Elder Robert." But Yenna wasn’t buying it as she had seen through the façade, and now she was pressing forward. "And you’re right but tis have changed."
Her voice was smooth but controlled as there was a quiet force behind it—an undeniable authority that silenced the murmurs in the room. "And of all the people your family should know that."
Robert’s eyes narrowed he had an idea where this was going.
"You were already recruiting and gathering awakened individuals even before the surge and that’s was not just securing influence." She let the weight of her words settle.
For the first ti, Robert didn’t have a rebuttal ready as he could feel the sharp glances of the other elders, watching him, waiting.
"And now that communication between provinces has been severed, tell , Robert…" Yenna pressed forward. "Do you truly believe those family mbers of yours will still heed your command?"
The sharpness in her tone was impossible to ignore.
"When they’ve tasted real power." Her next words struck like a dagger. "And have full control over their provinces with the help of the awakened individuals under them which you gave them as a head start before the surge and, with the chaos in full motion, their power will only grow."
The air in the room shifted as the realization hit hard. Robert took a slow breath knowing what she was implying.
But Yenna wasn’t finished. "Tell , Robert… are you truly sure they won’t be swayed or that they won’t rebel when they realize they no longer need you?"
His jaw tightened.
"And even if, for a mont, we assu they won’t break away…" Her gaze sharpened.
"What happens when they demand control over the Federation or dictate who they want to hold all the power?" Her voice dropped into a chilling calm.
"Would you expect us to simply… comply?" Her words hit like hamr blows.
Now as multiple scenarios now lay on the table and each one was a dangerous possibility while painting the Rienfeld family as a growing threat.
Robert exhaled slowly, his mind racing as for the first ti, a sliver of uncertainty passed through him.
He had always planned for his family to rise in power and had grood his son Henry, strengthened their position within the Federation, and slowly consolidated influence.
But had he give too much power to soone who can go against him, had his own maneuvering created sothing that was now spiraling out of control?
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