Silas noticed that Ryan was no longer anywhere to be found within the castle.
For several days now, he had not seen the man walking the corridors or strolling through the royal gardens. At first, Silas simply assumed Ryan was busy attending to matters concerning Princess Celestia. But as time passed, Ryan's continued absence began to draw his attention.
Silas walked through one passageway after another, observing everything closely. Still no sign of Ryan. Nor was there any word or news about him. Yet Silas did not dwell on it for long. To him, Ryan was nothing more than a tool — one that had already outlived its usefulness.
From now on, he had only one true goal: to gain the complete trust of Princess Celestia.
Where Ryan had foolishly tried to seize power by plundering the kingdom's wealth, Silas intended to use a far subtler approach. He would never force her hand. He would never reveal his true intentions too soon. He simply had to become the person Celestia believed in above all others.
That afternoon, Silas made his way toward the royal gardens. Snow that had fallen over the past few days was slowly melting away, leaving the air cool and crisp. Servants moved about clearing the paths so they would be safe and easy to travel upon.
At the very heart of the garden stood the five companions chosen by Nyx: Blue, Rio, Ova, Brown, and Uli.
Yet something struck Silas as strange. Brown and Uli sat apart from the other three, beneath a different tree entirely. They spoke no words. They would not even look toward one another.
Silas frowned slightly and walked over to them.
"Why have you all separated like this? Has something happened?"
All five turned their gaze toward him.
Blue spoke first. "Brown and Uli still say they trust Qas… even though Qas betrayed Princess Celestia herself." He glanced sharply toward the pair sitting apart. "We refuse to speak to anyone who still stands by a traitor."
Brown simply turned his face away. Uli looked downcast and deeply saddened.
Silas smiled faintly. "This is nothing unusual."
They all looked at him curiously.
"Sometimes… it is truly hard to know exactly who deserves our trust," Silas said softly, stepping slowly between them. "And every soul must make their own choices." He looked each one in the eye. "But do not let personal disagreements get in the way of your duties."
His tone was wise, calm, and reassuring — exactly like that of a trusted mentor.
"I have called upon you all because I find myself in need of help," Silas continued gently.
Ova looked up at him. "Help?"
"Indeed."
Ova glanced uncertainly toward Brown and Uli before answering. "We… we will help you. But the three of us do not wish to work alongside Brown and Uli anymore."
"Of course — that is perfectly understandable," Silas replied with a soft smile — though behind it lay something far more calculated.
He then began assigning tasks to each of them separately:
- Blue was entrusted to carry important messages across the lands.
- Rio helped transport supplies and goods throughout the castle grounds.
- Ova assisted in managing various royal affairs and arrangements.
- Brown and Uli were each given entirely different duties, far removed from the others.
Silas made certain they were always moving, always occupied, and always looking to him for further instruction. Slowly, without them even realising it, all five began to depend entirely upon his judgement and guidance. Silas watched from a distance — they followed his every word without question.
So easy… far too easy, he thought to himself.
He returned calmly to his private chambers and sat comfortably upon a sofa, sipping slowly from a cup of warm tea while gazing out the window.
"Fascinating…" he whispered with a smile. "Give people just a little attention, listen to what troubles them… and they will place their whole trust in you."
Suddenly, a soft fluttering sound broke the silence — a small squirrel leaped nimbly through the open window. Fin.
Silas turned his head. "Ah — hello, Fin. How are things?"
Fin looked at him with a knowing, slightly mocking expression. "You seem to be having far too much fun playing your games."
Silas chuckled softly. "Whatever do you mean?"
"I never imagined you would be willing to use even those who were once close to you as mere pieces in your plan."
Silas fell silent for a moment — then laughed openly. "Close to me? Do not make such foolish jokes. The word friend does not exist in my dictionary."
Fin raised an eyebrow curiously. "Then what does exist in it?"
Silas's expression softened — just a little. "Alice. She is the only one I truly care about." He shifted his gaze toward the door. "Everyone else is simply a means to an end. Right now, they believe I am entirely on their side. I listen to their worries. I offer them help. I make them feel understood… and I shall do exactly the same thing with Princess Celestia." His smile grew wider and sharper. "Soon enough, she will believe I am the only person who has never abandoned her."
Fin studied him carefully. "I had no idea you could plan so many steps ahead."
"Naturally," Silas replied confidently, leaning back comfortably. "I am not like others — I do not rely upon brute strength alone. I rely upon my mind."
Fin nodded slowly. "Alice still follows the path laid out for her. And you… you must keep holding Princess Celestia's trust firmly in your hands."
"Have no fear," Silas said, looking back out toward the gardens. "I shall ensure she never doubts me for even a moment."
Fin leaped away and vanished back out through the window. Silas rested his head against the cushion, eyes closed, a satisfied smile still playing upon his lips.
As far as Silas was concerned… everything was unfolding exactly according to his grand design.
Here is the full, smooth English translation:
While Silas busily arranged his plans, Princess Celestia sat alone inside her private chambers — spacious and grand, yet utterly silent and empty.
Usually filled with sunlight and the soft bustle of castle folk, the room now felt hollow and cold. The fire crackled warmly in the hearth, yet it could not chase away the chill deep within her heart.
She sat by the window, gazing out across the grounds. Gentle falling snow slowly covered the royal gardens — the very place where she and her older sister Elowen had once walked and spoken together so often.
Now all that remained were memories.
Celestia clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
Elowen had left the castle behind.
Qas — the creature she had trusted most — had betrayed her.
Nyx, her oldest and closest companion, had been cast out for crimes committed.
And Ryan… he had nearly used his position to seize control over her and the whole realm.
Everyone who had once stood beside her seemed to slip away, one by one.
"Why does everything in my life turn to misfortune?" she whispered, so softly it was barely audible.
She fought back tears, yet still they fell, tracing paths down her cheeks. "Am I truly unworthy to rule as queen?"
That question circled endlessly in her mind. She remembered what Elowen had told her long ago: "You are far too gentle to lead." Back then, those words had only made her angry — yet now they haunted every thought.
A soft knock came upon the door.
Celestia quickly wiped her eyes smooth. "Enter."
The door creaked slowly open. Silas stepped inside carrying a small tray — warm chocolate drink and sweet pastries rested upon it. His long ears stood straight as always, his face etched with what looked like genuine concern. He walked gently toward her and set the tray down nearby.
"Are you quite well, Princess Celestia?" he asked softly.
He seated himself upon a chair a respectful distance away — close enough to show care, far enough never to seem bold or demanding.
Celestia looked toward him and let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Everyone changes, Silas… everyone I knew is gone or turned against me. I lost my sister. Nyx was taken away. Qas betrayed everything I gave him. And Ryan… he only ever wanted to use me for power." She bowed her head low. "I no longer know who in this world I can truly trust."
Her eyes glistened again. "Is it my fault? Am I too soft‑hearted? Did I make every choice wrong? What have I done to deserve all this?" She lifted her gaze, voice trembling. "Am I really not fit to be queen?"
Silas watched her quietly for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"You have done nothing wrong at all, Your Highness." His tone was steady and sure. "The truth is simply this — you are too good."
Celestia looked up, surprised.
"Those who are kind and honest are always the first to be taken advantage of by others," Silas went on gently, bowing his head slightly as if sharing a heavy truth only he understood. "You have given everything you could — cared for your people, listened to every voice, strived always to rule fairly… yet those around you failed to value or honour it."
His words wrapped around her like comfort; for the first time in days, Celestia felt truly understood.
Then Silas met her gaze directly. "No matter what happens — or who leaves — I shall remain right here beside you. I will never betray you. Nor will I ever abandon you as they all have."
Celestia fell silent. Those words struck deep into her lonely heart. For so long she had heard only blame — yet here was someone who offered only loyalty and support.
"Thank you, Silas," she said softly, a faint, sad smile touching her lips. "Truly… thank you."
Silas answered with a soft, gentle smile of his own. "I only do what is right."
But behind that kindness lay something Celestia could not see — Silas watched her reaction closely, satisfied. He knew his words had taken root. He knew she was leaning more heavily upon him now. And that was exactly what he had intended all along.
Just outside the chamber, hidden behind the half‑open doorway, sat Fin — the little squirrel — perched upon a small branch near the window. He had heard every word spoken between them. His ears twitched slowly as he watched Silas weave his spell over the Princess.
Fin grinned quietly to himself. "Fascinating… Princess Celestia trusts so very easily." He glanced toward Silas within the room. "And Silas — what an actor he plays. Pretending to be her saviour… while he himself is the one quietly building all her troubles."
Cold wind brushed through his fur, yet his smile never faded.
"The game has truly only just begun. He has already won her complete confidence. Before long… all of Wonderveil shall belong to them."
With a quick leap, Fin slipped away unseen, vanishing into the shadows.
Inside the quiet room, Celestia believed at last she had found someone truly worthy of her trust. Yet the very person she saw as her saviour… was only waiting for the perfect moment to bring her down.
..........
Over the following days, the atmosphere within the castle began to shift little by little.
Princess Celestia — who had once shut herself away in her chambers — had now returned to her duties as ruler. Yet this change had not truly come from within her own strength.
It had come because of one person.
Silas.
Every morning without fail, Silas arrived bearing reports, official papers, and carefully thought‑out proposals. He would sit respectfully across from Celestia's desk and explain the state of the realm in clear, reassuring terms.
"Your Highness… the people still face hardship in certain outlying regions."
Celestia looked up from the document she held. "What should I do to help them?"
Silas offered a soft, knowing smile. "I believe you ought to issue a decree bringing them aid and relief."
Celestia nodded at once. "Very well — I trust your judgement entirely."
Silas slid the parchment toward her. "Then please… place your signature right here."
Without hesitation or suspicion, Celestia took up her pen and signed her name. She never realised that every single document she signed quietly handed more authority and power straight into Silas's hands.
Silas was never hasty. He moved with extreme caution — reading every line over and over again, ensuring no wording could ever raise questions or arouse doubt. He was determined never to repeat the mistakes Ryan had made.
Ryan had been greedy, reckless, and far too quick to reveal his true ambition. Silas was nothing like that. He advanced slowly, carefully, always keeping Princess Celestia's name and authority as his perfect shield. If anything went wrong… the people would blame Celestia, never him.
"Princess Celestia herself ordered it done." — those were the words that would always save him.
Alone in his private study, Silas sat looking over the stack of signed papers and smiled faintly to himself.
"Remarkable… How easily people bend to influence when they feel weak and alone." He traced the ink of Celestia's signature. "Now she grants me greater power all on her own — and never even suspects it."
Yet even as his plans unfolded perfectly, Silas still waited for one person: Alice.
Days had passed without word from her. He needed to know what came next. He walked out into the royal gardens, gaze lifting toward heavy, cloud‑filled skies.
"Why does she delay her move?" he murmured, tapping his fingers rhythmically against a stone ledge.
He already held Celestia firmly under his control. Public opinion could still be steered wherever he wished. Nyx's chosen companions remained divided and weak. But for the final, decisive step… he needed Alice's guidance and strength.
Days turned into a week — still silence. Silas began to grow uneasy.
Then one quiet afternoon, while resting in his chambers, a small bird fluttered through the open window and dropped a tiny folded note before him. Silas picked it up instantly — he recognised the handwriting at once. Alice.
He unfolded it slowly. It bore only one short instruction:
"Keep watching and guiding Princess Celestia exactly as you are. Do not rush or strike too soon. Await my next command."
Silas read it through several times before letting out a quiet breath. "Still playing her own long, careful game…"
He held the corner of the paper to the flame of a candle and watched it burn slowly to fine grey ash upon his desk.
"Very well then… I shall carry on exactly as I have begun."
From his window he looked out toward the great castle halls. Deep inside them, Celestia still believed she had finally found someone truly loyal and true — someone who stood faithfully by her side.
She did not yet understand: every choice she made now was shaped and directed by Silas. And the deeper her trust grew… the harder it would ever be for her to see the truth waiting just behind it.