"But the people may not agree. They might think I'm showing blatant favoritism." Edgar continued to find excuses.
"Favoritism?" Livia's voice was firm as she met her father's gaze without hesitation. "I've already said that once I take charge of the expansion project, I will immediately hold a public assembly to announce that I am merely acting as Marcellus's proxy. The moment he recovers, I will return this position to him."
She paused briefly before continuing with even greater resolve. "Even during my tenure as his proxy, every decision will be reported to Marcellus, and he will have the final say."
Her words were airtight, addressing any potential concerns from the public and giving them enough reassurance.
Edgar frowned slightly, as though still weighing how to reject her. But just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside. The noise grew louder and louder, penetrating even the thick walls until it could be heard clearly.
The uproar filled the hall, a mixture of shouting and buzzing discussions, like an incoming tidal wave.
Edgar's expression darkened instantly. He immediately signaled to the captain of the guards. "Go see what's happening."
The captain swiftly retreated and returned moments later, his face carrying a hint of complexity. "My lord, a large crowd has gathered outside. They are calling for Lady Livia to take over the expansion project. They say they will only trust a member of the Marcellus family."
Edgar's eyes narrowed slightly. "The people? Why is this happening so suddenly?"
The captain hesitated for a brief moment before speaking with a trace of helplessness. "They claim that the Marcellus family made great contributions during the last expansion. Both Marcellus's parents and Marcellus himself have earned immense respect."
Lowering his voice, he added, "Of course, this isn't entirely spontaneous… It's clear that their emotions have been stirred by certain remarks. They fear that without a Marcellus family member leading the project, they cannot feel at ease."
Edgar's gaze sharpened as he studied Livia intently, his voice slow and laced with an almost imperceptible chill. "This is Elias's doing, isn't it?"
There was a hint of resignation in his tone—an awareness of how the situation had suddenly shifted out of his control.
Livia's expression remained unchanged, as if she was oblivious to the accusation. She raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "I have no idea what you mean. But regardless, this proves that public opinion is on my side. Or rather—"
She looked straight at Edgar, her confidence unwavering. "I can make public opinion support me."
She knew full well that this was Elias's handiwork.
She had already anticipated that Edgar would use "the people's opposition" as an excuse. That was why she had preemptively orchestrated a strategic push in public sentiment. As someone who had lived as a thief in her past life, she understood better than anyone that the majority of the populace didn't particularly care who governed them. However, if a vocal minority deliberately spread certain narratives and guided public sentiment, they could influence a much larger group.
And Edgar understood this principle just as well.
Livia wasn't trying to prove to Edgar how much support she had. She only wanted him to realize that if she so wished, she could control this part of public opinion and influence those who truly mattered.
She waited for Edgar's response, while Edgar, too, was deliberating. The silence between them was a battlefield of its own.
"Fine," Edgar finally spoke, leaning back in his chair. His gaze deepened as he studied Livia, his fingers tapping the table rhythmically in thought. "The people may listen to you, but there's a problem."
His voice was measured, carrying an undertone of testing her reaction. "I recently appointed Eryx as the second-in-command for the expansion project. You should understand that as our city expands, opportunists will inevitably attempt to steal or cause destruction. The military's protection is crucial."
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping across Livia's face. "So tell me, if you want to take over this project, can you convince the military to support you? Will Eryx agree to let you interfere?"
The atmosphere grew tense in an instant.
Livia's heart clenched slightly. It had come—this was the challenge she had been expecting, the true deciding factor. She knew that public support alone was not enough. The real battle lay within the military. If she couldn't win against Eryx, then no matter how much public favor she had, she would merely be a powerless figurehead.
Her fingers curled slightly as she took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.
Right now, her only leverage was the possibility that Edgar's trust in her had not completely vanished—along with whatever lingering influence her mother had left within the military. But how much of it remained useful, she wasn't entirely sure.
Raising her eyes to meet Edgar's gaze, she spoke with steady determination, tinged with an edge of probing curiosity.
"In that case, Lord Edgar… if Eryx refuses, whose side will you take?"