Cecilia's plan was simple, built on a single advantage. Arzhen and Ruby still had no idea she was breathing.
Well, for now. The only worry was that Ruby, the true Saintess, might receive a convenient divine vision revealing that her predecessor was, inconveniently, not as dead as planned. If that happened, Cecilia would be forced to pivot, and pivot hard.
But so far, the evidence suggested Ruby was blissfully unaware. Her debut prophecy was the proof. "A year of prosperity, bountiful harvests, golden peace"? It was a saccharine, crowd-pleasing fantasy. If Ruby had even an inkling that Cecilia was still a player on the board, that prophecy would have been a carefully laid trap, not this lazy, greedy attempt to win over the nobles with empty promises.
Because Ruby would have known one thing for certain. A living Cecilia would immediately go to the people she had already saved.
