***
The Empress’s Palace changed its atmosphere according to the Empress’s mood.
Those working there had to be sensitive to her feelings and decorate the palace accordingly.
The maids and attendants hurriedly covered the windows of the Empress’s Palace with dark curtains. They dressed in black attire reminiscent of mourning clothes.
All the bright chandeliers were extinguished, and candles on wall sconces were lit. Holding lanterns, they wandered through the corridors.
Conversations were conducted in hushed whispers, their voices kept low, and they moved around as if they were ghosts, trying to erase their presence.
“Arthur, Arthur…”
From inside the Empress’s chamber, groans calling for the Second Prince, Arthur, echoed continuously.
After the peace treaty with the Pavan Kingdom was signed, the Empress, who had collapsed with a scream, had yet to rise from her bed.
“Mother.”
Second Prince Arthur, looking as if he might collapse before the Empress, tightly held her hand.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, soaking them, and his entire body trembled with fear.
“Why… why can’t you get up? I… I am nothing without you…”
“Why is Arthur not the Crown Prince?”
“M-Mother…”
“What must I do to kill that despicable Crown Prince and make the position yours?”
The Empress’s reproachful gaze sharply pierced through Arthur.
“I am too devastated to get up. You know why the Emperor signed that treaty, don’t you, Arthur?”
“…….…”
“They made me the villain of the continent, while the Emperor and Crown Prince conveniently crafted their excuses to escape unscathed!”
The Empress’s dry lips cracked, oozing crimson blood as she gnashed her teeth.
Ignoring the blood trailing down her chin, the Empress gripped Arthur’s hand tightly, speaking with a voice full of indignation.
“You know I was more cautious than anyone to ensure our Arthur would firmly establish himself as another successor to the Empire.”
“Yes, of course. You have always acted with the utmost discretion for my sake.”
“Then why?!”
The Empress’s eyes glowed with a murderous intent as she recalled the primary cause that had derailed her plans. –
“Cherrya Emblem! That wretched woman dared to act so audaciously…!”
The Empress had thought that Cherrya Emblem, overshadowed by Enoch Gray, would eventually bring about her own downfall.
Even when Cherrya took the position of Knight Commander, the Empress was convinced that everything was going according to her plans.
Seffield Emblem seemed to have distanced himself from the Empire, wandering outside its borders.
Meanwhile, Melsia Emblem, who became a duke, was overwhelmed by an immense workload, leaving her little time to fulfill the responsibilities of Knight Commander.
The Empress had expected Cherrya to crumble under pressure, to lead the Emblem Knights into disarray, fulfilling her expectations of self-destruction.
“The cursed treaty only came to pass because of the Emblem’s growing power. Who could have thought that Jade Gray would finally spread his wings after watching all that unfold? Edward is still as useless as ever!”
The Empress could not have foreseen that Jade Gray, while the Emblem soared, would choose to confine Enoch Gray to the academy.
Nor could she have imagined that as soon as Cherrya took charge of the Knight Commander’s position, she would manifest sword energy, elevate the Emblem Knights to the highest rank on the continent, and significantly contribute to reducing the occurrences of monstrous appearances.
“The honor that the Emblem possesses now should have belonged to Arthur! It should have been claimed by Arthur Lutinas, adored by the Gray Knights!”
The Empress had gone to great lengths to unite the Gray Knights and Arthur.
“How many schemes did I devise so that Arthur could be the savior of the continent, tormented by an onslaught of monsters?”
The Empress was filled with indignation.
“Cherrya Emblem! That woman’s reckless actions robbed my Arthur of everything he should have had. Doesn’t that anger you?”
Arthur remained silent, his lips tightly sealed, which only incited the Empress’s frustration.
“By being so passive, you’re losing everything—your claim to the throne, your father’s love, and the people’s recognition—all of it!”
If words could transform into lashes, the Empress’s scolding would have been harsher than any whip and sharper than any blade. It was as though she was born with the ability to pierce hearts with her words.
Arthur clutched his chest, as if holding onto his shattered pride.
“Still… now, people remember my name. Many say they support me, that I could become the Emperor someday…”
The Empress scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Words! They’re just empty words meant to flatter you! Surely, you didn’t foolishly believe all of them, did you?”
“O-of course not, Mother. I only said that to ease your worries…”
“Silence! And just do as I say. That’s the only way to bring peace to this mother of yours!”
The Empress’s irritated tone caused Arthur to tremble as he nodded reluctantly. She stared at him doubtfully before asking,
“Where is Bertan?”
“Do you not remember? You sent him when you heard that Cherrya Emblem was heading to the Continental Academy.”
“Ah, yes. I did. To use this opportunity to tarnish the Emblem Knights’ honor.”
As Arthur explained, the Empress nodded and murmured,
“When the treaty, built on the strength of the Emblem, crumbles because of them, I must witness the Emperor’s face.”
Suddenly, her eyes sparkled with malice as she fixed her venomous gaze on Arthur.
“You will show your mother the Emperor’s face twisted in despair, won’t you, my beloved son?”
“Y-yes…”
Arthur nodded weakly. He didn’t want to comply, but he couldn’t bear to be a disobedient son. For a mother who would do anything for him, Arthur was willing to do whatever was necessary, no matter how reluctant he felt.
“I will make sure Bertan understands. Bertan will do anything for me…”
At Arthur’s response, the Empress closed her eyes, seemingly reassured. With the disappearance of her piercing gaze, Arthur, too, sighed in relief.
Cautiously, he stood up and left the Empress’s chambers. Outside, the head maid awaited him and immediately followed.
“I-I can go alone… Please, no one is to enter my room.”
“Yes, Prince Arthur.”
With unsteady steps, Arthur made his way to his room, which was not far from the Empress’s chambers.
The head maid watched him until the door shut firmly behind him. Slowly, she moved away.
Arthur pressed his ear against the door, listening intently until he was certain the corridor was empty. Only then did he feel a faint sense of peace.
In the pitch-dark room, Arthur waited until his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
After what felt like an eternity with his eyes closed, Arthur began undressing, piece by piece, until he stood naked before the mirror.
“…Hideous.”
His reflection revealed that the mysterious black markings on his body had spread further, now enveloping his upper torso. If they spread any further, he would have to cover his neck permanently.
“I… I will never again be embraced by the divine, will I?”
Arthur tightly shut his eyes, unable to bear the sight of himself in the mirror. He then began meticulously pulling the curtains tighter around his room.
As if trying to hide from the gaze of the gods themselves.
What did she do to her son…