The day of the primogeniture vote, once felt like a distant future, has arrived. Despite Karl’s insistence that I should stay away and rest, I decided to go to the polling place myself.
“I should douse cold water on the faces of those fools who mistakenly think the world revolves around their will.”
“Are you really okay with this? It could be dangerous. Those guys won’t comply with arrest willingly…”
“I’m prepared for that much.”
No good outcome can follow from actions taken through fraudulent and malicious means.
“Evil will fall. There’s a saying that if you cause others to cry, your own eyes will bleed. I won’t let them stay complacent, believing their wrongdoings will go unchallenged.”
I had to make sure Franz knew that this undeniable truth, an immutable law of life, cannot be avoided despite any denial.
I also wanted him to realize that he had to take responsibility for his reckless behavior of capturing Valery and threatening lives.
However, I didn’t think of ourselves as ‘good.’ Surely, we too must have inflicted wounds on others in our lives.
But I could firmly assert that, unlike Franz and his crew, I had never intended to harm others to achieve what I wanted. That was precisely why I was resolved to take revenge on Franz.
At this point, it seemed they had reached a point where they could no longer stop themselves. Once people cross a threshold, they can no longer discern what is wrong and what is right.
If they can’t stop themselves, someone must intervene. Just as one must cause a deliberate collision to stop a car with broken brakes.
“I want to extend my gratitude to the attending princes.”
The official event began. Sitting behind the curtain to avoid being seen, I listened intently to the unfolding situation.
I mentally prepared myself to appear at the right time, fully formed, to fulfill the role of a witness who could prove the crimes committed by Franz.
The event, led by Monica, the acting emperor, saw people bustling about. Judging by the movement of shadows, it seemed the nobles corresponding to the princes were entering one after another.
One, two, three. Only three of the four expected princes entered because Duke Schwaben had died suddenly without an heir.
I let out a brief, hollow laugh. It seemed that the sudden death of the Duke of Schwaben might have been influenced by Franz’s machinations.
Why, of all people, the Duke of Schwaben? Was there a plan to kill all the electoral nobility starting with him?
The electoral process for the prince-electors is an ancient system, so obscure that even those who remember it are few; how did they know this vote would take place?
The sudden death of the previous emperor, too, everything felt strange and suspicious.
Could it be that the young emperor’s unforeseen death and the poisoning of the Duke of Schwaben were all connected? Was it all orchestrated by Franz?
If that were the case, did all the suspicious deaths before this one also tie back to him?
Suddenly, Marina’s words echoed in my mind. She had said she sacrificed many children to achieve her goals and eliminate obstacles—a chilling thought.
If she spoke of reality rather than exaggeration to instill fear, chills ran down my spine.
“One of the two archdukes on the ballot has yet to arrive, but according to law and discipline, we shall proceed with the vote without delay.”
Franz still hadn’t arrived. Monica’s solemn voice declared that they would no longer wait.
“Is it right to rush the voting when not all the participants are present?”
A surprising voice rang out. It was Franz. My hands, resting on my knees, stiffened with tension, palms beginning to sweat.
“I am a little late, but I have arrived.”
The crowd murmured in unrest.
“The archduke has attended armed here in this sacred voting place.”
Monica’s tone shifted, revealing that the crowd’s unease was due to Franz’s attire.
To arrive at such a crucial voting session for the future emperor armed—it was evident what Franz intended. It was a clear threat: if I am not elected, I will seize the position by force.
“How can a person be so consistent…”
I muttered to myself. No matter how I looked at it, there was no chance for Franz to redeem himself.
“After all, the Empire has gained its current fame through conquest, so I thought armor would be more fitting for the throne.”
If only he could stay silent. I scoffed inwardly. Franz truly had a remarkable talent for enchanting people with mere words. The problem was that he only used that talent to undermine or criticize others.
“While I was briefly away from the palace, my mansion has been turned into a complete mess, dear nephew.”
“The Imperial Investigation Team shows no mercy to those who have committed crimes.”
“A criminal who has committed a crime… Are you referring to me, Duke Albrecht?”
“It’s puzzling that you need confirmation to believe that; it seems quite unworthy for your intellect, Duke Toskur.”
Tension began to rise between Karl and me. Karl’s voice was sharp, filled with edge. Even from my position behind the curtain, simply listening to their conversation made me tense—how much worse was it for him?
“It seems to me that the disrespectful nephew, who still cannot show proper etiquette to his uncle, does not suit the throne… Enough with the trivialities; please proceed with the voting, Lady Monica. We’re not here just to have tea and exchange pleasantries.”
“I was planning to do that regardless. It’s truly laughable that you speak of etiquette towards Duke Albrecht while failing to show proper respect to the acting Emperor.”
His last remark was quiet enough for only those present to hear. I could feel Monica’s tension directed toward Franz as well. No one here was on his side.
Aside from the knights acting on his orders, no one could support or side with Franz here.
“I will commence the electoral vote of the Electors.”
Minister Saniter of the administration announced the start of the voting. I swallowed hard due to the tension.
“Lastly, the Elector Duke of Schwaben has passed away unexpectedly and cannot attend the vote. Therefore, I announce that one of the four elector votes will remain blank.”
“Wait a moment.”
Someone interrupted the minister. It was Pulcheria. Realizing my turn was approaching, I slowly stood up.
Leev came over and quickly adjusted my skirt, while Hannah slipped white gloves onto my hands.
“With the Duke of Schwaben’s death, the heir has inherited all powers, rights, and duties. This includes eligibility as an Elector. I hereby request that you fill the vacant last seat of the Elector.”
The crowd murmured again. It was really time for me to step forward and unveil the curtain. I straightened my back and took a deep breath.
Kendrick and two knights of the Imperial Investigation Team lifted the curtain upwards. Slowly exhaling, I took a deep breath. Then, I lifted my trembling foot and took a step forward.
“We have found the heir from the maternal line of the Duke of Schwaben, Countess Louisette. I present to you, the heir, the last Elector.”
The sound of my footsteps resonated clearly. Tap, tap. The previously murmuring crowd fell silent, looking up at me as if they were synchronizing their quietness with my steps.
Someone was looking around here in shock, someone with awe, while others gazed with curiosity.
“Celeste Aisha Louisette Albrecht. She is the Grand Duchess Albrecht.”
Hannah shouted loudly in front of the crowd, which was seeking explanations. With my marriage to Karl, the surname Louisette had now become my middle name.
My surname is now Albrecht. People buzzed at the unexpected appearance of the Grand Duchess, and I met Franz’s gaze.
At first, his face was filled with surprise, but it was slowly twisting. I found his expression of astonishment or dismay quite striking.
Why you? How did you get here? Even without saying it aloud, I knew he was thinking those things.
“I am Celeste Aisha Louisette Albrecht, the last Elector.”
With a calm voice, I introduced myself, emphasizing each word. The position of Grand Duchess didn’t require self-introduction, but I chose to introduce myself directly.
I needed to convey to Franz and his entourage who I truly was.
Until yesterday, I may have been merely their captive, but now I had to clearly inform them that I was a living witness ready to expose their misdeeds.
I needed to assert that I had the right and justification to reveal all their wrongs and punish them if necessary. To avoid appearing small or timid, I kept my upper body stiff.
Perhaps due to morning sickness, I felt queasy but had to endure it. I swallowed dryly multiple times, suppressing my churning stomach.
“Don’t overdo it, Celly.”
Just when I thought I heard someone whispering softly, someone took my hand.
It was Karl.
