133.

Esperanda Palace, true to its status as a symbol of the empire’s long and ancient history, had always been renowned for its classical elegance, yet in recent years it began exuding a somewhat desolate atmosphere. Perhaps the initial change occurred right after the crown prince began receiving full authority, replacing the emperor who had suddenly retreated into seclusion. Starting from a sweeping turnover within the palace, countless loyal servants and maids were dismissed without explanation, while suspicious individuals of unknown origins quietly began filling their vacant positions.

Nobles who once entered the palace as freely as their own homes had their access permits entirely revoked, and loyal imperial guards were systematically pushed to the outer perimeters, where they now stood like iron walls guarding only the palace walls—this was the current state of affairs. Amid such circumstances, rumors surrounding the imperial family began flowing in unprecedentedly sensational directions.

It was widely whispered that at midnight, only the northern gate of the palace would open, allowing countless carriages to enter from that direction; that those carriages carried corpses inside; that those corpses were in fact serving as nutrients for the strange plants beginning to overrun the palace gardens; and that the mysterious crown princess was behind it all. While commoners’ rumors were usually baseless and aimless, occasionally even the ignorant could strike at the heart of the truth.

Audrey looked down coldly at the crowd gathering before the palace’s main gate, pretending to welcome the imperial princess’s return. At that very moment, a knock echoed through the empty room.

“Enter.”

The wooden door, clearly not well-oiled, creaked unpleasantly as it opened. A sliver of light entered the dim room, revealing the crown prince. His face, which until just moments ago had confidently displayed royal dignity, rapidly showed signs of exhaustion once he confirmed no one else was present. He shut the door and strode firmly into the room.

“Mother.”

Audrey did not turn from the window as she replied.

“Where is your father?”

“He has fallen asleep under the influence of medicine.”

“As expected of a weak man. He was like this ten years ago, and twenty years ago too.”

“…….”

“He was so shocked when he saw me discard my decaying empress’s body and take over a servant’s form.”

“…….”

“At least you haven’t forgotten your mother. My dear Diego.”

“How could I ever deny you, Mother?”

Audrey smiled contentedly, visibly pleased, but suddenly furrowed her brows and asked again.

“You did regulate the dosage properly when administering the medicine, didn’t you? Regardless, he must appear perfectly well at the ball next week.”

“Of course.”

“The war ended too quickly. I needed just a brief moment to divert attention… That pirate was utterly useless. Instead of dying quietly, he drew all this attention!”

Audrey stamped her foot hard in frustration. The crown prince glanced, somewhat disturbed, at the ankle briefly exposed beneath Audrey’s skirt—a bone fused with rotting flesh. It was less a rational judgment and more instinctive revulsion. Somehow, it felt as if a putrid stench vibrated through the room, though in reality, a suffocatingly strong perfume smell numbed all other scents. The crown prince slightly flung open the tightly shut window.

“We should never have trusted someone of such low birth. Even if we needed someone to act in secrecy. It’s certain that the soul within that body was manipulated by his hands.”

“Let’s drop that topic. Your mother already said it’s impossible. The soul belongs to the domain of gods.”

“But—”

“The flower will soon bloom.”

“…….”

“Then this wretched state will finally end.”

Audrey pressed her hand to her forehead as if fatigued, then suddenly turned to the crown prince, as if recalling something.

“How is your body faring?”

“The same as before.”

“You must never let that woman’s soul leave your body, not even for a moment. Without it—”

“I know. You’ve reminded me countless times.”

The crown prince covered the necklace around his neck with his large hand and gripped it tightly. A faint light seeped through his fingers. Seeing his face relax slightly from this alone, Audrey added with satisfaction:

“She was truly a flawless child, from head to toe. I should have been more cautious. Even if Duke Valdemore made such a fuss demanding my daughter.”

Blood began to seep from the tip of her finger, which she had been anxiously biting down on—thick, sticky, dark-colored liquid, if it could even be called blood. Diego lazily took Audrey’s hand and pulled it down.

“He’s the kind of man who would have marched private troops into the palace if we hadn’t handed her over in time. Stop regretting.”

“…….”

“Soon, that woman will fall right into our hands.”

* * *

The Valencia Road, usually quiet after the social season, was bustling from the very beginning with noble carriages hastily arriving due to the victory news and crowds celebrating the imperial princess’s return. Due to the soaring popularity of Lady Montrosa, the young duchess, the imperial princess’s return to the capital had been conducted in utmost secrecy. Yet information always leaks somewhere, and with citizens flooding the streets, the carriage could barely move two hundred dicems (about two kilometers) per hour.

Despite the cheers, excitement, and chaos, the capital’s atmosphere carried an oddly barren and desolate undertone. It was strange. Ro sensed this atmosphere more acutely than anyone, even as she waved at the citizens alongside the imperial princess.

Eventually, the carriage passed through narrow alleys and reached the twin hills where the Valdemore and Montrosa ducal mansions faced each other. Beyond that to the north lay the imperial palace. Ro was startled when the carriage, which she assumed would stop, instead bypassed the entire road and headed straight for the palace.

“Your Highness, if you could let me off here—”

“No. If emotionally charged citizens rush toward the mansion, how could you handle it alone? You don’t even have proper private guards. The Duke and Duchess of Valdemore, the Duke and Duchess of Montrosa, and even your husband haven’t reached the capital yet. It’s better for you to stay in the palace for now.”

That was obviously a transparent excuse. No proper private guards? What nonsense. Those knights tightly surrounding the mansion weren’t private guards but imperial palace guards. Ro watched with mild offense as the Valdemore mansion receded into the distance.

Truthfully, that place wasn’t exactly a comfortable sanctuary for her either. She had only thought of it as a familiar refuge, cornered as she was. The idea of her peacefully residing there was laughable, if not absurd. Just because she had worn this shell a little too long, did she now imagine herself truly becoming the daughter of Duke Valdemore? Whether she interpreted Ro’s expression correctly or not, the imperial princess added awkwardly:

“His Majesty is eager to see you as soon as possible. And I’ll spare no effort helping with the ball preparations. Even the maid you favored has already been summoned to the palace ahead of time.”

Ah. Now her true intentions were revealed. By order of His Majesty, of course. It was inevitable sooner or later, so there was no need to feel particularly uncomfortable. Still, she never expected to face Lady Audrey so abruptly, without any preparation at all. Ro froze upon spotting the crown prince and his attendants standing before the palace gates.

“Brother.”

The imperial princess cheerfully leapt from the stopped carriage and smiled brightly. Regardless of her true feelings, she effortlessly gave a light, affectionate embrace.

“My dear sister. You’ve worked hard. You’ve achieved an impressive feat.”

“Thanks to your concern. Ah, Crown Princess. I’ve heard you two held a simplified engagement ceremony.”

“Come, my dear.”

“We’re truly becoming family now.”

The imperial princess smiled gently and bowed formally. Then, deliberately making a wide gesture, she looked around innocently and asked:

“But brother, where is Father the Emperor?”

As if a five-year-old were searching for her father. The crown prince twisted his lips—more than he ever had before—and replied:

“Due to the seasonal change, His Majesty’s health has been somewhat frail lately.”

“Is he very unwell?”

“This is hardly the place to discuss the Emperor’s health.”

And before the imperial princess could respond, he courteously turned to Rosetta, who stood with hands clasped in greeting.

“Lady Montrosa, the young duchess. It’s been a long time.”

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”

Ro thought the crown prince’s smile was grotesque.

“You’ve been through great hardship. I’d like to hear the details over dinner tonight.”