Chapter 14
Before the Regression – Mersen Empire
The Marquis of Kenzas family had served the imperial family of the Mersen Empire for generations. Ricardo Kenzas was no exception and grew up alongside Crown Prince Miliard. Because of that, he knew the crown prince better than anyone—making him a potential threat.
> “His Highness the Crown Prince plans to make the Forby Empire a vassal state and rule it as regent,”
Ricardo said, causing the Emperor to frown.
In war, one should kill the enemy leader. If even a seed of that leadership is left alive, it may sprout again.
> “Is it because of the princess?”
> “What else could it be?”
The Emperor’s face darkened.
> “Your Majesty, the princess will be the crown prince’s greatest weakness. We must remove her from sight—no matter the means.”
> “Hmm… using Daisy and Mairim might work too.”
The Emperor’s eyes sparkled.
> “Right. We do have spies.”
He slapped his knee and stood. Their long-embedded spies in the imperial family were finally bearing fruit. Though the spies near the crown prince had been caught, the ones close to the second prince and the princess were still active.
> “Let’s use them. If we poison the Forby Emperor and make it look like suicide…”
It would demoralize the Forby Empire. Their crown prince had died on the battlefield. If the Emperor died from grief, it would break the nation’s spirit.
> “He suffers from insomnia and uses sleeping herbs. Poisoning him then would be ideal.”
> “Is that possible?”
> “It’s worth trying. If we disguise it as suicide, even Illiard won’t object much. Make sure it happens before we take their capital.”
Ricardo hesitated.
> “The princess?”
> “Leave her for now. Has she ever truly wanted anything? If she insists…”
> “Do you mean to marry the princess to the crown prince?”
The Emperor studied Ricardo’s twisted expression and replied,
> “For now, we must keep her alive. Killing the royal family too soon may raise suspicion.”
> “Understood.”
Ricardo agreed calmly, but inside, he was furious.
He couldn’t let it happen.
Princess Eiryn was the greatest obstacle—not only to the crown prince but also to the Mersen Empire. She stirred emotions in the usually rational Illiard. It was her fault Illiard’s position had weakened after graduating the academy. Ricardo had told the Emperor parts of what he saw, but the Emperor didn’t care much about his son’s love life.
Luckily, due to Ricardo’s warning, the crown prince’s official regency had been postponed.
> “This is problematic.”
There was only one solution: separate the princess from the crown prince at all costs. If the defeated empire’s princess sat beside Illiard, no one knew what she might do. Maybe… faking her death was the best way.
> “How is Leon Siribon?”
Illiard asked about his comrade from the war.
> “Interestingly… he struck without hitting vital points. So, enemy casualties are low.”
Illiard laughed.
> “Got it. You may go.”
He slumped into his chair.
Keharam was doing well. He avoided killing and instead incapacitated enemies—a method that surprisingly worked well for this war’s goals.
> “Good… ugh…”
Sudden chest pain made Illiard’s mind go blank. His breathing became labored.
> “Your Highness, did you call for me?”
Ricardo entered.
> “Reward all those who performed well in the war with titles.”
These men would soon become part of the pro-Emperor faction. The Forby Emperor had agreed not to interfere. Both Forby and Mersen were superpowers. No other nation would dare intervene now.
> “Did the letter reach Daisy safely?”
They had manipulated all the spies in Forby using blackmail. One such letter came from Daisy’s brother, a royal knight, warning her to behave or her brother’s life would be at risk.
> “Yes, Your Highness.”
> “Did Daisy do something wrong?”
Ricardo tilted his head in confusion.
> “No. Just wanted to send a warning…”
Illiard groaned again as intense pain struck. Blood welled up from his throat.
Ricardo’s face darkened—he still didn’t know the cause of Illiard’s illness.
Luckily, the pain subsided quickly this time.
> “The war will end soon. Go back and support Duke Mielon.”
After Ricardo left, Illiard looked out the window. The red sun burned across the sky, reflecting in his golden eyes.
> “Your Majesty, Her Highness the Princess has arrived!”
Princess Eiryn entered the ballroom with her father, Emperor Galtus.
The hall erupted in applause for her birthday celebration.
> “Look at that dress! So pretty!”
> “Elegant, not too flashy.”
Everyone was captivated by her appearance. Thin, sheer lace fluttered behind her as she walked.
> “You look beautiful today, Rini. Happy birthday,” her father said warmly.
> “Thank you, Father,” she smiled and sat with him.
From afar, her eyes met Ithan’s briefly, and her smile faltered.
He had rejected her dance proposal earlier, which left things awkward.
As custom, her first dance was with her father, then with her brother Buail, who had rushed from the academy.
> “It’s been a while, brother.”
> “Happy birthday, Rini.”
> “You’re late.”
> “Academy work was busy. How have you been?”
> “It was fine. Heard you declined to enter the academy?”
> “I didn’t want to. Why?”
> “You studied hard—I was disappointed.”
Attending the prestigious international academy would’ve built great connections.
> “It’s not because you hate studying, right?”
> “Didn’t you hear? I’m doing something else now.”
Buail looked shocked.
> “Really? I didn’t believe it… but it’s true.”
He kept muttering, “It’s real…”
Eiryn chuckled and focused on the dance.
After the dance ended, Ithan approached her.
He had been previously rejected by her, and now, Eiryn didn’t welcome him warmly.
