TEWMDD11

Chapter 11

In the original main storyline, the Second Prince was hardly a major figure.

Whenever he did appear, he was invariably kind to Harzen—so much so that some readers even liked him.

I wasn’t one of them.

Something about him always felt off.

As if he were harboring some hidden agenda.

Back then, he had so little page time and so few deeds to speak of that I simply let it slide…

Who would’ve thought he’d reveal his true colors in the side story.

Looking back, it had always been strange.

My fathers were the undisputed strongest in the world, so how had they failed to prevent Mother’s death in the side story?

You could say it was because the others hadn’t accompanied her to the imperial palace—but then why hadn’t even Harzen’s father been able to protect her?

Especially when he was the type to suspect almost everyone in the palace.

“Brother.”

I closed my gaping mouth and looked up at Father.

The look in his eyes as he met the Second Prince was unmistakably one of familiarity—trust, even.

So Father trusts him.

Why would Harzen, who despised the palace and the imperial family, make an exception for the Second Prince?

Perhaps because the man had been one of the very few who had ever shown him anything resembling affection here.

He must have treated Father well from the time they were young.

Was it genuine affection? Pity?

Or… calculated pretense?

I had no way of knowing the Second Prince’s true intentions.

One thing was certain—his actions had planted trust in Harzen’s heart.

A trust that had been built steadily over many years, until it stood like an unshakable tower.

“Harzen.”

The Second Prince met Father’s eyes and smiled warmly.

“It has been far too long. Not a single letter from you in all this time.”

Only moments ago his expression had seemed haughty, but now it was filled with sincere joy.

Then he turned to look at Mother.

“Lady Miller.”

“I greet Your Highness, the Second Prince.”

“Thank you for coming all this way. Returning here could not have been an easy decision for you, and I wish to express my gratitude on behalf of Her Majesty.”

Once again, I resisted the urge to gape openly—though inwardly I clicked my tongue.

No wonder Father falls for it so easily.

If I didn’t have the “scroll” knowledge, I might have been fooled too.

But me? I’m not so easily swayed.

If he thinks he can win me over this easily, he’s got another thing coming!

“Hmph.”

I snorted softly and steeled my resolve.

Father was a lost cause.

I’d have to be the one to keep my wits about me and protect Mother.

“And this child…?”

The Second Prince’s eyes landed on me, his voice tinged with curiosity.

I made sure to answer in the clearest, most ringing voice I could muster.

“Hello. My name is Cecilia Miller.”

“…”

“I’m seven years old, and I’m my mother’s daughter.”

Everyone knows the first rule in a confrontation: seize the initiative.

And the first step to winning a battle of wills is to act confident, no matter what.

“Cici…?”

Mother blinked rapidly, clearly flustered by my bold self-introduction.

Father, too, raised one eyebrow ever so slightly at me.

I could almost hear what they were both thinking.

Has she eaten something strange? What’s gotten into her?

“Haha, what a spirited child.”

The Second Prince laughed, studying me with amusement.

“Your temperament, and your face as well—you’re the spitting image of Lady Miller.”

I narrowed my eyes further.

Sharp tongue, as expected from someone who’s managed to charm Father.

But me, Cici? I’ve already tasted the bitterness of the world.

Flattery won’t get you anywhere.

“And that habit of eyeing people with suspicion—that’s exactly like you, Harzen.”

He added the comment with a smile that curved his blue eyes into crescents.

From a short distance away, a discreet cough broke the moment.

“Bertolt.”

I shot the Second Prince a sidelong glance, nodding to myself.

Yes, that was his name—Bertolt.

“Ah.”

At the Emperor’s prompt, Bertolt finally pulled his gaze away from me.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. I was simply so glad to see Harzen again after so long that I forgot myself.”

“How fares the Empress?”

“To be frank, worse than yesterday. She did not even recognize me today.”

“As I feared.”

The Emperor’s eyes closed, his fingers pressing against his brow.

She can’t even recognize her own son…

My eyes widened.

No wonder she had asked for my mother.

“She’s that unwell…”

Mother’s expression grew grave, her lips pressing into a tight line.

Then, as if making up her mind, she spoke firmly.

“I apologize for bringing this up in such a tumultuous moment because of my daughter, but… may I see Her Majesty’s condition immediately?”

“…Then allow me to ask you this.”

The Emperor’s eyes opened, fixing on Mother with a penetrating gaze.

“Do you understand what it means to examine the Empress’s condition?”

His voice resonated through the audience hall, heavy with authority.

“If you fail to save her, none who have examined her will escape censure.”

The words carried the weight of a predator warning its prey.

“Especially you, known as the finest healer in the Empire—your reputation would be irreparably tarnished.”

“…”

“Those who already dislike you would seize the opportunity to tear you apart for the rest of your days.”

But my mother—Yuria—was a seasoned hunter who had once brought down prey far more dangerous than this.

“I am aware.”

She did not retreat, meeting the Emperor’s gaze head-on.

“But I also know why Your Majesty, who holds me in such low regard, has summoned me here.”

“…”

“Because there is no one else in the Empire who can treat the Empress.”

I squeezed Mother’s hand, lips jutting in silent agreement.

Exactly.

They’d sent soldiers to drag her and Father here, and now he dares say such things?

Even if she refused, they’d force her to treat the Empress anyway.

“I cannot promise—empty words or otherwise—that I will save Her Majesty. Not without first examining her condition.”

“In that case—”

“However, I will do everything in my power to save her.”

Her violet eyes shone with resolve.

“This much, I can swear.”

Before the campaign against the Demon King, I’d seen a similar scene—when Mother and my fathers had stood before the Emperor.

“We cannot promise to return having slain the Demon King.”
“…”
“But we can promise to stake our lives on the attempt.”
“This much, we can swear.”

And in the end, they had indeed returned, having taken the Demon King’s head.

“Not only I, but every physician who has cared for Her Majesty until now, has approached the task with the same resolve.”

“…”

“I ask—no, I earnestly entreat—Your Majesty to acknowledge that.”

When her words ended, silence settled over the audience chamber like a heavy shroud.

I swallowed hard and risked a glance at the Emperor.

What I saw made me stiffen.

Gasp.

His expression seemed even harder than before—was it my imagination?

No… it’s real.

Just look at those eyes.

Like he could devour our family whole at any moment.