Chapter 40
Amidst the murmur of the crowd, the stern voice of the Emperor echoed.
“Come forth, my son, the one who will be the sun of the empire.”
Following the movement of the Emperor’s head, all eyes turned to where he was looking.
The golden curtains behind the platform were drawn back, and Prince Brefni, with his short hair, stepped forward.
This can’t be! Why is Brefni taking the throne…?
I felt like I had been hit on the back of the head, and my mind went blank.
“The new sun of the empire, my beloved second son, Brefni Bial de Berta, step forward and receive all due respect!”
The Emperor’s voice, filled with authority and dignity, filled the hall.
I, along with the other nobles, bowed deeply.
When I raised my head, I saw Spiegel, the Marquis, sitting next to the Emperor, wearing a smug grin, showing off his position as the second most powerful figure in the empire.
I calmed myself down and tried to recall the memories.
In my past life, during the founding ceremony, the Emperor was still the one who wore the crown.
I vividly remembered the Emperor, who had been ill, not being able to wear the crown himself and had to rely on his aides. So why… why was it different this time?
The nobles murmured in shock as the succession ceremony continued without delay, as if everything had been planned out.
The ceremony felt scripted, like a play.
“O great and omnipotent Creator, Berta, may you bless the new Emperor. Pour your wisdom into his heart and grant him justice and mercy in his hands…”
The voice of the high priest reading the prayer weighed heavily on the atmosphere, silencing the murmurs of the nobles.
Yet, their faces were filled with confusion.
There was no meeting to decide the heir, and no formal declaration had been made.
This was unprecedented.
I furrowed my brows and focused on the prayer.
Once the prayer ended, the high priest would sprinkle holy water on Brefni’s head, and after he wore the golden armor and the crown, everything would be over.
The second prince would take the throne, overturning the legitimacy of the first prince.
If someone ruthless like him wielded absolute power, it was obvious who would be the first to lose their head…
I could almost see one person’s face in my mind, and my heart pounded.
I took a deep breath and continued to watch the stage closely.
There was something wrong. There must be a reason why things were unfolding differently from my past life…
In my past life around this time, the Emperor had suffered from a stroke and couldn’t do much with his hands due to paralysis…
Suddenly, I widened my eyes as I saw the Emperor holding a pen and writing something on paper, moving as smoothly as if nothing were wrong.
Could it be that someone else was pretending to be the Emperor? I wondered, but looking at his dark eyes and the way he carried himself, it was definitely him.
But nothing made sense.
The Emperor, who had always insisted on the legitimacy of the first prince, why would he suddenly pass the throne to Brefni?
Was there a reason why he had to do it?
A rational suspicion flashed in my mind.
Before Brefni becomes emperor, I need to find something.
I couldn’t just sit back and let this happen!
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone’s attention was on the stage, I lay flat on the floor and crawled toward a small door leading to the second floor.
I crawled cautiously, trying to stay as low as possible, hoping no one would notice me.
By the time I climbed all the stairs, I was out of breath.
I pressed my body against the wall next to the stage, carefully peeking through the golden curtains.
I lowered my breathing and watched closely when suddenly, I saw something gleam on the back of the Emperor’s hand.
At that moment, Spiegel, the Marquis, stood up, blocking my view.
Frustrated, I poked my head out a little more and moved forward.
But then I stepped on something, and there was a rustling sound.
“…!”
I gasped and quickly covered my mouth, realizing someone was coming toward me.
Sure enough, a guard with a sword at his side approached.
I quickly looked around but found no place to hide.
What should I say? Should I claim I had an upset stomach and was looking for the restroom?
While I was thinking, I heard footsteps right in front of me.
At that moment…
“Ugh!”
I let out an internal scream as someone suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me into a room.
***
Claude stared into the large eyes of the woman, who looked like a startled rabbit.
No, not just a rabbit…
She seemed to be hopping around like a wild rabbit.
What was she doing here at the founding ceremony? She didn’t seem to stay out of trouble anywhere.
“How… How did you get here, Your Highness?” She stammered,
“That’s what I want to ask. I heard the Rondinella family was excluded from the high noble list.”
“Yes, that’s true. But I found an invitation my mother had received, a one-time special ticket that allowed entry to the palace. I used it.”
Her clear voice was accompanied by silver eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.
The narrow space, barely wide enough for two people, was designed for security and placed throughout the imperial palace.
It looked like an ordinary wall, covered by tapestries, but it was a place only the imperial family knew about.
Claude had often hidden in such places as a child to escape his father’s watchful eyes.
But now, as an adult, he never expected to be here again, especially with her…
‘Why did she have to come to the founding ceremony, using the invitation from the late duchess? What could her real reason be?’
Suddenly, Claude became curious.
How many secrets she had, and how did he know?
[What? No way, the prince has no charm? His face is literally just a sculpture… That’s why I had to quickly propose before another woman steals him away.]
Her voice, raising her tone at Brefni, still echoed clearly in his mind.
[Yes, we’ll live happily ever after. I’ll call him “my husband” until my hair turns white.]
What had Aselin said to Brefni that made her speak with such a firm stance?
Claude tilted his head slightly, looking intently at Aselin.
She was so close, and yet her soft skin kept brushing against him.
Unable to tear his gaze away, Claude suddenly realized how beautiful her eyes were. The sky-blue pupils sparkled the closer he got to them.
Her skin was flawless, and her upturned nose made her look like a doll.
The delicate neck beneath her head had a subtle floral scent, just like her silver hair that flowed gently.
Her lips, plump and sweet like strawberries, were invitingly soft.
With all this, Claude couldn’t help but let his gaze fall to her lips.
He cleared his throat and spoke with a dry voice.
“Alright, you came to the founding ceremony, I get it. But why sneak around on the second floor like a thief?”
“Because the Emperor was trying to give the crown to Brefni, and I wanted to stop it…”
As Aselin spoke, her eyes hardened.
“Your Highness, let’s just leave here!”
“…”
“Go out and declare that the first prince is still here and that the crown belongs to him. The nobility will recognize the legitimacy, and according to the empire’s laws, the first prince should take the crown. Why is the second prince suddenly…”
“Let it happen. I don’t care.”
“What?”
Aselin’s eyes almost popped out.
Claude’s voice was calm and indifferent.
Was he really going to let it happen, just like this, without a fight?
Still, Aselin couldn’t understand why.
Her mouth slightly opened as she spoke.
“Do you really mean it?”
“…”
“Even if this leads to your death?” she asked, her large eyes filling with tears.
Claude turned his head slightly, quietly gazing at her.
