By Zephyria 
“No matter how much His Majesty has granted you full authority, isn’t this behavior crossing the line?”
Empress Elizabeth, who entered the interrogation room, did not hide her displeasure.
It was understandable, as Alexis had summoned her to the court under the pretext of a witness statement. It was a deeply humiliating act for the Empress of the Empire.
“There are no exceptions in the investigation. Mother.”
However, Alexis responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Although he used a special title, his expression as he looked at the Empress was as cold as ever.
“Neither of us wants to see each other, so please sit down. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for Your Majesty to finish this quickly? After all, we won’t be facing each other for long.”
“Alexis, you’re saying things that could easily be misunderstood by others.”
“Don’t worry; any conversation outside of the testimony won’t be recorded. Please act comfortably.”
With his arms crossed, Alexis stared at the Empress. He seemed like someone who had been waiting for this fight.
After a moment of standoff, the Empress judged that it would be difficult to bend Alexis to her will. Having come this far, there was no way to avoid it.
The heavy hem of her dress swished as she swept the floor, and the Empress sat down in the prepared chair, raising her nose high.
“Go ahead, do as you wish. I have no idea what your intentions are in stirring things up like this.”
“It was an attempted assassination of a member of the royal family. It’s not something to be taken lightly. Shouldn’t we investigate everyone who attended the hunting competition, excluding His Majesty?”
“I heard that the culprit has been caught?”
“Baron Lowen was merely a pawn. And now that he’s dead, we can’t question him any further. It’s quite unfortunate.”
As expected, the Empress maintained her composure, her expression unchanged. She merely gazed at the Crown Prince with her distinctly green eyes.
In her face, Alexis saw a resemblance to Cecile and let out a small chuckle. It seemed that blood could not be denied. The Crown Prince then relaxed his crossed arms, shoved his hands into his pockets, and began the interrogation.
“You don’t look very surprised. Weren’t you quite close to the Baron?”
“I’ve already heard the news.”
“Who do you think killed the Baron? It would take quite a bit of audacity to plan a murder within the palace. Whoever is behind this must have considerable influence.”
“…It sounds as if you’re suspecting me.”
“Do you feel that way?”
Alexis narrowed his eyes and smiled. It was an attractive smile, but the Empress could not return it. Instead, she glared at Alexis with an even sharper gaze.
In contrast, Alexis remained calm. He had never intended to interrogate the Empress. Wiping away any pretense of a smile, he continued in a serene tone.
“In fact, the investigation is nearly complete. All the assassins are dead, and there’s no evidence left at the scene. With the Baron, the only lead, also murdered, this case must be closed here.”
“Are you saying you called me here just to convey that?”
“Yes. I have something I want to emphasize.”
Alexis took a step forward. It only took two steps to reach the chair where the Empress was sitting. He grasped the armrests and leaned forward.
“Your Majesty, have you been enjoying yourself until now?”
At the sudden low voice in her ear, the Empress flinched. However, Alexis was pressing down on her arms, leaving her unable to move.
With their faces close together, the Crown Prince whispered in a voice only the Empress could hear.
“I know what you’ve done. It seems you’re quite envious of my position… what should I do? I have no intention of letting it go.”
“Get away! How dare you… ugh!”
“You may have been lucky this time to escape, but from now on, things won’t go the way you want. I’ll be watching you closely.”
“…….”
“I warn you, if you wish to live elegantly as the Empress of the Empire, remember my words. Do not touch me or those around me again. If you do something like this again, I will repay you tenfold.”
Empress Elizabeth glared fiercely. Struggling to contain her excitement and trembling, her smooth jaw quivered. She forced a sneer while suppressing her boiling anger.
“Are you threatening me right now? Do you think you have the right?”
“If you don’t believe me, why not try it? But be prepared. The position of the Empress of the Empire is not eternal, is it?”
Alexis stepped back lightly. The words he had exchanged with the Empress were unheard by anyone else in the interrogation room. However, judging by the Empress’s reaction, which seemed on the verge of fainting, it was clear that something unpleasant had been said.
“Take Her Majesty back to the Empress’s palace. She seems quite upset, so attend to her with utmost care.”
After giving the order, Alexis left the interrogation room with the secretary. The attendants who remained inside cautiously approached the Empress.
“Get away!”
The Empress rejected the outstretched hands of assistance and stood up on her own. The luxurious armchair toppled backward. Then, the Empress began to tear off and throw away the necklace and precious jewelry she had been wearing, letting out a scream she had been holding back. She even laughed as if she had lost her mind.
“How dare you! You think you can… bring me down?”
A scream bordering on madness echoed out into the hallway. Alexis walked on, keeping his gaze straight ahead.
After all, this place was a courtroom filled with all sorts of screams and cries. No one would think it was the Empress’s voice that had escaped.
Each step he took was filled with a solemn determination, and his eyes, looking ahead, burned with resolute light.
Although the attempted assassination case had to remain unresolved, it was not without its gains.
He had successfully delivered a warning to the Empress, and above all, he had gained a strong ally.
* * *
In the early dawn when everyone was asleep, an utterly ordinary carriage quietly stopped in front of a dark alley.
A moment later, the door opened, and people cloaked in black robes stepped out of the carriage. Concealing their gender and status, they walked into the filthy back alley.
Their destination was a shabby inn. Entering through the back door after deliberately taking a roundabout route, the bell announcing a guest’s arrival did not ring. Perhaps having anticipated their arrival, the innkeeper merely yawned, pretending not to notice the suspicious guests.
The shadowy figures moved toward the inn’s deepest corner. Upon opening the door, a musty and metallic smell wafted out. It was the distinct odor of an old gypsy woman.
The wrinkled old woman straightened her hunched back and rose. She bowed deeply to the guests who had come to see her in the middle of the night.
“Thank you for coming. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Let’s skip the formalities. What if someone hears?”
“Yes, then shall we begin right away?”
The old woman moved slowly. Despite the presence of a decent table and chairs, she squatted on the bare floor in a corner. Beneath her lay a black cloth and a blue crystal ball.
The night guests walked over to her. Unable to sit on the dirty floor, they stood upright.
After a while, a white hand emerged from the hem of the robe, pulling back the hood. Luxurious dark brown hair and emerald-colored eyes fully revealed her appearance.
Empress Elizabeth looked down at the old woman with a dissatisfied expression.
“Are you really the best sorceress in the Berka Empire?”
“That’s what everyone calls me.”
“I don’t find it trustworthy.”
The Empress spoke with skepticism.
The sorceress was just an ordinary old woman. With her tattered clothes, dirt under her nails, and wrinkled skin bearing the marks of time, she was merely a gypsy that could be seen anywhere.
However, when the sorceress placed her hand on the crystal ball, the transparent orb began to glow with a bluish light. The sight, which seemed somewhat miraculous, made the Empress’s eyes sparkle as they followed the orb.
“Not bad. You do have some skill.”
“What are you curious about?”
The sorceress was famous for her accurate predictions of the future. Moreover, being of gypsy descent, she also had a remarkable talent for casting curses.
The rumors of her extraordinary abilities had spread quietly among the high-ranking nobles of the Empress’s faction, reaching her ears and leading her to this filthy, dirty back alley inn.
“I have only one question. Who do you think will be the next Emperor of the Berka Empire?”
As the Empress asked in a whisper, the sorceress stroked the crystal ball and focused. Her half-closed eyelids trembled, and her murky irises were suddenly covered in white. It was a strange and terrifying sight, but the Empress did not change her expression and continued to gaze at the old woman.
“I see the Empire’s brightest star preparing for a coronation. Ah, how solemn and… beautiful.”
“…….”
“There is someone beside him who possesses the aura of the goddess Gaia. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“This person will play a significant role in turning the great star into the sun. However, their life will not be long. They will fade away in their most beautiful age.”
The Empress, who had been disheartened by the prophecy of Alexis ascending to the throne, felt a surge of joy at the following words. If Yuria dies young, isn’t that good news?