By Zephyria 
The first battle ended in victory, but sporadic skirmishes continued thereafter.
Kazazhan was not the type to sit idly by as expected. They launched a fierce counterattack to reclaim their lost stronghold and avenge the humiliation they had suffered.
While Alexis focused on the war with Kazazhan, Cecile was responsible for state affairs.
Then, unsettling movements were detected. The remaining nobles of the Empress faction attempted to seize control of the cabinet amid the wartime situation.
However, as long as Cecile was watching, such attempts were futile. Each effort was thwarted.
And this morning, Count Lawrence, who had been ousted from his position as Minister of Finance under the pretext of “improper personnel requests,” stormed into the main palace office.
As soon as the count saw Cecile sitting behind the ornate desk, his eyes lit up with fury, and he unleashed his grievances.
“This is outrageous! If it were anyone else, I could understand, but you, Cecile, should be supporting Her Majesty the Empress!”
Cecile paid him no mind. His calm and routine action of reading through the piled-up documents continued.
“Count, your voice is rather loud. This isn’t a reception room, and the soundproofing isn’t that great.”
But the count, who was already riled up, would not heed Cecile’s advice.
He had served the Empress for a full 15 years. From the day Empress Elizabeth and Cecile entered the Imperial Palace, he had spared no effort in supporting her and had played a significant role in elevating her to a high position.
The count’s goal was the same as the Empress’s: to place Cecile Adrian on the throne. He believed that his world would soon come.
The power he had painstakingly built over a long time was on the verge of collapsing in an instant.
The thought that Cecile Adrian, of all people, had betrayed the Empress and sided with Crown Prince Alexis made his blood boil.
“Do you think what you enjoy now is thanks to anyone else?”
Cecile let out a near-scoff of laughter.
“Are you now questioning my birth status? How about trying a more original threat? Oh, but you have no means to threaten me anymore, do you? You have nothing left, after all.”
Cecile merely listened to the count’s outrageous words, letting them go in one ear and out the other.
After finishing his review of the documents, he extended his right hand to the side. The heavy golden seal thudded onto the paper.
At the sight of the seal, Count Lawrence’s eyes widened in shock. Possessing the Emperor’s seal symbolized the highest authority within the Empire.
How could such an important item, which handled all decisions of the royal family and the fate of the Empire, be in Cecile’s hands? Did this mean that Crown Prince Alexis trusted Cecile that much?
“Give that to me! I need to take it to Her Majesty the Empress…!”
With his eyes wild, Count Lawrence instinctively reached out. Cecile quickly pulled the seal back. He scanned the count’s outstretched hand and his face, narrowing his eyes coldly.
“Count Lawrence, if you’re going to go mad, at least do it gracefully. Have you lost your mind being wrapped up in the Empress’s dress?”
“How dare you act so high and mighty! You wouldn’t be in that position if I hadn’t helped you!”
“You are currently speaking disrespectfully to royalty. Aren’t you concerned for your life?”
“Royalty? Don’t make me laugh! Do you really think you carry the blood of royalty?”
The count’s breath quickened. His excessive excitement led to a slip of the tongue, but once the words were out, they couldn’t be taken back. He believed that Cecile wouldn’t dare do anything to him.
At that moment, a tense silence hung in the air. Cecile glared at Count Lawrence and shouted.
“Is anyone outside?”
At the call mixed with a shout, a guard on duty immediately rushed in. Cecile commanded the guard, who stood at attention.
“Execute the count on the spot. He has dared to insult royalty.”
“Yes.”
The guard drew his sword as soon as the order was given.
As the sharp blade approached, Count Lawrence finally regained his senses and screamed, stepping back, but it was already too late. With a final scream, blood gushed forth, and his severed head rolled across the floor.
Blood splattered across the silk walls and carpet. The count’s body twitched for a moment even after losing its head.
Cecile looked down at the head that had rolled to his desk. There was no trace of mercy in his green eyes.
“Remove that from my sight.”
As the order was given, several guards entered to move the corpse, while the attendants hurried to clean up the blood. Although the count’s death was quite shocking, none of the court physicians dared to speak up.
Cecile, arms crossed, stared at the carpet as the bloodstains gradually disappeared. He had finally dealt with Count Lawrence, the one who had fervently served the Empress. He felt a slight sense of relief at having completed such a significant task.
News of Count Lawrence’s execution spread rapidly. The first to seek out Cecile was none other than Empress Elizabeth.
After locking the door tightly, the Empress surveyed the office.
It had been barely a few hours since the count had died here, yet it looked as if nothing had happened. There was not even a trace of blood or a lingering smell.
Above all, Cecile appeared far too calm. It was hard to believe he was the one who had taken the life of his political supporter, the count.
The Empress scrutinized Cecile’s demeanor with her sharp eyes. He was engrossed in his work, regardless of who was present. Then she saw him grasp the seal in his hand, and a scoff escaped her lips.
“Unbelievable. Did Alexis really hand over the royal seal to you?”
“It’s temporary. The rightful owner of the seal is still Alexis.”
“When did you gain such trust?”
“Thanks to my consistent efforts.”
Cecile slammed the seal onto the last document. Then, as if to show off, he placed the royal seal into a dedicated safe and locked it.
The key to the safe, which was in the form of a necklace, was carefully tucked inside his shirt. In the sequence of actions, it was clear he had no intention of handing the seal over to the Empress.
The Empress’s clenched fist tightened. The blue veins stood out on her white hand as she restrained her anger, yet a plausible smile remained on her lips.
“Cecile, my son. My one and only Peridot.”
The voluminous hem of her dress swept the floor. The Empress slowly closed the distance and gently caressed Cecile’s arm.
“You’re the only one I can rely on. Will you help me just this once, for your mother?”
The Empress pulled out a small pouch she had prepared from the sleeve of her dress.
The small pouch felt quite heavy. Cecile loosened the drawstring and opened it. A glass vial rolled out and landed on her white palm.
Inside the vial was a mound of silvery-white powder.
It was arsenic.
“Feed this to Alexis.”
“…….”
“We don’t have time. The Emperor won’t last much longer.”
The Empress gripped Cecile tightly as he stared silently at the glass vial.
“You need to eliminate Alexis first. You can do that, right?”
Cecile dropped the glass vial onto the floor.
Fortunately, the soft carpet prevented it from breaking, but the Empress recoiled in shock.
Arsenic is a deadly potent poison. A mere touch or inhalation could threaten one’s life.
“What are you doing! Do you not know what that is?”
“Assassination? I’d rather die right now alongside you than witness that again.”
Cecile placed his boot over the vial.
Just a little weight would shatter the glass. The Empress looked at Cecile in disbelief.
It was hard to believe that her son was threatening her with potent poison.
“Why…! Why are you helping that person! I can make you Emperor right now!”
“I’ve told you countless times that I don’t want to be Emperor! Please, do not do anything to Alexis. If you harm him in any way, I will never forgive you.”
How far must a mother fall before she can let go of her greed? This twisted maternal instinct had become unbearable.
Cecile took a deep breath and straightened his posture. He looked directly at the Empress and conveyed his intentions with each word, filled with sincerity.
“This is my final warning. If you lay a finger on Alexis, you won’t be safe either.”
The Empress’s lips parted slightly, and a trembling voice escaped.
“You….”
Her pale face turned ashen with shock.
“Could it be that you love Alexis?”
He was a son who resembled her so closely. She could not fail to recognize the emotions reflected in her son’s eyes.
“Yes, that’s why you abandoned me and sided with the Crown Prince!”
Cecile did not deny it. The Empress was convinced by his steady gaze. She was so shocked that her hands trembled.
“You’ve completely lost your mind over a man. You’re not in your right mind.”
“What’s wrong with loving Alexis? Is that something I need your permission for?”
“How can you not see how disgusting that is? Of all people, it’s Alexis.”
Further conversation was pointless. Cecile picked up the glass vial that had rolled on the floor.
As he turned away, the Empress laughed as if she had lost her mind.
“Do you really think Alexis will accept your feelings like this? Wake up, Cecile. That man is Alexis Winter Graham. He is someone you can never have.”
The Empress’s words cut into him like a sharp blade.
But Cecile’s already shattered heart felt no impact. He left the Empress behind and walked away silently.
Unlocking the door, he grasped the cold doorknob. As the door swung open, he came face to face with a figure blocking his path.
He almost dropped the vial of arsenic.
While Cecile stood frozen, Alexis slowly raised his gaze from the floor.
“Is what I heard true?”
“…….”
Cecile could not respond. The icy blue of Alexis’s gaze froze him in place.
“Why can’t you answer? I’m asking you.”
“…….”
Alexis shifted his gaze to the Empress standing behind Cecile. He had already heard all her insults from outside. With a cold stare, he silently warned the Empress and spoke.
“It seems this is not a conversation to be had here.”
“Your Highness.”
“Follow me.”