By Zephyria 
“That’s the answer I wanted to hear.”
The empress knelt down and sat on the dirty, unsanitary floor without a care. She leaned closer to the shaman and began to pry into her curiosity.
“Is there no way to harm the great star? I’ve heard you possess exceptional abilities in curses.”
“The great star of the empire was born with the energy of the morning star. Moreover, they are already under the goddess’s protection. Cursing such a person would bring even greater misfortune upon me.”
The shaman shook her head vigorously, adding that this person was absolutely untouchable.
“Is there really no way? Do something.”
The empress, undeterred, pressed the shaman once more. After offering the prepared offerings, she even added the diamond ring she was wearing.
The large diamond sparkled even in the darkness. The shaman moistened her dry lips and quickly tucked the ring into her sleeve.
“It may be possible for someone other than the crown prince. I will direct misfortune towards the one who loves him the most. I will take my time to ensure their unhappiness.”
“Good.”
Afterward, the shaman muttered incomprehensible words. The crystal orb that emitted a radiant light and the old man’s turned-over white eyes were grotesque to behold.
However, the empress’s face was filled with joy like never before. Looking at the shaman with sparkling eyes, she clasped her hands tightly and joined in the curse.
May they die the most miserable death in the world, and live the rest of their life in unhappiness!
* * *
Cecile opened her eyes.
It was a pleasant morning, with soft blankets wrapped around her and warm sunlight streaming in. As she slowly sat up, her body felt light, and she didn’t even feel the need to yawn.
After gently loosening her stiff neck, Cecile pulled the bell rope that hung beside her bed. With the tinkling sound of the bell, the loyal attendants revealed their youthful faces once again.
“Lady Cecile, did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes, good morning. Did everyone sleep well?”
After greeting her attendants, Cecile placed her bare feet on the floor. She then washed her face and brushed her teeth with the help of the attendants. Just as she was changing into clean clothes with a clearer face, the head attendant Leo tied her shirt’s ribbon and said,
“Lady Cecile, have you looked outside? The weather is absolutely wonderful today. The sunlight is beautiful, and the breeze is refreshing.”
“Indeed.”
“Isn’t it a shame to just look at it? How about having breakfast in the garden?”
“Yes, that sounds good. I want to eat some crispy croutons and pea potage. Make sure to prepare enough for everyone to share.”
“Yes, I will go and let them know right away….”
Just as the excited Leo was about to dash out, a shrike flew swiftly from a distance and crashed into the window.
Bang!!
With a shattering sound, the transparent glass cracked into pieces. The palm-sized bird died with its head stuck in the window. The sight of red blood dripping down the broken window made everyone freeze, forgetting to breathe.
“W-What is this…!”
“Lady Cecile, are you alright? Be careful!”
The young attendants, frightened themselves, prioritized Cecile’s safety. A bird crashing into the window on a sunny morning was nothing short of an ominous sign. They were anxious that Cecile might be startled.
However, Cecile showed no signs of shock. Instead, she calmed the attendants and approached the window.
She reached out her white hand and pulled the small bird from the window. The bird, cradled in her palm, still had warmth, and its feathers were damp with blood. The pitiful death seemed increasingly tragic the more she looked at it.
“…How sad.”
As Cecile touched the dead bird, the attendants were taken aback and hurried to fetch clean water and cloth.
“Buried in a sunny spot. The window… needs to be fixed quickly.”
“Yes, yes. Oh dear, how did this happen?”
Cecile silently washed her blood-stained hands. Although the attendants chattered about the ominous omen, she listened with one ear and let it pass through the other. How could death be an omen? She would be just like that soon enough.
After breakfast, she went to the chapel to pray. It was a rule in the palace to pray to the goddess Gaia every Sunday.
Today, Cecile conveyed her thoughts to the goddess Gaia.
I am grateful for the grace you have given me. I will live without regrets, so please watch over me.
After the service, the family gathered for a simple tea time. The emperor sat at the jewel-encrusted table, surveying the faces gathered around.
“There have been many ominous events lately. I too have been troubled and unable to sleep well. It’s a big deal; the palace, which should be the most peaceful, is so noisy.”
Emperor Arnold clicked his tongue, pointing out the recent series of unfortunate incidents. In response, Empress Elizabeth, who was sipping tea beside him, carefully set down her teacup and replied in a gentle tone.
“Your Majesty, please do not worry too much. The crown prince has stepped up to handle the situation, hasn’t he? There shouldn’t be any more issues from now on. We prayed earnestly today, so the goddess Gaia will surely take better care of the royal family.”
The emperor shook his head, saying that was not enough. He tapped the table with his hand, deep in thought, before speaking.
“Alexis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Bring Yuria Beatrice to the palace now.”
At the sudden command, Alexis, holding his teacup, paused. He slowly raised his gaze to meet the emperor’s.
“Why do you say that?”
“We need to receive the goddess’s blessing from the saint regularly. Everyone is worried, aren’t they? The incident hasn’t been properly resolved, and to ease the anxious hearts, that’s the only way.”
The one who was truly anxious was Emperor Arnold himself. The assassination attempt during the hunting tournament and the murder that occurred within the palace were both threats to his safety.
He was originally a timid and weak-hearted person. Knowing the emperor’s character well, Alexis calmly replied.
“Your Majesty, I have already instructed the royal guards and the palace knights to strengthen the palace’s defenses. Your safety is my utmost priority.”
“Are you trying to monopolize the sacred power for yourself?”
“That would not be the case.”
“I do not wish to hear any opposing opinions!”
Bang! The emperor’s fist slammed down hard on the table. At that point, Alexis could no longer bend his will. He swallowed the sigh that was about to escape and replied.
“I will follow your command.”
Yuria Beatrice’s entrance into the palace was carried out swiftly.
A separate residence was prepared for the saint, who would now reside within the palace, and the relevant procedures were quickly passed in the cabinet.
Crown Prince Alexis took time out of his busy schedule to oversee Yuria’s entrance process, step by step. Normally, such matters would be handled by the empress, but he could never entrust Yuria to her.
“It would be better not to assign a servant to Lady Beatrice. It may be a bit uncomfortable, but it’s better than having any unfortunate incidents occur.”
Cecile was discussing this with Alexis, facing each other. They were currently in Yuria’s new residence, which had been remodeled from a single-story building within the palace.
Compared to the grand castle, it was modest, but it was beautifully and charmingly decorated, and since it was still palace property, all the furniture, wallpaper, and decorations were luxurious.
“I think so too. After all, Yuria is not accustomed to having someone serve her. She always complained about feeling burdened when living in the duke’s household.”
Alexis said as he leaned back on the sofa. His blue eyes, deep in thought, gazed somewhere into the void, and the ends of his long legs tapped rhythmically.
“However, we must ensure that guards are assigned. We can no longer trust the royal guards, so we need to select suitable candidates from the knight order.”
“It would be best if they had no family. I don’t think the royal knights would be swayed by the empress, but it’s better to eliminate any potential issues.”
“Are you suggesting we remove all elements that could be used against us? How meticulous?”
A long smile spread across Alexis’s lips. It felt quite strange to be discussing matters with Cecile, but it wasn’t unpleasant. She was sharp, and every word she spoke pierced through his thoughts. It was needless to say that their thoughts aligned.
The blue eyes that had been gazing into the void turned towards Cecile. Sitting upright with her waist and shoulders straight, Cecile Adrian exuded the very essence of nobility.
Although her face vaguely reminded him of the empress, the fondness Alexis felt was worlds apart. He no longer found Cecile distasteful; rather, he found her increasingly appealing.
The more he looked at her pretty face, the more the smile on Alexis’s lips deepened. He tilted his head slightly and rested his chin leisurely on his hand.
“Cecile, I have one request for you.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“I hope you can befriend Yuria.”
“…….”
“When she enters the palace, she will feel very lonely. Claude and I are both rather indifferent, so Yuria might feel neglected. If you could at least talk to her, it would help her adapt much more comfortably.”
“If I become close to Yuria… my mother might use that to her advantage.”
“That’s fine; you’ll tell me everything anyway. If the empress concocts any dirty schemes, you can turn them against her.”
Cecile hid her bitter feelings and merely fidgeted with her hands resting on her lap. She could clearly feel that Alexis was opening his heart to her, yet strangely, her mood sank.
The thought of getting back at the empress was rather acceptable. No, in fact, that method wasn’t bad at all.
Cecile’s melancholy stemmed solely from the fact that she was acutely aware of how much Alexis cared for Yuria.
“What’s your answer?”
“I will do it.”
Cecile forced a smile, pulling the corners of her mouth upward. How could she refuse Alexis’s request?
Jealousy and resentment were mere luxuries. They were feelings she could neither possess nor harbor in this life.