By Zephyria 
Empress Elizabeth slowly turned around. There was not a hint of confusion on her shadowed face.
“What do you mean by that? I came here to look for some materials.”
The empress hurriedly gathered the documents. Several rolled-up bundles of parchment were hidden inside the sleeves of her dress.
“It sounds as if you’re saying I’ve come to a place I shouldn’t be.”
“Have you forgotten that entry to the secret archives is prohibited for anyone outside the royal family?”
Cecile’s sharp gaze landed on the man standing behind the empress. The man, dressed in ordinary servant attire, bowed his head politely. At first glance, he appeared completely innocent, as if he had done nothing wrong.
“I had a lot to gather. I needed a helping hand. As the empress, I can’t carry all these heavy books by myself.”
“A helping hand, you say?”
Cecile smirked slightly. Although he had never met the person who followed the empress, he knew who he was.
“It seems you’ve taken a spy from Kazarjan as a servant these days.”
“A spy? What are you talking about!”
The empress stepped closer to Cecile in shock. She barely managed to control her voice, which almost rose in anger.
“Cecile, I heard you were gravely ill, but it seems you’ve lost your mind. Do you even realize what nonsense you’re spouting? Are you daring to accuse me of an innocent crime?”
“Unfortunately, my mind is perfectly clear. It’s rather you who seems to have lost your senses, Mother.”
Cecile spoke, wiping away any trace of a smile. His cold, hardened gaze remained fixed on the servant. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize him. The man was undoubtedly a spy from Kazarjan whom he had encountered in a previous life.
It was he who had directly handed over confidential documents to the spy. So there was no point in discussing misunderstandings. The empress was currently repeating the very actions she had taken before.
“Get out of here at once.”
As soon as the command was given, the servant quickly withdrew. His escape was so swift that he vanished in an instant. Finally left alone, Cecile sighed quietly and placed the lamp he had been holding on the shelf.
He tightly grasped the empress’s wrist.
“I warn you, stop this.”
“Shut up. What do you know to speak up!”
“I clearly told you not to. You will only hurt yourself.”
“…….”
“Leaking the empire’s secrets is an act of treason.”
A flicker of agitation crossed the empress’s eyes. As Cecile seemed to see through everything, a sudden chill ran down her spine.
The empress roughly pushed away Cecile’s hand as if it were dirty.
“Stop talking nonsense! Who is committing treason here?”
“No matter what you do, you cannot prevent Alexis from becoming emperor.”
Cecile offered heartfelt advice to the empress, with the remaining affection he had. If things continued like this, the empress would surely meet a miserable end. But she was still his mother; he couldn’t just stand by and watch her go down the wrong path.
“Don’t you understand? It’s all futile.”
“Cecile, help me even now. It’s not too late.”
“No. I have chosen Alexis. So give up. This is my final warning.”
The empress’s smooth jaw clenched in anger. Suppressing her fiery rage, she shouted in a low voice.
“You treacherous traitor! You would abandon me to cling to Alexis until the end? How mad must you be for a man! Do you have any idea how much I cherished you?”
Despite the accusations, Cecile stared directly at the empress. His gaze revealed a determination not to be swayed by any persuasion.
In response, the empress ground her teeth.
“You filthy, disgusting child. I should never have given birth to you.”
“…….”
“Let’s see! Whether the Alexis you love so much will truly ascend to the throne.”
The empress forcefully shoved Cecile’s shoulder and left. Stumbling backward, she collided with a bookshelf, causing the lamp placed on it to fall.
The sound of shattering glass seemed to symbolize an irreparable relationship.
Cecile stared blankly at the dying flame and tightly closed his eyes. So this is how it ends. In that moment, Cecile completely gave up on his mother.
The next day, Emperor Arnold Graham passed away.
The empire was engulfed in deep sorrow. After reigning for 36 years, the emperor had been a guiding presence for a long time, and many mourned his death.
Consequently, the atmosphere in the palace became tumultuous. Although they had somewhat prepared for the emperor’s declining health, the sudden tragedy still caused a bit of confusion.
For the time being, the stability of the royal family took precedence over war. The entire palace was busy preparing for the funeral. Additionally, they had to prepare for the crown prince’s coronation.
However, many secretly felt relieved. While the passing of His Majesty was undeniably tragic, on the other hand, wouldn’t a new era begin? The next emperor, Alexis Winter Graham, would surely govern the empire splendidly.
Amidst such a chaotic situation, fate continued to flow in its own direction.
The emperor’s funeral had already been held, but according to protocol, the royal family had to wear black clothing for a week. Cecile was no exception.
He wore a glossy black shirt and black pants, drinking tea alone. As if waiting for something, he tapped a corner of the desk lightly.
Just then, a knock broke his reverie. Cecile looked up to see Claude Vandell, the commander of the knights, entering with a determined expression.
“We’ve captured the traitor…”
Cecile let out a weak sigh without showing any sign of surprise. His mother had gone too far.
Since their meeting in the archives, he had already leaked information to Alexis. The empress acted exactly as Cecile had anticipated. She had contacted Kazarjan with the spy and handed over the empire’s secrets.
The crown prince and his elite knights, who had been stationed at the rendezvous point, swiftly raided the scene. There was no way to deny the solid evidence. Confidential documents were being exchanged along with contracts at the location.
“Where is she?”
“She’s locked up in the underground prison.”
“Has the interrogation already begun?”
Claude nodded. It was unfortunate that the empress committed treason the very day after the late emperor’s funeral. This would undoubtedly complicate Cecile’s position.
Treason was a grave crime that could lead to execution, regardless of status or position. If things went wrong, Cecile could also be implicated, and his royal status could be stripped away.
Of course, as long as Alexis was backing him, there was little to worry about, but it was clear that the nobles would be furious.
“What’s the atmosphere like?”
“Given the nature of the matter…”
Cecile looked down at the edge of the desk, unable to finish his sentence. It was obvious how things were unfolding.
His mother would remain silent despite the clear evidence, and harsh torture would be carried out. Cecile’s stubbornness was something he had inherited directly from her.
Seeing Cecile’s darkened face, Claude hesitantly made a suggestion.
“Would you like to go see her?”
Cecile shook his head with a bitter smile.
“No. I’ll go later.”
Cecile’s smile was so devoid of strength that it seemed out of place. Perhaps because he was dressed entirely in black, his pale face appeared even more ghostly.
Claude swallowed a sigh inwardly. At that moment, he genuinely worried for Cecile’s well-being.
“I’ll return to check on her.”
“Thank you.”
Once Claude left the study, Cecile collapsed onto the desk. Resting his head on his arms, he had to suppress the anguish he couldn’t share with anyone.
Alexis came to see Cecile that night.
It seemed he struggled to find the right words, gently caressing Cecile for a long time before finally speaking.
“The empress has confessed everything.”
“…Is that so?”
Cecile laughed weakly.
“Fortunately, she didn’t hold out for long. It seems she found it difficult to endure the torture.”
“It was unavoidable. That’s how the process goes.”
“I’m not blaming you, Your Highness. It’s just…”
Alexis tightly embraced Cecile. His large hand gently rubbed Cecile’s back.
“I know, it’s because she’s your mother.”
“What will happen? Is she really going to be executed?”
“They’re discussing it. There are many opinions, so it might take some time to reach a consensus.”
“…But the final decision is yours.”
His voice trembled pathetically. Cecile forced himself to speak as clearly as possible.
“I don’t care about anything else, but please don’t send her to the Black Forest.”
“The Black Forest?”
“If you must take my mother’s life, please end it without pain. Sending her to the Black Forest is too cruel.”
At that moment, Alexis felt a strange sense of déjà vu. It seemed he had dreamt something similar once.
He could feel Cecile’s body trembling like a willow in his arms. Trying to alleviate his anxiety, Alexis held him even tighter.
“I promise. I will never send her to the Black Forest.”
“…….”
“However, I cannot guarantee her life. As you know, Empress Elizabeth has caused harm to the empire.”
“I understand. I respect your wishes.”
“I’m sorry, Cecile.”
Cecile, who had abandoned his only parent, felt pity for him and comforted him for a long time. No matter how calm he appeared, Alexis’s heart was not at ease about having to deal with Cecile’s parents.
But for the sake of the empire, a decision was unavoidable. Alexis let out a small sigh and gently stroked Cecile’s soft hair.
“I need to go meet with the council again. Now that we have her confession, the execution shouldn’t be delayed for long.”
“…….”
“I’ll inform your chamberlain, so if you can’t sleep, take some sleeping pills.”
“Okay.”
After Alexis left a brief kiss and departed, Cecile approached the window and gazed out at the dark palace.
Three days before her death.
A long, sleepless night was passing by.