CHAPTER 101…………………….
The trial that should have ended quietly within the Grand Duchy had reached the Imperial Palace through Archibald’s confession.
After hearing the report brought by the royal messenger, Emperor Eupheteria checked the court documents over and over again, unable to believe it—then burst into laughter.
“How delightful this is!”
They had been struggling to reopen the investigation because there had been no witnesses or evidence left behind.
It had even reached the point where they were considering fabricating a culprit to erase the incident from five years ago.
But there was no one who had both the motive to kill Mars, no connection to Minerva, and free access to the Imperial Palace.
And yet Archibald Bright had confessed!
“Good. Very good! If it’s him, it makes perfect sense.”
Whether it was true or not, she didn’t care.
Eupheteria wanted only one thing—to bring Minerva back with honor.
Thus, she hesitated not at all.
“Send an imperial envoy. Sir Theodora and several knights will accompany them. The young lord Bright is to undergo a formal investigation only in name—then be executed immediately.”
“As you command.”
Theodora, who had loyally stood beside her, knelt with precision.
“And inform the House of Count Bright: for the crime of raising a son who plotted against Minerva and tried to murder Mars, their property, title, and lands are to be confiscated immediately. All members of the household are to be imprisoned.”
The once-prestigious count’s family fell into ruin in an instant.
Though Eupheteria wanted to raise a toast, it wasn’t over yet.
“Head maid, prepare Minerva’s palace for her return. Replace all her dresses and jewels with new ones. She must have suffered greatly these five years. Ah, and we’ll need new staff as well. Chancellor—begin restoring her title and lands. Use the taxes I collected from her estates to refill her treasury. Oh, and perhaps we should resume talks about her engagement to the Grand Duke?”
There was scarcely enough time to prepare for Minerva’s reinstatement as imperial princess.
The investigation had not yet even begun, so Archibald’s confession had not been verified as true or false—but Eupheteria didn’t care.
Whatever the truth, she had already branded Archibald the culprit.
And since she made no effort to hide that Minerva would soon return, the news reached the Prince’s Palace almost immediately.
“Your Highness! You cannot go in without permission—!”
“Out of my way! I am the Crown Prince—how dare you insects block me from seeing my mother!”
A commotion outside her study was followed by the door flying open—Mars stormed in.
“Mother, what is the meaning of this?”
“Mars, I’m busy. Come back later.”
Eupheteria didn’t even look up from her documents, dismissing him curtly. But Mars marched straight to her.
“You’re saying Minerva is returning? That she wasn’t the one who tried to kill me—but Archibald? That’s impossible!”
The scent of wine wafted from his heavy breathing.
Eupheteria’s eyes filled with disappointment.
His hair was unkempt, his beard unshaven. He must have rushed here the moment he heard.
Meanwhile, Gabriel was already up early, strolling in the garden, caring for little Cassius, and even reviewing documents meant for the prince.
Eupheteria pressed her temples—her head throbbed.
She wanted to throw Mars out immediately but decided to hear him out, fearing what trouble he might cause otherwise.
“What do you mean, ‘impossible’?”
“Archibald—he was my companion since childhood! Why would he ever try to kill me? It must be Minerva’s scheme—”
“They say he was jealous because you married Gabriel. It makes sense enough. You, of all people, know how devoted Archibald has always been to the Crown Princess.”
Mars’s rambling stopped abruptly.
He knew it too—Minerva had no reason to want him dead.
Because it was all my own charade…
Minerva never saw him as competition. She pitied him—felt sorry for him.
Archibald, however, though once his childhood playmate, had always placed Gabriel first.
If anyone were asked, every single person would call Archibald the culprit.
“But… but!”
Mars finally threw a tantrum like a child.
He had to stop Minerva from returning—no matter what.
But he couldn’t find the words, and tears welled up instead.
Eupheteria removed her glasses, unable to bear the pathetic sight of her foolish son.
“Mars. Are you truly so afraid of your sister?”
“…!”
Struck to the core, he couldn’t answer.
Then, grinding his teeth in humiliation, he finally muttered:
“Mother, you’ve always favored Minerva…”
“It’s only natural to cherish the more capable one. And how could I regard you kindly, when you reek of alcohol before noon and whine like a child at your age? Even little Cassius is more mature than you.”
She had compared him to her five-year-old grandson.
Mars’s pride took a deep wound, but Eupheteria hoped that humiliation might finally wake him up.
“Minerva will soon return to the palace, escorted by the Grand Duke’s knights and mine. You should prepare to welcome your sister who has suffered much.”
The warning not to do anything foolish made Mars’s heart sink.
Had she discovered he’d already sent assassins?
He looked up, trying to read her face—but she only gestured coldly toward the door.
“Leave.”
He was expelled before he could protest.
Unable to grasp the situation, Mars raked his hair furiously in the hallway—then screamed.
“Aaaaagh!”
Everything was supposed to be going according to plan! Gabriel had promised—he had trusted her that Minerva would never return.
And yet this!
Mars stomped down the corridor, heading straight for Gabriel.
“We come bearing the Imperial Decree from Her Majesty the Emperor.”
The imperial envoy arrived at the Grand Duchy, accompanied by knights.
Even as I listened to the decree, it didn’t feel real.
The restoration I thought would take years had come all at once.
And when I opened the personal letter from the Emperor, it said I was to leave for the capital immediately. I could hardly believe any of it.
[Minerva, my daughter. Your innocence has been proven. You’ve endured long and well. Return to us swiftly.]
When I finished reading, the knights all bowed deeply.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness. We’re relieved to see you safe.”
“Of course it’s you, Sir Theodora. I’m glad it’s familiar faces.”
They would likely remain here for at least a week, and if any stranger saw Aslan, it could be disastrous.
Though I knew Theodora would make sure to keep their mouths shut.
“You haven’t told Her Majesty about that matter, have you?”
“Of course not.”
Reliable as ever.
Now that I was returning to the palace, I could probably tell the Emperor about Aslan—but I hesitated.
Because I knew how overly dramatic she could be.
“We’ll keep it secret until we arrive. Who knows what Mars might try.”
“As you wish.”
Theodora, who knew Eupheteria’s temperament all too well, agreed readily.
After a brief exchange, she prepared to begin her duty.
“Then I’ll proceed to interrogate Archibald Bright. Should I report to His Grace the Grand Duke first?”
“Ah… yes, but…”
Something had been bothering me since the trial.
Things had suddenly become easier for me—but why would he confess in a way that favored me so greatly?
It couldn’t have been just because I taunted him that Gabriel wouldn’t save him.
Archibald was the sort who would gladly die for Gabriel.
“May I come with you?”
Everything lately had left me uneasy, and my instincts told me—
I couldn’t just leave Archibald alone.
