FTLN C9

9.

The Crown Prince’s funeral was modest. He was laid to rest quietly, without the rites or ceremonies befitting his rank. There was not even a simple gravestone or marker to bear his name.

On a hill overlooking the baron’s estate—given time, even the grave would fade without a trace, and only wildflowers would remember his death.

The cold wind lashed against cheeks dried stiff with tears. She could think of nothing—nothing at all. It almost felt cruel that her emotions could not keep pace with reality.

But she could not remain here forever.

After sitting before the grave for a long while, Edith slowly lifted her head.

Dawn had already begun to break. She tightened her grip around the imperial seal, its weight heavy in her hand. Without even having the time to properly mourn Ian’s death, Edith was forced to make her decision.

Terdian Kalion, the eldest son of the leader of the Palerion Alliance, would soon arrive.

No one in the room could bring themselves to speak. Edith’s once-beautiful silver hair now appeared as pale as that of an old woman.

Countless emotions flickered across the many eyes watching her—pity, sympathy, sorrow… and confusion.

Though they mourned the Crown Prince’s sudden death, they were also cautiously observing Edith. With the central pillar—the Crown Prince—gone, each of them was undoubtedly calculating possibilities in their minds.

But no matter how much they wished it, he would never return.

After a long silence, Edith finally spoke.

“Rowan.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

“To whom did you swear your loyalty?”

Her voice, hoarse and cracked, cut through the air. Baron Bart could not possibly fail to understand what she was implying.

“To Your Highness, the Princess.”

“How amusing that one who swore loyalty reported nothing.”

Edith’s words were sharp. The princess who had once maintained courtesy even while imprisoning him was now pressing him with her authority.

“The fault is mine.”

“My brother… is gone now.”

Edith clenched her hand tightly. The seal dug painfully into her palm. She repeated the words once more in her mind.

‘He is gone.’

Only then did Edith realize how unconsciously she had relied on Ian all along. No matter how Richard raged, there was always the Crown Prince—someone who could quell the rebellion.

She had believed this was only a temporary retreat, that she would one day return to her rightful place. Every certainty she had held stemmed from the Crown Prince—and only after Ian had disappeared forever did she understand that truth.

The mere fact that she held the seal made the air around her feel suffocatingly heavy, pressing down on her shoulders.

Ian had lived his entire life bearing this weight.

Realizing that, Edith felt deeply ashamed of the childish envy she had once harbored toward him.

She lowered her gaze to the seal in her hand. It was now hers. It had neither vanished nor broken—it simply asserted its presence with undeniable weight.

Edith steeled herself.

“I am well aware of my many shortcomings. But whether I like it or not, the right of succession now lies with me. Richard may have seized the imperial palace, but as long as I remain, it will be difficult for him to claim legitimacy.”

Her gaze moved—from the unfamiliar knights, to the physician, to the baron, to Lucas, and finally to Karl.

“You all followed His Highness the Crown Prince, my brother and the rightful heir. But now, I will take his place. If anyone objects, speak now.”

Uncertain glances drifted through the air. Karl stepped forward silently and knelt.

“I, as Captain of the Imperial Guard and eldest son of House Belmeret, swear to serve Her Highness Princess Edith Rosette Algeret el Luheim—the last rightful heir of the imperial family—until my life ends.”

“Lucas of House Lansmore shall also follow Your Highness.”

As the two knights bowed first, the others followed suit, kneeling one after another. Baron Bart knelt before Edith as well.

“I have already sworn my loyalty to Your Highness. I ask your forgiveness for the errors born of my insufficient judgment.”

“I have already forgotten them all.”

“I am grateful for your generosity. All of my retainers, as well as those of House Bart, will follow Your Highness. Command us as you will.”

Edith took a deep breath.

“Very well. Then I would like to hear everything you have learned so far—and everything I need to know.”

“Richard has sent men to the southern territories to search for the two of you. On our side, we have replaced or concealed any evidence related to you. We prepared another prisoner of similar build and hair color, and none of the knights who arrested Your Highness remain.”

He continued,

“The reason the Second Prince was able to seize the imperial palace so quickly is that he colluded with Tasgar. There are witnesses who saw the Archduke within the palace.”

The baron hesitated briefly. Edith motioned for him to continue.

“And His Majesty the Emperor… has passed away.”

The baron carefully observed Edith’s expression. She received the news without the slightest movement. It was something she had already expected when she fled the palace. There was no way Richard, who harbored deep resentment toward the Emperor, would spare him.

Though Emperor Calyx III had always been strict and distant, he was not a father who failed to love Edith. In her heart, she quietly prayed for his peace.

“The Palerion Alliance will assist Your Highness in exile and help plan for the future. Once Prince Terdian arrives, you will be able to discuss matters in greater detail.”

Having finished his report, the baron lowered his head.

“I understand. I will need time to gather my thoughts.”

“I shall have someone bring warm tea.”

“No… I would rather just rest.”

One by one, the others quietly left the room. With the final sound of the door closing, silence fell.

She was truly alone now.

Only then did Edith unclench her tightly closed hand. A deep bruise had formed in the center of her palm, but she felt no pain.

She crawled into the bed and pulled the blanket over her head.

Reality felt like a terrible nightmare, and she wished she could simply close her eyes and sleep forever.

When Edith opened her eyes again, it was late afternoon. She lay still until the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, and darkness filled the room once more.

There was movement outside the door. She could not remain like this forever.

Raising her heavy body, Edith called out.

“Karl, you may come in.”

“How did you know it was me?”

Karl entered carefully, holding a small lantern. Its soft glow illuminated the room.

“Whenever I felt unwell, you and my brother always came to see me in turns.”

Edith gave a faint, sorrowful smile.

“With snacks, flowers, books… It must have been such a bother.”

“That is because His Highness loved you that much.”

“…Yes.”

Karl stepped closer. Edith was not crying, but the flickering shadows made her eyes seem unsteady.

“And yet… why was I always so unkind to him…?”

“That is not true.”

Karl knelt at her feet.

“Your Highness, even in times when we had no worries, the Crown Prince always told us to look after you well. No matter what… I will always remain by your side.”

Edith wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

“Thank you.”

She was not the only one who had lost someone precious. As she slowly released her embrace, Karl smiled awkwardly.

“If I am not enough, there is always Lucas as well.”

At the lighthearted remark, Edith let out a weak chuckle. Seeing that, Karl smiled softly. It was better than seeing her lie there without strength.

“The room is cold. At times like this, you must keep yourself warm.”

Karl brought dry firewood and lit the fireplace.

“The food left outside your door is untouched. You must eat at least a little. Shall I prepare something fresh?”

“No, it’s alright. What about the others?”

“They are all resting. The baron has returned to his office, and the knights have been given rooms on another floor.”

“They did not return to their order or lodgings?”

“No. They said it would be best to remain nearby, as they do not know when you might call for them.”

“I see.”

Edith rubbed her face. Her long hair clung messily to her hands.

“Karl, could you bring me some water to wash my face?”

“Of course. Please wait a moment.”

Karl stepped outside. Edith smoothed her hair with her fingers. Thick strands slipped between them.

Once she had tidied it, she drew a dagger from her robes. The finely sharpened blade gleamed with a cold blue light—it was the last thing Ian had given her.

She raised it close to her face. Her reflection appeared faintly on its surface.

No matter how she thought about it, there was only one conclusion.

Only her eyes burned brightly on her tear-streaked face.

She moved the dagger toward the back of her neck. A chill radiated from the blade.

“Your Highness!”

Karl, just entering the room, rushed forward and seized her hand. The water jug slipped from his grasp, rolling across the floor as water spilled everywhere.

“I am not about to do anything foolish. Will you let go of my hand?”

“I cannot, not until you explain.”

“I was only going to cut my hair.”

Even then, Karl did not release her immediately. At Edith’s urging, he cautiously let go, though his expression remained wary.

“Must you truly cut it?”

Her beautiful silver hair was a symbol of the Empire, of the imperial family—and of the princess herself.

Instead of answering, Edith began cutting her hair without hesitation. Like past glory slipping through her fingers, the strands fell one by one, memories piling upon the floor.

To leave no lingering attachment, she gathered the cut hair and threw it into the fireplace. The sharp scent of burning hair filled the air.

As she watched the flames rise fiercely, Edith slipped the imperial seal onto her finger. If she had made her decision, she would have to bear its weight as well.

“I have decided to take my brother’s place. The one who died was not Ian… it was Edith.”

Her reflection shimmered in the spilled water on the floor.

It was the face of Ian.