Chapter 10
Baron Bart and Lucas both struggled to suppress cries of shock at the sight of Edith. When she declared that she would impersonate Ian, their astonishment only deepened.
“Your Highness, is it truly necessary for you to go so far as to disguise yourself as a man?”
Baron Bart was the first to regain his composure.
“Though I hold the right of succession, it will ultimately pass not to me, but to the man I marry. If Richard continues to hold power like this, I fear that public opinion and the will of the people may change.”
“I cannot say that such a thing would never happen. A successful rebellion is no longer called rebellion—it becomes a restoration.”
The baron stroked the beard beneath his chin.
“It wouldn’t even be without precedent.”
Edith searched her memory of imperial history.
“Emperor Bernhard VIII had no sons and passed the throne to his younger brother, and Emperor Carton III of the thirteenth generation adopted his nephew.”
She continued calmly.
“Richard may be illegitimate, but once he has ascended the throne, evidence can always be fabricated.”
And Richard would certainly be capable of that. With the emperor already dead, proving the truth would be nearly impossible.
“And more regrettably, in the entire history of the Empire, there has never been a case where an imperial princess became emperor.”
Most princesses were married off for the sake of peace and alliances. Once married, they took their husband’s name, and if they left for another country, they could not continue the name of Luheim. Even marrying into a prestigious noble house made no difference.
“Even if I were to become the first to establish myself as sovereign, I would struggle to gain support unless I married a noble within the Empire.”
“In a situation like this, no one will step forward for Your Highness.”
The baron was right. Even if he had a son, it would be a difficult decision. What family would risk everything to marry Edith under such dangerous circumstances?
Everyone would be too busy securing their own safety.
“But if it is my brother, no one can dispute his legitimacy. This is the simplest method.”
“It is also the most dangerous one. You may never be able to return to your rightful place, Your Highness.”
“That’s fine. I’ve already made my resolve. To eliminate suspicion, we can even announce at an appropriate time that the princess has died.”
Edith spoke as if it were someone else’s story.
“That is unacceptable.”
Karl stepped forward in opposition.
“I believe we must leave a path open for Your Highness to return. The late Crown Prince would not be pleased with such a method.”
“Then what method would please my brother?”
“That is…”
“If there is a better way, I will accept it. But this is the best one.”
The discussion that lasted through the night ultimately concluded according to Edith’s will.
Baron Bart, seeking a rational choice, decided to follow her plan. Karl, unable to find a better alternative, reluctantly agreed. With both of them in agreement, Lucas had no choice but to nod as well.
“I never thought there would come a day when being similar in height to my brother would be a blessing.”
“If you wear padded clothing underneath, your build can be sufficiently concealed.”
Seeing Edith dressed like Ian, the baron’s expression noticeably brightened.
“The concerns we had seem to be resolved. Anyone unfamiliar with him would surely be deceived.”
What remained was whether Edith could successfully deceive others. She would soon have to face Kalion’s envoy.
If things went well, it would be fortunate—but if her identity were exposed, the crime of deceiving the Palerion Alliance would be no small matter.
Edith continued to practice Ian’s behavior, habits, and manner of speech. By the time she had finally become adept at imitating the crown prince’s tone, a knight quietly delivered a letter to the baron.
It was time to meet Terdian of Kalion.
The sound of footsteps echoed clearly through the corridor. Edith clasped her trembling hands together. The thought that the envoy of the allied nations would soon enter through that door made her lips run dry.
She repeatedly went over the words she had prepared through the night, determined not to forget them.
‘I am the Crown Prince of the Empire right now. If I fail to persuade him, I can do nothing.’
But—
‘The one coming as envoy is Terdian.’
As Edith blinked once or twice, a familiar voice echoed faintly in her mind, like a dream.
‘There is a capable individual in Kalion. Ambitious, and more than competent.’
Yes. He had certainly said that.
‘Can I really avoid being discovered by someone like that?’
If she failed to conduct herself properly, he would suspect her lack of qualification. Therefore, she resolved to act boldly while keeping her words concise.
It was the strategy Edith had devised to minimize the risk of exposure while securing a smooth negotiation. Failure was not an option.
She took a deep breath and straightened her posture. Several sets of footsteps halted before the door, and soon it opened.
“Terdian of Kalion greets His Highness, the Crown Prince of Luheim.”
A low, weighty voice rang out. The moment Terdian stepped into the room, Edith understood the source of his reputation.
His face was sharp like finely honed obsidian, yet carried an air of refinement and elegance. Shadows cast across his features deepened his striking presence.
Each step he took caused strands of his black hair to sway lightly above his brows, drawing Edith’s gaze.
Within his eyes—deep and cold like the night sky—her reflection was clearly captured.
“It is a pleasure. This is our first meeting, Prince Terdian of Kalion. Thank you for coming so readily.”
“I merely fulfill my duty as an ally.”
Having lost everything, even that single statement was enough to earn her gratitude.
One of Terdian’s escort knights removed their hood. Hair, neatly braided into one strand, fell over their shoulder.
“Cecil!”
Before the knight could introduce herself, Karl called out her name in delight. Cecil smiled and cast him a sidelong glance.
“I am Cecilia Tilos Shannon, Commander of the Evernas Deal Order of Knights.”
It was the name of the knightly order Edith had long admired. She recalled seeing Cecilia standing at the very front during a procession.
“If Your Highness wishes it, I will lend my strength to the best of my ability.”
“Thank you. Though it is shameful, I intend to seek refuge with the Alliance in order to plan for the future.”
There was no need for formalities. Edith quickly moved to the main point.
“Your Highness could pursue a peaceful life through exile. May I ask your reason?”
“It is difficult to define it in a single word. However, Richard has involved Tasgar in this matter. What ruler would stake their nation for personal gain?”
Edith trembled with anger. The dignity of the Empire had already fallen. If Tasgar continued to expand its influence, the balance of power would be obvious.
“Above all, Richard must not become emperor.”
A trace of curiosity flickered in Terdian’s eyes, but he did not urge her to continue.
“When Richard first entered the palace, he was an ordinary and quiet child.”
Edith recalled the day she first met him. Unlike the composed and solemn Ian, Richard had seemed naive and shy—almost endearing.
But that impression did not last.
“Not long after, I realized I was mistaken. During a hunting trip, Richard took a liking to my hound. His name was Finn—a dog I had raised myself since he was a puppy. Though I hesitated out of attachment, I gave him to Richard for the sake of brotherly affection.”
She had loved Finn. She remembered the soft, caramel-colored fur brushing against her palm.
“When I awoke the next morning, Finn had returned to my quarters. Being an animal, he could not understand the change in ownership so quickly.”
Finn had merely returned to where he always slept. Ian had not thought it a serious issue—he believed the dog would gradually come to understand.
“But Richard, claiming the dog lacked loyalty, killed him in front of everyone. He said even a beast dared to disregard him. From that day on, I began to hear that he treated the palace servants harshly as well.”
That was the beginning.
Richard vented the inferiority he had long suppressed upon those weaker than himself. Humans were no exception.
Edith met Terdian’s deep, ocean-like gaze as she continued.
“An emperor must possess dignity, but must not be cruel. Richard does not seek the throne out of a desire to govern, but to take everything from the late emperor—and from me.”
“I understand Your Highness’s intent.”
Richard lacked the qualities of an emperor. Compared to the kind and wise Ian, he was impulsive and cruel.
Ian had always pitied him, believing that if Richard possessed sufficient ability, he might one day serve as a capable aide.
But that had been nothing more than the illusion of a kind-hearted man.
“What does the Alliance seek from me?”
Edith asked directly. With Tasgar standing firm, conflict was inevitable. She knew the Alliance was not maintaining this relationship out of loyalty alone.
“…Before that, I would ask that all others withdraw.”
“That is dangerous, Your Highness.”
Karl immediately objected. Terdian did not yield.
“Do you mean to suggest that the Alliance would harm His Highness?”
“Forgive my rudeness. I merely place His Highness’s safety above all else.”
The two stood in tense opposition.
“Prince Terdian, everyone here is trustworthy.”
The cold gaze that had been directed at Karl shifted to Edith. The pressure emanating from Terdian was suffocating.
“Then may I borrow His Highness’s ear for a moment? I believe Your Highness will also wish for a private conversation with me.”
If it was only that much—
With Edith’s permission, Terdian slowly lowered his head and stepped closer. It was her first time being so close to a stranger, whispering like this.
Without realizing it, Edith drew in a sharp breath. The warmth of his breath brushed against her ear, sending a ticklish sensation through it. Every nerve in her body became heightened.
“Wouldn’t you agree?”
But at the next words, Edith nearly lost consciousness.
His voice was so soft that only she could hear it.
“Princess Edith.”
