chapter 09
The Crown Prince’s funeral was modest. He was buried quietly, without the rites or procedures befitting his status. There wasn’t even a simple gravestone or marker.
On a hill overlooking the baron’s castle. With time, even the trace of the grave would vanish, and only the lush flowers would remember his death.
A cold wind struck cheeks dried stiff with tears. She couldn’t think of anything—nothing at all. It even felt cruel that her emotions couldn’t keep up with reality.
But she couldn’t remain here forever.
Edith, who had been sitting in front of the grave for a long time, slowly raised her head.
Before she knew it, dawn was breaking. Edith tightly gripped the Emperor’s seal in her hand, feeling its weight. Without even enough time to properly mourn Ian’s death, she had to make a decision.
Terdian Calion, the eldest son of the leader of the Pallerion Alliance, was expected to arrive soon.
No one in the room could easily speak. Edith’s once-beautiful silver hair looked as white as an old woman’s today.
Various emotions flickered across the many eyes watching her—pity, sympathy, sorrow, and confusion.
While they mourned the sudden death of the Crown Prince, they were also carefully watching Edith. With the central figure gone, they were likely calculating every possible outcome in their minds.
But no matter how much they wished for it, he would never return. After a long silence, Edith finally spoke.
“Rowan.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
“To whom did you swear your loyalty?”
Her cracked voice cut through the air. Baron Bart couldn’t possibly fail to understand what she was getting at.
“To Her Highness, the Princess.”
“How amusing, that one who swore loyalty reported nothing.”
Edith spoke sharply. The princess who had once maintained courtesy even when imprisoning him was now using her authority to pressure him.
“It is my failure.”
“My brother… is gone.”
Edith clenched her hand tightly. The seal dug painfully into her palm. She repeated the words silently to herself.
He’s gone.
Only now did she realize she had unconsciously relied on Ian all along. No matter how wildly Richard acted, there had always been the Crown Prince—the belief that he would soon quell the rebellion.
She had thought this was only temporary, that she could return to her rightful place. All her certainty had come from the Crown Prince—and she only realized that after Ian had disappeared forever.
Just holding the seal made the air feel unbearably heavy, pressing down on her shoulders.
Ian must have lived his entire life enduring this weight. Thinking that far, Edith felt deeply ashamed of how she had once envied him.
She looked down at the seal in her hand. It was now hers—neither vanished nor broken, asserting its presence with its weight. Edith steeled herself.
“I know I lack in many ways. But whether we 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, the baron, Lucas, and finally Karl.
“You followed His Highness the Crown Prince, my brother and heir. But now I will take his place. If you have objections, speak now.”
Startled glances drifted through the air. Karl stepped forward silently and knelt.
“I, as the captain of the Royal Guard and eldest son of the Belmeret family, will serve Her Highness Princess Edith Roset Algeret El Ruhaim, the last legitimate heir of the imperial family, until my final breath.”
“Lucas of the Lansmore family will also follow Your Highness.”
As the two knights bowed first, the others followed, kneeling in unison. Baron Bart knelt before Edith and spoke.
“I have already sworn loyalty to Your Highness. I ask for your forgiveness for my errors born of my limited judgment.”
“I have already forgotten everything.”
“Thank you for your generosity. I and all vassals of Bart will follow Your Highness. Command us as you will.”
Edith took a deep breath.
“Good. Then tell me everything you’ve learned so far—and everything I need to know.”
“Richard has sent people to the southern territories to find the two of you. On our side, we have replaced or concealed any evidence related to you. We prepared another prisoner with a similar build and hair color, and none of the knights who arrested Your Highness remain.”
He continued,
“The Second Prince was able to seize the palace so quickly because he allied with Tasgar. There are witnesses who saw the Grand Duke in the palace.”
The baron hesitated before continuing. Edith nodded for him to go on.
“And His Majesty the Emperor… has passed away.”
He studied her expression, but Edith did not flinch. She had already expected it when they fled the palace. Richard, who harbored deep resentment toward the Emperor, would never have spared him.
Calix III had always been strict and distant, but he was not a father who did not love her. Silently, Edith prayed for his peace.
“In Pallerion, they will help Your Highness seek asylum and plan for the future together. Once His Highness Terdian arrives, you will be able to discuss things in greater detail.”
With that, the baron lowered his head, having finished.
“I understand. I need some time to gather my thoughts.”
“I will have someone bring you warm tea.”
“No… I just want to rest.”
One by one, people quietly left. The sound of the door closing was the last, and silence followed.
Now, she was truly alone.
Only then could Edith unclench her tightly held hand. A dark bruise had formed in the center of her palm. She felt no pain. She crawled into bed and pulled the blanket over her head.
Reality felt like a terrible nightmare, and she wished she could 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 the room sank into darkness.
She heard movement outside the door. She couldn’t stay like this forever. Forcing her heavy body up, she called out.
“Karl, you may come in.”
“How did you know it was me?”
Karl carefully opened the door, holding a small lamp. A soft glow filled the room.
“When I was upset, you and my brother always came to see me, taking turns.”
Edith smiled faintly.
“With snacks, flowers, books… it must have been so bothersome.”
“That’s how much he loved you.”
“…That’s true.”
Karl approached her. Though she wasn’t crying, the flickering shadows made her eyes seem unsteady.
“Then why was I always so harsh to him…?”
“That’s not true.”
Karl knelt at her feet.
“Your Highness, even in times when we had no worries, the Crown Prince always told us to take good care of you. No matter what… I will always remain by your side.”
Edith wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“Thank you.”
She wasn’t the only one who had lost someone dear. As she slowly let go, Karl smiled awkwardly.
“If I’m not enough, Lucas is here too.”
At the light joke, Edith let out a weak laugh. It was better than lying there lifeless.
“The room is cold. At times like this, you must keep yourself warm.”
Karl brought dry firewood and lit the fireplace.
“The food left at your door was untouched. You should eat something. Shall I prepare fresh food?”
“No, it’s fine. What about the others?”
“They’re resting. The baron has returned to his office, and the knights have been assigned rooms on another floor.”
“They didn’t return to the barracks?”
“No. They said it’s better to stay nearby in case you call.”
“I see.”
Edith rubbed her face dry. Her long hair tangled in her fingers.
“Karl, could you bring me some water to wash my face?”
“Of course. Please wait a moment.”
Karl left the room. Edith smoothed her hair with her fingers. Thick strands slipped between them.
After tidying it, she took a dagger from her clothes. The sharpened blade gleamed blue—it was the last thing Ian had given her.
She raised the dagger close to her face. Her reflection shimmered faintly in the blade.
No matter how she thought about it, there was only one conclusion. Only her eyes shone clearly in her blurred reflection. She brought the blade to the back of her neck.
“Your Highness!”
Karl rushed in and grabbed her hand. The water jug he had been carrying fell to the floor, spilling everywhere.
“I’m not doing anything foolish, so let go of my hand.”
“I cannot, not until you explain.”
“I was only going to cut my hair.”
Even then, he didn’t release her immediately. Only after she urged him with her eyes did he cautiously let go.
“Do you truly have to?”
Her beautiful silver hair had been the pride of the empire, the imperial family, and the princess herself.
Instead of answering, Edith began cutting her hair without hesitation. Like past glory slipping through her fingers, her memories fell to the floor with each strand.
To leave no lingering attachment, she gathered the cut hair and threw it into the fireplace. The distinct smell of burning hair filled the air.
Watching the flames blaze, Edith slipped the seal onto her finger. If she had made her decision, she would have to bear its weight as well.
“I’ve decided to take my brother’s place. The one who died wasn’t Ian—it was Edith.”
Her reflection shimmered in the spilled water. It was a face that looked exactly like Ian’s.
