SLDS 4

Around noon, Cecil visited the Empress’s palace and came face to face with someone who looked exactly like him. Despite the sudden request for lunch, the round table was laden with a feast of appetizing dishes.

“Have some, Cecil. The chef said he took special care because he heard you were coming, but I’m not sure if it will suit your palate.”

The entrée, consisting of warm pottage and grilled mushrooms, was more than enough to whet the appetite. The veal, drizzled with butter and orange sauce, was perfectly cooked at a glance, and the meat was tender.

While Cecil’s plate was changed several times, only a single plate of greens sat before Empress Elizabeth. Even then, she cut the vegetables into tiny pieces and put them in her mouth a little at a time.

Consistent body maintenance was a lifelong habit Empress Elizabeth could never let go of. She was pathologically obsessed with tending to her appearance.

Thanks to this, she maintained her beautiful looks even as the years passed. She could certainly be called the greatest beauty of the Verca Empire. The story of Elizabeth, who rose from a commoner to the position of Empress on her bewitching beauty alone, was told like a legend within the empire.

Fifteen years ago, the current emperor, Arnold, was on an imperial tour when he was caught in a fierce blizzard and became stranded in a remote village. The place where he happened to spend the night, waiting for the harsh blizzard to stop, was none other than Elizabeth’s home.

The beautiful Elizabeth was an unmarried mother with a five-year-old child. Emperor Arnold, who had fallen in love with her at first sight, ignored all the unfavorable conditions and brought Elizabeth to the imperial palace. The opposition from the nobles was fierce, but they did not dare to defy the emperor’s will.

The empress at that time was a benevolent and kind person. She embraced the mother and child the emperor had brought back so suddenly as if they were her own family, with all her heart.

A year after that, the empress, who had been particularly frail, ended her short life due to the aftereffects of an epidemic.

The smart and ambitious Elizabeth never missed the opportunity that came her way. She gently coaxed the emperor, who was head over heels for her, and finally ascended to the position of empress.

She wanted to make the Verca Empire entirely her own. The problem was that the heir had already been decided long ago. Crown Prince Alexis was not a pushover, even at a young age. He always kept Elizabeth in check and maintained his dignity, as befitting the legitimate heir of the imperial family.

And so, ten years had passed since Elizabeth and Cecil entered the imperial palace.

When his mother became empress, Cecil was naturally recognized as a member of the imperial family. However, the surname attached to his name was still ‘Adrian,’ and though he enjoyed all sorts of wealth and honor, he could not be called a prince. He was, quite literally, a being who floated around like a ghost, with no title or position.

But an opportunity came. When the 17-year-old Crown Prince Alexis left the empire to subjugate demonic beasts, Empress Elizabeth began to show her ambition in earnest.

Taking advantage of Alexis’s absence, she expanded her own influence and tried every way possible to place Cecil in a respectable position. Five years passed like this, and Cecil, who had been swept up in his mother’s excessive aspirations, found himself unknowingly obsessed with the position of crown prince.

Well, that’s all in the past now.

Cecil scooped up a little orange sauce with his knife and spread it over the well-cooked meat. A faint smile appeared as he recalled the past. Thinking back on it now, it was an absurd ambition; he had no idea why he had been so obsessed.

Just then, the empress opened her mouth.

“News of victory arrived this morning. It seems the crown prince will be returning to the palace soon.”

“I see.”

“He wandered the Black Forest for five whole years, how could he possibly return with all his limbs intact? Unlike his mother, he has a very long lifeline.”

Elizabeth, as if she had completely lost her appetite, gulped down her wine.

Across from her, Cecil placed his fork and knife down without a sound. He likewise rinsed his mouth with wine, then carefully wiped his lips with a napkin. The imperial etiquette had become second nature to him by now.

“He is someone who has dedicated five years for the sake of the empire. How about giving him a sincere welcome?”

“A welcome?”

The empress scoffed.

“On the contrary, I should teach him a lesson. Five years is a long time. It’s necessary to teach him that the imperial palace has changed a great deal during that time.”

In his previous life, Crown Prince Alexis and the knights he led returned after achieving the feat of subjugating all the demonic beasts, but they received a welcome that would have been better not to have. The substandard welcoming party was something Empress Elizabeth had personally prepared for him.

It held great significance in showing who currently held the real power in the empire. This incident turned the crown prince and the empress into hostile adversaries. From Cecil’s perspective, it was an event that had to be prevented at all costs.

“The efforts the crown prince has made must never be taken lightly. The entire empire, including the Senate, is expressing their gratitude to him, so what will happen if Your Majesty the Empress shows your antipathy? It is unreasonable, and it will not look good.”

“Then what do you propose I do?”

“I will take charge of the banquet. Since it’s a younger brother preparing it with a heart to welcome his older brother, the justification is more than sufficient. Even if the preparations are lacking, it will be my fault for being inexperienced, so the reprimand will not reach you, Mother.”

The empress, seemingly quite pleased with Cecil’s proposal, tapped the table with her well-manicured fingers.

“Yes. You are a respectable member of the imperial family now, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to show something on this occasion. If you need any help, ask for anything. Felix will be of great assistance.”

I’m not so sure. Cecil gave a bitter smile, looking troubled.

“I think it would be best for Felix to rest for the time being.”

“Why is that? It is rare to find someone as skilled as him. Cecil, you should know that too, right?”

“He has been coughing frequently lately. It might be because of his age, but… I saw blood on his handkerchief a while ago, so I’m worried it might be the epidemic.”

The epidemic was also the reason the former empress had passed away so early. Elizabeth, who was extremely sensitive about illnesses, shrieked in horror, just as expected.

“What? Is that true?”

“I asked him indirectly, but he hides it, saying he’s perfectly fine. It’s probably because he knows how much Your Majesty dislikes it. I’m sure he’ll deny it even if you question him.”

“Absolutely not! He must be sent away immediately!”

“But Felix is my head chamberlain.”

“What if you catch it!”

Cecil barely managed to hold back a burst of laughter. What a simple person. His mother reacted without deviating one bit from his expectations.

“By what means can I send him away?”

“I will figure that out somehow.”

“…I have no choice then. However, please make sure he is well taken care of so he can live out the rest of his life without any regrets.”

Then, Cecil picked up his knife and fork again and carved off a chunk of meat. The food had gone completely cold, but it tasted indescribably delicious.

Less than a day later, Felix was kicked out of the imperial palace. The old man’s face was filled with rage as he looked up at the Peridot Palace, clutching just one bundle of belongings and a land deed in his arms.

Cecil was leaning against a windowsill, watching the scene. A proud smile naturally spread across his face as he watched things unfold so smoothly according to his will.

From now on, he just needed to change things one by one like this. The beautiful moonlight shone down brightly on the crown of his head today.

The next morning, Cecil stripped off his clothes as soon as he opened his eyes. The ancient number written on his chest had changed to 999.

“Wow… How kind of them.”

He hadn’t expected them to inform him of his death day in such a direct way.

Cecil sighed and picked up his clothes again. When he pulled the bell cord woven with golden thread, the door opened as if on cue, and young faces in servants’ attire scurried in.

Not only Felix but even the servants had been completely replaced in a single day. There were six in total. They were young men, from their late teens to their early twenties, all from minor noble families. He had carefully selected only good-natured people without great ambitions for success.

They were all people Cecil had chosen himself.

“I’m hungry.”

“We will prepare your meal immediately, Mr. Cecil. The weather is very nice today, how about dining in the garden?”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

The way he stretched languidly on the bed resembled a lazy cat. For someone who had just had his terminal life confirmed, Cecil’s face looked incredibly refreshed.

And for good reason—he had a lot to do starting today. The time he had was far too precious to be sunk in things like gloom.

✽ ✽ ✽

The empire was, quite literally, in an uproar. The crown prince and the knights he led had returned to the capital. The people of the empire welcomed the crown prince, who rode at the head of the procession on horseback, by scattering flower petals and confetti. It was truly a festival atmosphere.

The imperial palace was just as clamorous. They had been hectically busy for days preparing for a grand banquet.

Cecil was having tea time in his garden. The clear, cloudless sky and the scenery of the garden, splendidly colored with camellia petals, seemed to calm his restless heart today.

Just then, Leo, who served as the head chamberlain of the Peridot Palace, cautiously approached Cecil’s side. He bent his waist halfway and spoke, as if whispering in Cecil’s ear.

“They say His Highness the Crown Prince has entered the banquet hall.”

“Oh, really? That’s a relief.”

“You worked so hard to prepare it… Are you not going to see it?”

“It’s probably better for them if I’m not there, right? I have at least that much sense.”

Cecil smiled and took a sip of black tea. He had put in a lot of sugar, but the tea still tasted bitter. Shall I add some cream for you? The quick-witted Leo asked, but he just shook his head.

In his previous life, Cecil had also attended the banquet. What was the result of that again?

Contrary to its purpose as a celebration banquet, it was a place where only sharp slander and shouts had run rampant. In a word, it had been a complete mess.

It was different now. The nobles who had caused trouble at that time were all gathered here in this garden, and the welcoming reception being held in the main palace had been prepared without any shortcomings.