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USURPER… The word cast a shadow of anxiety on the people gathered in the room, like a stain slowly spreading on white cloth.
As everyone waited with bated breath, the two men accompanying the empress slipped away from her side. Albert dashed toward Riddhe and Clovis toward Alicia.
Coming to stand before her, the black-haired adviser bowed and placed a hand on his chest.
“I apologize for being late, Your Highness. Are you all right?”
“Probably… You made quite an entrance.”
Clovis gave a small smile, then quietly leaned down until his handsome face was beside her ear. “Apologies. I’ve promised Empress Elizabeth something that goes beyond my authority… Do you trust me?”
“Of course,” she whispered back without hesitation. “I’ll always believe in you, no matter what. Do whatever you think is best.”
“Thank you,” his low voice answered with a hint of sweetness before he pulled away and glanced at the empress sitting atop her horse.
Seeing that, the empress dismounted and stepped forward. The crowd cleared to the sides with each step as Elizabeth made her way to the dais, sword still in hand.
Climbing the stairs, she came to stand before Fritz.
“…Usurper. Is that what you think I am?” he asked, his expression stiff and his voice trembling. His eyes, as deep green as his mother’s, were wide. Then he steeled himself. “That’s right. I took the throne from you, but this empire will be—”
“Shut up,” the empress cut in, her tone full of unyielding strength. She looked coldly at Fritz as he gulped, then continued in a bored voice. “Move aside, Fritz. I have no business with you… You’re in the way.”
“What…?!”
Lightly pushing the speechless crown prince to one side with her scabbard, the empress stepped forward again until she stood before Chancellor Yggdrasil. Then she spoke loudly and clearly so everyone present could hear.
“Arrest Chancellor Eric Yggdrasil. He is the usurper who poisoned me and stole the throne.”
The assembled nobles were in an uproar, with cries of “It can’t be,” “Impossible,” and “There must be some mistake” echoing. Doubt clouded their faces, but no one dared to speak out against the empress’s accusation.
Meanwhile, the chancellor looked at the empress with surprise before his gaze turned to Clovis. There, he seemed to find his answer. He understood their plot. The great and fearsome empress and talented young adviser were planning to place all the blame on him alone.
For the first time, rage flashed within Yggdrasil’s eyes. Gone was the gentle gaze that bore a touch of loneliness, reminiscent of a calm night sea, replaced by a passion burning bright within the man.
“Is that your answer?” Yggdrasil spat in a tone no one had ever heard from him, earning shocked reactions from the people. “How boring. Is that truly the answer of the Empress Elizabeth? The ruthless woman who would condemn her own family if it meant prosperity for Erdal. And you’re acting like a normal human now, protecting your child…?!”
“Protecting? You are mistaken.” The empress shook her head once, brow raised. “An innocent party needs no form of protection.”
Gritting his teeth, Yggdrasil took a step towards the empress but was apprehended by two Erdalian guards and forced to his knees.
Looking down at him with emotionless eyes, the empress drew her sword and tossed its scabbard aside. The female nobles in the room screamed as she placed the cold blade against the chancellor’s neck.
“Confess,” the empress demanded coolly despite the chaos surrounding them. “Acknowledge all your sins before the heavenly stars and wise men of the earth, and I will not take your life.”
All his sins. Only a few in the room truly understood the meaning behind the empress’s words. Yggdrasil had been ordered to shoulder Fritz’s sins as his own.
However, Yggdrasil smiled defiantly, hatred and anger burning in his eyes.
“You’re a fool if you think you can threaten me like that. If you’re going to kill me, then just do it. Do it right now, but you really wish to protect him.”
The empress narrowed her eyes, trying to guess Yggdrasil’s true intentions. However, the man shook off the guards holding him, turning to face the stunned crowd.
“Look at me!!”
Charlotte flinched at Yggdrasil’s shout, her hands clasped so tightly that they’d turned white. Ignoring her, the chancellor cast a sharp gaze over everyone, the empress’s sword still against his neck.
“I will die here today, but no matter if my blood is shed, my pride will not be tarnished. Open your eyes, listen, and you will see… See the truth and understand who ought to be judged.”
Yggdrasil’s eyes landed on Fritz as he spoke those last words, and the stunned crown prince flinched slightly under the fierce gaze.
The damage was done. Many Erdalians, not just within the Senate, held a deep respect for Yggdrasil. His trustworthy nature and resolute manner in dealing with the empress had always impressed the nobles who looked up to him.
If she executed him now, the nobles would think that the empress had killed an innocent man, her closest adviser, and a support to the other nobles. Elizabeth could instantly lose the people’s support, especially the conservatives. She’d been able to suppress them thus far with her power, but a sudden loss of support could mean the fall of Erdal.
On the other hand, if the chancellor were allowed to live, the empress’s wish to protect Fritz would be forfeited. When he was inevitably put on trial, he would expose the crown prince and all his crimes.
Yggdrasil had seen through the empress’s plan and defeated her.
Perhaps Empress Elizabeth had also realized her defeat, for she remained motionless for a minute. Finally, she whispered lowly so only the chancellor could hear.
“I admit defeat, Yggdrasil. You’ve reduced me to a mere woman and degraded me even further. It’s admirable… But I will win in the end. I hope you’ll be watching in the afterlife.”
Someone screamed.
The empress raised her sword, putting all her strength into her grip on the golden hilt. Its sharp, polished edge caught the sunlight shining through the tall windows, giving off a dull silver shine.
A whistling sound echoed through the room before the blade struck the ground with such force that it shattered the marble floor.
“…Stay out of this, you two.”
The people who had averted their eyes from the scene looked back at the dais in shock upon hearing the empress’s low voice.
Clovis was standing before the empress, one hand blocking the empress’s sword arm, which had caused it to miss its mark.