Chapter 94
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94.
Even after casting off his tattered cloak, Cassian Artez's appearance remained in complete disarray.
One could see at a glance just how much hardship he had endured.
He exhaled sharply to steady his breathing, then withdrew a pouch bulging with contents from his coat.
"That is precisely why I have returned so swiftly."
In stark contrast to his disheveled state, the pouch itself was immaculate—a testament to the desperate care with which he had brought it.
At Cassian's gesture, the Imperial Physician and Imperial Knights approached to receive the herbal pouches from him.
The Knight Commander then instructed several of his men to follow, citing the need to prepare for any contingency.
That not a single knight loyal to the Rose Palace was among them was surely no accident.
After observing this briefly, Cassian swept back his disheveled hair and fixed his gaze directly upon the First Empress.
"Yet it appears Your Majesty the First Empress is not particularly pleased by my arrival, despite your professed devotion to the late Emperor."
In a cool voice, he posed his question to the First Empress with measured calm.
"It seems all of that may have been falsehood."
The Audience Chamber fell into silence, and all eyes converged upon the First Empress.
The First Empress regarded Cassian for a moment, then with perfectly natural grace lifted a handkerchief.
"Cassian, you seem to interpret my heart far too harshly and with grave misunderstanding."
Her voice was filled with sorrow, as though the fury that had consumed her moments before was nothing but deception.
"I was simply startled. From the day you departed the Imperial Palace, I have prayed without ceasing for your swift return."
The Empress then dabbed her eyes—which held no tears—with the handkerchief, and composed herself before speaking again.
"I was merely astonished by such unexpected good tidings, wondering if this were truly reality and not some dream."
To the First Empress's words, Cassian replied in a measured yet apologetic tone.
"My judgment was lacking. As Your Majesty the First Empress has always said, I still possess much immaturity, and I humbly beg your understanding."
"Of course. I have always been concerned for you, and I endeavor to regard you as my own son."
Of course, few in this chamber truly believed such honeyed words, yet both demonstrated remarkable skill in their performance.
Of course, my superior would not allow the First Empress to slip away so easily.
"I too believe in the sincerity of Your Majesty the First Empress, and thus I would ask that you clarify the words spoken by that uncouth person moments ago."
Cassian lowered his head slightly, mirroring the First Empress's gesture with the handkerchief, to express sorrow.
"I simply cannot bring myself to believe that Your Majesty the First Empress, who showed such genuine devotion to the late Emperor, could have ordered his poisoning."
At his seamless expression, the First Empress's brow furrowed briefly.
Unlike when the First Empress had affected pathos, the atmosphere now grew genuinely solemn.
It was entirely understandable.
Cassian had traversed the Battlefield countless times.
Moreover, as Second Prince, he had often been drawn into combat while suppressing unlawful incidents.
Yet never had he appeared so exhausted, nor borne so many faint scars as he did now.
Even I found myself deeply concerned.
I had believed he would return within four days, but I could not fathom what strain he had endured to shave two days from that timeline.
And so, I.
"I also agree with Prince Cassian Artez's words, Your Highness. I have brought clear evidence to refute their absurd excuses."
I had a duty to corner the First Empress and end this situation swiftly.
"Therefore, Your Highness, I ask that you reveal the truth about the First Empress to all gathered in the Audience Chamber."
What I needed to prove now was not some carefully crafted sincerity, but undeniable fact.
At my direct question, clear confusion etched itself across the First Empress's face—she who had attempted to drag out this situation with melodramatic tears, hoping to slip away unscathed.
It was a moment of choice.
What would you abandon?
House of Jamoti, built upon the tears and blood of others?
Or all the power you have accumulated as First Empress?
I straightened my spine and asked her how she would reap what she herself had sown.
*
First Empress Scaletti's silence stretched on.
Even the Countess Attendants and knights of the Rose Palace could not hide their anxiety.
It was the first time the First Empress had been so unable to respond in a gathering of so many people.
"...Salice Advisor."
She barely opened her mouth before turning to me with a weary expression.
"You are too harsh with me. The Emperor has collapsed, and in this distressing and bewildering situation, you prioritize immediate investigation."
Ah, now she would paint me as a cruel tyrant oppressing her fragile self?
"And even now, you pressure me based solely on the words of a criminal, as if...."
Then the First Empress deliberately gasped as though struggling to breathe, hunching over while gripping the armrest tightly.
"...you were demanding I abandon my own house! Did you hate me so very, very much?"
I could already predict what came next.
"Conspiring with the Second Empress, dredging up the old incident of the Concubine's fall in this chaotic time, breaking the power of House of Jamoti—was that not enough for you?!"
She would make it seem as though I had orchestrated this entire scheme.
"Now are you trying to eliminate either House of Jamoti or me entirely?!"
Yet the First Empress was truly laboring under a grave misunderstanding.
Even if I were the one who had orchestrated everything and bore the blame, I would hardly feel wronged.
"With all due respect, First Empress."
Even if you wish to tarnish my image, I was never known as a particularly kind, gentle, or thoughtful person to begin with.
Do you not know my epithet?
The Demon of the Winter Palace, the Witch—those are the most common ones.
"I merely asked the questions an investigator must ask. If you are innocent, you need only prove it, is that not so?"
Our knights have most graciously bestowed upon me the title of Victory's Goddess.
So should I not live up to my name?
"Rather, hearing you speak thus makes me feel even more suspicious. These past several days, I have had to clear my name countless times for crimes I did not commit. And."
I unfolded the documents I had prepared and addressed the First Empress once more.
"Was it not you, First Empress, who raised these questions most frequently? You even forced an innocent person to kneel."
"Salice Advisor! Could you not show some compassion for my heart?!"
Now that she had nothing left to say, she resorted to wielding her status as a weapon.
"I ask what must be asked even before His Imperial Majesty. It is my duty as the Second Prince's Advisor and Staff Commander of the Imperial Knight Order."
First Empress Scaletti's clenched fists trembled violently.
She gritted her teeth, then cast her gaze toward the knight bearing the name of House of Jamoti, and opened her mouth as though in genuine anguish.
"I simply... wanted..."
She spoke as she exhaled.
"I only wished to protect those close to me, but that wretch...!"
Then she turned a sorrowful gaze toward the Countess who had visited the Winter Palace on the first day Cassian Artez left the Palace.
"Truly, truly I am sorry. My precious...!"
"Your Majesty, Empress!"
The Countess shook her head as though understanding that look.
To me, her appearance seemed like the grievance of one bearing false accusations, yet to another, she might have seemed like someone with something to hide.
"Forgive me, forgive me. I cannot endure this any longer...! You have always been my precious friend at my side, and I...! Truly."
"This cannot be, Your Majesty, Empress! How can you treat me this way!"
The Countess too cried out as though wailing.
Yet the First Empress, appearing sorrowful, buried her face slightly in a handkerchief to conceal her expression, then spoke.
"That knight was originally an apprentice knight of the Count Family, recommended by them and raised under the patronage of House of Jamoti."
Following this, the Countess let out a cry bordering on a scream, but the First Empress approached her with unsteady steps and gripped her shoulders firmly.
"Why, why did you commit such foolishness! I, truly, truly did not know! Why such a stupid act!"
"No, no. I did not order it...!"
"I said your behavior was strange—why did you insist on confining Roselita Salice to the Rose Palace the moment Cassian Artez departed? I simply could not...!"
"I did not! Your Majesty, Empress, you...!"
But the Countess's words could not be heard.
"Not content with committing such foolish acts of your own accord...! Now you attempt to cast false accusations upon me, who tried to protect you by any means! How, how can you be so cruel to me!"
The First Empress's voice was so utterly plaintive.
And I watched that farce with a rigid expression.
'Will you escape so easily?'
Without a single wound to yourself?
But unfortunately for you, though I cannot bring about your downfall immediately, I must strip away that exalted position of yours.
As I was contemplating how to trap that slippery eel within my net.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has regained consciousness!"
The person who could wield that authority opened his eyes.
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