"W-why? Why is it me? What did I do to deserve the throne?" Kazimir still feigned his hysterical actions and continued to question the Empress.
"That's because you are my son! The one with the noblest birth of the Vesala and Seirende blood! None of your brothers were as noble as you! So it is only you who deserved the throne!" Empress Carolina was taken aback by his question, yet she still answered as if it was the most natural thing to happen in this world.
Kazimir was not yet convinced by her mother's reply. If it was before, he would believe that it was a given for him to be the frontrunner in the race to the throne because of his noble blood. But now that he knew of the actions of his mother, he could no longer accept her reasons.
"But why… why do I have to fight to inherit the throne? Do I really have no choice but to inherit it?" Kazimir tried to stretch his acting one last time. Questioning his mother too much would make her and the mysterious companion suspicious of his mental state.
"T-this…" Empress Carolina paused before she made her reply. It was as if she was contemplating what she had to reply to the question.
After a long pause… she finally decided to respond with a heavy sigh. "It is not the right time for you to know the reason why… But one thing will remain true even if the world was shaken into shambles. You have the very right to take the throne!"
Kazimir look at his mother, his eyes were still blank and his body was shivering as if trying to find the truth in her words while looking at her dependently.
As soon as Empress Carolina saw his expression, her gaze softened, and exclaimed in her heart, 'That's my son!'
At this point, she was convinced that his son would soon get back at his feet and come to her side once again. Her heart couldn't help but feel elated. Once the oppression subsided, everything will fall into place as Valentin's reign starts to crumble into the ground!
"Now… now… take a rest and recover your energy. Mother may not be able to see you so often after this but fear not for the peak of the noble's patience is about to run out. We can ride on to this chaos and position ourselves in the most advantageous moment." Empress Carolina's words may seem to be enough to suspect her of treason, however, it was not enough to condemn her for such. This proved that even with her words, she knew her way out clean and unstained.
With a seemingly heartbroken mood, Empress Carolina bade Kazimir goodbye and he was left alone, dazed and defeated.
Up until this moment, his mother intended for him to be blind to all the plans she had for the Empire and for him. He clearly saw that her mother did not even realize that one failure of her plans may lead to his doom.
The most apprehensive thing for Kazimir was the fact that he had no idea at all. He was raised to step into the glory only to find that it was the end of the cliff. He was blinded up until now…
"Haaah…" Helpless and devastated, Kazimir brushed his palm against his head, he was exhausted and tired of crying. He was also already tired of trying to find a way to redeem his maternal family even after all these things that happened.
But this conversation not only failed to convince himself that it was still right for him to plead on their behalf. But instead, it gave him a solid reason to turn from the wicked ways and allow justice to prevail.
–
The three men watched as the scene unfold in their eyes. There may be no compelling evidence against the treason that was being plotted by Carolina and the Vesalas, but this conversation proved that Kazimir does not have any idea of all the Vesala's doing.
Knowing that Kazimir was innocent was more than enough for Leon, General Farauld, and of course, Emperor Valentin to feel relieved. At least, they would not be forced to point their swords at a Seirende.
"With this, we can feel at peace as we go around the Empire and eliminate the sinners." Emperor Valentin for the first time since the chaos happened, smiled gently.
"Well then, let us continue to prepare!" General Farauld announced.
–
Meanwhile, a hundred miles outside the boundaries of the Seirende Empire, an inconspicuous group of carriage finally entered the borders of a territory with vast grasslands and a luscious mountain range.
It seemed to be enclosed by a gigantic wall of stone by which the flags of the territory were raised proudly carried by the wind - the Vanderford Empire.
As the wind blow from the window of one carriage, a figure of a lady with bright amethyst eyes and a sickly countenance could be seen.
Sitting beside her with an attentive look was a young man, valiant looking with his neat suit. If one would look at him closely, they would immediately associate his appearance with the Duke Vesala of the Seirende Empire.
"Little sister, we're at the Vanderford border at last. Now we can finally be free from the inconvenience of the travel." The young man looked at the lady with a doting expression.
But instead of being elated, the sickly lady pouted in displeasure as she replied, "It took us too long! Sigh… why did Father suddenly send us to visit Elder sister? Now I wasted so much time, instead of finding the great doctor whom I wanted!"
"Now, now! That doctor won't go anywhere! I have already sent messages to the knights at the border, they will immediately notify me if a man with the same credentials and description as you are passed our territory and borders. For now, let us enjoy our stay in our Eldest Sister's estate. It's been so long since we saw her…" The man coaxed the displeased lady, who turned out to be Arabella Liv Vesala, Duke Vesala's youngest daughter.
"Hmf!" Arabella gave her brother, Nikolai Kir Vesala, the only young master of the Vesala Duchy a pouting look.
Letting out a light chuckle, Nikolai patted Arabella's hair and indulgently coaxed her, "C'mon, cheer up! If Eldest sister found you with that kind of expression, I cannot be so sure that I will be able to defend you!"
Remembering her eldest sister's character, a flash of fear appeared in Arabella's eyes. She straightened her back and wiped out the displeased expression on her face.
Then she stretched out her lips into a pleasant smile and asked Nikolai, "Big brother… does this expression look good in front of Eldest Sister?"
"Hmm.. yes, yes! With your charm, our eldest sister will surely be gentle towards you! Just be sure to act properly in her husband's estate. We are from Seirende after all, the relationship of the Vanderfords to our empire has been as brittle as a thin sheet of ice on a lake. We must be careful and not implicate our sister." Nikolai dotingly educated his sister as the carriage passed through the border gate and continue the journey.
After half a day, the two finally arrived at their destination. It was a grandiose estate that proudly stood at the center of the vast land with its sophisticated gothic architecture.
Even the palace of the Seirende Family would be considered dull when compared to the magnificent design of the estate which was a combination of towering spires with pleasing patterns of traceries on the windows and columns.
"This is not an estate… This is a palace!" Arabella, who had been raised as a precious daughter of the Vesala Duchy, could not help but exclaim in awe the moment she saw the estate.
"Indeed… This is our eldest sister's home now, the Cuervo Duchy, the second strongest family next to the Vanderfords!" Nikolai explained proudly.
The two finally reached the entrance of the Cuervo palace and were welcomed by a slender, elegant woman who was dressed luxuriously in a black and red dress.
The woman exuded a beauty that seemed to be like a poisonous flower, yet the butterflies and moths couldn't help but go around and die from it. Her eyes seemed to contain the sharpness of a tigress lurking in the middle of the night, making anyone who was unfamiliar with her shudder in innate fear.
Her long black hair came as a surprise to the two siblings but looking at her amethyst eyes which were as purple as theirs, confirmed their hearts that this was their eldest sister - Mariella Lei Vesala, now living as the Duchess of Cuervo.
With slow and steady steps, she went toward the two siblings and gave a subtle smile, "Nikolai, Arabella, how have you been? Welcome to the Cuervo Duchy!"
"Eldest Sister, we finally saw you! Thank you for welcoming us to your estate!" Nikolai and Arabella gracefully curtsied and answered her greetings.
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