Madelyn stiffened when she realized that Howard was dead, but then she exhaled a deep breath as she realized that she was the only one who knew. This could be a new opportunity for her to exploit.
‘I must think calmly.’
Madelyn came to Howard, intending to beg him to reinstate Leon’s birthright, even if she had to give up her life. There was no guarantee he would allow it.
But now, Howard was dead. And only Madelyn knew. A thrill of exhilaration ran down her spine.
‘…This is a chance granted by the heavens.’
She quickly recovered, then approached Howard’s desk. On a sheet of paper she wrote “Restore Leon’s right to succession”, then marked it with the Emperor’s seal. It had to appear as if the letter was written before he died.
She knew that would not be enough. Oliver nor the Emperor’s allies would not stand for it. There were still several charges against her and Leon, and punishment was not easily avoidable. Oliver’s evidence was too compelling, and the throne couldn’t remain empty for long. There was only one way.
‘Tonight, I will kill Oliver.’
A cold glow glimmered in Madelyn’s eyes when she made her decision. When Oliver died, the next successor to the throne would be Leon, once the document was revealed. Once her son became emperor, he would be forever immune to any accusation of crime, and his and Madelyn’s sins would be forever buried.
‘…I must move quickly.’
A large number of troops were stationed around the Crown Prince’s palace; Oliver was untouchable there. For her plan to succeed, she had to draw him out from his walls. Madelyn did not have the power to summon him…but Howard did.
She glanced back at the entrance where the Emperor’s head butler was on watch. She deliberately shouted loud enough so he could hear her words through the door.
“Your Majesty! Please, forgive me just one time. I’m sure Leon is also reflecting on his actions.”
She moved around the chairs and created noises to make it sound like Howard was alive.
“If you wish to punish me, then I humbly accept it. Just save Leon’s life.”
Madelyn sharply pinched her thigh. As it turned black and blue, painful tears streamed down their eyes and she let out a sob.
Some time later, Madelyn opened the door. The butler looked surprised to see her tear-stained face.
“…Butler.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“His Majesty requests that you call the Crown Prince. I believe His Majesty wants to discuss the matter regarding Leon.”
“Ah, really?”
He thought it strange that Madelyn, not Howard, would deliver the order, but he found it difficult to speak against the crying woman.
Madelyn turned her glare towards him.
“What are you doing just standing there?”
“A-ah, yes.”
“His Majesty says he’ll go to the Northern Palace where it’s quiet, so tell the Crown Prince to meet him there.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was not until the butler left that Madelyn breathed a sigh. Behind the Northern Palace was a high cliff. It was a relatively secluded area with spectacular scenery, but the reason she chose it was to prevent Oliver from slipping through her grasp easily.
‘I won’t miss this time.’
Madelyn spoke to another servant standing at the entrance.
“I am feeling dizzy, so call Cesare and tell him to come here. If I stay in this state, I may faint.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“As quick as possible.”
At Madelyn’s command, the servant hurried away. While Madelyn could leave by herself, someone else might go inside the room and realize that Howard was dead. He had to be hidden until everything was over, and so Madelyn decided to have Cesare brought to her.
She looked towards the Emperor’s guards in front of the door and spoke to them.
“I must speak further with His Majesty, so do not enter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
All those standing at the entrance bowed to Madelyn’s orders.
***
The atmosphere at the Crown Prince’s palace was as vibrant as a festival. Howard had announced that Oliver would soon be coronated emperor, and all the servants and knights drank a toast in celebration.
As did Oliver and Amanda in their room.
Clink!
Their wine glasses touched each other in the air. Amanda had a broad smile on her face as she sipped her drink, which tasted exceptionally sweet on her tongue.
“The Emperor has only announced your coronation today, but many gifts have already arrived from the nobility.”
“They’re pleading for their life. Many who wrote their names in the Anita family’s petition not be sleeping easily.”
Now that Oliver’s victory had been assured, it is only natural that many of Madelyn’s followers would switch alliances. Oliver and Amanda looked at each other and smiled at the same time.
Amanda, who was savoring her wine, suddenly turned more serious.
“I have something to tell you, Oliver.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked at her curiously. Amanda inhaled a deep breath. She had yet to tell him that she once lived another life before returning to the past. After first, she concealed it from him because she thought he would find it unbelievable. After learning about the Dragon’s Orb, however, she was certain that he would understand her more than anyone else. Nevertheless, it was still a secret for a reason…
Amanda did not know how events would change if Oliver knew about the future. It may make things even more complicated. Some events had repeated themselves, but there were many other twisting detours with drastic outcomes—such as the fact that Oliver was now alive. That alone had massively changed the course of history. Amanda believed that her warning about Luke was enough. She would confess to him once Empress Madelyn was dealt with and Oliver inherited the throne.
All things considered, this seemed to be the right time now.
“The truth is—”
Amanda was about to speak, when she was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Oliver frowned at the disturbance, but Amanda spoke up to see what was going on.
“Come in.”
With Amanda’s permission given, the door opened and a maid entered.
“Your Highness, the head butler from the Emperor’s palace is here to see you. He says His Majesty is looking for the Crown Prince.”
Amanda’s and Oliver’s eyes met in midair at the unexpected summons. Amanda nodded first.
“Have the butler enter.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Oliver threw a suspicious look towards the maid and murmured towards Amanda in a low voice.
“Why at this time of night?”
“I don’t know. But it must be important if it’s a late call.”