Emperor's Alternate - Chapter 18
The Empire’s main dominating factions are broadly divided into three branches.
Firstly, there’s the aristocratic faction, commonly referred to, though the name has changed over the centuries, as the ‘elitist’ faction. Alfred currently leads this faction, having the most noble houses under his control. He had strong ties to Emperor Teiles I and the deceased Crown Prince.
‘The ones responsible for the unjust deaths of my family.’
Secondly, there’s the ‘reformist’ faction who took advantage of the faltering state and gained the patronage of the Abel Empire. Not of aristocratic lineage, they have risen over centuries to positions as influential as the ‘elitist’ faction, and this was the faction I chose.
Lastly, the ‘neutral’ faction. Represented by my family, the Rotea Grand Duchy, it had been largely wiped out after a bitter civil war. Currently, Lecan is gaining the most attention, but there have been frequent sightings of Alfred’s potential successor cozying up to him. They have a strong image as an up-and-coming power, and they are also the most favored by the populace.
The ‘reformist’ faction, seeking power from external forces, often showed ambitions to swallow the country whole, so Lecan’s ‘neutral’ faction had the least amicable relationship with them.
Why do they want to sell out the country?
Not only did the traditional ‘elitist’ faction dislike pledging allegiance to someone like the Emperor’s mistress, who was a former courtesan, but also… Within the deadline she gave me, there was no choice other than the ‘reformist’ faction if I intended on placing the Sixth Prince on the throne. The Abel Empire, supporting the ‘reformist’ faction, oddly favored the violence of the Sixth Prince.
The Emperor’s mistress demanded that I seat the Sixth Prince on the throne before he turned 22, and I agreed. There were barely two months left until the Sixth Prince turned 22. It meant there was no time to win over the stringent scrutiny of the ‘elitist’ faction.
“Miss, the preparations are complete.” A maid bowed slightly, handing over the attire of a palace maid.
I hadn’t ventured into public places since the day I disguised myself as the Sixth Prince during the admission tests. There was no reason for me to take such risks when there were those who paid attention to me.
Living thoroughly in the shadow of the Sixth Prince, I never revealed my presence. Many mages praised his knowledge, claimed to be his servants, and taught him how to maneuver political forces, but all the credit went to the Sixth Prince and none to me.
However, this vengeance had to be completed by my hands.
“…”
I cautiously accepted the maid’s outfit. Regardless of what anyone said, it was Teiles I who ultimately approved the extinction of the Rotea Ducal line.
‘The Emperor… will meet his end by my hand.’
After his demise, the Sixth Prince would ascend the throne. Before the adulation of the courtiers and their ignominious submission, the Emperor’s mistress would gleefully begin her reign. I cared little about how they, hand in hand with the ‘reformist’ faction, would ruin the country. My only concern was to wither the seed of ‘elitism’ that still wielded power within the Empire.
Even if the Elitists change their political colors and try to become Rekhan’s “neutrals,” it won’t bring back my family members who died in cold blood. Just like how Lucian had to endure the ‘mana treatment,’ a suffering counted among the few a human can experience.
“All matters of your identity are said to be settled, miss. You may now enter the palace.”
I absentmindedly stared out the window once more, anticipating a huge upheaval.
The empty space remained as it was, devoid of anyone, yet I sought within myself the last vestiges of my humanity.
***
Even before I passed the poisoned tea, the Emperor was already dying. There were blooming dark mushrooms on his aging skin, the undeniable scent of death despite the best tonics, the shadows heavily under the tired eyes, the persistent coughing, and the eerie flashes of survival instinct in his strangely cold.
I ingested the ‘Potion of Disguise’ before entering the palace. If the Emperor fell to poisoning, it would naturally raise suspicion toward the last serving maid who had brought him tea. Disguised as an ordinary maid with brown hair and dark eyes, I made my entrance.
After downing the entire cup, the emperor coughed repeatedly and closed his eyes as if he had lost strength. I felt no compassion for the Emperor, only a small amount of satisfaction that I would be the one to end this monster’s life.
“…Go away, I am unusually tired.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I bowed politely.
The poison he drank was a torture potion of my own making. He appears fine for now, but it will begin to take effect in half an hour. The poison, once it reaches down the esophagus, begins to dissolve the internal organs and blocks any form of pain relief.
Only after all organs dissolve does the victim finally succumb, suffering in excruciating agony akin to being engulfed in hellfire until their last breath. Although I couldn’t witness the end, I wanted to hear his final scream. That’s why I remained quietly in the corridor after leaving the Emperor’s chamber.
“What brings you to the palace, my Lord?”
“I’ve come to see His Majesty — it’s been a while.”
It was not in my plans to hear Lecan’s voice as he replied with a shaky smile. If I had known I would hear a familiar voice that day, I might have postponed the plan by several days.
If I had known I would inevitably encounter Lecan, I might have chosen to leave that very instant.
“…?”
Before I knew it, Lecan had come close enough to grab me. Unavoidably, our eyes met, and we found ourselves looking directly at one another.
