Chapter 42.2
“Please, wait a moment, Alexisama…! Don’t you think that was a bit too much!?”
The Empress of the Weiz Empire, Alexia von Weizsäcker, was about to leave the Audience Chamber, but when she heard someone calling her name, she quickly turned around… only to see her usually calm niece running in her direction .
It was already past nightfall over at the Ivory Palace*, however, by Alexia’s request, the room was kept dimly lit . Also, except for the few knights guarding the entrance of the chamber, there was no one else in the room… she was alone . Her husband, on the other hand, was already somewhere else; he was probably having a meeting with another ambassador, or something like that . Much like her, he was also a busy person . (*Tl/n: The real name was Cretaceous Palace, but since cretaceous can also mean whitish stone, I changed it to Ivory . Now I won’t think of dinosaurs whenever I write that . )
“What is it, Natalia? It’s not commendable for a noble lady to just barge into the Audience Chamber without being invited first… but, well, you’re my niece, so I’ll forgive you this time . Just remember to never do this again, alright? You’re the daughter of a Duke, after all . ” – Said Alexia, as she looked at Natalia with tired eyes .
Handling public affairs wasn’t an easy task, so Alexia was always really tired by the end of the day, however, Natalia couldn’t help but admire her aunt’s beauty . Even when tired, Alexia never ceased to exude a dignified aura . Her not so plump figure, coupled with her fair skin, azure eyes and blond hair, made her one of the most beautiful women of the Empire . It was hard to imagine that such a youthful-looking woman was already a mother of two .
“I’m sorry for barging into the Audience Chamber like this, Alexisama . I know you’re tired, but I really need to speak with you as aunt Alexia, not as Her Majesty, so could you give me just a bit of your time?”
“Haaah∼, alright then . I’ll listen to what my cute niece has to say, but, just until we reach the inner palace, okay? Tomorrow is another busy day and I still need my rest . ” – Said Alexia, as she continued walking towards the exit of the room with Natalia in tow .
“Then I’ll be straightforward with you… what are you two going to do with Albert?” – Asked Natalia, as she glared at her aunt .
“……… . ”
Alexia was a bit surprised to see Natalia being so straightforward with her emotions like that, after all, she was mature enough to know how to hide them on her sleeves, so Alexia couldn’t help but smile after seeing that new refreshing side of her niece .
“Come on, sweetie, why are you looking at me like that? It was your uncle’s idea to punish Albert, not mine . I had nothing to do with that, I swe–”
“–Are you taking me for a fool!? That’s no normal punishment, you’re making Albert wear a magic-sealing bracelet! That’s a treasure passed down in the royal family for generations, and the only way to make someone wear it, is by having both Majesties agree on the matter! So don’t try to fool me!”
Alexia rolled her eyes and let out a short sigh . She loved how intelligent her niece was, but at times like these, dealing with her could be a pain .
“It couldn’t be helped, okay? He’s just the Crown Prince, but he imposed his authority on the old nobles, so of course they would oppose him . ”
“And that is reason enough to seal his magical powers!? Because of some whinny nobles!? Albert created that magic crest to help the citizens of this country! Even the spirit church said it was okay to use that crest, since it didn’t hurt the spirits! But because he imposed a bit of his authority on them, you two decided to humiliate him like that!? That’s unfair, don’t you think so!?”
Ever since it’s foundation, the Weiz Empire always gave birth to people with enormous amounts of magic power . But the Royal Family was a bit different, they always gave birth to people with even more magic power . So, as time passed, that became a synonym of pride for them… however, at the same time, losing all that power became the stigma of a fallen royal . And, as someone linked to the royal family, Natalia knew what was the fate of someone branded by that stigma… that person was fated to lose their royalty .
Like August, the previous Crown Prince, Albert was also going to be exiled .
“You see, sweetie, everyone is scared of that magic crest . That child created something that’ll forever change the structure of this country… things will never be the same again… but I’m sure you already knew that, right?” – Said Alexia, in her usual serious tone, as she continued pressing forward in the direction of the inner palace .
After hearing that, Natalia couldn’t come up with a rebuttal . She knew Alexia was right… and she knew how much Albert’s actions would impact the future of the Empire .
Magic power wasn’t just the source of pride for the royalty, it was also their source of power… and they exercised their authority through that power .
However, what would happen if a commoner could have access to that same level of power through a magic crest, without even being born with magic power to begin with?
Simply put, the authority of the royal family would fall flat on the ground .
But, well, that wouldn’t happen immediately . Albert’s crest was harmless, so it would take years of research to develop a magic crest that could surpass the level of power of the royal family . However, that would eventually happen, which is why many nobles wanted Albert exiled . Without the creator around, it would take even more time to finish the research on the new magic crest . No one really cared if that magic crest was harmless, or if it would bring benefits to the Empire . The Crown Prince himself planted the seed of change, and that’s all that mattered to them, after all, if everyone was equal, there would be no need for nobles… or even royalty .
“The royal family and the nobles will eventually lose their power and authority, so I wanted that child to understand how it feels to be powerless, before it was too late…*Whisper*…maybe then he’ll know what to do when the time comes . ” – Said Alexia, in a sad tone, as she stared into the void with a sorrowful look on her face .
Honestly, Natalia still wanted to criticize Alexia for doing that to Albert, however, after seeing the look on her aunt’s face, she lost her will to do that .
“No way… so you were also against Albert’s punishment, aunt Alexia?”
“No mother likes to punish their kids, sweetie… but when he came to the castle, right after creating that magic crest, just to tell me and your uncle what he did, I knew that outcome was inevitable… . ”
Albert knew how much his actions would impact the future of the Empire, so he went to the castle and told everything to his parents . He told them about the crest, the girl who was going to place it on the Shining Lake, and even the business that one of his classmates was going to open, thanks to the magic crest . The prince didn’t hide anything, after all, he didn’t want a random noble to take advantage of the situation and make things even more complicated .
As the two reached the last corridor that led to the inner palace, Alexia noticed that the entire corridor was being illuminated by moonlight, so she went to one of the windows and looked up at the moon, before saying–
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“–That child always played the part of the Perfect Prince . He said what others wanted to hear… he did what was supposed to be done… and he never complained while doing so… but he lost his selfishness in the process of becoming the Perfect Prince that everyone loves . However, just when he finally decided to do something that he really wanted to… this happens… . ”
After hearing that, Natalia couldn’t help but squeeze her fists in frustration, after all, it was almost ironic what was happening to Albert . But that wasn’t all, Alexia was feeling a lot of pain in her heart from having to punish her own son, which pained Natalia as well, since she couldn’t do anything for her aunt . However, while thinking about that, Natalia remembered that she still hadn’t heard the answer to her first question, so she repeated the same question again .
“You still haven’t answered my first question, aunt Alexia… what are you two going to do with Albert?” – Asked Natalia, in a weak tone, as she stared at her aunt’s back with unease .
“I… I don’t know . The only thing your uncle said is that he’s going to make his decision public on the day of the party . That’s everything I know… . ”
“N-no way… h-he’s going to disinherit Albert on the day of the party…?”
Alexia then turned around and looked at Natalia, before shaking her head in denial .
“I’m sorry, sweetie… I really don’t know… . ”
“You don’t know!? Then why is he trying to take back the dragon mark he gave to Leonora!? It’s as if he already knows that he’ll no longer be the Crown Prince!”
Natalia respected Alexia a lot, so she never really raised her voice in her presence . However, knowing that her cousin was facing imminent danger led her to the breaking point . Now, she couldn’t care less about all those formalities… she just wanted answers–
“……… . ”
–But Alexia didn’t have them, which only made Natalia scream even more at her aunt .
“He asked me to return the dragon mark if something ever went wrong! So there’s no way you, of all people, don’t know what’s going on, right–!?”
Natalia still remembered what Albert told her when he returned from the castle .
I sorry, Natalia, but I want you to return the gold coin that I gave you . If they learn about this, you’ll be seen as one of my loyal retainers… and I can’t let you fall with me .
At first, Natalia thought he was just joking, but after seeing the golden bracelet on Albert’s wrist, she automatically knew what was going on… her cousin–no, her little brother was being punished for creating that magic crest .
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“–I mean, he’s also trying to retrieve the coin that he gave to Leonora! And everyone knows she’s also a candidate for being the next Empress! So it’s obvious what’s going on! Albert is going to be disinherited on the day of the party! Anyone could’ve figured that out!”
To Natalia, it was more than obvious that the Emperor was going to dispose of Albert on the day of the festival, after all, why else would he invite Leonora, the girl who instigated his son, to a party at the castle, if not to make the little girl watch her beloved prince being exiled?
Furthermore, if Leonora still had the dragon mark on the day of the party, then the Emperor would also be able to punish her for siding with the fallen prince, which is why Albert wanted to retrieve his coin so badly… because he didn’t want his beloved to suffer the same fate as him .
Natalia then unconsciously clutched the chest part of her dress . Until yesterday, there was a copy of Albert’s gold coin hanging around her neck… but now it was gone .
“In the end, I had to return the coin he gave me…! I tried to resist, but father said that was dangerous, so he took the coin away and gave it to Albert–!” – Yelled Natalia, as tears streamed down her face .
The girl that always tried to copy Alexia’s composed tone was nowhere to be seen . She was feeling anger and regret for not being able to help her cousin, but there was nothing she could do, so she chose vent all that anger and regret by yelling out loud .
“–But even though Albert is going to her room every day, Leonora still hasn’t returned the coin! And she doesn’t want to come out of her room either…! Which is why I’m here today–!”
Natalia then kneeled on the hard floor and bowed to Alexia .
“–I don’t want to see the two of them teared apart…! They are suffering…! So please… please don’t disinherit Albert…! He finally found the love of his life…! You can’t do that to him…! You can’t…!”
Natalia knew that she had to regain at least a bit of her composure for her aunt to take her seriously, so she tried to wipe away her tears… but they were endless . And to make things worse, she was also sobbing like a child . However, instead of the harsh criticism that she was waiting for—
“Look here, sweetie—”
—Alexia just kneeled on ground and caressed her cheek with a smile .
“—It’s not lady-like to crumble down crying in places like these, you know?”
“I’m sorry aunt Alexia… that won’t happen again… . ”
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“Good… now, about Albert and Leonora . Hmm, well, I can’t say I understand why my son is so captivated by her… but I also don’t want to tear them apart–”
“Aunt Alexia… . ”
Natalia brightened up when she heard that .
However, Alexia wasn’t over yet .
“–And I’m sure your uncle Balthazar doesn’t want that either . ”
“So uncle also-!”
“Well, I didn’t actually ask him, so I don’t know yet . But I promise you I’ll check that tomorrow . ” – Said Alexia, with a mischievous grin, as she quickly stood up and continued walking .
“W-wait, what!? You didn’t ask him!? T-then what did you mean by that!?” – Yelled Natalia, as she tried to keep her aunt’s pace .
But, contrary to what her age would imply, the Empress was rather quick on her feet, so Natalia wasn’t able to catch up to her until they were in front of the inner palace .
“Well then, this is the end of our conversation, sweetie, good night . ”
“Wait a moment… haa, haa… aunt Alexia…!”
“This is the end of our conversation, Natalia von Klingbeil, good night . ” – Said Alexia, in her usual serious tone .
When she heard that, Natalia knew that their conversation of aunt and niece was really over, so she did a brief curtsy, and said–
“–Yes, Your Majesty, good night…… I can believe what you said about the Crown Prince and Leonora von Harkenberg, right?”
Natalia was expecting to hear at least a confirmation, however, Alexia just turned around and entered the inner palace without saying anything, after all, she didn’t want to show the smile that she had on her face .