As I sat behind my desk, I tapped my index finger rhythmically against its surface. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, connecting one piece of information to the next, attempting to comprehend how the empress could have possibly inhaled the mercury, which the physicians alluded to. Deep in thought, I found my grip on the edge of the desk tightening while I bit my lower lip, a clear indication of the intensity of my concentration and concern.

I should calm down. I can’t lose it again, because at this rate, anyone can be the suspect. Nobody can be trusted in this palace anymore, but I have to collect my thoughts properly to avoid saying something I’ll regret. Mother once said that Thyra is more fitting to be the empress – if she’s here, how will she deal with the situation?

I slammed the wooden desk with my clenched hand, forming a crack on it.

Enough.

This isn’t the time for me to think about her, nor the right time to express anger.

The door opened and Ruford stepped inside, lowering his head for a second.

“Your Highness, all the servants working for the empress are now imprisoned, and the rest of the palace servants are locked in the grand hall as you ordered. The guards are the ones searching all the areas of the southern palace. They’re trying to find the things that can be toxic. Even her food is being examined if someone put mercury in it. Prince Hervouet will come any moment from now,” He reported, his voice hoarse. He wasn’t like this earlier.

"Have yourself diagnosed and take the day off. Something's not right in your voice. I'll handle the rest myself. I'll interrogate the servants, including the crown princess." As much as I wanted to help Ruford myself, I can't focus on different things at once. The empress' health is everything that matters now, and tracking whoever did this crime.

I took my sword and inserted it into the sheath as Ruford leaves the room. Now that I think about it, mercury is something that can’t be easily spotted, and I doubt that they even know what they’re looking for – a liquid metal. That’s a typical form, though it can also be solid. Ruford said that they’re looking for something toxic, but mercury has no scent. Thus, people who are inhaling it won’t be aware of what they’re inhaling.

"Azriel?" Hervouet hurried in, rubbing his tired eyes and covering his yawning mouth with his hand. "What's going on?" he asked, attempting to grasp the situation.

“I locked all the servants in all palaces. Someone poisoned the empress with mercury and she’s in a bad condition now. I’m going to interrogate people until someone admits it.”

"Given you're in a loveless marriage, there's no telling how far a woman may go in her act. With all considered, it could be anyone. Not me, of course, I have no interest in drama," he managed between yawns. Despite the rudeness of his comments, I couldn't dismiss them entirely. His speculations, as wild as they may be, certainly ignited something worth considering. After all, my own coldness could indeed be the trigger for such anger.

But will she really go that far? If what he’s saying is true, then why did she attack the empress instead of me?

“Once I find out who used the mercury, I’ll have that person swallow it themselves and have them executed in public after,” I muttered, and Hervouet’s reaction hardened, finally showing that we’re talking about a serious topic.

“This isn’t so you, Azriel. I know you’re angry, but I didn’t know you’ll do this far. It was like recently; you’re opposed to the empress’ methods of punishments,” He reminded, and indeed – it would be hypocrisy on my part.

I shrugged. "Maybe people change in the last minute once reality strikes hard," I walked past the second prince, who will be the next cause of a problem with his plan of overthrowing me.

It’s a pity … being on top alone also means being pulled down, and I have no one to help me recover. Because even my source of hope has now left.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

It was around midnight when I headed to the palace’s underground prison. The cells were quite small, leading to overcrowded conditions. The palace typically did not detain criminals for long, as the empress preferred swift execution, deeming incarceration too lenient a punishment. The sight of the cramped cells made the air feel tight and stifling, a sensation so oppressive that I was immediately overtaken by the urge to leave.

“Listen up, all of you. If you don’t want to stay here for long, someone should admit what happened. If nobody would admit anything by dawn, each of you have your nails removed one by one. Whoever tells me the truth will be spared from death. But if no one would speak, torture happens,” My words sounded calm, but I can feel like my chest is about to burst.

“We swear, Your Highness! None of us did it! We’ve been faithful to the empress for years now. Please, have mercy on us!” one of the servants, I assume a maid, cried in fear. I pulled my sword out of its sheath and pointed the tip under the maid’s neck.

“Those words aren't adding up. Do you people think that loyalty is here now that Her Majesty is diagnosed to inhale mercury? If none of you did it, then tell me who did! If something worse happens to the empress, I’ll have all of you impaled and burned by tomorrow!” I stormed, and my chest rises and falls as I said the words – for those words are the things I can’t imagine myself applying. For many years, I’ve been against violence. Who would have thought that the empress’ condition will make me change in a day?

“Your Highness! Please, don’t kill us! I know who’s involved!” the prisoners all looked at the stuttering woman, her body shaking in fear. “I’m going to speak. I don’t want to be impaled and burned, nor everyone else here," she fell to her knees, and everyone gave her space. Her colleagues, however, are giving her daggered looks.

“Let that woman out,” I ordered, and the guard unlocked the cell, dragging the woman out. He threw her to the ground to make her kneel. I pointed the tip of my sword at her neck, and she couldn't say a word.

“If you won’t speak, this sword will cut your neck little by little. Now speak!” I shouted, and the servant closed her eyes in fear.

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“It’s H-Her Highness … the crown princess,” my eyes widened as I heard the woman’s confession. “S-She … told me to put liquid mercury in the empress’ bath. The empress isn’t aware that there’s liquid mercury, so she inhaled it while bathing,” I couldn’t believe my ears. How can this be possible?

Gently, I moved the sword away from her neck and returned it to its sheath. "If what you're saying is true," I began, my tone filled with conviction, "then you better provide me with the truth. Accusing anyone within the imperial family is an unpardonable and grave offense." My warning was met with even more tears from her, the weight of the situation pressing heavily upon her.

As I listened to the woman's desperate plea, she abruptly grabbed hold of my wrists while kneeling before me. However, the guards quickly intervened and forcibly pulled her away. Tears streamed down her face as she continued to speak, determined to make me understand. "The crown princess, she's not the real Kathrynne Chavalleve! She's an imposter, a former slave seeking revenge against the empress. The real Lady Kathrynne passed away eight years ago, and her family hid the truth by acquiring someone who resembled her. I beg you, Your Highness, spare my life! I am willing to do anything to serve you!" Her words hung in the air, leaving a profound impact on the unfolding events.

Imposter. Slave. Revenge. Deception. Betrayal.

As all the revelations echoed in my mind, my thoughts became a jumbled mess, leaving me speechless and unable to form any coherent words. Nevertheless, I could sense the sincerity in the woman's plea, her words coming from a place of desperation as she sought to spare her own life. A servant like her would not risk fabricating lies, fully aware of the severe consequences that our empire's punishments entail. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon me, urging me to consider the truth and its potential implications.

With each step I took, the weight on my shoulders grew heavier, as if an iron ball with a chain was shackled to my legs. A suffocating silence filled the air, allowing the unexpressed rage within me to consume my heart. The sounds of the imperial guards echoed in my ears, their orders to drain the empress' bath in search of the liquid mercury that the woman had confessed to. At the same time, they offered their assistance, recognizing that I was lost in a haze of confusion and disbelief.

I can't be here any longer.

Without a second thought, I teleported from the prison and stopped in front of Kathrynne's room, ordering the guards to move away from the door. I burned the door without hesitation and Kathrynne was in front of the floor-length mirror, with her maid combing her hair.

Kathrynne stood up to face me, and just like the guards, I ordered the maid to move away.

"Your Highness? Why did you... burn the door?" Kathrynne exclaimed, a cold sweat forming on her temple. She instinctively took a step back, a sense of panic and unease enveloping her as she realized that something was amiss.

“Tell me … who are you?” I can partly see my hard stare at her reflected in the mirror, and she forced a nervous smile, trying to ease the situation.

“W-What are you talking about, Your Highness? I’m your crown princess, Kathrynne.” I can’t believe that she still has the audacity to hide the truth despite her trembling voice.

Carefully, I removed the gloves from my hands, letting them drop to the floor. As I did so, a glimmer of light caught my attention. The red diamond ring on my finger sparkled for a brief moment, its beauty finally revealed after being concealed for so long beneath the specialized gloves made for someone like me.

There’s only one way to find out the truth in this situation – and the ways of a Ruivenfiere will undeniably be far from kind.

“I’m going to ask you one last time. Who are you?” she stepped back further until she leaned her back on the mirror. “Refusing to answer, I see. How stubborn. If you don’t want to talk, then I’ll make you talk,” I grabbed her wrists and raised them to her shoulder level, and pinned her on the mirror. The mirror shattered, and I felt the warming sensation flowing in my hands.

“Your Highness! Forgive me! Please, let me go!” she begged, and I released her wrists, lacerated and burned by my hands. The servant didn’t lie. This woman is an imposter.

If she’s the real Kathrynne, her skin would not be damaged in any way with my hold. Only a non-red diamond Izavene would get hurt, and someone with a shared power of a red diamond Izavene like Thyra would have unscathed skin.

Now I understand why Thyra said that she doesn’t regret killing the army – because seeing them pay was oddly satisfying, and it is exactly what I’m feeling now that I found out that I’ve been lied to all this time.

"Should I demand you to talk once again? If that didn't sink in, I can have your arm lacerated next. Let's get this over with because I can no longer stand looking at you. Knowing that we're breathing the same air disgusts me enough. This is the last time I'll listen to you, so tell me everything I have to know."

“My real name is … Zera, Your Highness. I was a slave in the region of Erethus. Duke Walchelin who’s acting as my father adopted me, a mere slave, who happens to look almost the same as her daughter, Kathrynne. The duke knows that you're likely to pick Kathrynne as the next empress, so he adopted me to replace his dying daughter. For eight years, I was taught of the etiquettes in high society before making my debut. They made me study the things I should know to be a fitting empress. They told me what Kathrynne was like – her personality, interests, relationships – I became an empty vessel to replace her. The duke is … greedy of power." She let out a breath as she knelt, hiding her face with her hair.

“You said you were a slave. What made you decide to poison the empress? It was an unexpected scheme because instead of putting it in her drink or food, you thought of a different way. It's my first time to hear someone getting poisoned by mercury."

“My family became slaves because of the empress. It wasn’t about hard labor alone. Our bodies were hit, we got locked in a big cage with rats, got dehydrated, and our skin got burned with the tobaccos of noblemen … it depended on their mood. We were treated as objects or toys. When the duke saw me, he bought me with a few coins, and at that moment, the rest of my family was killed in front of me. I had no choice but to follow and endure everything. The duke said that I'll be like them if I won't follow him. For the past eight years, they had my body healed as well so that no scars will be left because that's how Kathrynne looked like. Part of me was grateful for having my body treated, but I was still –”

"Enough," I ordered as I get the picture of where she was coming from. "You had merciless masters, and you're blaming the empress for everything?" I looked up to the ceiling and closed my eyes as I picture things in my head.

“All of those said, even House Chavalleve is involved here, not just you. You'll be accused of treason, while the entire House Chavalleve should be … perjury?” I chuckled sarcastically. “I don’t even know what, and I don’t want to think about it. I just want you all to be tortured in front of me until you die.” I crouched to reach her level, and she gave me a sharp look, yet fear is obvious in them.

“I’ll tell you a tragic story since you shared yours,” she loosened up a bit, but she’s being conscious of me knowing what I can do.

“There was this woman that I can call ‘poisonous flower.’ She’s beautiful, smart … perfect. But there was an oracle that whoever loves her will experience great pain for the rest of their lives. When she’s there, she’ll be the person’s greatest joy. When she's gone, she'll be the cause of the greatest pain. I knew three men who loved her but they lost their sanity, but she’s not the one to blame. Now, I can consider myself the fourth. Each second was priceless when I was with her. I wanted her to become the empress, but she didn’t want to get involved because she believes that I should be loyal to my wife. She wanted me to learn how to love you because according to her, it's the right thing to do. Ever since I met her, I never had a decent sleep. I kept having nightmares. I've been guilty of killing her father, but eventually, I've been guilty because I loved someone forbidden, and I’m aware that I’ll experience more pain when she returns. Should I conclude that at some point, you’re at fault? She wanted us to be happy, then this is how you reacted.” I sniffed as I stood up, holding myself from crying.

“Guards, set all the servants in all palaces free, except for this woman’s handmaiden. Take this woman as well and put her in a separate cell. We’re going to deal with the Chavalleves first thing in the morning.”