There could only be one person hiding in the bushes in the royal palace to sneak up on the prince.

Cedar jumped to his feet. “Reeve?”

The rustling immediately stopped. It only took a few seconds until the bushes moved again. Slowly, a man in dark clothes came out and showed Cedar a forced smile. “You really expect danger at all times. I shouldn't have thought about fooling you. Hello. It's been a while, hasn't it?” Reeve hadn't changed much, but he was well aware that his presence wasn't welcomed.

Cedar had no intention of lying either. He didn't want the other man here. “I can and will call the royal guards if you don't give me a good reason not to. What do you want?”

Reeve almost seemed taken aback by the harsh tone “I missed you, and... Well, your mother told me to see you. She...actually has two things she wants.” How modest Camille was. Even now, she asked for something.

Cedar was tempted to sit back down in a way that showed how tired he was, but he didn't dare to lower his guard in front of an assassin. So, he stood at the same spot and stared at the other man with a bright smile. “What is it?”

Reeve's reply came quickly. “She wants you to come back. She misses you and seems like she might collapse soon if you aren't there. It should be obvious, but your absence took a toll on her mental health.”

Cedar let out a snort. “Sure. You mean that no one keeps her from snapping anymore. She was never sane. This has nothing to do with my presence.”

“It does. Your mother is worse than I ever saw her.” Then it seemed like Reeve hadn't seen much of Camille during the past years. “You can't imagine how unstable she is. One minute, she tells everyone to leave, and seconds later, she yells because no one is there to listen to her orders. She pushed three servants during the last month, burned the hand of one and hit five or so. Then she gets really angry and drags people around by their hair until the guards physically stop her. And after, she falls to the floor and sobs while calling for you. She keeps switching from thinking that you are still following the plan to believing that you are leaving her. What about that... is true?”

Cedar was pretty sure that this story was supposed to make him feel pity. He would lie if he said that he didn't hate imagining that. But one thought about how Camille had reacted to him crying forced him to push that away quickly. So, he replied to the question without trying to make it seem gentle. “I told her that I didn't wish to have contact with her anymore. That means that I don't want to see her at all and that I will cut her out of my life. The reasons are obvious.”

Reeve was silent for a bit too long before he began. “Isn't that too harsh? I mean, she is still your mother. You know that she's dependent on you. When your father left her, she was already a picture of misery. Then her first child was taken away from her overnight. And now, you are trying to leave as well. It's obvious that-”

Cedar cut him off and allowed himself to speak in the coldest voice he could muster at the moment. “Save your breath. You don't need to tell me what she wants you to say. You can understand why I made that decision, can't you? I won't change my mind anyway, so you can be direct. What is the second thing she wants?”

Luckily, Reeve gave up on reciting what Camille had told him at that point. He finally seemed like he would be honest. “Alright.” He put one of his hands onto his hip and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “She wants me to give you honey candy, which I have right here so that you...” He reached for his pocket, only to stop when he saw the prince's expression. “I presume you don't want it. Well. She wanted me to offer you that, and she had another plan. She told me to put something into your food.” That wasn't surprising.

Cedar let out a little chuckle. “Poison? Does she want to kill me now? Right after she tells me how much she needs me? That woman has some nerve. She probably knows that none of her assassins will be able to defeat the monster she raised, so she needs dirty tricks like this.”

Reeve was quiet for a moment before he spoke. “No, it's...” He paused again before rustling his hand through his hair. “She doesn't want you dead. She still wants you back. She won't ever try to kill you unless she loses all hope of you returning. But she wants that lady out of the picture. She wants to get rid of her. And she'd rather have you do it for her. She wanted to...” He was silent for a few seconds before resignation overcame his features. “You should recognize it.” He pulled out something from his pocket and showed the prince two little flasks.

Cedar had to stare at them for a moment before he realized what that was. He was rather sure that his mother had used those on enemies or followers that she wanted to get rid of a few times. The first medicine made people extremely emotional to the point that they would easily snap when they got even a little angry. The second one was probably something similar.

Cedar felt the last string of patience snap inside him. “One wasn't enough for her, huh? She wanted me to lose my temper, so that I'd hurt Lucille. Just because she hoped that it would make her run away.” Apparently, everything was fine for Camille if it helped to make Lucille scared after. How disgusting. “And since Mother wasn't sure whether one would be enough, she will even give me two of those things so that I'd get frustrated and angry? Shouldn't she know that I absolutely despise not being able to think clearly?” The dowager empress still hadn't understood why Cedar had been so upset before running away. Even though feeling like being treated like a tool without emotions would obviously anger him.

And now, Camille seemed to want to make it even worse. She actually wanted him to hurt Lucille.

Whether it was one medicine or the other, Cedar would rather hurt himself before he could get anywhere close to Lucille while he was in a cloudy state. But to be honest, he doubted that those drugs would be able to control him as much as they would affect other people. He was used to holding back overwhelming anger and aggression after all. Camille did know that, which made Cedar question. Was this description of the plan accurate?

Reeve looked like even he was ashamed of Camille's plots. He didn't dare to make eye contact for more than a few seconds while speaking. “She told me to make you drink at least one of those while you were alone with the lady and-” As soon as he said that so openly, doubts arose.

Cedar wasn't sure whether that was really true. His mother always had multiple plans. Here the result wouldn't be nearly as effective as she believed it to be. “She didn't. She just told you to tell me about that alleged plan, right?”

Reeve averted his eyes completely.

That was all Cedar needed. He smiled at the other man as his growing anger only forced him to lift the corners of his lips higher.

Reeve truly wasn't better than a dirty traitor. First, he had attacked Lucille indirectly by informing Camille about her and then not even warning Cedar. Now he was still doing exactly what the dowager empress said, just because he was scared. Coward.

Cedar had done the same for years, and now he was finally resisting, even though he had seen much worse than Reeve. It was ridiculous.

Cedar only needed one look to see that the other man felt bad about it too. He was quiet for a moment before speaking up in an authoritarian tone. “Reeve, look at me.”

The other man hesitated for a few seconds before slowly lifting his head.

Cedar didn't greet him with an encouraging smile but with the one he always showed when he threatened people. “My mother knows that I'd recognize it if I drank something that clouded my judgment. As soon as the effect set in, I would be very much aware of who was responsible too. I would immediately send everyone around me away and lock the door. That I overcame my breakdowns should have made it clear that I got used to controlling even the worst fits of anger. She knows that. Right?” He had sounded much harsher than he had originally intended to be. But it did what it was supposed to do.

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Reeve flinched and averted his eyes again. “I don't think she does. She still sees you as a weak dependent boy. She doesn't believe that you would ever survive without her. She always acts like you would break down without her. That's why she thinks that you have to be suffering right now too.”

Cedar forced himself to let out an unamused laugh at that. “As expected. Just because she has hysteria, there is no reason to assume everyone else has it. Tell her to go swallow that medicine herself. I won't trust you all of a sudden because you told me this. That was the goal, wasn't it? You were supposed to make me less cautious and gain my trust in the process. Then you would suddenly bring those drugs back in a few weeks. Mother's plots are obvious. Don't bother. I won't let you into my room, and I won't allow you to come speak to me more often in the future. I will personally throw you into prison if I see you anywhere in the palace from now on. This is the last time I will give you the option to walk away from this unharmed.”

Reeve was silent for a few seconds before he lifted his gaze. He stared at the prince for a bit before replying in a weak voice. “Do you really want to continue like this? It won't be pretty. I don't want you to get hurt.”

Cedar wasn't sure whether that was an honest comment or part of the plan as well. But in the end, he didn't care. He wouldn't be able to talk to Reeve ever again if that man helped Camille. “Reeve, you don't get it either. If anyone will get hurt, it's Mother. I'm happy for the first time in my life. Do you think that her trying to take that away from me will do her any good? I always refused to let go of the things I liked until no one threatened to steal them anymore. And if she managed to hurt Lucille, don't you think I would get revenge? She raised me to be cruel. She should be careful with what she is planning. Tell her that. And I also have something to tell you. Stay away from this. If you attack me or Lucille, I won't care whether I have to slit your throat.”

Reeve seemed to understand that at least. He slowly backed away a bit while nodding. “I will...try not to cross your path. I also don't want the lady to get hurt. She didn't do anything wrong. Just...be careful from now on. Your mother has ways to inform others of her goals without meeting them. Keep that in mind.”

Cedar didn't spare him a response. He only proved that he was serious about this. “I will call the guards if you don't leave now. Hurry up, and don't come back.”

Reeve seemed dejected, but at least he looked like he felt guilty too. He knew that he should have expected that kind of meeting. “I will leave.” He slowly climbed over the railing and took a step into the bushes before he turned around once more. “Please be careful about these drugs. I don't know if she won't find a way to smuggle them into your drink anyway. Don't rely on being sure that you can control it. Make sure that it's safe instead of risking anything.” He disappeared with those words.

Cedar moved at that very same moment. He left the pavilion immediately. He couldn't risk being here with Lucille when Reeve was able to sneak in. He would need to confirm how that man had entered the royal property as soon as possible.

Most likely, the guard had used one of the many secret pathways of the royal family. Theodore had closed off most his family knew about, but of course, he hadn't been able to get rid of all of them. After all, Cedar alone had three ways the emperor wouldn't be able to find in mind. The dowager empress didn't know about those either. So, it was safe to assume that Camille knew about some that her sons didn't know too. That was a huge issue.

Entering the royal estate didn't help much when the guards were ready to catch every person who wasn't able to hide immediately. But if skillful people came in like this, they might be able to avoid those dense knights. Most likely, stealing a guard's uniform and then running around in a group of two while pretending to patrol was enough to deal with most. No one would question you if you acted like you belonged. Camille had sent in someone with poison like that once already.

Maybe Cedar should tell Theodore about that. Yes, that would be for the best. It would be better to be safe than sorry.

Cedar had barely left the pavilion when he already saw the familiar shade of red in the distance. Even though he was still worried, a bit of the panic fell off him. As long as he could see Lucille, no one would be able to attack her.

She was confused as to why he was leaving the pavilion, and for a moment, he was unsure about telling her. After all, she might lose her confidence in the palace's security. But wasn't it better for her to know? Then she could be careful and wouldn't run into any dangerous situations at full speed. In the end, her safety was the most important thing, so he would rather have her be uncertain than too careless.

Cedar immediately addressed the most important part when he reached her. “I just met one of my mother's men. He sneaked in here.”

Lucille took a moment to process what he had said. Then panic came upon her features. “What? Are you hurt?” That was the first thing she asked? Not whether he was still working with them? That was calming. At least she seemed to trust him.

Cedar carefully put a hand on her back to turn her around and led her back to the palace. “No, I'm fine. I will go to Theodore now. But there is something else that I need to tell you. That guard was the one you already met. He isn't to be trusted, and his reason for being here wasn't nice either. He warned me about my mother wanting to drug me. Depending on what she chooses, that could make me aggressive and violent or something similar. That she even thinks about that means that she is convinced that she can sneak drugs into the palace. We need to be much more careful with our food from now on.”

Lucille seemed to pale at that. “Why would she do that?” Seemingly, she wasn't used to so much vile intention. How unknowing she was.

Cedar almost didn't want to say it, but he needed her to be on edge when it came to strange situations. “She wants you to be scared of me. If you hate me, you would refuse to see me, and then I would fall right back into her arms.” To be honest, that plan wasn't bad. Cedar surely would lose most of his strength if Lucille suddenly hated him, because he had hurt her nonetheless. “We need to prevent that. So, I want you to keep in mind that someone may drug me. If I ever act weird, run away and call for help immediately. Of course, I will try to be as careful as I can, but you need to expect that I can't think clearly if she ends up succeeding. I will do my best to avoid consuming anything that strikes me as odd, but you shouldn't eat everything anymore either. I will ask Theodore to have someone taste-test your meals too.”

Lucille just let him push her forward while she struggled to understand what kind of plots his mother came up with. She wasn't used to Camille's way of thinking, so she took a few seconds before she processed the full extent of those words. Then she suddenly stopped and looked up at him. “I wouldn't ever hate you.”

Cedar froze at that too. He met her gaze and had to hold back his confusion. “What?”

Lucille had a strangely serious expression while she replied. “You said that she wants to make me hate you. But that wouldn't happen. How could I be angry at you when the person responsible would be her? If someone drugged you, it's not your fault. After all, you wouldn't be able to think clearly at that moment. So, I would never judge you.” That was what she came up with right after he told her that she might end up getting hurt because of him?

The prince wasn't sure what to think about that.

Cedar was silent for a moment before he lifted his arms. He had barely made the motion, and Lucille already wrapped her arms around him. He quickly realized that he might have lost his smile for a moment, which had caused her to react like this. But that didn't matter much when he received a hug in return.

Those words meant much more to him than they should. He was used to lies and fake affection, so he shouldn't be so dependent on this. He shouldn't become addicted to the wonderful feelings that Lucille gave him. But then again, it was probably too late. Cedar wouldn't fight against it anymore.

He would protect Lucille.

So, while Cedar would have liked to enjoy this embrace for much longer, he had to end it quickly to move forward again. He needed a guard to check whether Reeve had left and how he had entered. And he had to warn Theodore about the poison and some other kinds of drugs. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to let down his guard for the rest of the day. But first, he had to get Lucille back to her room. The third floor was full of knights, so it should be fine as long as she stayed there.

Cedar led her upstairs and was already mentally absent as he prepared to tell Theodore why he hadn't knocked out Reeve immediately. But when he was about to leave again, he stopped and decided to tell Lucille one more thing. “In a few days, we might do something a bit more careless to root out some traitors. I will protect you when that time comes. Are you fine with that?”

Lucille nodded at that without even the slightest trace of hesitation. “I trust you. If you say that this is the best option, we will take it.” She was a bit too trusting. No one in this nation should even remotely believe the second prince to be trustworthy.

But Cedar didn't complain. He leaned forward and pressed a small kiss onto the top of her head. “Thank you. Be careful. I will do my all to protect you, but I can't control what you eat. Don't take anything strange when it's offered to you.” He slowly ran his fingers through her hair once and waited for her to nod before he said farewell and left. He didn't waste any time before going to his brother's office.

He could barely forget Lucille's words and her serious expression while she had said them. But he forced himself to focus on other matters for the time being. He quickly arrived at the office.

Cedar waited for the knights to knock on the door and prepared for a long conversation. He would need to give up on most of his secret passageways now, wouldn't he? That would be unfavorable, but it would have to be done to increase the safety of the palace. He would only keep one way out for emergencies, the one you couldn't use to get in anyway.

Thankfully, the emperor was working for once and could see the visitor after a few seconds. Needless to say, Theodore didn't find this matter very funny either. His expression was more icy than many people would have been comfortable with, and upon hearing about the drugs, his mood was effectively ruined. He voiced some interesting insults and even more interesting comments about what Camille deserved before promising that no one would bring poison inside.

Cedar used that chance to explain the plot about stealing a guard's uniform, which had been used last year already.

That only upset Theodore more, but he was grateful about finding out what had happened then. He was less happy about Cedar admitting that he and his mother knew about some secret passageways the emperor didn't know.

But at least Cedar wasn't being insulted, even if the same couldn't be said about Camille. Still, the conversation was rather stressful. It was finally done now though.

The only secret that Cedar still kept was his personal passageway and the details of him coming here, but those would probably stay a secret until the very end.