Crazy Duke and Fallen Queen

Everyone is in a daze. I'm using a dead, crazy woman's words for my gain. Word she told only to me, at that.

Her butler delivered information and proof about poisoning soon after the logs. The Empress Grandmother had been planning to use her own death to make trouble for the Empress. She was lucky she met me, so her plan will be carried out till the end.

I'm not sure Princess Lyland would have been able to reach this point. She doesn't have any link to those trying to destroy her country, so she would have sweated more into retrieving information and evidence.

Among the things the Empress Grandmother left me as a legacy, there were instructions about how to use her death to my advantage, covered by the documents and other trivialities she left to me. I worked hard to decode her messages, but it was worth every gram of effort.

«Just when I could ask a question or two, her majesty died,» I sigh. «And her death was so similar to her son's.»

I wait a couple of seconds to let the court absorb my words.

«Then, I found clues about what happened. Her majesty, the Empress Grandmother, was poisoned!»

«By whom?» the Emperor inquires.

His expression, now, is triumphal. He didn't have proof before about his father's murder. With this, he has enough elements to sentence the Dowager Empress to death. He's looking forward to seeing the evidence.

«I don't know,» I sigh. «A little bird told me to check the imperial jewel box. There's a hidden compartment.»

This last piece of information was a gentle admission of Duke Grahm. He has a spy hidden in the harpy's ranks from before she became the Empress.

He didn't have a reason to use his knowledge before because it wouldn't have been enough for a sentence. Owning poison isn't a crime on its own, and it's not enough to link the Empress to anyone's death.

The Duke didn't have the chance, nor the motive: why make things difficult for a potential ally?

The poison in the jewel box doesn't prove anything alone, that's right. But together with all the rest...

That woman is ready to poison at any moment: she's a threat to his majesty. And his majesty is considering marrying Duke Grahm's granddaughter.

I have to admit I'm surprised I got along like this with the Duke. Even though greedy, he's less dumb than his son and first granddaughter.

«Who told you?» the Emperor asks.

Now, I can't just let the world know that Duke Grahm and I collaborated. It could make some believe we set the Dowager Empress up, and I can't afford any doubts.

«I will tell your majesty in private,» I try.

«No, tell me now.»

«One of the servants working for her majesty is a spy for Asteria,» I sigh. «I didn't want to admit this openly, but I did make use of one of them for Ethiro's well-being. I made them believe they could trust me, that we were on the same side.»

Whatever, it's not like I'll need the Ambassador's help in the future.

«Then, the spy came looking for me without any prompt for my side. They told me the Empress was planning to poison my husband and me. It was too much to forgive, your majesty.»

«You're full of surprises, Archduchess,» he chuckles.

After this candid admission, my career as an advisor is over.

I cooperated with spies and traitors. But I don't care about my job as much as I care for Alexander and Lavinia. I don't need a commitment. I'll spend the rest of my life in Kyre, taking care of my family and helping my husband with his fief.

There's a lot of work there. With the schools and then the barbaric tribes that just settled... I'll be busy for a few years at least.

I don't need money nor reputation. Not more than I've built till now.

«If what you've said is correct, then mother committed treason. She killed an Emperor, which is the worst sin.»

«Yes, your majesty. That's why I had to take action. I couldn't let her majesty, the Dowager Empress, endanger your majesty. If she did it once, there's no guarantee she won't attempt to repeat her deeds. Which, in fact, happened with her majesty, the Empress Grandmother. As a loyal subject, I couldn't allow such a threat. So, I investigated on my own.»

«My trusted people also told me that Archduke Kyre convinced his faction to stop the rebellion and side with me,» he adds. «To me, it's proof enough of his loyalty. I don't need to suspect my subjects at every move.»

«Thank you, your majesty!» I exclaim.

I bow my head as a sign of respect and thanks.

«As for the Empress, tomorrow the sentence will be announced. For the moment, keep her in a guest room. Constantly under watch. The judges of the Royal Court will examine the proof and tell me their results by tomorrow.»

«If I may,» Alexander says.

«Yes?»

«I'd like just to remind the three days that shall pass from the sentence to the execution. We don't want to repeat the mistakes of ten years ago, do we?»

«Yes, of course, cousin.»

The Royal Guards dispatched to collect and examine the clues run away and start working on their tasks. The Empress is surrounded by two soldiers who still wait before touching her.

After all, she's still part of the royal family.

As Alexander and I start thinking of retiring for the night, the noise from the room where Lavinia is sleeping interrupts us.

As if something fall. Or, rather, someone.

I run to check on my baby, but Alexander is faster. He slams the door and disappears under the surprised, nervous glances of the people in the hall.

I don't even notice my teeth biting my lower lip until I taste the blood. I move a couple of steps in the direction where my husband disappeared. My heart aches with worry, and all I want is to see my daughter.