On track

She let go of her hand that was covering Lieanne's mouth. Her feet couldn't support her so she fell back straight to the couch with her body still trembling.

"I knew, mother."

Estelle stood up and walk past the dead body of the maid and straight to Neil who handed her a handkerchief to clean the blood-splattered to her hand. While cleaning, she walks around the room and onto the balcony in which she had locked.

"You and your half-brother, the Marquess of Montefort," Estelle spoke while walking around the room and stopped at the front. "Committed great treason and adultery."

"You dare threaten me?!" The Empress screamed but not much in a loud voice. Still, it was a violent reaction. A response of someone guilty. Estelle giggled.

"Oh, I did not threaten you, my dear mother." Estelle handed the blood drenched handkerchief to Lieanne. "I'm simply doing you a favor."

Estelle comfortable sat next to her trembling mother who do not know what to do. She held onto the blooded handkerchief despite the disgust and fear on her look.

Estelle leaned onto Lieanne's ear and whispered. "One who had heard your secret must die. Isn't that what you always have done?"

"Have done?" Lieanne looked horrified.

Estelle smiled thinking about the things Neil reported to her in those piles of paper. Even the darkest secrets would be revealed.

"Do you not feel guilty over erasing my memory." Estelle said, pretending to be Ivory who had suffered that life. Her own mother was so cruel to abandon her after erasing the memories that gave happiness to Ivory.

"Listen, well Mother." Estelle brushed her hand onto the hair of Lieanne. "Give me all your blessing and you'll be able to live peacefully. Unless you want Father's sword cut through your throat."

Lieanne gathered the courage to jump away from the young woman who was no longer had any resemblance to her weak and stupid daughter. It was like seeing a monster that was showing her pointy teeth at her.

"He wouldn't." Lieanne said while her voice was cracking.

"Why can't he?" Estelle stood up so both of them would be on the same grounds. "Your marriage with him is only political. The woman he truly loved died in his hands because she loved someone else. His favor now has gone to me, the one whose beloved by his child."

"Child? What are you talking about?!"

'As expected.' Lieanne didn't know that the woman she had force to die 20 years ago boar a child. That child that was deeply loves by the emperor.

"During this time marriage between sibling is considered legal. Do you really think you're the only one who had such a secret?." Estelle grinned.

"His Majesty, he didn't-"

"You seem angered knowing that your husband for 20 years had a child with his sibling, having the child from where the law isn't legal. Furthermore, he didn't tell you."

"His Majesty had a sibling?"

Estelle stopped taunting and laughed hard. "It seems you never knew father well enough. He had a child with her, and that child will be marrying me."

"That can't be! The previous duchess of Lennox is a commoner!"

"How about Father's blood!" Estelle snapped. Finally using the emotions of mortals. "I knew you finally realize your love for him. You gave birth to me and my brother Anthony, but he didn't acknowledge us. So you resorted to other measures in getting his attention even betraying him at that."

Estelle took out a handkerchief out from her gown pocket. It was an Item she ordered Neil to get after reading the papers of information. It was the handkerchief that Lieanne gave to the Marquess of Montefort, after secretly giving birth to Ruby.

Lieanne fell on the floor and crawled towards Estelle's feet. "Please don't tell His Majesty."

Lieanne who was chosen as the Empress became a disgrace. Estelle smiled and kneel down. Swiftly knocking Lieanne out.

"Don't worry mother. You just have to stay quiet. Your far too weak to be valuable too, so stay a puppet as you are now, mother."

Estelle positioned Lieanne by her lap and checked if Neil was ready. To her delight, Neil has already stab himself in the sight and acted weak on the floor. Estelle grinned before starting the show.

"Someone help! Help!"

_______

Drake was doing his work for the wedding. He wanted to plan the wedding as extravagantly as possible for the woman he loves. Unlike how his Father married her mother. The thought of the horrible past kept Drake anxious.

'I don't want to lose her.'

"Master!" The butler Axel barged in the room without knocking.

"What is it Axel?" Drake stood from his chair as if the reason why he's anxious had came true.

"Something happened to the Princess"

Drake dropped everything and run towards the Duchy's stable. He fiercely road the horse to the castle. Barging in the palace of the Sixth Princess.

"Estelle!"

"Drake!" Estelle looked shock at the Dukes appearance. Moreover to the fact he called her real name. Unfortunately the Mcberg Siblings was present at that time. The room went completely silent.

Drake broke that silent by acting calm and greeting the sibling.

"Lady Carmen and Count Grey."

"We greet the Duke." The two bowed to his presence.

"We all are friends, let us not speak too formally." Estelle said in a gentle voice.

Estelle was laying down on her plain bed without any servants to look after her except Neil who was said to be injured but still didn't forget his duty to serve his master.

"Of course, Princess." The three said.

"I'd like to speak with Her Highness in private." Drake said and looked at the siblings.

Grey looked at Drake and secretly sighed.

"Carmen and Brother Grey, we may associate in some other time. I'd also like to speak with my fiance." Este said.

Grey gripped his jacket at Estelle's words. Carmen saw that and tried to get him away from the weird atmosphere.

"Of course your highness. We'll be taking our leave." Carmen bowed and dragged Grey who was a little stiff in walking.

Estelle and Drake didn't mind that. Neil escorted the two visitors out of the palace, leaving the two alone in the room.

"Estelle-."

"I am not hurt. You do not need to worry." Estelle said coldly.

Drake bit his lips and went to sit down on Estelle's bed. He slowly took her hand and gently placing a kiss.

"I'm thankful you're alright."

Estelle didn't budge. If she was to be married to this man, she have to get used to the physical touch.

Estelle lightly gripped his hand. "Don't you want to know the story? Why I'm like this?"