The Blood We Shed

The Nyxian Evanonmater works. If the Empress Dowager and Pavel believe in it, I have to get it back. But before that, I still have some questions.

I looked at Pavel, who was drinking some tea, before speaking. "Father, do you know what happened to Elise?"

Pavel looks tense, but he still manages to keep his calm demeanour. "Elise, Elise, I'm afraid I have heard the news. I thought you would be more devastated to know about her death. But you seem awfully calm—a little too calm." Pavel now looks really suspicious.

"I am devastated. Some people have different ways to cope with situations. I'm merely just processing what happened to Elise. Especially the way she died."

Pavel doesn't seem convinced, but thankfully, he left the topic.

Pavel sighs before rubbing his forehead and looking up at me. "Liselotte, I'm only going to say this once, so listen up. The Empress now suddenly has an interest in you, and so does the Crown Prince. I want you to stay away from both of them."

I can understand the Empress, but the Crown Prince?

"Wait, why must I stay away from the Crown Prince?" 

Pavel replies, "The Crown Prince is the Empress's son. I'm sure you've realized by now that the Empress's intentions are never truly good or justified. And the Crown Prince is his mother. I'm almost fully convinced that they're both on the same side."

I shake my head and reply, "There is also a possibility he isn't."

Pavel looks at me intensely before saying, "Oh? Aren't you also the same girl who chased after his love? Don't you think that it's the slightest bit suspicious that only now he is returning your love when the Empress took an interest in you? No, I bet you didn't. You don't think Liselotte."

I can't deny it; he has a point. I had thought of that possibility before, but there is also a possibility he isn't. But, in the end, I don't entirely trust Kaiserin because he is the Empress's son.

"Father, but if you think about it, they're both from the Imperial Family! I can't just avoid them because I feel like it!"

"Then leave that to me."

I was confused. How was Pavel going to make me avoid the Empress and Kaiserin? He's just a Count.

Pavel resumes the conversation by saying, "From today onwards, I want you to cease all communications with the Royal Family. I will speak on your behalf if you ever get a letter from the Empress or the Crown Prince."

Pavel stood up and left me to wonder in my thoughts.

When I stood up trying to follow Pavel, I accidentally cut myself with the butter knife. 

"Ah, shit."

I grabbed my handkerchief to wipe it off, but I heard a voice right behind me.