The Emperor's Death

Aria, on her way to the main palace, realized that her dream wasn't just a dream. She had truly encountered the real Princess, who had warned her about impending chaos. The people who had attempted to kill Aria were still alive, and her feelings toward Izekiel were mixed, unsure if she could trust him. Nonetheless, Aria wanted to save him.

The real princess hadn't explicitly mentioned that Izekiel might be the cause of the upcoming chaos, but she had urged her not to hate him. And if he really had a connection with the upcoming chaos, someone might be manipulating him…but who? Those people who want Aria dead?

As Aria connected the dots, she considered the possibility that the mastermind behind all these events could be her own killer. Izekiel, then, would be the unwitting pawn in a larger scheme. The true identity of the mastermind remained shrouded in mystery, leaving Aria wondering about their motives and the reasons for targeting her.

"Don't trust new faces..." Aria's thoughts lingered on that cryptic warning.

New faces?

Her contemplation was interrupted when she encountered the imperial doctor.

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.

"Uncle is sick?" Aria expressed surprise.

"Yes, Your Highness. His body is growing weaker due to his age, and he experiences fatigue and sleep difficulties. I recommend he take a break from work and rest in the palace," the doctor explained.

"Does Mikhail know about this?" she asked.

"I'm about to inform him now, but he's still in training." the doctor answered.

"I'll tell him." she replied.

"Thank you, Your Highness. By the way, Prince Izekiel is in His Majesty's room, looking after him." the doctor said.

"Really?" Aria was intrigued.

The doctor nodded and took his leave.

She was about to knock on the Emperor's door when Izekiel emerged. He stepped outside and looked at her.

"I heard what happened. How is he?" she inquired.

"He's asleep," Izekiel replied.

"Then I'll return later," she said, ready to leave, but he reached out to stop her.

"Wait..." he said.

Aria paused, looking at him, waiting for what he had to say.

"Can we talk?" he asked.

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.

Izekiel took a quick glance at William, who was waiting at the fountain. "Your knight is diligent, always by your side."

"My life has been in danger many times, he's ensuring my safety," Aria explained as she sipped her tea.

Aria paused and considered his request. "You see, I don't remember my past, so I don't know where we would start. But I'm willing to be your friend. We're cousins, after all."

"C-Cousin? But…" he seemed puzzled.

"Your Highness, I have a question for you." she said.

"Hmm, sure. What is it?" he asked.

"How long have you known Duke Wolfsbane?"

Izekiel thought for a moment. "It hasn't been that long... about two years?"

"Is that so?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Just curious because you seem close to him."

"If only you hadn't lost your memories... we would still be happy together like before."

Aria remained silent.

Izekiel took her hand. "Aria, why don't we do the things we used to do?"

He gazed into her eyes. "Please, let me love you again."

Aria pulled her hand away.

I am not your Princess, she's the one who loved you. Not me!

"We've loved each other in the past, and we promised to get married." he added.

"But we're cousins!" Aria decided to use this as a convenient excuse.

"Who cares? Royal families used to marry their own relatives to preserve the pure blood line."

Gosh, he shared the same perspective as Mikhail. They are truly brothers!

"That's all from the past. It's different now. Besides…" she looked away. "I don't have romantic feelings for you."

"What? No! You're only saying that because you lost your memories. Once you regain them, you'll remember everything about us... that you loved me too." He embraced her tightly. "I love you, Aria. I can't live without you. I'll die if you leave me," he cried.

William observed the situation but refrained from intervening, as Aria had signaled him not to interfere.

"I'm very sorry, but we can't bring back the past. Everything has changed, and besides..." She released herself from his embrace. "I am no longer the Princess you used to know."

Izekiel clung to her. "P-Please... please love me again. I'll do anything... just love me back again... p-please don't do this to me." Tears streamed down Izekiel's face as he continued to plead.

"I-Izekiel…"

"I don't know what I'd do if I lost you... please... I love you so much, Aria," Izekiel confessed, his words filled with genuine emotion and vulnerability.

This is so hard.

Aria couldn't bear to see him cry like this, but she had to be resolute. "I'm sorry."

He held her hand tightly, his desperation palpable. "P-Please..."

She pulled her hand away. "I'm very sorry.." With a heavy heart, Aria turned away from Izekiel and walked toward William,

Izekiel was left behind, heartbroken and in tears.

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Aria and Mikhail later visited their father, the Emperor, who lay in his chamber. His complexion was pale, and he was resting.

"What happened to Father?" Mikhail asked, concerned.

"He's unwell, the doctor said he needs rest," Aria explained.

"But he was perfectly fine the last time I saw him," Mikhail said.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. He'll recover soon," Aria reassured him.

Mikhail let out a sigh.

"I want Xerxes to examine him as well. I have my doubts about the doctor's diagnosis," he stated.

"I'll arrange for Xerxes to visit later," she confirmed.

As they left the Emperor's room and walked through the palace corridor, Mikhail suddenly halted.

"Is something wrong?" Aria asked.

He tenderly touched her face. "You've been spending more time with your husbands lately. You've almost forgotten about me."

"That's not true," she said.

"Then why aren't you spending the night with me?"

"Because it's my duty as their wife to share my nights with them."

"Then let's get married."

Aria had to reiterate the same explanation. "We can't."

"Why not?"

"I've already explained the reason, right?"

Mikhail let out a sigh. "I want to be able to hug and kiss you in front of everyone. It's frustrating!"

She offered a comforting smile and ran her fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry if I can't be with you every night."

He embraced her tightly. "I don't know how long I can keep this up."

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Izekiel, watching from the shadows, clenched his fists. It was clear to him that Aria and Mikhail shared a secret relationship.

The Crown Prince, his brother…he took everything from him.

"I let him become the Crown Prince, I wasn't even interested in fighting for the throne, but he dares to take her away from me... Why? Why does it have to be Aria?" he muttered.

He vowed to himself, "Starting today, I'm taking back what's rightfully mine."

Izekiel then made his way to Duke Wolfsbane's mansion. The Duke was surprised by his unexpected visit.

"What's the reason for your sudden visit, Your Highness?" Duke Wolfsbane inquired.

"I want to become Emperor. I'll do anything to ensure that I become the ruler of this empire, not my brother," Izekiel declared.

The Duke couldn't hide his excitement. "Finally, Your Highness, finally! Don't worry, I'll make sure you become Emperor. Trust me and follow my lead," the Duke assured with a sly smirk.

Hadrian, who had overheard their conversation, recognized the danger of this newfound alliance. This is bad…

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....

Weeks passed, but the Emperor's health deteriorated further. He remained bedridden, refusing food and showing no signs of improvement.

"How is he?" Mikhail asked.

"It's strange," Xerxes remarked as he examined the Emperor.

"What do you mean?" Aria asked, puzzled.

"I don't see any traces of black magic and he hasn't been poisoned. Yet, his condition worsens and his symptoms don't align with typical diseases." Xerxes explained while checking the Emperor's pulse.

"The doctor believes that his age is the primary factor behind his sickness," Izekiel chimed in.

"That's not reason enough for his condition to deteriorate like this," Xerxes countered.

"You're a mage not a doctor, your expertise lies in a different field. Are you suggesting that the imperial doctor is lying?" Izekiel challenged.

Mikhail's stern gaze fell upon Izekiel. "Who gave you the right to speak to the Grand Master like that?"

"Since when did you respect the Grand Master?" Izekiel retorted, his words laden with tension.

The exchange between the two men grew increasingly hostile, leaving the room filled with palpable tension.

Xerxes sighed, then turned to Aria. "I'm sorry, but I can't determine the cause."

"It's alright, we appreciate your efforts," Aria reassured him.

Xerxes decided to leave, so Aria followed him. However, when he reached the door, he detected a peculiar scent, a fragrance that triggered a vague sense of recognition. His attention was drawn to an unusual flower beside the Emperor's bed.

That flower..

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....

"Don't worry, he will recover," Aria tried to console Mikhail, who was visibly distressed.

"What if his condition worsens?" Mikhail expressed his fears, tossing a rock into the nearby lake.

It was a rare sight to see him so concerned. While he had a stern and intimidating look, he genuinely cared for his father.

"Valentine shared the same findings as Xerxes. It's hard to believe that his illness is solely due to his age," Mikhail mused.

Aria shared his concerns. She, too, found the situation suspicious. However, the lack of poison or dark magic left them unable to pinpoint the true cause of the Emperor's sickness.

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....

Meanwhile,

"How's the Emperor?" Duke Wolfsbane asked.

"His condition is deteriorating rapidly, and he won't survive for much longer," Ludwig replied.

The Duke chuckled wickedly. "He will meet his end without ever knowing the truth. Does Izekiel find this peculiar?"

"No, Your Grace. He also believes the explanation that it's simply a result of the Emperor's age and various ailments," Ludwig reported.

"Good, ensure that he doesn't grow suspicious," the Duke instructed.

"Yes, Your Grace. By the way, Izekiel has been inquiring about the throne."

"Tell him that I will meet with the Emperor tomorrow to discuss the matter. If the Emperor is too ill to rule, it's time for him to pass the throne to his heir. He should not be worried. After our meeting, I will announce him as the next Emperor," the Duke elaborated.

"Understood, Your Grace."

"You may leave now," the Duke dismissed him.

With a respectful bow, Ludwig exited the room, leaving the Duke to continue with his nefarious plans.

.

.

....

"I'm still worried about Uncle," Aria confided.

"He will get better soon, Your Highness. So please don't stress yourself too much," Cedrik comforted her, his skilled hands massaging her tense shoulders.

"I hope so. The people are starting to get worried too. If he stays like this, they will force the Emperor to pass the throne to his heir," she fretted.

"If it were Prince Mikhail, I think it'd be fine. He's the Crown Prince, after all, and he can rule the empire properly," Cedrik offered his perspective.

"But people fear him. I'm afraid they will choose Izekiel over Mikhail," she sighed. "I noticed that Izekiel has been going out lately, visiting every village in the empire. People are starting to like him. It's not bad to like him, but if this continues, there will be a possibility that the throne will be passed to him and not to Mikhail."

"If that happens, there will be conflict between siblings," Cedrik pointed out.

"You're right, Ced. That's the chaos I don't want to happen."

"Then do you have a plan, Your Highness?"

"I will talk to Uncle, although he can't speak properly, but I want to make sure that he will not give the throne to Izekiel."

Cedrik observed her and asked, "Your Highness, are you hiding something from us?"

She looked at him. "Why do you ask?"

Cedrik met her gaze with concern. "You're very worried, and you don't want Prince Izekiel to be the next Emperor. It seems like you already know what will happen in the future."

She took a deep breath. "Cedrik, can I trust you?"

"Of course, Your Highness!" he assured her.

She proceeded to share her secret with him, recounting the mysterious encounters she had with the real Princess in her dreams.

"What? You met the real Princess in your dreams?" Cedrik exclaimed, his surprise evident.

"Yes, she didn't explicitly say that Izekiel would be the cause of the chaos, but she indicated a connection. If he becomes the Emperor, something bad will happen. I also found Duke Wolfsbane suspicious. The Princess mentioned someone was controlling Izekiel. The Duke is the only one I suspect, as he's the one who brought Izekiel back to the palace." she explained.

"And when he came, the Emperor got sick. Your Highness, what if they put a curse on the Emperor and forced him to pass the throne to Prince Izekiel?" he said.

"If Duke Wolfsbane truly controls Izekiel, it means he doesn't really care about him. He's just using him, seeking power. I also need to save Izekiel from him."she replied.

"We must tell this to everyone." he suggested.

"But we don't have proof." she said.

"They will be able to help you, just like what they did when they captured Viscount Milano." he said.

Aria nodded. "You're right. Let's tell this to them tomorrow."

.

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....

The next morning, Duke Wolfsbane visited the Emperor, asking Izekiel to wait in his room.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," the Duke greeted the ailing Emperor with a sinister grin.

The Emperor, unable to speak properly, could only stare at him.

"I came here because I have a proposal for you," the Duke announced, moving closer.

.

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....

"If this is true, we must stop the Duke from his sinister plans," Napoleon suggested.

"But we lack the proof necessary to implicate the Duke. He is cunning, and he can easily twist the situation to his advantage if he perceives we have no evidence," cautioned Claudius.

"Then the Crimson Blades will investigate them," Ryu proposed.

"Tss..once I uncover that the Duke and that scoundrel Izekiel are truly behind my father's sickness, I will take their lives with my own hands."Mikhail declared.

"Let's begin our investigation and keep an eye on their every move, including the Prince's butler, whom I also find suspicious," Valentine stated.

"Hachi and I are with you," Gawain affirmed.

Hachi nodded in agreement.

"Count us in too, Your Highness," added Cedrik, while Jenny and William also expressed their commitment.

Mikhail turned his gaze towards Philip, who nodded firmly.

"Don't forget about me! I will apprehend these wrongdoers," Rasheen pledged.

"All right, for the sake of our empire, let's give it our all," Aria declared.

But just as they were assembling their forces, a panicked servant burst in with disturbing news.

"BAD NEWS!!!" the servant gasped.

"What happened?" Mikhail inquired.

"The Emperor...the Emperor is dead!" the servant announced.

"What?!" The room filled with shock and disbelief.

They hurried to the Emperor's room, where they found Duke Wolfsbane comforting Izekiel. The atmosphere was thick with grief.

"What's going on here? Where's Father?!" Mikhail demanded, his voice filled with anguish.

The doctor delivered the heart-wrenching news. "Your Highness, His Majesty has passed away."

Mikhail was left in stunned silence.

Aria's eyes welled with tears. "But he was perfectly fine yesterday. How is this possible?"

"His body gave up. I'm so sorry, Your Highness," the doctor explained, offering condolences.

Mikhail was beside himself, hugging his father. "Why? Why did you have to leave us?"

"My condolences, Your Highness," Duke Wolfsbane offered.

Izekiel was wiping away his own tears.

Mikhail fell into a tense silence, anger seething within him. Aria sensed his fury, she approached him and gently embraced him from behind, attempting to console his turbulent emotions.

"But before the Emperor's passing," Duke Wolfsbane continued, "he entrusted a message."

All eyes turned to him, puzzled and skeptical.

"What do you mean?" Mikhail asked.

Duke Wolfsbane presented the decree to them, explaining, "I was with him earlier when he summoned me to draft this decree."

"A decree? But your Majesty struggled with speech," Aria questioned.

Duke Wolfsbane produced the decree, bearing the Emperor's imperial seal. "Indeed, he made a final request when I visited him earlier. Despite his speech difficulties, this was his last will: to pass the throne to his eldest son, Prince Izekiel Serolf."

"WHAT?" Mikhail's reaction was immediate and fierce. He snatched the decree and read it, "Nonsense! Why would my father choose him? I am the Crown Prince!"

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but it's the late Emperor's final wish," Duke Wolfsbane responded. "By the tradition of this land, the eldest son is the rightful heir to the throne."

"No! He publicly declared that the throne would be mine! This is a forgery! I knew it! You manipulated my father during his illness!" Mikhail vehemently protested.

Aria stood by Mikhail, defending him. "He's right! He told everyone that Mikhail would be the next Emperor if he retired. This is false!"

Izekiel felt a pang of hurt seeing Aria defend Mikhail. "But that's what father said," he said, his voice trembling.

Mikhail's anger reached a boiling point. "You! You planned this, right? You plotted my father's death, used his ailment for your nefarious plan!"

Duke Wolfsbane only sneered at Mikhail's fury, coldly stating, "Don't accused us. This is His Majesty's will, and we have the decree to confirm it."

"Tsk.." Mikhail clenched his fists.

The Duke smirked and said, "After His Majesty's burial, we will announce this to the public and prepare for the coronation." He patted Mikhail's shoulder and left, leaving a storm of emotions in his wake.

Izekiel stared at Mikhail for a few moments before silently exiting the room as well. The sounds of crashing items echoed from the room, reflecting Mikhail's seething anger.

Aria did her best to calm him down, but the storm of emotions within him raged on.

He knew it….

"I will kill them!" he shouted.

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Hadrian received the shocking news from his butler. "T-The Emperor died?"

His thoughts immediately turned to his brother, knowing that this development would bring even more chaos and uncertainty to their lives. "Brother…what have you done?"