Chapter 5.3

After Rosena Baltinart had left, Tiella Agzent, left alone in the garden, set down an empty teacup.

“Did the Grand Duchess return safely, Isabelle?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You worked hard today.”

“Not at all.”

As Isabelle bowed her head, the Empress Dowager chuckled softly and rose from her seat. The Empress Dowager, a head taller than Isabelle, approached her and asked.

“Did you get what you wanted?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“Isabelle.”

Tiella Agzent placed her hand firmly on Isabelle Senicia’s shoulder and said in a gentle voice.

“I find you to be lovely. Do you know why?” 

“No, I’m not sure.”

“It’s because you understand your own circumstances so well.”

It was a kind of warning. A warning to continue knowing her place and behaving accordingly. 

Isabelle swallowed dryly.

“Behave yourself.”

Isabelle, glancing sideways at Tiella Agzent as she passed, bit her lower lip. Born into the Senicia family, she had never been able to choose anything for herself. From the moment she was born, she had to live as her family wished. Isabelle tightly gripped her clasped hands.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Tiella Agzent didn’t respond and began walking back towards the palace. She was right. 

Rosena Baltinart, the current Grand Duchess, was clearly nothing more than a figurehead hastily placed to prevent the Empress Dowager’s influence from reaching the vacant Grand Duchess’s position.

She didn’t even properly understand the family’s affairs, and she reeked of inexperience. That’s why Tiella Agzent didn’t ask.

“I wonder if that child is doing well.” 

The child who looked exactly like the former Grand Duchess Baltinart.

Tiella Agzent was about to move when she felt a presence nearby and turned her head.

“Mother, it’s been a while since I greeted you.” 

“…Caron? How are you here?”

For the first time, a ripple of emotion flickered in the Empress Dowager’s calm eyes. Her wide, astonished eyes couldn’t tear away from Caron. Her slightly parted lips curved into a smile, as though welcoming someone she had dearly missed.

Caron Eustao Agzent. He was the Second Prince of the Agzent Empire.

* * *

Rosena and Cassian arrived at the mansion. Rosena remained silent the entire time as she was being greeted by the servants and entering the mansion.

‘Could the Empress Dowager have been involved in the accidental deaths of the former Grand Duke and Duchess?’

But why would the Empress Dowager, who was close to the former Grand Duchess Baltinart, commit such an act?

If the Empress Dowager was indeed involved, she couldn’t think of any reason why.

“What are you thinking about?”

“The Empress Dowager. What kind of person is she?”

“She is a person with a strong desire for power. It’s difficult to find anyone in the imperial palace who isn’t her henchman.”

Having many subordinates also meant she understood people well and knew how to deal with them.

“What does she plan on using that much power for?”

“There are always plenty of places to use it.”

“Where would she use it?”

When Rosena asked innocently, eyes wide, Cassian chuckled. It was quite amusing that she, who held the second most powerful authority in the empire after the emperor, was asking what it would be used for.

It also showed how naive she was about political power struggles. Imperial family members and high-ranking nobles, even if they do nothing wrong, can face life-threatening danger the moment they lose power. So, even if there’s no specific place to use it, power is something one must hold.

“Rosena, with just a word from you, the Baltinart family will move.” 

“…Huh?”

“If you tell them to save someone, they will, and if you tell them to kill someone, they will follow that too.”

“……”

“That is power, and you, bearing the name of Baltinart, also possess it. That’s why everyone is so desperate to have it, and that’s why it’s frightening.”

Rosena suddenly realized the weight of the name attached to hers. It was terrifying to think that a single word could save or kill someone. The saying that humans fall swiftly when blinded by power came to mind.

“The Empress Dowager is skilled at using that power precisely where it needs to be. Why do you ask?”

“I heard she was close with your mother.” 

“So they say.”

Cassian responded flatly. His mother and the Empress Dowager were close, but had Cassian never met her privately?

‘Now that I think about it, he said the first imperial family member he met was the former emperor.’

People usually behave the same. When a friend has a child, they usually visit, bring gifts, and adore the baby. Moreover, the Empress Dowager also had a second prince, and the two people were not far apart in age. Surely, at the very least, they would have been invited to tea parties together, but Cassian’s answer was somehow strange.

“I lived in the Baltinart territory until I was seven.” 

“Not the capital?”

“My grandfather retired from active duty and went down to the territory, and he said it was lonely, so he asked to send me along to study.”

“Ah. I see.”

If that was the case, it made sense. If he spent his childhood in the west rather than the capital, he would not have had many occasions to meet the Empress Dowager.

Then, that arrogant personality that was widely known at the academy… was it not because he was a young master pampered in the capital, but rather something he learned by observing Dierre Baltinart, the former Grand Duke? 

When she reached that thought, Rosena felt like she would burst out laughing. It was because she could imagine Cassian bickering with the former Grand Duke.

“Why are you laughing?”

“I was just imagining for a moment. Seven-year-old Cassian Baltinart.” 

“……”

“Thinking about how he would have walked around with eyes as fierce as they are now…”

Cassian crossed his arms and tilted his head, challenging her to say more. 

Rosena quietly closed her mouth and quickly scurried into the mansion lobby. 

Cassian let out a hollow laugh as he watched her flee. 

Seven-year-old Rosena Leilia probably wouldn’t have been much different from how she was now. Cassian easily caught up with Rosena, who was running away, and asked

“Then what was little Rosena Leilia doing in a barony at age seven?”

“I…”

Rosena hesitated, then replied as if it were nothing. 

“I played with toys. At home.”

Cassian unconsciously asked, seeing her clouded complexion. Breaking his own promise not to ask anything.

“Then… when did you become unable to lie?”

“…Around that time.”

Rosena Leilia said that she had been alone since around that time.

* * *

It wasn’t that he hadn’t investigated separately. Cassian looked into various ways to find out why she became unable to lie.

“Is this all?”

“I apologize, Your Grace. No matter how much I searched, there was no magic or curse that permanently suppressed abilities.”

For magic or a curse to be sustained, magical power had to be continuously injected. Therefore, the condition of being ‘permanent’ could not be met. Even if it were possible, the life of the caster who performed the spell was finite, so it could not be permanent.

“You may go.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

The shadow instantly disappeared. These ‘shadows’ were specially trained by the Baltinart family and operated in any field commanded by Baltinart. If classified by annex, they belonged to the East Wing, and Helia was part of that group too. 

However, to protect Rosena’s secret, Cassian had to go through several troublesome steps to collect information. No shadow was summoned twice. Each one was given only fragmented clues and ordered to investigate.

Because of this, it took a very long time, and the speed was slow. Also, the quality of information was very low.

“‘It cannot be permanent,’ huh.”

Late at night, Cassian’s red eyes lingered on a single phrase as he read the report. Cannot be permanent. In conclusion, it’s impossible. Yet she had been in that state since she was a child, without anyone regularly supplying magic.

But if it could be permanent, wouldn’t that explain Rosena’s case?

“Ha.”

Cassian let out a hollow laugh at the absurd thought that crossed his mind. If there were beings who lived forever, weren’t there those from myths? 

Recently, the imperial family had been pursuing a certain temple and the goddess it worshipped, ‘Aurelia’.

“I must be tired to be having such useless thoughts.”

Cassian rubbed his eyes and rose from his office chair. And he walked towards the bedroom where she was sleeping.

* * *

The imperial palace was turned upside down when the Second Prince Caron Eustao Agzent, who had been pushed out of the imperial power structure and whose whereabouts were unknown, reappeared.

Ian Setianne Agzent, who had been searching for the second prince, stiffened his expression at the suddenly appearing second prince’s greeting.

“What brings you to the palace? I don’t recall granting permission for your entry.” 

“Is it so strange for a son to visit his mother?”

“For someone who vanished without a word, that’s rich.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty. Were you looking for me?”

Ian’s lips twitched upward. Caron was pretending not to know that the imperial trackers had been on his trail, just as the Empress Dowager would have done.

Unlike Ian, who was skilled in swordsmanship, Caron showed talent in magic. The reason the imperial trackers hadn’t found him until now was probably because he had been wandering around, changing his appearance with magic.

Ian was deep in thought. With growing suspicions that the Empress Dowager might be plotting treason, he wondered whether he should keep Caron Yustao Argent close.

If the Second Prince stayed in the Imperial Palace, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t be able to act recklessly. However, keeping the Second Prince in the Imperial Palace, who might turn a sword on him at any moment, was also unsettling. This was especially true because the Second Prince, who always wore a smile, was inscrutable.

Ian looked at his navy-blue eyes, just like the Empress Dowager’s, and asked. 

“When is the Second Prince planning to return?”

Just as Ian was in danger, Caron would be equally exposed to threats while in the Imperial Palace. So when Ian, naturally thinking he would stay for a while and then disappear again, asked, Caron’s eyes widened in surprise, then he smiled sweetly.

“This is my home, Your Majesty. Where would I return to?”

* * *

“…Hmm. May I see the invitation list for the party to be held this fall?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Every year, the Baltinart family held an annual event where they selected and invited the most talented individuals among those they sponsored.

Since many influential people from various circles gathered there as a place to meet, several prestigious families were on the guest list. Therefore, the scholarship students supported by the Duke Baltinart’s house tried their hardest every year to be selected for this event.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to catch the eye of high-ranking nobles.

“…The number of invited guests this year is almost double last year’s?”

“Yes. Everyone who wants to see you has expressed their intention to attend.”

“I see.”

Without a doubt, the most talked-about famous person in the Agzent Empire was Rosena Baltinart.

Many nobles were curious about the mysterious Grand Duchess of Baltinart, who came from the South.

Especially since she had never shown up at public events, rumors grew even louder.

Since Rosena would naturally appear at this party, everyone expressed their intention to participate, hoping to form a connection with the Grand Duchess.

Of course, not all nobles had good feelings towards Rosena.

There were even rumors that, upon hearing Rosena’s academy nickname, the reason the Grand Duchess never made public appearances was because the Grand Ducal House deliberately restricted her activities.

They said the Grand Ducal House was keeping her tightly hidden, fearing that her standards as Grand Duchess might be too low and tarnish the family’s name.

‘I hope this opportunity will clear the disgrace surrounding my lady’

Ted’s eyes sparkled. He wanted to prepare the party flawlessly to prove that Rosena was not a lacking hostess.

“Hmm. Ted, I think I should visit the annex. I think I’ll know how to decorate this party best if I see it with my own eyes.”

“Then I will accompany you.”

“No, it’s fine. I can go alone.”

Rosena stood up holding the list of supplies. 

“But…”

“It’s not a dangerous place, and Helia is with me, so it’s fine.”

The South Annex.

It was the place the Baltinart family used when holding parties, known for having the best views among the estate’s annex buildings. The building’s exterior was also the most refined and extravagant. 

Although the family didn’t hold parties often, it was maintained daily, so the interior hall was as clean as new.

“…So, they redecorate such a large hall every year.”

She had heard that they set a new theme for the hall’s interior every year, and guests also attended according to the dress code. Rosena fell into thought. There was no need for extravagance, but she planned to allocate a generous budget if necessary, befitting Baltinart’s prestige.

Then, it seemed she should decide on a theme first. She also had to pay attention to the food and drinks, and ensure enough space for people to move comfortably.

“My lady, do you have a theme in mind?”

Helia, who stood beside her, idly gazing at the spacious hall, asked. 

“Yes, for now.”

“What is it?”

“The main characters of the party are the scholarship students, aren’t they? So we should make sure the protagonists stand out.”

Rosena seriously inspected various spots and smiled. It was indeed good that she came. She would convey the detailed plan to Ted.

After leaving the annex, the two were returning to the mansion, passing the artificial pond. As they did, Rosena paused briefly, looking at the North Annex across from them.

“Helia.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Do you know what that tower is for?”

Helia’s eyes flickered meaningfully, then curved beautifully.

“That place is where the prisoners of Baltinart are held.” 

“…Prisoners?”

“Yes, my lady. They say no windows were made there because there’s no need to show them light. Also…”

“Wait, wait, Helia.” 

Prisoners?

No matter how great the power of nobles was in the Agzent Empire, they did not have the authority to judge guilt or innocence.

That was handled by the security forces, and the empire strictly operated judicial institutions. This was also considered one of the former emperor’s greatest achievements. 

While nobles who committed crimes sometimes received a certain degree of impunity, they were still subject to the judgment of the law. This was because the previously existing judicial institutions did not put nobles on trial.

But now, prisoners were being held in that tower. Was it possible for Baltinart?

“Huh, are there people who committed heinous crimes?”

“No, my lady. It’s not that. That tower holds prisoners who have committed unforgivable crimes by the family.”

“…You mean family members are imprisoned there?”

“Yes!”

Rosena’s expression hardened as she looked at the tower. She still clearly remembered seeing Helia heading there.

‘Helia going there means someone is confined in the tower.’

But currently, there were no direct descendants in the Baltinart family except for Cassian and Rosena.

Collateral relatives were not allowed the surname ‘Baltinart,’ nor did they have any direct or indirect authority in family affairs, so it shouldn’t concern them.

Then, who on earth was imprisoned there?

‘It might be the owner of that portrait.’

The portrait room she stumbled into after getting lost in the mansion. And the mysterious veiled frame she found inside. And the owner of the locked room.

She didn’t know the circumstances, but it seemed there was another direct descendant in the Baltinart family.

Back in her room, Rosena continued to think. She couldn’t focus on the interior decoration at all. If it was a direct family member, that would mean at least Cassian’s sibling or uncle.

If she assumed Cassian was not the Grand Duke’s successor from the start…

‘So that’s why Cassian said he met the former emperor first.’

Now all her questions were resolved. From birth, Cassian was not the successor, and since the former Grand Duke, Dierre Baltinart, was close to the former emperor, Cassian’s meeting with the former emperor happened first while he was growing up under the former Grand Duke’s care.

Also, the reason he went down to the Baltinart territory and lived there was because he wasn’t the successor, so there was no reason to insist on living in the capital.

But despite all this, there were still unanswered questions.

‘Why don’t people know that there’s an eldest son?’

If he was the next heir to Baltinart, he would have received everyone’s attention from birth, so it was strange. It was as if all traces had been intentionally erased.

“My lady, I’ve prepared tea.” 

“Oh, thank you.”

Helia poured red tea into the teacup. And she draped the prepared blanket over Rosena’s shoulders. Summer was coming to an end, and a rather chilly wind was blowing on the third-floor terrace. 

While drinking tea, Rosena gazed at the sunset sky.

“Is something happening at the Imperial Palace? Cassian’s been late recently. Do you know anything, Helia?”

“Hmm. As for something happening at the Imperial Palace…”

After learning that Helia belonged to the East Annex, Rosena often asked her if there was anything she didn’t know. The shadows working in the East Wing were known to have excellent intelligence.

“Ah!”

Helia furrowed her brows and rolled her eyes as if recalling something, then exclaimed.

“The Imperial Palace is probably in an uproar right now. Prince Eustao recently returned. The Empress Dowager’s son, that is.”

“Prince Eustao?”

A prince who had been pushed out of the succession usually got expelled from the Imperial Palace. Perhaps the reason he could enter and exit the palace was thanks to Tiella Agzent, who still held immense power.

“Yes. Caron Eustao Agzent.” 

“Hmm?”

Rosena frowned at the familiar name. Imperial family members’ names were not to be spoken lightly, so they were mostly known by their middle names.

It was common for nobles who did not actually meet imperial family members to not know their true names.

“If it’s Caron…”

“I apologize. My name is Caron. And you, my lady?”

That’s how the man she bumped into on her way back from meeting the Empress Dowager had introduced himself. Caron.

Now that she thought about it, the man had silver hair like the current Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s eye color.

“My goodness, how did I not realize before?”

“Is something wrong, my lady?”

“Ah… I just realized I’ve encountered Prince Eustao before.”

Rosna replied reluctantly, sipping her tea. 

It was certainly true that the Imperial Palace would be in an uproar now that Prince Eustao had returned. With the former emperor aged, the Empress Dowager wielded immense power, and even the Empress was said to be under her influence.

If the prince joined them, it was clear that the emperor would feel pressured and be on the defensive.