Chapter 7.4

A Bolt from the Blue (4)

While I was dumbfounded, at Cermiane’s gesture, we turned back towards Their Majesties and knelt once again.

“O gracious Emperor, the deputy of the all-powerful God, the Great Sun of the Empire, seated in the brilliant Throne of Glory, the One who unites the East, West, North, and South, the Guardian of the Sword and Scale, I, Cermiane, as part of the imperial family, swear to offer my entire being to Your Majesty the Emperor and to the peace and prosperity of the Empire.”

Once Cermiane uttered this all in one breath, he glanced at me. A begging gaze. I still hadn’t come to my sense, so enticed by his gaze, I had opened my mouth to say:

“I, too, swear to offer my entire being to Your Majesty the Emperor and to the peace and prosperity of the Empire.”

His Majesty looked relieved and nodded, before saying:

“Good. Now come stand by my side.”

Cermiane and I stood up and headed toward the back right of His Majesty’s seat, which was apparently where imperial family members were supposed to stand, and stood above everyone who were on the lower level of the chamber. At this moment, Cermiane and I became part of the imperial family, and became people who stood above all of the nobility in the Empire. Apparently. It didn’t really feel like it though. Or rather, my heart hadn’t caught up to reality yet.

An attendant announced how Cermiane would be treated henceforth. He would be granted Earl Something’s territory, receive some titles, something about seating order, but everything went in one ear and out the other since I was completely absent-minded.

The ceremony ended, and we left the presence chamber through the imperial family’s exclusive exit. Of course, this was the first time I used this exit. Once we went through a hallway, we entered an antechamber. Then, His Majesty turned around, and suddenly deeply bowed his head towards us. The monarch, His Majesty the Emperor must not lower his head, ever. The attendants got all flustered, but His Majesty did not raise his head, and squeezed out:

“I deeply apologize…!”

Urk, his voice rang out painfully and was the epitome of heartbreak. I could feel His Majesty’s agony and grief. Her Majesty was also lowering her head. Cermiane was also making an expression where it seemed like he was biting down his grief as well.

“It is not Your Majesty’s fault. Please raise your head.”

“I truly apologize. For things to turn out like this… And, I am truly grateful that you listened to my request.”

“I am truly remorseful for forcing this upon the two of you.”

When His Majesty and Her Majesty were apologizing so earnestly, even I felt sorry. All the displeasure I had been feeling for things being decided for me without my knowledge or consent vanished like mist. But, Cermiane’s anguished expression did not change.

“…Is the condition of His Majesty the Crown Prince that grave?”

Their Majesties’ expression clouded further. Her Majesty especially looked even more sullen compared to when I saw her last year, and she sadly shook her head.

“He…It is better to prepare ourselves for the worst now.”

“I cannot believe it…”

“The doctor, too, said he has at most a couple of months.”

Cermiane buried his face in his hands. If Cermiane was the illegitimate child of His Majesty the Emperor, then that would make the Crown Prince his half-brother. I wonder if they had some interactions with each other.

“I’d like to explain what will happen henceforth. Are you two ready?”

“Your Majesty. Today, we will leave once we visit His Majesty the Crown Prince. I’d like to explain to my wife first.”

Cermiane and Their Majesties looked at me.

“I understand.”

Cermiane and I were guided out and we walked endlessly through the inner palace. We finally reached a small door that was guarded by two knights. When Cermiane showed his black ring, we were allowed to enter. Inside was a room that was reminiscent of His Majesty the Emperor’s private space but was a lot quieter. Or rather, it felt like even the attendants and maids were holding their breath.

A little further in was the bedroom, and there was a grand canopy bed. There were a couple maids and male servants, but when we entered the room, they scurried to the corners of the room. A refreshing scent of incense wafted through the air, with hints of flowers mixed in. Cermiane and I approached the bed, and we came face-to-face with the person who was lying down.

He was a man who had a large build with chestnut-brown hair. He had a nice physique, and he must have had a majestic, fit body when he was healthy. But, at this time, he had clearly become pretty skinny. He was almost all skin and bones. His cheeks and blue eyes were sunken, and his lips were dry and cracked. When the man noticed Cermiane, he broke out in a grin.

“Ah, well if it isn’t dear Cermiane! Thanks for visiting!”

His voice still had strength to it, but if he were in his prime, it must have been more grand and even more powerful. I deduced that he must have been a manly and open-hearted person who was also skilled in martial arts.

“…Your Majesty the Crown Prince.”

“Oh, come on! Since you came here, that must mean you became the successor, correct? Then call me Elder Brother.”

Cermiane looked like he was about to cry. This was the first I’ve seen him like this.

“…Elder Brother…”

“Haha! I finally made you say it! When we were kids, you always called me so. Do you know how sad I was when you called me ‘Your Majesty’?”

“I apologize…”

“Well, do not worry about it now. I am happy I was able to see you before I died. Is she your wife? What a beautiful princess! She is worthy of the title, ‘Crown Princess’.”

Cermiane grasped His Majesty the Crown Prince’s hands and said, almost as if he was telling himself too,

“You mustn’t say such things. Elder Brother is a strong person. You will not lose to some illness. Please keep your heart strong!”

“Haha! It must already be the end if I am getting cheered up by you! No need to mention it; I have no plans of going down without a fight.”

His Majesty the Crown Prince laughed loudly. But, his eyes revealed his hopelessness, which he tried to hide, but couldn’t hide fully. Cermiane probably knew too. He was holding back his tears.

“But, if something does happen to me, you must succeed Father. That is why I trained you.”

“Elder Brother…”

“Although, I did not truly intend to make you bear this responsibility…”

His Majesty the Crown Prince was looking somewhere far away — past Cermiane, a gaze that was looking back at his life up until now. And as if he were passing this all onto Cermiane, he clasped Cermiane’s hands firmly with his own skinny ones and said:

“After my older brother died, I worked hard to become worthy of being Father’s successor. As such, it is a bit disappointing that I cannot become Emperor, but if you are the one succeeding him, I have no complaints. O cute younger brother, don’t you dare give up your throne to someone else! If such a thing happens, I will come back to haunt you.”

His words weighed on us so heavily, that neither Cermiane nor I could respond. No matter how much time had passed from this, I could always vividly remember His Majesty the Crown Prince’s woeful smile.

When we finally reached home from the imperial palace, we crashed onto the sofa. Our carriage on the way back was surrounded by twelve knights, and even now, there were three knights standing guard outside the gates of our mansion. All at once, I felt like my status changed. Well, it did actually change, to be fair…

After I took a nap for about an hour, I stumbled back up on my feet, had Quemella help me out of my outfit, changed back into my commoner clothes, and entered the living room. Cermiane had also changed back into his usual clothes, and was sitting on a chair. We sat across from each other with a table between us, and a silence settled in the room.

“So.”

I was glaring at Cermiane. I finally had enough energy to glare.

“Let’s have you explain yourself, shall we? From the very beginning, to the very end.”

Cermiane massaged the bridge of his nose, and then sincerely looked me in the eyes.

“I understand. I will tell you everything from the very beginning.”

And so Cermiane’s astonishing story started, continuing well into dawn.