I walk out of Lady Airis' room and slowly sigh. What a weird lady. Thank god Felix helped me carry and took her home last night. However, I'm curious. How come she's aware of the truth behind Mother and Zane's murder? Even father, whose position is the emperor, isn't aware of it. I know the truth from Felix, who secretly witnessed that accident. I'm unsure whether to trust her or not, but time will decide that.

And the deal about helping me become the next emperor. I originally thought she was there to confess last night, but I was wrong. When she proclaimed knowing the truth of the murder, I quickly assumed she was a spy sent to threaten me. Turns out, she just wanted to make a deal. A weird deal at that.

Morefore, she's something else. Not your average noble lady. In my entire life, I have never met someone who dares mock an imperial in front of another imperial without any hesitation.

"Your Highness!" Someone shouts from behind, though I don't need to guess who's the owner. It is Julian. "Has my sister woken up?" He asks.

"Yes, but she needs to rest first."

"Thank goodness…" Julian let out a long sigh of relief. He then put his hand on his chest and bows to me. "Thank you so much for saving Airis, Your Highness. We can never fully repay your kindness."

"It's nothing. Anyone who passes by an unconscious person would have done the same."

Julian stands back up, turns from a smiling expression to a deadly serious expression like a summer suddenly changes to cold winter. "The dukedom will thoroughly investigate this matter. All those responsible shall be punished severely."

"Good. The imperial family will also look through the case. We cannot allow the culprit to run loose." I say, despite knowing so well that they will never find the culprit.

"Thank you for your help again, Your Highness."

I nod in acknowledgment. "If you excuse me, I have to get back to the palace."

"Why don't Your Highness stay for lunch? You visited early in the morning to check on my sister."

"I'd appreciate the invitation, but I have to properly decline. There are other businesses I must take care of at the palace."

"I understand, perhaps next time then. Your Highness' carriage should be ready outside."

"Until we meet again."

"With pleasure."

*****

"You heard and saw everything, right?"

"All loud and clear."

"And you didn't kill the maids?" I ask with some doubt. Knowing Felix Ashford, he'll either kill or at the very least, erase their memories. He's my aide and only friend. We had been together since Mother passed away 10 years ago.

"Takes too much energy, so I brainwashed all of them to be your spies in the duke's manor."

"Good. Keep an eye on her and report to me every now and then. She's suspicious."

"Gotcha'."

After Felix has nothing more to report, I resume flipping through the empire's files on my wooden office desk. I let out a heavy sigh as seeing many more piles of files to check. That so-called 'amazing prince' Aiden pushed all his work to me and Adam, saying that it'll give us more experience. As if he's any more experienced than us.

Finishes reviewing the file in hand, I take another. My eyes scowl in suspicion. A brown torn-looking file catches my eye with its big dull black title. "This is…?" I open the file, reading every one of its documents. I can't believe what I just read.

"A massive drought happened in the western region from late December until now. It's already in the middle of January. How come this has never been mentioned in the council meeting?" I ask Felix, waving the file in the air.

"Perhaps due to no representatives from the western region attending the meeting." He answers without averting his eyes from reading a book about the history of magic on the sofa in front of my desk. So much of helping me with my task.

"That may be the case, but many imperial attendees were sent to monitor the area. They also attend the council meeting. Why didn't they report such disaster?"

"That I cannot answer."

I give Felix a look, though he doesn't give a care. I stare at the documents regarding the matter. This is suspicious. The western region is Adam's territory. Adam isn't someone who'll neglect his people. If we were to compare, he loves and cares about his people the most. The drought has left the plants dying and people are suffering a shortage of food and water supplies. I'm sure no additional help was sent.

"Stop reading that book. I have work for you. Find out who and what the imperial attendees had been doing during their stay there, and what Adam has been up to since the drought began."

"Am I your servant or something?" He asks sarcastically, closing the book in his hand.

"No. You're my information source. Report to me as soon as possible."

Felix scowls then left the room. For safety, I place the file in my desk drawer. After this, I should meet Adam and ask if he knows anything regarding the matter.

Time flies while dating with the files without any problem. I just finished reviewing half of the high mountain-like files without any break. I'll resume the other half tomorrow and the day after that.

I check the time on my black leather watch on my left wrist. It is almost 11 p.m. Guess I was too caught up with work to realize it's already late. I stretch my arms to the back like a cat and stare outside the office window behind. The lonely night sky is decorated with millions of bright diamond-like stars. It's a peaceful night.

Before leaving to demand my deserved rest, I tidy up my messy desk where cockroaches can live because of the numerous files and books. As I pick up a financial book on how to avoid loss in business, a photo slips out.

"…?"

I look at the photo. Both pain of missing someone who has long gone and the nostalgia of wanting to experience that memory again spike my heart. A woman with half-straight-and-wavy black hair was holding a crown made of red roses on her head with a huge lovely smile. It's an old photo of Mother during our last picnic at a nearby lake outside the palace. The feeling of secretly plucking roses in Her Majesty's garden and making that crown flower in my room until dawn remained until now.

"…I wonder how you're doing up there, Mother. It's been 10 years now. I still remember how only darkness and despair were in my life when you left me alone in this world." I say, convinced that Mother is hearing me.

"But I've managed to survive. Do you know, Mother? Her Majesty took me in and I met Felix. You don't know how hard I trained to improve my swordsmanship. Now, I've become Ardiane's best swordsmanship figure. It's a shame you couldn't see how amazing I've become."

Without realizing it, a tear falls from my eyes.

"Ah. I guessed I miss you more than I thought." I wipe my tear with my finger, saving back the photo in the book.