Chapter 56

The Karina was moored near the border of the Empire of Saran.

Inside the Karina, Luka and Cecil were having a conversation.

"Can you remember the location of the reefs?"

"Yes. I learned when to turn the ship's wheel by repeatedly riding that ship since I was a child."

"Can you write it on a nautical chart?"

"I think I can, but I memorized the landmarks by observing the relationship between the distant land of the Empire and the position of Sanlouan. I'm not sure if I can write it down accurately. If you let me ride on the lead ship, I can signal when to change direction. That would be more reliable."

Cecil thought for a moment.

"Are your relatives no longer in Sanlouan? If something goes wrong, they might be executed too."

"I have distant relatives, but when our family went bankrupt, they cut ties with us, saying, 'Consider us strangers.'"

"…I see. Can you tell me why you're willing to help us to this extent?"

Luka hesitated about how much to say and looked at Bertine. Bertine nodded and encouraged Luka to speak.

"My family's trading company was forced into bankruptcy by the queen's scheme. My father fell ill and passed away because of it. For my father and for myself, who can't forget this, I want to participate in the plan to overthrow the royal family."

"I see, you were the one who was supposed to be Bertine's fiancé."

"Yes. Now I'm married to a woman from the Empire and have young children. I've already told my wife about this, and she has agreed."

"We can't do a practice run with you on board. Can you do it on the day of the operation?"

"Yes. I have the confidence to guide everyone to the shores of Sanlouan."

At that moment, Cecil revealed the secret for the first time.

"The emperor and the crown prince of the Empire are also involved in this operation. Therefore, your family's safety is guaranteed."

"I see. That's a relief."

"Also, Bertine's father is participating from the Sanlouan side."

"Lord Marquis…"

"Everything depends on your guidance. Please do your best."

"Leave it to me, sir. However, I would like to practice with the rowers to ensure they can maintain the speed of the ship I know. I want to make it perfect."

"Of course. We'll accommodate your schedule until you're satisfied. We can practice as many times as needed."

Luka shook hands firmly and left the ship.

Bertine, watching his back, felt a turmoil in her heart.

She had imagined that the emperor and the crown prince were involved, but hearing it from Cecil for the first time, she was surprised by the scale of the plan.

(I shouldn't even be wondering if it was right to involve Luka anymore.)

At that moment, Cecil's arm gently rested on her shoulder.

"Don't worry so much. We've done all the preparation we can."

"Yes, I understand, but I can't help but think about everything."

Bertine had been in contact with her father about this matter.

Cecil had been in contact with the emperor.

Claudio had answered the task given by his father and received approval.

All of this was for the purpose of "achieving the change of the royal family without harming the people of Sanlouan."

Claudio was about to turn fifteen.

Now, without going through Luka's hotel, the crown prince and Claudio were exchanging letters directly.

Each letter, sent once a month, mentioned that he had found a purpose in life and that the bullying by the queen's side had stopped.

"When I realized that my mother was no longer being bullied, I thought the feeling of wanting to leave the country might disappear, but it didn't. It seems I wanted more than just to save my mother.

Now, every day is fulfilling. Thinking about becoming a good king, I find purpose in my studies, training, and even daily habits. I've finally found the path to true hope."

The boy who was twelve and a half years old was about to turn fifteen.

(I haven't seen him since then. The prince must have grown a lot. Diana wrote that she wouldn't tell him about this plan until the day before departure, but I wonder how she felt when she heard about it.)

"Sir, is it really necessary for you to be at the forefront?"

"That's exactly what's needed."

"I see…"

Cecil's answer was so resolute that she couldn't say anything more. In the face of his strong belief in "acting for the country," her doubts and anxieties seemed trivial.

In the imperial villa, the second prince, Claudio, woke up before the sunrise that day.

Ten days until his fifteenth birthday. Today was the day of departure.

He got out of bed and told the maids preparing his clothes,

"I'm going out today. Prepare something comfortable to move in. Also, prepare formal attire."

The maids, who knew nothing about the operation, were surprised and asked,

"Is there a ceremony today?"

Claudio smiled and replied,

"Yes. I have important business to attend to."

Before Claudio met Bertine, he had no purpose in life. After meeting her, he wanted to escape from his empty life.

But now, his muscles were well-trained from daily rigorous training, and his experience of studying imperial science had given him confidence. Claudio had developed a regal presence.

He had grown nearly thirty centimeters in two and a half years.

Suppressing his eagerness to depart, he visited his mother's room.

Diana, who had been told the situation the previous night, had not slept at all and was now facing the morning of her son's departure. Seeing Claudio, she dismissed the maids and spoke to her child.

"Claudio. I have only one wish. Please don't take your life lightly. Promise me you will return alive."

She held back her tears, knowing that tears before departure were considered ominous.

She was shocked to realize that her son had kept such an important secret from her for two and a half years, and she was convinced that the emperor had ordered him to keep it quiet.

(Did the emperor think I would tell someone?)

To Diana, Claudio was the only hope in this closed world.

(And now Claudio is going to take over Sanlouan with just a few guards.)

"Mother, it's fine. Many people will support me. Please wait for my safe return. I will definitely bring back good news."

With that, Claudio left his mother's room. He didn't look back at her, who was watching him leave. (It's okay. I will do what needs to be done.)

Soon, the crown prince, Erenfried, appeared in front of the palace. Claudio joined him, and finally, the emperor appeared. Only the guards accompanying them knew the situation, while the other soldiers were murmuring, "What's the plan for today? We haven't been told."

"Father, I'm going now."

"Yes, go. I'm waiting for good news."

The empress, Ekaterina, and the first prince, Felix, were watching the scene. To the empress, Claudio looked larger and more confident than he actually was, which made her uneasy.

When the time came, the carriage carrying Claudio and Erenfried left the castle gates. The number of guards was minimal, and the carriage bore no royal insignia.

After seeing them off, the emperor returned to the palace, and Empress Ekaterina approached him quickly.

"Your Majesty, what is this about?"

"Oh, they're just going out for a bit."

Emperor Christhardt intended to keep the empress in the dark for at least a week to prevent her from interfering. But as soon as he thought that, he realized he no longer trusted her.

(When did I start trusting Ekaterina so little? It was a political marriage, but on the day we married, I vowed to develop this country with this woman.)

Christhardt had deliberately avoided looking into his feelings for Diana. But this morning, he was overwhelmed by guilt and remorse towards his wife.

Ekaterina had no significant flaws, yet he had fallen for Diana. His actions had turned Ekaterina into a wife he couldn't trust. Burdened by this guilt, Emperor Christhardt walked towards his room.

Watching her husband's back as he left without meeting her gaze, Ekaterina bit her lip.

(It's too late to worry about it now. My son Felix will be the next emperor. Everything else is irrelevant.)

Despite this, she felt a sense of emptiness at the thought of growing old without someone to love and cherish her. Her life felt like a barren wasteland swept by cold winds.

In the distant past, when she was chosen to be the empress and the mother of the nation, her family rejoiced, and she was envied by all the unmarried women in society. Her life was supposed to be one of glory, but now she was a jealous woman, even wishing for the death of the young concubine and her son.

This morning, she was not told the purpose of her brother-in-law and Claudio's important business.

"Mother, are you okay?"

Her son, who was now taller than her and had grown into a sixteen-year-old young man resembling her husband in his youth, looked at her with concern.

"I'm fine, Felix. Let's have breakfast."

"Mother."

Seemingly sensing something, Crown Prince Felix gently embraced his mother's thin shoulders.

"I'm here. Please try to stay strong."

"Thank you, Felix."

Crown Prince Felix had grown up seeing his mother's suffering.

His father's face, filled with kindness he had never shown him, as he saw off his younger brother, made Felix despise his father. He didn't dislike his brother Claudio but kept his distance to avoid making his mother feel isolated.

(Someday, when I become emperor, I will never make my wife suffer like my father did. And I will work together with Claudio to build up this country.)

The emperor was unaware that his actions had a strong influence not only on his second son but also on his first son.

As the thoughts of the emperor's family intersected, the situation gradually progressed.