Ch.642Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

“…The Kiyen Imperial House has announced that Crown Prince Valery will deliver the Emperor’s parliamentary address at the Imperial Diet.”

“…This is the first time a member of the Imperial Family has addressed Parliament since ’78. It’s been a year since the end of the Empire-Demon Realm conflict. The Crown Prince will convene a special session to address the aftermath of the conflict, reaffirming his commitment to review new national governance directions and policy tasks with Prime Minister Stolypin and the members of parliament. When reporters asked about Emperor Nicholas VI’s absence, he left the press conference without providing any specific answer.”

“…It has been belatedly confirmed that Princess Margarita, who couldn’t appear in public due to ‘health deterioration from influenza,’ was nearly assassinated by armed assailants when visiting Leyevsky Hall. The Kiyen Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that ‘the Princess is currently unable to move due to serious injuries,’ but the Imperial House remained tight-lipped, saying it was ‘information that cannot be confirmed’—”

“…Amid reports of movements within the imperial high ranks attempting to assassinate members of the royal family, an anonymous Abbas intelligence official—”

The wind was calm and the sky was overcast.

A day with thick gray clouds.

The news, which usually reported the weather first, was today focused on delivering world events.

As the announcers’ voices hummed from the radio, I approached the window, following the outline revealed by the dim, shabby light.

With her hand on the glass pane, Camilla stood silently for a while.

When the sound of raindrops hitting the flower bed began to dampen the world, she slowly opened her firmly closed eyes.

“…I’m ready.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She withdrew her gaze from the gloomy world by pushing the window with her palm, and then adjusted her coat and began to walk.

“Let’s go, Frederick.”

Out into the cold wind.

Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

At last, the sun rose over the square where countless people had gathered.

The ceremonial vehicles carrying the Crown Prince and Princesses left the Imperial Palace for the Imperial Diet, and the press and parliament prepared to welcome the Crown Prince, who would stand at the podium for the first time in Kiyen history.

In the Kiyen Empire, where state-controlled reporting was the norm, broadcasting political matters live was unimaginable.

The emperors of the Empire had always considered pre-recorded broadcasts a virtue, as they could easily hide mistakes and mishaps. This practice had become established during the reign of Nicholas VI, who wielded the press as a weapon.

But today was different.

Crown Prince Valery broke with long-standing tradition by allowing his parliamentary address to be broadcast live.

The attention of imperial broadcasters and foreign press immediately focused on the Crown Prince. The emergence of the “Crown Prince who had been hidden in the Emperor’s shadow” quickly sparked interest in “the future Emperor who would lead the Empire.”

As the world’s attention concentrated on one place…

A reporter covering the scene began to relay the “historic moment” with an undisguised excited voice.

“The imperial ceremonial vehicle procession is just entering the main gate of the Imperial Diet. In the center of the screen, the figure inside the black ceremonial vehicle is Crown Prince Valery.”

The camera slowly follows the vehicle, capturing the crowd gathered in the square and the steps in front of the Diet building.

The high marble steps covered with carpets looked like a red carpet prepared for a star.

“This is the first time a member of the imperial family has addressed parliament since the Ashtistan Kingdom Revolution of ’78, and it’s the first time in imperial history that someone with the title of Crown Prince will stand at the podium. This is truly an unprecedented moment.”

When the Crown Prince’s vehicle stopped, an attendant opened the door. It was the moment when Crown Prince Valery slowly revealed himself.

He climbed the steps and waved to the crowd gathered in the square of the Imperial Diet. Flashes erupted everywhere, and fanfare sounded to the conductor’s direction.

Soon, imperial representatives approached and kissed the back of his hand in greeting. The Crown Prince responded with a brief nod.

Just then, two women climbing the steps were caught by the broadcast camera.

A princess with flowing blonde hair gently holding the hem of her dress as she walked, and a princess with mysterious silver hair—resembling someone—neatly twisted up. The reporter standing outside the frame with a microphone explained:

“The two figures now climbing the steps are Princess Elizaveta and Princess Anastasia.”

“As interest grows in how Crown Prince Valery will address the aftermath of the Empire-Demon Realm conflict in this speech, and with Emperor Nicholas VI’s health issues becoming accepted as fact, the whole world is watching how the Crown Prince and Princesses will lead the Empire, which is like a candle in the wind.”

“This has been Sophia reporting from the main building of the Imperial Diet in Petrograd.”

“……”

I turned my gaze away from the hospital room TV after staring at the screen.

Then I approached Camilla, who was sitting in the visitor’s chair watching the same broadcast.

“Hmm….”

She let out a small sigh after flipping through a newspaper. Her gaze seemed somewhat dubious.

“Whether in newspapers or broadcasts, there’s hardly anything about Margarita. It seems too unnatural that even foreign media are quiet, which goes beyond the Foreign Ministry’s request to refrain from reporting.”

“She’s moved away from public interest. Both as a public figure and as a successor.”

After the assassination attempt, Princess Margarita, who had briefly attracted attention, was now in a position where she didn’t even receive focus from foreign media.

All spotlights were directed at other royal family members, with Crown Prince Valery establishing his position and Princess Elizaveta, who had quietly expanded her influence below the surface, at the center.

“Anastasia receives relatively less attention, but both imperial media and foreign press cover her much more than before. It seems all the attention Margarita used to receive has been absorbed by her.”

Camilla’s face was quite calm and composed as she analyzed the situation of the royal family using the media as indicators. This despite the fact that the person in question was lying right beside her, still unconscious.

I guess she’s become a proper intelligence officer now.

After briefly glancing at Margarita, who was surviving on a medical respirator, I completely withdrew my attention from her.

After all, an actor who has left the stage can no longer be called an actor. Now, the only people who cared about Margarita were Alexandra Petrova, Zeinab Eskander, and the grandfather she had trusted and relied on.

That meant neither I nor Camilla were concerned about her anymore.

Our interest had long since shifted to other actors.

We remained here solely out of concern and loyalty toward the Grand Duke.

“Where did your teacher go? I see she’s listed as absent from all official schedules again today.”

“She went to meet the hospital director after receiving an internal call earlier. The High Priest went with her.”

“…I see?”

Camilla answered in a monotone voice after folding the newspaper. I nodded quietly after taking a sip of canned coffee.

I should make a quick phone call too. If the timing is right, I might be able to see the Grand Duke’s face before leaving.

I picked up the phone and gave Camilla a light greeting.

“I’ll be right back. Keep an eye on things here, Camilla.”

“Don’t worry. And….”

Camilla fidgeted with her fingers without finishing her sentence, then moved her lips hesitantly.

In a barely audible, half-shrinking voice, she said:

“…Take care of yourself. I’m worried.”

There was no need to respond.

I silently patted her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile.

*

Click. The hospital room door closed gently, and Frederick’s footsteps faded down the corridor.

Left alone in the room, Camilla let out a small, silent sigh.

“Haah….”

She wanted to hold him back, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it anymore.

The situation had long since snowballed beyond control, and all that remained was to trust her colleague and wait for his return.

Camilla rested her chin on her knees, which she had pulled up, and spent some time calming herself by looking out the window.

But the cloudy, gloomy sky seemed to reflect her inner feelings and refused to clear, maintaining only an unsettled atmosphere like having a stone lodged in her throat.

“……”

How much time had passed?

Just as boredom was beginning to creep in, Camilla rose from her chair at the sound of someone approaching the hospital room.

“Are you here?”

“…Oh, it’s you, Professor.”

She plopped back down in her chair after confirming it was the Grand Duke.

Alexandra Petrova tilted her head, wondering why her student had sat back down after starting to get up.

But given the situation, she decided not to think too deeply about it and simply sat down beside her student.

“Thank you for coming to see Margarita so often. Both you and your colleague.”

“Pfft…. You know perfectly well why we’re here.”

The implication was clear: how could they possibly leave when the Grand Duke was staying by the Princess’s side 24 hours a day?

Alexandra Petrova responded with a bitter smile tinged with apology.

“…Are you alright, Professor? You look very tired.”

“My student has grown up enough to worry about her teacher. But you needn’t worry. This teacher is sturdier than she looks.”

“You haven’t slept for days. And when was the last time you had a proper meal?”

“……”

“I completely understand your concern for family, but shouldn’t you start taking care of yourself? The High Priest, the medical staff, me, Frederick… we’re all extremely worried.”

Her tone was casual and her intonation no different than usual, but the student’s expression as she looked at her teacher was quite serious. It was a gaze mixed with undisguisable concern and worry.

Finding it both admirable and having nothing else to say…

“I’m fine. Really fine.”

Alexandra Petrova gently stroked her head and merely drew a faint smile.

“Everything will be alright, so don’t worry too much, child.”

*

-‘Is it really alright?’

“Everything is proceeding according to plan. Don’t worry.”

-‘For something supposedly going according to plan, Your Highness hasn’t shared any details of what that plan actually is.’

“Does that mean you don’t trust me?”

-‘Perish the thought.’

However.

The other party cut off his words with a resolute tone, and a cold voice flowed from across the phone.

-‘Your bold action in eliminating a competitor without any consultation was a decision that our cabinet and parliament could only express strong regret about.’

Frederick unleashed criticism with quite strong words. How could she attempt to assassinate Margarita without any consultation after proposing cooperation?

He added that the Prime Minister and parliament were quite displeased as well.

To this, Princess Elizaveta, holding the secure phone to her ear, smiled as if amused.

“It’s true that I requested help from the Abbas government, but that was an internal matter of the Smirnov family unrelated to our current cooperation. I hope you understand that I don’t wish for us to upset each other over trivial matters that have already passed when we’re discussing the future of our countries.”

Elizaveta drew a clean line while running her thumb over her fingernail. Don’t nitpick over past events.

Of course, she didn’t forget to warn him not to raise the issue further, stating that ordering Margarita’s assassination was an internal imperial matter completely separate from her cooperative relationship with the Abbas government.

Faced with the Princess’s clear boundary-setting, Frederick didn’t say anything more.

He only left a warning not to jeopardize things with rash actions and to make decisions carefully.

-‘Our cabinet and parliament are fully prepared to understand and respect Your Highness’s political judgment. We simply hope such issues won’t arise again in the future.’

“I will consider your position as well.”

-‘So, what are your plans going forward?’

It was a question about her plan to usurp the throne. More precisely, it meant how she intended to push the Crown Prince out of the succession.

Princess Elizaveta’s eyes curved gently as she looked at her nails. With her arms slightly crossed and her head tilted, she let out a coquettish laugh and began to explain her blueprint without reservation.

“Today. The moment Valery’s speech ends, reporters waiting in the hall will begin to expose his shameful secrets.”

The plan was simple.

First, Crown Prince Valery is scheduled to hold a Q&A session with reporters immediately after his parliamentary address. They will ask whether he has specific plans to address the aftermath of the conflict, what his position is on major policy tasks and domestic and foreign affairs, and so on.

Questions about the “hero” and his companions, who have recently become the talk of the town, were also expected.

During this process, the Crown Prince will try to solidify his position as the next Emperor by explaining his direction for governing the nation.

Now that Nicholas VI’s shadow, which had constrained him throughout his life, had disappeared, this was a golden opportunity for the Crown Prince to spread his wings and soar.

And for Elizaveta, this was the optimal timing to break the Crown Prince’s wings in one fell swoop.

-‘What are the specific questions?’

“They will sharply probe into how he seized military authority while the previous Emperor was ill during the war, and why the Crown Prince concealed this fact from parliament and the public.”

Today, with all media attention focused on him and his responses being broadcast live:

Reporters will expose the fact that Crown Prince Valery seized military authority and deceived everyone by concealing the critically ill Emperor’s condition.

Media outlets under Elizaveta’s influence will unanimously denounce him as a usurper, traitor, and unfilial son.

At the same time, members of parliament will also pour out criticism against the Crown Prince.

Elizaveta tilted her head back slightly and laughed in a coquettish voice.

“In normal circumstances, voices of criticism or protest against the Imperial House would never emerge, but Valery is merely a Crown Prince, not an Emperor. A Crown Prince who can be replaced at any time.”

-‘A matador directed not at the Imperial House directly but limited to the Crown Prince personally. If he bears all the responsibility, the risk of damage to imperial authority would certainly be minimized.’

“A son who envied his helpless, elderly father and usurped his power. A once-promising Crown Prince who became so blinded by lust for power that he even tried to take his half-sister’s life. If this becomes known, who would support him?”

-‘……’

Elizaveta didn’t stop there—she intended to pin all crimes on Valery. In other words, she would identify the Crown Prince as the “real mastermind” behind the attempt to eliminate Margarita.

The Crown Prince has lived in the Emperor’s shadow for decades.

Everyone in the world knows this fact.

Even to the public, it was a long period of humiliation, and this extended time was more than enough to portray Valery as a person who developed an obsession and dogmatism for power.

If it’s revealed that he secretly seized military authority, no one would find it strange for him to be branded as “an unfilial son who coveted the Emperor’s power so much that he tried to take the life of a Princess backed by the West.”

After the sound of papers being shuffled, Frederick’s voice, tinged with doubt, came through the phone.

-‘Even if the security police have taken your side, it will be difficult to charge Crown Prince Valery with conspiracy to murder. Even the joint investigation team led by the Imperial Guard Office didn’t treat the charges against Miss Angelica as more than rumors, did they?’

“That’s true. But what if there’s testimony from someone who directly received his instructions? For instance…”

Someone like the Eastern Governor whose family’s fate has been held hostage.

Elizaveta’s voice, full of amusement, concluded her statement.

Frederick, who had been sighing and holding back his words, asked another brief question.

-‘…Is that possible?’

A question about whether she could really blackmail Governor Zubov, a seasoned politician and loyal servant of the Imperial House. To this, the Princess responded confidently.

“I know that your intelligence department has long been interested in and observing imperial affairs. However, the Imperial House has existed for a much longer time and holds mountains of secrets that you don’t know about.”

-‘…Well, if you’re that confident, I have nothing more to say.’

“Back to the main point. Once the Crown Prince’s shameful secrets are revealed through the Q&A, members of parliament concerned about the Empire’s safety will immediately demand an explanation.”

Why did he try to seize military authority when facing the crisis of the demon invasion?

Why did he hide the Emperor’s condition from everyone?

Why did he privately form a guard unit with troops loyal to him without the consent of the cabinet and parliament? And so on.

There were already sufficient grounds to demand explanations.

“At the end of the year before last, a special operations unit under Valery’s command relocated to the imperial capital. Without orders from the Defense Ministry, permission from the Prime Minister’s office, or consent from the Imperial Parliament.”

-‘The 33rd Independent Light Infantry Regiment?’

“Yes.”

Even for a Crown Prince, secretly moving military units is illegal. Especially in a situation where the Emperor had fallen critically ill internally, and the conflict with the Demon Realm continued externally.

If the scene of imperial representatives’ fierce opposition, reporters’ sharp questions, and the weak Crown Prince fleeing in embarrassment is broadcast live, what would happen?

He would be seen as a heartless, unfilial son who neglected his sick father and tried to take his half-sister’s life in his lust for power, and as a shameful Crown Prince without a shred of responsibility.

That moment would be when Elizaveta breaks his wings and soars as a person truly suitable to be Emperor.

“……”

Red pupils gleamed with luster between shadowed eyelids.

Whether it was burning desire for the throne or derision toward her weak half-brother unfit for the Emperor’s seat, even Elizaveta might not know its true nature.

And,

After a long silence, Frederick finally spoke. It was his final question.

-‘You plan to corner the Crown Prince using your minions, pin political responsibility on him to bring him down, then rally forces opposed to him and be elevated as the next Emperor. It sounds like a good plan, but.’

“……”

-‘Is this the collective will of the imperial citizens? Or is it Princess Elizaveta’s individual opinion?’

It was a question asking if she was confident she could really win the support of Kiyen citizens.

It was also asking if she was confident she could bring down the Crown Prince without being counterattacked for even a moment.

To this, Elizaveta answered:

“Since when has the Empire moved according to the collective will of the people?”

-‘…I understand what you mean.’

The call ended there.

Elizaveta handed the phone to her attendant and proceeded to the speech hall, maintaining her smile.

As she walked down the corridor for quite some time, her gaze became entangled with Anastasia’s, who was lingering near the entrance.

Anastasia’s look toward her was not pleasant. It was a sharp reaction, a hostile gaze as if looking at a family’s enemy.

Elizaveta quietly approached her and greeted her. With a sad and pitiful smile, as if looking at a childish youngest sister.

“Why do you look like you’re about to cry on such a nice day?”

“……”

“Smile, Stasia.”

*

The time had come.

Every member of parliament was present without exception in the Imperial Diet, which had over 500 seats. Broadcast cameras captured the solemn scene, and the hall fell into silence with the chairman’s declaration.

When the golden door opened, the Crown Prince appeared. Amid pouring gazes and applause, he walked toward the podium with an expressionless face.

Reaching the podium, Crown Prince Valery paused briefly and slowly looked around at the audience. The applause subsided, and the air sank heavily again.

It began with the chairmen. The chairmen of the upper and lower houses of the Kiyen Empire took turns ascending the podium to pay tribute to Nicholas VI, the Imperial House, and the Empire. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince sat in his seat, quietly listening to the voices of the two chairmen while staring straight ahead.

Finally, the chairmen’s speeches ended.

The turn passed to Valery.

He rose from his seat and slowly approached the podium.

Standing before the microphone and looking at the audience once more, Valery took a breath and opened his mouth in a clear voice.

“Respected members of parliament, and citizens of the Empire. Today I stand here as the representative of His Majesty Nicholas VI, and as an equal citizen who shares concerns about the future of our Empire.”

His deep, solid voice resonated through the microphone. The air in the Diet building was so quiet it seemed to swallow even the sound of breathing.

“I sincerely pray for the prosperity and peace of the Empire. However, despite the end of the conflict with the Demon Realm, our Empire remains as precarious as a candle in the wind.”

His words were broadcast live to countless living room TVs.

News desk announcers watched the broadcast screen with tightly closed lips.

“We now stand at a critical crossroads where we cannot help but worry about the future of the Empire.”

At that moment, the two Princesses sitting in the gallery were captured on screen.

Princess Elizaveta, who had been watching the speech with a calm face, suddenly smiled deeply. It was just a fleeting moment of a few seconds, but the camera didn’t miss it.

Only Princess Anastasia beside her maintained an expressionless face throughout, staring straight ahead.

In the smoking area on the first floor of the hospital, Frederick briefly checked the Princesses captured on camera and then lowered his gaze to the notebook he had open.

The densely written handwriting decorated the pages with everything from consular access rights to countless laws of the Kiyen Empire.

Ash fell from the cigarette clenched between his lips, dirtying the floor, but his eyes refused to leave the notebook.

“Today, in this meaningful place, I…”

In the military intelligence headquarters conference room, tension was evident on the faces of the executives watching the live broadcast.

While everyone was immersed in silence watching the screen, only Brigadier General Klevins rose from his seat to pace in front of the TV.

With an obviously anxious face, he placed his hand on the back of a chair and quietly sent a glance to Leonie.

A look that asked if this was really okay.

“I wish to inform you all of a critical fact.”

Frederick carefully put the notebook in his inside pocket and walked out of the hospital.

The moment he stopped at the roadside, his eyes met Camilla’s, who was leaning against a window on an upper floor. He silently smiled and waved his hand. Slowly, as if to reassure her.

“For our Empire, the Imperial House, and the citizens…”

That’s when it happened.

A black sedan quietly stopped in front of the hospital entrance.

Men in neat suits got out of the car and immediately approached Frederick. By the time Frederick had thrown his cigarette to the ground and slowly crushed it with his shoe…

The first man to approach took out an identification card from his pocket and held it out to him.

An Imperial Guard Office ID card with the clear emblem of a double-headed eagle with spread wings.

“…I wish to expose that there is a traitor threatening the life and safety within the Imperial House.”