Chapter 6: Aphrodisiac

"Your name is Cecile Franvier Navitan, correct?"

"Yes."

"Born between the king of Navitan and a maidservant of the royal palace. Due to your platinum hair and green eyes, you were recognized as a princess of Navitan but spent your entire life in a royal villa?"

"Yes."

"While you did receive basic education at the royal villa, your only companions were maidservants, and it was your pastime to indulge in reading romance novels with them. Is that correct? Your favorite stories mostly revolved around a beautiful, impoverished woman on the brink of being sold off, only to be rescued by a chivalrous knight, leading to a blossoming relationship."

"...That's correct."

"And most of those novels were of an adult nature. Let me see... 'The Imprisoned Princess Weeps at the Knight's Love'? 'Canary of the Eternal Cage'? 'Secret Love Beneath the Attic'?"

"...I was mistaken. Please cease this embarrassment and end me now."

Faced with the subsequent inquiries, Cecile wished she could leap out of the window from where the corpses were discarded.

* * *

Cecile had been apprehensive about what questions the emperor would pose during the interrogation. Little did she anticipate him mentioning the titles of the novels she adored, inquiring, "Is this the type of literature you enjoy?" To make matters worse, these were all titles so shameful that she had to conceal their covers when reading in public!

With each mention of her cherished titles, Cecile yearned to knock her head against the wall. Alas, swathed in bedsheets, all she could manage was a shudder.

"So this is what they call dying of shame."

She hadn't expected her mind to grow so weary when she wasn't even being subjected to torture.

"Alright, enough of personal details. Now, let's move on to what has piqued my curiosity. Why did you contrive a nonexistent Navitan custom to entice me into carrying you out?" the emperor inquired.

Cecile pondered which excuse to offer in response. However, her lips involuntarily moved against her will. "I wished to bring down the kingdom of Navitan alongside my own fate, as I was being sold off... Uh?"

What? Why is my mouth speaking on its own?

Cecile hastily shut her mouth in astonishment, but it was already too late.

Strange, why is this happening?

Perplexed, Cecile's gaze wandered until it settled on a certain bottle on the table.

No way...

Estian's lips curled into a faint smile as he observed Cecile's gaze fixated on the truth serum. "Yes, there's no need to be surprised. The truth serum you ingested is quite potent. No matter how hard you try to evade or deflect, your words will be nothing but the truth."

Cecile's complexion paled at his words.

Estian scrutinized her expression before speaking again. "Sold off, you say... You must have been greatly displeased with coming to the empire instead of the other princesses. Do you despise this marriage so vehemently?"

"But of course! Who would willingly wed Your Majesty?"

Estian's countenance turned rigid at her response. Witnessing his expression, Cecile was torn between tears and admiration.

I don't know where or how they concocted this truth serum, but it certainly works wonders. Extracting the truth from me...

Estian remained silent for a while. Cecile stole a glance at him and sensed a tinge of astonishment on his impassive face. Of course, she knew it was impossible for the emperor to be shocked by such a revelation.

Nevertheless, Cecile had an inexplicable urge to console him. And the moment this thought crossed her mind, her mouth began moving again, uttering, "I mean... Upon further reflection, not everyone may detest the idea of marrying Your Majesty. There might be individuals who would relish such an opportunity and resent my entrance into the wedding hall due to their envy."

"…Who would desire marriage with me then?"

"Uh... Perhaps someone who wishes to bask in luxuries and pleasures without concern for the future and revel in scandalous activities, considering Your Majesty's unfavorable reputation..”.

At this point, Cecile felt that what she had consumed could only be described as a mystical enchantment instead of a mere truth serum. She longed to strike her mouth that ceaselessly articulated her unfiltered thoughts.

But I'm not mistaken, am I?

Such individuals undoubtedly existed in the world. No, there were likely countless individuals of that sort. The challenge lay in identifying them, for prospective empresses were typically selected from princesses already living lives of comfort. If they were to seek potential empress candidates among those in more dire circumstances, they might stumble upon a goldmine. Who knew if there were numerous princesses like her, born out of wedlock?

Some might consider it preferable—instead of living in perpetual fear of being sold off to unknown destinations and unknown individuals—to boldly approach the most influential power on the continent.

While Cecile contemplated these thoughts, the look in Estian's eyes underwent a transformation. He resumed his questioning. "Do you not harbor such desires?"

"Yes, I longed for a tranquil and protracted life."

"...I see." Estian paused for a moment, taken aback by her immediate response, before asking, "What is your opinion of me?"

"You are the foremost tyrant of our era. You have paved rivers of blood and erected mountains of corpses."

"...No, not quite like that."

"Then, pray tell...?"

"I merely seek your initial impression of me. To clarify, let's say you do not know me as the emperor. How would you view me as a potential spouse?"

Cecile sensed Estian stumble slightly, but her mouth proceeded to answer without affording her a moment's contemplation. "Extraordinary. Your countenance is striking on its own, but your physique is truly mesmerizing. Your complexion is not excessively fair, nor is it marred by toil—it boasts an ideal sun-kissed hue. Furthermore, when I observed you skillfully hurling daggers earlier, I discerned a strength surpassing that of any male protagonist in the books I frequently read. Typically, a pretty face lacks muscular build, while a muscular physique tends to lack charm... But who could have anticipated that you possess both! A splendid visage and an exceptional physique. I award you ten thousand points out of ten. And I shall add another thousand points for your pleasing voice. If only you were not the emperor, I swear I would have ensnared you by my side and provided you with a life of comfort, even if it entailed working twenty-two hours a day. Even now, were it not for the current circumstances, I would have relished the opportunity to lay beside you and indulge in hours of gazing upon your form. Oh, and naturally, with your attire removed."

...Accursed truth serum.

...Damned mouth.

Is there no conceivable means of flinging myself out of the window?

She believed she would find solace floating among the corpses outside.

Estian's lips curled into a smile while Cecile suffered from her own words. "Indeed...?"

"B-but why would you ask something like that...?"

***

The attendants of the imperial palace paced anxiously outside the bridal room. Everyone was aware of the commotion that occurred the previous night. How could they not be? Moans were first heard emanating from the room, followed by screams, and finally the sound of objects being shattered.

"He spared her during the wedding only to claim her in the night!"

Such was the prevailing belief. As soon as the wedding concluded, rumors spread rapidly throughout the imperial palace regarding the demands Princess Cecile, now the empress, had made before the wedding. Everyone assumed that once the emperor had spare time, he would seek to obliterate Navitan. And, naturally, eliminate the empress beforehand.

The following morning, the emperor emerged from the bridal room in an unusually cheerful mood. Witnessing this, the attendants crossed themselves and engaged in a discussion after the emperor had left.

One of them asked, "Who wants to enter and attend to Her Majesty's body?"

Naturally, no one volunteered. Eventually, they decided to determine the unlucky attendant through a game of rock, paper, scissors.

"Shouldn't the loser be the one to enter?"

"You speak as if it's a punishment. It's an honor to have the opportunity to serve Her Majesty, so naturally, the winner should go."

United in their hearts, the attendants pushed the winner into the room. The victorious attendant took a deep breath, pressing a hand against her racing heart.

No matter how many times I witness it, I can't get used to this.

Death was far too common within the imperial palace. There was a time when an attendant unknowingly turned a corner, only to come face-to-face with a decapitated corpse. On another occasion, she discovered a colleague, with whom she had shared pleasant moments just the day before, floating lifelessly face down in a pond.

There was no need to investigate the perpetrator of these killings. When the attendant stumbled upon the decapitated body, the emperor stood at the end of the corridor, wiping blood from his sword. And in the case of the corpse in the pond, a part of the emperor's unmistakable office window was found floating alongside the body. Initially, she was so terrified that she pleaded with the head chamberlain to let her leave the imperial palace immediately.

However, as usual, the head chamberlain responded to her tearful pleas by thrusting her contract in her face and stating, "Work for three more years before you can leave. Otherwise, you'll be hanged."

To put it concisely, these were the terms outlined in a long-winded contract. As the attendant tearfully unpacked her belongings, the head chamberlain assured her that she would be safe as long as she didn't have any foolish ideas.

The attendant knocked on the door, announcing, "Your Majesty, I have come to assist."

"...In clearing away your body," the attendant muttered under her breath, gazing at the unresponsive door.

Well, of course. How could a corpse answer? The attendant inhaled deeply and opened the door.

"Eh?"

Contrary to her expectations, she detected no scent of blood. Instead, the room was permeated with the fragrance of wine, fruit, the rose perfume the empress wore liberally, and an oddly fishy scent...

"Um..."

The attendant sniffed the air, searching for any traces of the empress's body, when she heard a feeble voice emanating from the bed.

"Huwuwup!"

Startled, the attendant turned toward the bed and let out a yelp of surprise. A slender, pale arm emerged from beneath the covers, beckoning the attendant.

"Your Majesty! You... you're alive!" the attendant exclaimed, on the verge of tears with relief at not having to clear away a lifeless body.

Simultaneously, she felt perplexed. Why had the emperor spared the empress? She hurried to the bed and soon discovered the reason. The empress emerged from beneath the covers, and upon catching sight of her face and neck, the attendant blushed.

Swollen lips and red marks adorned the empress's neck, shoulders, and arms. It was evident that the emperor and empress had experienced a passionate night.