"I have been the Guardian of Health since I reawakened. So it is safe to say it has already been an year and seven months since I started using it."
Aefia only knew where they were using her butterflies. She sent them to trace their presence, then sent another one with a message.
The tracing too, was by the help of a few things she had with her from the Empire.
She sent a very short note to Emily, and that didn't explain anything else. So it is understandable that they suddenly grow shocked at whatever she just said.
George in particular would be the most shocked. Because he didn't know with whom he had exposed his devil powers to.
And if it were his sister... Who just said she was a Guardian...
"I know it seems shocking that I told no one," she explained. "But imagine how Lewis would react if he came across the fact that I was of a higher station then him... Would you rather he betray you and show his true face? Or that he is hypocritical in front of his own families while systemically destroying the family on the inside?"
Everyone stayed silent.
"I was aware of something when I first came to the palace," she continued. "Lewis tried to kill me twice—but only after knowing I was granted the position of Crown Princess. But then, after finding prove that I didn't want the throne, he became close with me. It could be easily said that his intentions were directed to the throne since the start. Also..."
She looked at Emily.
"Haven't you ever thought why Lewis hated you ever since his father's side of the family was killed? And he was still not hostile towards your younger brother—who had the same wish as him.
"I also find the fact interesting how he is still a Viscount, and you—as the former Empress now—haven't done anything about it... Even the duchy... He didn't want to take it, and you didn't give up either.
"Fine, I understand the duchy part. You wanted to move your children to there while I—as a commoner—return the throne back. Alright, I have nothing to contradict to that... But during a normal conversation with Lewis, he told me he missed his father and that the late Emperor and he were extremely close. I won't lie. Lewis seems a lot like his father form the rumors I had been hearing. Now that is actually quite intriguing...
"Because firstly, he looks exactly like his father, acted like him, and now... He is the current Emperor. I wonder if he was signing to somethings?
"Yes... He was trying to tell you all that one day, he will take revenge and keep the throne's legacy going. Oh well? That is stated.
"But now, let's come close to the fact that the Viscount... Has been let go of until rogue."
George swiped his gaze to his mother. Seeing how she was hesitating, Aefia added one more thing.
"I am not exposing anyone here. But as a family, let's clear out any doubts. Because if you know me well, I only interrogate about it if it is important and coming to good use in the future."
Emily looked down at her hand. Letting out a hesitant sigh.
"I let my brother go, knowing that he was full well going to aim at my neck again. The rumors I made, had its consequences and advantages... So to keep the family safe, I left him to deal with his own life."
As if Aefia and George were going to judge, she hid her face behind her hands.
But a moment of silence went by and nothing happened.
"Alright then, next question," she said. She leaned her chin on her elbow.
"I was honestly thinking... I was going to use Henry as a bait."
"What?!" George looked up at her face.
"Not in a bad way. I just plan on giving him the throne until I find a better candidate for it."
"Oh."
"Because I need the Empire's military faction under my order. As a Guardian, I am already a place-holder. So don't worry unnecessarily, it will be a very short time. I already have an idea of who I will give it to."
***
The carriage ride to the palace was quieter than Aefia had expected.
She sat with her hands folded over her lap, watching the familiar towers gradually rise beyond the horizon.
The palace hadn't changed.
That was the problem.
The same walls.
The same banners.
The same enormous gates that had once felt like they were swallowing her whole whenever she entered them.
Only she had changed.
Aefia glanced down at the ring on her finger before slipping her hand beneath her sleeve.
She had already received permission to enter.
The letter had been short.
Your Majesty has approved your request for a private audience.
Nothing else.
Apparently, Emperor Lewis was too busy to write anything more. Or perhaps he simply didn't know what to say.
Either way, Aefia wasn't going to complain.
The carriage stopped. Then the doors opened.
And Aefia hesitantly stepped down.
Several knights immediately bowed. Afterall, she was still the former crown princess.
She ignored them and continued toward the palace. Her footsteps echoed through the entrance hall. The servants recognized her.
Some stared. Some whispered. Others immediately looked away.
Aefia didn't acknowledge any of them. She had been here before. But she hadn't come here as a visitor.
She had come here as someone who intended to change the balance of power.
Eventually, the enormous doors to the throne room opened.
Lewis was already seated. He looked exhausted. Not merely tired.
Exhausted.
He was nineteen years and two months old now, yet the crown sitting upon his head seemed to weigh far more than any nineteen-year-old should have had to carry.
Dark circles rested beneath his eyes. His shoulders were slightly slouched. Several documents were scattered beside him. He looked as though he hadn't slept properly in weeks.
Aefia stopped at the base of the dais, bowing.
"Your Majesty."
Lewis lifted his gaze. For several seconds, he simply stared. Then his eyes widened.
Aefia straightened. She could almost hear the whispers behind her. But she had been given permission to meet him, so it didn't matter. Although, mothing had been said about what she intended to say.
So she smiled politely. "There is a matter with the throne that needs its legs fixed."
Several nobles exchanged confused glances. However, Aefia continued.
"And I volunteer for it."
Silence.
Someone behind her almost laughed. Another person coughed to conceal it.
Lewis didn't. He simply stared at her. Then he lifted one hand.
"Open the meeting room."
The guards immediately obeyed. The doors at the side of the throne room opened.
Everyone froze. That was not what they had expected.
Apparently, this was one secret phrase they both used as a way to say they were busy or annoyed and wanted to get out of the public eyes. But they had to be formal, so this was the sentence they started saying.
Lewis looked toward Aefia. "Fifteen minutes."
She nodded. "Understood."
He rose from his throne. "I will see you there."
***
As soon as the clock strike the time, Aefia entered the meeting room.
Lewis was already waiting.
The guards slowly closed the doors behind her. So he was already aware that what she wanted to say, was definitely meant to be kept private.
The moment the latch clicked—
Lewis crossed the room.
Aefia barely had time to react before he wrapped his arms around her. She simply froze as his shoulders shook.
"I am sorry."
Aefia stared over his shoulder.
"I am so sorry," his voice cracked. "I should have killed myself when I thought I was everything without my family. I am sorry for being so greedy... I am sorry I took time to understand what you had been through."
She remained silent.
"I should have protected you," his grip tightened. "I knew things were wrong. I knew something was wrong with your mental health, but I couldn't—"
He broke down. Aefia didn't move an inch. Lewis continued apologizing through his tears.
"For everything. For what happened to you. For what I did. For letting you leave. For not looking after you like a real brother."
Aefia slowly closed her eyes. She had been here before. During the hunting competition...
"Lewis..."
He stopped. "Come back."
She opened her eyes. "What?"
"Come back to the palace," his voice was barely above a whisper. "Bring Mother. Bring George. Bring Henry. We can fix everything. I will shovel the dirt below their feet if they want in return."
Aefia stared at him. For a moment, neither spoke. Then she gently placed a hand against his shoulder. She had to get out of it as soon as possible.
"I came here to discuss something else. I hope you didn't forget."
Lewis went completely still. He slowly released her. His face was still wet with tears. "Yes... What was that about?"
"First," Aefia said, "I want to reconcile."
He stared at her. "Really?"
"Yes."
But in her mind... Something were too hard to forgive.
His expression softened. "Thank you."
"But reconciliation doesn't mean pretending nothing happened."
"I know."
"And it doesn't mean I trust you completely."
He lowered his gaze. "I know."
"Good," Aefia pulled out several sheets of paper from thin air. "Then we can begin properly."
Lewis looked at them. "What are those?"
"Letters."
"For whom?"
"Henry. George. And mother."
His expression changed. "You want me to apologize to them?"
"Individually," she pointed her fingers to the names already written. "And specify about them too—about what you did wrong to them. Though I have a feeling they wll tear it or burn it. But you might as well try."
Lewis stared at the papers. "Why?"
"Because each of them deserves to hear it from you."
He swallowed. After a long silence, he nodded. "I will do it."
Aefia smiled faintly. "Make you do."
She then walked over to the sofa and sat down, while Lewis remained standing.
"There is something else," she begun after a long moment.
He looked up.
"Unless you already knew..." She paused. "...I am the Guardian of Death."
Lewis didn't move.
"And I am also the third Aethalgard."
The room became completely silent.
His eyes widened. Aefia continued calmly.
"That means, that under Guardian authority, my commands concerning matters within my jurisdiction carry weight even above ordinary imperial orders. Whether you want to cross the boundary again... Is your choice."
Lewis stared at her. "So..."
"You understand?"
He slowly bowed his head. "I will cooperate."
Aefia nodded. "Then let's discuss the military part."
His expression immediately became serious.
"I want the strongest military faction placed under Henry's name."
Lewis frowned. "Henry?"
"Yes."
"He is only eleven."
"Exactly," Aefia folded her hands. "He is too young to command it. Therefore, I will act as his guardian and administrator until he comes of age."
Lewis stared at her. "And what exactly does that mean for me?"
"It means you don't touch him."
Lewis's expression hardened slightly. "I would never—"
"I know whether you will or will not. I am your younger sister afterall," she held out a hand to stop him. "You will not punish him without my permission."
He fell silent.
"You will not remove his rights. You will not strip his title. You will not use him as political leverage. You will not threaten him."
Aefia's voice remained remarkably calm. "And you will not pluck even a hair from his head unless I permit it."
Lewis blinked. "Unless?"
"Unless he genuinely does something wrong and there is a legitimate reason for discipline," Aefia leaned back. "Otherwise, no."
Lewis exhaled slowly. "Understood."
"Good," she placed another document on the table. "Now, the throne."
Lewis looked at it.
Aefia tapped the paper.
"You are nineteen."
"I am aware."
"And... you are exhausted."
He didn't answer.
"You have been Emperor for long enough to understand that ruling isn't simply sitting on a throne and signing papers."
"I know."
"Do you though?"
He looked away.
Aefia's expression softened slightly. "I don't think you are incapable, Lewis."
His eyes returned to hers.
"I think you are overwhelmed."
That hit harder than an insult.
He lowered himself into the chair opposite her. "So what are you suggesting?"
"For now?" Aefia paused. "George takes the throne."
Lewis's eyes widened. "George?"
"Temporarily."
"And me?"
"You remain within the imperial family, except if I feel like you are a burden."
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
"No."
Aefia's lips curved slightly. "It's supposed to make the Empire safer."
Lewis stared at her.
"And Mother?"
"She will manage the administrative affairs alongside me."
"You?"
"I have no intention of sitting behind a desk every day."
He almost laughed. "I believe that."
Aefia continued, ignoring the small gesture. "You will still have authority. But you won't make decisions simply because you dislike something."
Lewis sighed. "And if I disagree?"
"Then you can explain your reasoning."
"And if nobody agrees?"
"Then you lose."
Lewis stared at her. Aefia shrugged. "Unless your idea genuinely presents a life-changing opportunity for the Empire."
She leaned forward. "Then everyone will listen."
For several seconds, Lewis said nothing. Then he laughed quietly.
"You have changed."
Aefia's smile disappeared. "So have you."
That silenced him. She stood. "Write the letters."
"I will."
"Prepare the military transfer."
"I will have it done."
"And speak with George."
Lewis nodded.
Aefia walked toward the door. Her hand rested on the handle. "Lewis."
He looked up. She glanced over her shoulder.
"I didn't come here to destroy you."
His expression softened. "I know."
"I came here because the throne is unstable."
She opened the door. "And someone has to hold it together. Because this serial killer going around... Is a literal ripper."
Then she left.
Lewis remained alone in the meeting room.
For the first time since becoming Emperor, he looked at the crown on the table beside him. And wondered whether Aefia had been right all along.
Maybe the throne hadn't needed a stronger Emperor.
Maybe it had needed someone willing to admit when the person sitting on it was no longer capable of carrying it.
And regardless... If his sister landed a position higher then the Empire's throne itself...
There was clearly a sign left open for view, that she had more experience then he ever did. Even when she was one-and-a-half-year younger then him.