IJRM 03

Chapter: 03

 Despair (1)

Sesecenia’s expression gradually changed. There was neither sorrow nor hatred left. Even the faintest expectation or feeling toward her family had become meaningless to her.

“No. I… I didn’t discriminate…”

She gave no response. Too exhausted to the point of wanting to let go of everything, Sesecenia ignored her father calling out to her and left the place.

It seemed as though the matter was coming to a close like that. Elzer, for having an affair with her younger sister’s husband—the Emperor—was imprisoned in the northern lands where only winter existed.

In the meantime, the rumors were cleverly twisted. They claimed that Elzer Vestel, the Empress’s older sister, had seduced the Emperor. That the Emperor had done nothing wrong.

Sesecenia did not speak of it anymore. It was obvious who had spread the rumor, but she showed no reaction.

Rather, it seemed as if her world was changing. The Emperor, afraid that he might suffer consequences, afraid that his reputation would hit rock bottom the moment he divorced Sesecenia, afraid that she might publicly expose everything and shake his position, became extremely anxious.

Was it because he knew that the Empress—who had done nothing even when he cheated before—might now cause a scene? He watched over Sesecenia very carefully.

Sesecenia also took no particular action, knowing it was all because he feared losing the immense wealth of her family. The shock had not faded even after several months. In a world where she had no one on her side, she lived day by day like that.

But nine months later,

Sesecenia was forced to hear devastating news.

No—along with that devastating news, her sister returned. With a very small baby in her arms.

“…Ha…”

Where had it all gone wrong? What should she have done?

The problem wasn’t her sister returning with a child. The Emperor, who introduced Elzer and Elzer’s child to Sesecenia, suddenly changed.

The Emperor—her husband—sentenced her to death.

“Empress Sesecenia is to be executed for attempting to kill the Emperor’s child.”

It didn’t feel real. She couldn’t understand why she had to die. Nor why her husband was ordering her execution. Sesecenia shook her head in disbelief.

“I’ve never done such a thing. How could I try to kill the Emperor’s child?”

After nine months, the situation felt like déjà vu.

The Emperor stood beside Elzer, looking at the child with a happy expression. Yet at the same time, he couldn’t contain his anger at Sesecenia’s denial and burst out.

It was as if the past was repeating itself. The man who once watched her carefully and tried his best for her was already gone.

“That’s a lie! You knew she was pregnant and still didn’t provide any support!”

“That’s…”

Sesecenia shook her head.

No. Everything was wrong. Ian had taken full responsibility for Elzer. Although Elzer was the sister who had an affair with her husband—someone she wanted to twist the neck of—she still showed mercy because she was family.

Since Elzer was alive, she made sure food was sent, provided necessary items, and even told them to inform her if anything happened.

And yet… she hadn’t supported her? That she had done nothing?

As Sesecenia shook her head in disbelief, the Emperor spoke again.

“Not only that, but there is testimony that you ignored her letter about giving birth alone, forced her to give birth alone, and even attempted to kill the child.”

“Who would testify to that? Ah… my sister? Did she say that? That I did all those things? Of course she would say that. I was the one who sent her there. I’m the one who sent her to that place!”

Sesecenia looked at her sister. At Elzer, who was holding the baby with the happiest expression in the world.

But something about the situation felt strange. Elzer lifted her chin slightly and let out a faint smirk.

Though it felt off, Sesecenia had to defend herself.

“Ian will prove… that I did nothing.”

“Prince Ian?”

“Yes. Everything being said about me right now is just lies my sister made up to corner me.”

It made no sense. The Emperor was pressing her based solely on Elzer’s words.

Well… she’s someone who bore his child… There’s no way he’d take my side. He’s been walking on eggshells around me lately… He probably wants to get rid of me. But I… I never did such a thing. Ian will prove it.

“How amusing. You don’t think I’m doing this based only on Elzer’s testimony, do you, Sesecenia?”

“…There’s someone else?”

“Yes. There was testimony from Prince Ian. Quite vicious, I hear.”

“…What? Ian said that?”

“Yes. He testified to all your wicked deeds. Including that you tried to kill the child.”

At that moment, as if announcing that it was time for him to appear, Ian entered.

Ignoring—or pretending to ignore—Sesecenia, who stood bound like a criminal, he gently patted Elzer’s shoulder.

Sesecenia’s eyes trembled at the unexpected sight.

“Why… Ian, why are you there… with my sister… why…?”

But Ian said nothing. He only sneered.

“I clearly told you. I… I hated my sister…!”

“You hated her more than anyone.”

“…What?”

“Even when your father, the Marquis, begged you to forgive Elzer, you drove her away with harsh words.”

“No. That’s not true…!”

She had no strength. No attachment to life. She would never have said such things to her father. But Ian twisted and exaggerated her words, cornering her further.

“What do you think, Ian—my brother? The Empress claims you will clear her name.”

“Does Her Majesty the Empress really have anything to be wronged about? She used me, her friend, to do things she didn’t want to do herself.”

He felt like a completely different person. She had thought he was her only remaining friend in the world. That he would stand by her no matter what.

She had been wrong about everything.

“This makes no sense… It’s unfair. It’s unjust. I didn’t like my sister, but… I still told him to support her. I never received any letters either.”

All Sesecenia could do was plead her innocence to the Emperor.

“What is so unfair, Empress? Then provide proof yourself. According to your words, there should be records of the supplies or letters exchanged.”

Speaking coldly, the Emperor gave her what seemed like mercy—telling her to bring evidence.

But Sesecenia felt everything go dark.

There was none. Nothing existed.

Because she trusted Ian as a friend, there had been no need for such things. She had only conveyed everything verbally.

“…Ah…”

Only then did she realize.

How easy it was for people to corner someone.

“Ha… ha…”

“You must have something, Empress?”

She could do nothing. Say nothing. After being hurt by people, she had still trusted them again—she was a fool.

“Ahaha!”

In her sorrow, in her disbelief, Sesecenia suddenly burst into laughter.

“It seems the Empress has gone mad.”

“If it was going to end like this, I don’t know why I struggled so hard. Take me away. That’s what you want anyway.”

“It sounds as if you’re accusing me of orchestrating this.”

While most people would have only protested their innocence as they were dragged away, Sesecenia mocked all three of them.

“You tried so hard to frame me. You’re no different.”

“Empress!”

“Otherwise, you wouldn’t know so much. Take me away. I don’t want to stay here anyway.”

Perhaps not wanting to appear like a villain, the Emperor hesitated before nodding.

And just like that, Sesecenia was dragged away.

Foolishly, she had never doubted them. Not Ian. Not Elzer. Not even the Emperor.

In the end, Sesecenia was imprisoned.

An Emperor’s affair was not tolerated, which was why no one objected to sending Elzer north. But it was different if she carried the Emperor’s child.

And since the one carrying his child was her sister, and because Sesecenia had sent her away—and with Prince Ian’s testimony—there was no escape for her.

She was left waiting for death.

**

“Not bad, living in a prison, is it?”

The first person to visit Sesecenia in prison was Ian.

“Ian…”

“You still make that stupid expression so well. It’s really not an appealing look.”

“What are you trying to say, Ian?”

“I should be the one asking. Isn’t it strange that you’re not curious about anything?”

“What should I ask? Do you want me to ask how your perfect betrayal came together? Should I praise you for it? Clap for you? ‘Our Ian is so impressive,’ like that?”

That was when Ian’s expression hardened.

“This is why I hated you.”

“If you hated me, why did you stay by my side?”

Silence fell for a moment.

While being here—and after realizing that Ian, the only friend she trusted, had betrayed her—Sesecenia thought about many things.

At one point, she even wondered if something was wrong.

Maybe Ian had cornered her sister further to help her.

But that was impossible. The confident look on Ian’s face made it clear that was not his intention.

Instead, he clicked his tongue at her.

“I love your sister.”

“You love my sister? That’s funny. A convenient excuse. You never liked her. You never once showed any feelings.”

“You really are stupid. You think you’re smart, but you’re unbelievably foolish. If you just rush in like some dog in heat, do you think the other person would like you?”

“…So that was the answer.”