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Chapter 43
Half a month later, I boarded a carriage heading to the imperial palace with my father. The Empress was waiting for us.
In the meantime, I had persuaded Callisto and decided to have him enroll in the academy together with Kevin and Anessa. No matter how I thought about it, it seemed safer for him to stay away from the imperial capital for a while.
Since noble children were allowed to bring along one attendant of similar age to the academy, I had been busy finding a servant boy to accompany Callisto. Fortunately, before long, we received news that a twelve-year-old orphan wandering in the territory had been found. The boy was scheduled to arrive at the estate within a few days to learn the necessary duties.
Callisto, who had been depressed after hearing he had to go to the academy, perked up at the thought of having a younger “brother” for the first time. He even started gathering his old clothes, saying he would share them with the boy.
‘It’ll be fine. This will be a good experience for Callisto too.’
While trying to calm my uneasy heart, the Winyates family carriage arrived at the gates of the Empress’s palace. Imperial guards and attendants greeted us as we stepped down. Guided by them, we were led to the Empress’s reception room.
“Welcome, Count Winyates and young master. Please wait a moment. Her Majesty the Empress will be here shortly.”
The Empress’s head lady-in-waiting gave a slight nod. Her tone and the way she looked us over were arrogant, but neither my father nor I had the luxury to care. We were too worried about the Empress’s intentions—and about Callisto, whom we had left behind at the estate.
A chandelier crafted by the Winyates workshop hung from the ceiling. As I stared blankly at its elegant design, the door to the reception room opened.
A beautiful and dazzling woman smiled at us.
It was Empress Jeanne.
“William of Winyates greets Your Majesty the Empress.”
“It’s been a while, Count Winyates. Why have your visits become so infrequent? I’ve missed seeing you.”
“…My deepest apologies, Your Majesty.”
At her subtle reproach for not aligning with her faction, my father’s expression stiffened. The Empress smiled coldly and extended her hand. My father bent one knee and kissed the back of it. Then her gaze shifted to me.
“Etienne of Winyates greets Your Majesty.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Etienne. I’ve heard much about you from Roen. The prince seems quite interested in you. Just as I was told… you are very beautiful. If I hadn’t heard you manifested as an Alpha, I would have assumed you were an Omega.”
Her eyes, the same vivid blue as Roen’s, scanned me. I silently kissed the back of her hand, my throat dry with anxiety.
“Since we’ve met like this, I hope we can see each other often. I hear Harrington and Winyates are maintaining a good relationship. You should come visit often—see Roen as well.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
There was nothing like a “good relationship”—Harrington merely owed Winyates a massive debt. And why would I, known to be an Alpha, need to meet Roen? Though the Empress smiled gracefully, her gaze was cold and serpent-like. It felt as if she suspected my nature.
Soon, attendants brought in a tea set. The tense tea time continued quietly. The Empress showed particular interest in Harrington’s new port project, funded by Winyates, asking several questions. After receiving satisfactory answers, she took a sip of tea and spoke again.
“It’s nice speaking with you, Count. Being confined to the Empress’s palace, I rarely hear news of the outside world. It can feel rather lonely.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“That’s not your fault. I keep myself occupied by sponsoring artists and such. Recently, a new court painter created portraits of the imperial family. They were quite delightful.”
“I see.”
“A painting of His Majesty, myself, and Roen together was especially pleasing. Still, it felt unfair to request only ours, so I had portraits made of the concubines as well…”
At the word “concubines,” a bad feeling flashed through my mind. I swallowed dryly and looked up—only to flinch. The Empress was staring directly at me, her eyes smiling yet cold.
Her beautiful lips moved slowly.
“Among them, the portrait of the late Consort Marie Louise, who passed away long ago, was particularly to my liking. Since you’ve come all this way, I’d like to show it to you both.”
“….”
My hands clenched in my lap. I lowered my gaze, gripping my fists beneath the table. My heart dropped, but I couldn’t show it under her piercing stare.
“Blair, open the curtains and show the Count and young master the consort’s portrait.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The curtains behind her were drawn open, revealing a massive portrait. A woman with long black hair cascading to her chest and golden eyes smiled brilliantly.
She was breathtaking—radiant beyond belief.
It was Marie Louise, Callisto’s mother.
I barely suppressed a gasp.
“When she was alive, we were very close. Sadly, she passed away due to complications during childbirth.”
That was a lie.
She had been assassinated.
Before she could recover from childbirth, assassins sent by the Empress attacked her residence. She died protecting Callisto, while he escaped in a nursemaid’s arms.
“But then, that wretched nursemaid ran off with the newborn prince out of greed. His Majesty, despite his failing health, still searches for the Second Prince. He dearly loved Marie Louise. But whether that child is even alive now…”
The Empress clicked her tongue as if in pity, but her gaze never left me. I forced a smile, my lips trembling.
“That’s why I had her portrait painted. If the Second Prince resembles his mother, it might help find him. Strangely enough, when Roen saw it, he said the face looked familiar. He mentioned a child he met at your estate.”
Now I understood how Roen had suspected Callisto.
I should have kept them from meeting.
The thought that my mistake had put Callisto in danger tightened my chest.
“Your Majesty, that child is my second son. His hair and eye color resemble the consort’s, which must have caused the misunderstanding.”
Thankfully, my father spoke calmly.
Smiling gently, he continued, “I regret to admit that I made a mistake during my late wife’s lifetime. The woman had black hair and amber eyes. The child resembles his mother greatly.”
“I see… And what became of that woman? I’ve never heard you took a second wife.”
“I only learned of the child much later. The woman raised him alone until she contacted me, saying she was to marry, and the other party refused the child. I took responsibility then.”
“Oh? So the mother is still alive?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Though I haven’t seen her since, I send her monthly support. If you wish, I could arrange a meeting.”
“Oh my, there’s no need. Why would I meet a woman from your territory?”
She laughed melodiously, waving her hand.
“I was simply curious—whether you were raising a child of unknown origin out of kindness. Perhaps he could have been the lost Second Prince.”
“I, too, hope His Majesty finds the Second Prince soon.”
My father emphasized “His Majesty.”
The Empress faltered for a moment, then smiled again.
“I see. Then it seems that child is not him.”
“Of course not, Your Majesty.”
Her lips curled into a crooked smile.
“Then that child wouldn’t have the ‘mark of the prince,’ would he, Count?”
The atmosphere in the carriage back to Winyates was heavy.
Father looked troubled, and I stared out the window in silence.
Unable to bear it, I asked, “The Empress won’t discover Callisto’s mark… right?”
Father sighed deeply.
“I already ensured it won’t be visible. Even if she sees him, she won’t recognize it.”
In this world, all imperial bloodlines were born with a “mark of the prince.” For Callisto, it was on his inner waist—only visible under sunlight and hidden beneath clothing. To be safe, Father had disguised it long ago, covering it like a skin-toned tattoo.
To reveal it required a complicated process. The Empress wouldn’t even know where to look.
Yet my unease wouldn’t fade.
“Why do I feel so anxious?”
“I don’t like this either. We should send Callisto to the academy immediately.”
“…Yes.”
As we neared the estate, I gazed at the darkening sky.
Then—
Black smoke filled the horizon.
Flames engulfed the estate.
Father leapt to his feet.
I screamed.
“Callisto!”
The mansion burned fiercely, as if it would be swallowed whole by the raging inferno.
