43 - South
For several long moments after Zafiel stood, silence filled the imperial chamber.
The candle flames flickered softly against the marble walls. Outside the tall windows, the night city of Luxor glowed beneath the moonlight. Empress Lilith Sumire von Clematis slowly folded Darelene’s letter and placed it carefully on the table.
Then she looked at her son again. Her expression changed. The earlier exhaustion in her eyes vanished. In its place appeared something far more familiar to the imperial court—
Cold calculation.
“Well then,” Lilith said calmly. “If you insist on causing chaos in the northern territories…” She rested her chin lightly on her fingers. “… then perhaps it is best if you spend some time away from the north.”
Zafiel remained silent.
Belial, however, immediately looked interested. “Oh?”
Lilith turned a page on the stack of documents beside her. “There have been reports.” Her tone became businesslike. “A developing coup in the far south of Clematis.” She slid a parchment across the table.
“The governors of three southern provinces have been acting… suspiciously.” Zafiel glanced briefly at the document.
Lilith continued. “Military supply routes disrupted. Secret meetings between nobles. Large movements of mercenaries.” Her amethyst eyes sharpened.
“Someone is preparing something.”
Belial whistled softly. “That sounds messy.”
Lilith nodded once. “It is.” Then she looked directly at her son. “So.” Her voice was calm. “That will be your punishment.”
Zafiel did not react.
Lilith leaned back slightly. “You will travel to the southern provinces. You will investigate the suspected coup. You will dismantle it if necessary.” Her lips curved faintly. “And you will do so personally.” A brief pause. Then she added clearly, “Alone.”
Zafiel’s gaze lifted slightly. Lilith met his eyes evenly.
“Yes.”
Her voice held quiet authority. “No escorts. No imperial guard. No aides. And certainly no Leonhard.”
That last name hung in the air. Because everyone in the Empire knew that Sir Leonhard, the Crown Prince’s personal knight, rarely left Zafiel’s side.
Belial chuckled. “Oh, that’s cruel.”
Lilith ignored him. She looked steadily at her son. “You will depart tomorrow. The southern frontier is the farthest possible distance from Forebros.”
Her lips curved slightly. Not enough to be called a smile. But enough to show she was fully aware of what she was doing.
Let Mariana have some peace for a while, she thought. That poor child deserves it.
Zafiel studied her silently for a moment. He clearly understood the meaning behind the order.
Yet, he simply nodded. “As you command, Mother.”
Lilith blinked once. Truthfully, she had expected at least a small argument. But her son merely turned and began walking toward the doors. His footsteps echoed softly across the polished floor.
Belial watched him go with amusement. “Not even a complaint.”
Zafiel paused briefly at the doorway. Then he continued walking. Moments later, the massive doors closed behind him. And the Crown Prince of the Empire left the chamber.
Lilith exhaled slowly. “Finally.” She leaned back in her chair.
Belial stretched lazily in his seat. “Well done.”
Lilith turned her head sharply. “Well done?”
Belial smiled. “Yes.”
He rested his chin against his hand. “That was an excellent move.”
Lilith narrowed her eyes. “I was punishing him.”
Belial shrugged. “And solving a coup at the same time.” He grinned. “Efficient.”
Lilith stared at him for a moment. Then her expression darkened. “You are the reason he behaves like this.”
Belial blinked. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” Lilith stood and walked toward the window. Her long black hair swayed behind her like dark silk. “He inherited your personality.”
Belial looked delighted. “That’s wonderful.”
Lilith turned around immediately. “It is not wonderful.” Her voice sharpened. “You are cunning. You are possessive. And you manipulate situations for your own amusement.”
Belial tilted his head slightly. “That sounds like a compliment.”
Lilith pressed her fingers against her temple. “And now our son behaves the same way.”
Belial chuckled. “Well…” He crossed one leg over the other. “Zafiel is simply more efficient about it.”
Lilith stared at him in disbelief. “Did you hear anything I said?”
“Yes.” Belial smiled lazily. “And I enjoyed all of it.”
Lilith sighed heavily. “I asked you to help discipline him.”
Belial shrugged. “Why?”
Lilith blinked. “Why?”
“Yes.” He gestured toward the door Zafiel had exited through. “He’s doing quite well.”
Lilith’s eyebrow twitched. “He just publicly declared an engagement without permission.”
Belial smiled wider. “That shows initiative.”
“He nearly started a religious conflict.”
“That shows courage.”
“He threatened the Temple.”
“That shows leadership.”
Lilith stared at her husband in absolute disbelief. “… you are impossible.”
Belial laughed. Lilith turned away again and looked out the window toward the sleeping capital.
For a moment, the Empress of the Empire looked very tired. “… at least he still listens to me.”
Belial nodded. “That’s true.” His tone softened slightly. “He always has.”
Lilith crossed her arms. “Which is the only reason this situation has not escalated further.”
Belial leaned back comfortably. “You’re worried about the girl.”
Lilith didn’t answer immediately. Then she sighed. “… yes.” Her voice softened slightly. “Mariana Cherustine la Vernon.” She thought briefly of Darelene. Her old friend. “Darelene’s daughter.” Lilith closed her eyes for a moment. “I hope she survives this.”
Belial chuckled again.
Lilith shot him a look. “That was not a joke.”
Belial raised his hands slightly. “I know.” Then he smiled. “But if Zafiel has decided something…” He leaned forward slightly. “… not even the gods could change his mind.”
Lilith frowned slightly. That thought was not comforting. At all.
Meanwhile—
Far from the imperial palace, in the northern territories. The Grand Princess of Forebros slept peacefully in her room. Completely unaware that the Crown Prince who had turned her life upside down had just been sent to the farthest corner of the Empire.