The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 378: Amelia

Chapter 378: Amelia

Imperial Sword Castle

There are many spires in this castle that appear like a sword from the outside.

There are some spires that no one knows how to reach.

The reason behind that was the countless secret passages constructed during many renovations the castle received.

During the rebellion in the capital, several were used and sealed off.

However, there was a passage that went unnoticed.

The reason being that its existence was only known to the Emperor himself.

A spire that can never be reached by a normal route.

The secret passage that leads to it can be entered only from Emperor Johanness private quarter near the throne room.

Its the first time Ive brought another person here.

Sometimes I thought that Your Majesty disappeared off somewhere but I never thought that there would be a secret room in a place like this.

As Johannes walks down the secret passage, Mitsubas figure can be seen walking behind him.

Johannes intentionally summoned and brought her here.

We are here.

Said Johannes as he stopped his feet.

It looked like a dead-end no matter how one looks at it.

However, the moment Johannes placed his hand on the wall, a door emerged from it.

Johannes opens that door.

As she followed Johannes who entered the room, Mitsuba immediately felt a coldness from inside.

It was an icehouse.

Why is there an icehouse inside the Imperial Sword Castle? That question floated in her mind but she immediately realized the answer.

There was an ice casket in the center of the icehouse.

A person was sleeping inside the transparent casket.

Amelia

A beauty with long blonde hair.

She is peacefully sleeping inside the casket.

The Emperors Second Consort and the mother of Lizelotte and Christa.

Amelia Lakes Adler was there.

Formally, I made her a grave but, I wanted her here with me. It was partly because I was suspicious about her death as well though.

..According to Zuzans story, Amelia redirected the curses to herself. If that is true then, didnt she intentionally endanger herself?

She didnt tell me anything. There were days where I thought that she wanted to sacrifice herself for the Empire but I was just not convinced. If she noticed that Zuzan was trying to harm the children then she could have brought it to my attention. What is the reason for her to endanger her own life?

Its hard to imagine that she didnt expect the curse to take her life. Amelia had thorough knowledge about magic after all. Her action was indeed strange but did she not do it because she had no other choice?

I think about that too. But what could corner her like that? Did she intentionally kill herself?

If she only wanted to dispel Zuzans curse then there were many options she could choose.

If her action is telling them something then it is saying that Amelias death was necessary.

Amelias death doesnt have much impact on the succession war. If she chose to die protecting Lizelotte and Christa then it doesnt make sense provided that Zuzan was still out there. It must be a reason that we are not aware of.

I have been looking for that reason but I still dont have the answer.

I am the same.

Right. But before her death, Amelia left me a letter. It was addressed to me alone.

I have never heard of that. Why did you hide it?

Because of its content. And it was only a short sentence. The letter says that [You must never trust in any other consorts aside from Mitsuba].

Mitsuba looked at Amelia in the casket with a surprise.

Amelia and Mitsuba were very close to each other. They were not similar in character but they got along well.

Since Amelia was like that, it would not be strange for her to write that letter for Mitsubas sake.

However.

Your Majesty, In a certain sense, that is a suicide note. Amelia did what she did knowing that she was going to die. Not only Zuzan, she was trying to warn you about the other consorts as well. This is baffling.

Thats right. It is something that I havent been able to solve for a long time. But Amelia was not someone that would do something without meaning. So, on the surface, I tried to be fair and kept a distance from the other consorts. In the end, that ended up backfired though.

Whether it be Zuzan or Sophia, Johannes had placed a distance between himself and them.

That also spread to their children as the succession war intensified.

If Johannes and his consorts had a solid bond with each other, something foolish like a rebellion may not have occurred in the first place.

It was the distance Johannes took away from the inner palace that caused this.

However, he didnt do it for no reason.

Why did she say that it is fine for Your Majesty to trust me? Looking at Amelias actions, it was as if she couldnt trust herself. Perhaps, she took her own life because of that?

I dont know. I dont know the full details but a lot of strange things have happened a lot lately. Whether its Zandra or Gordon, they werent so foolish as to cause a rebellion.

.there were talks about their changes since they joined the succession war as well.

Right. People can go mad over power. I thought that they might have changed because of the magic of the throne but Leonard told me something. In his last moment, Gordon acted like his old self.

Seeing Johannes frowned, Mitsuba cast her eyes down.

Normally, an emperor should not favor any of his children.

However, Johannes was different. He loves every single one of his children.

Even though he knew that it would bring him pain when the succession war arrives.

He never treated any of them coldly.

That was fine until a few years ago. After all, everyone thought that there would be no succession war in this generation.

His firstborn, Prince Wilhelm was the perfect Crown Prince.

Thats why Johannes is in a more painful position than the other emperors in the past.

He has to oversee his beloved children fight for the throne.

Your MajestyDo you think that there is a reason behind Zandra and Gordons changes?

Of course. Amelia chose to die herself. Why? If she noticed that she was changingthen everything started to make sense.

Even so, Ive never heard of a spell that can change others personality.

Ive never heard of one either. But what if there was? Amelia may have noticed that she was changing and killed herself before she was completely changed. If its her then she will definitely do it.

Hearing Johannes, Mitsuba quietly sighed.

Everything was only speculation.

It is possible that it is but it is also possible that it isnt.

However, there was one thing in his speculation that matched her hypothesis of what happened.

Mitsuba is worried about whether to say it or not.

She is worried that it might accelerate Johanness speculation.

However, staying silent will only further the damage.

Emperor Johannes will be deeply hurt.

Thats why she says it. For Johanness sake.

Your Majesty. That is only a speculation.

Thats right. Theres no evidence. Even so!

If so, lets talk based on that premise. Lets say that Amelia noticed the change and killed herself, that a magic or a curse that changes personality truly exists. Why did she kill herself? Why did she only trust me? Im sure that the answer lies with our children.

What do you mean?

The Imperial Family has earned a lot of resentment but it is still difficult to do anything directly to its members. Even if someone were to cast a personality-changing spell directly on the princes and princesses, they all carry the strong magic resistance in their blood. If that is the case, what will you do? The answer is to use an indirect method involving the people closest to them.

No matter how young the people who draw the blood of Adler are, they will carry its power.

However, the Consorts living in the inner palace are different.

Dont tell me.

It is just a theory. However, if you think about it, it makes sense. It fits too well. She trusted mebecause I did not interfere with how my children grew up. Parents who do not directly teach their children cant influence them indirectly. And the reason Amelia chose to kill herself was because she was trying to protect her children and you, Your Majesty. Amelia was the closest to Your Majesty after all.

To control the Emperor, you use the woman closest to him.

Amelia was always in the Emperors heart even after her death.

Through Amelia, someone might be able to get to the Emperor himself.

Amelia killed herself to crush that possibility.

If they take it like that then it makes sense.

However, there is still no evidence.

So the reason why Zandra and Gordon changed was that they were influenced through their mothers?

I do not know but it is true that both Zandra and Gordon carried high expectations from their mothers. It might be the case where the closer they are to their mother, the more extreme the change becomes.

..if that is true then what can I do? If that is truly the case then I cant trust Eric either

I cant say anything more. If that speculation holds, I could actually be the mastermind or I am using your speculation to suit my convenience. For the sake of my children.

You are not that kind of person!

We are talking about this because it is possible. What you must do still hasnt changed. The succession war is still ongoing. Both Eric and Leos faction have grown powerful. If the Emperor favors one of the two and chooses one of them as the crown prince, the Empire will be divided in two. Please calm your mind and objectively look at the big picture. Like you have done so far.

Mitsuba reminds Johannes.

Leo finally caught up with Eric.

From now on, the more achievements they make, the closer they will be closer to the position of the crown prince.

The succession war will only grow fiercer.

just who on earth would do something like this?

The question now is not who. It is still all speculation after all. But if this is true, the Empire is under attack. With an insidious and clever plan at that. Two Consorts, a prince, and a princess were already sacrificed. If there is truly a culprit then they would be gaining momentum right now. We can not let them gain the upper hand any further than this.

thats right. I cant allow them to do as they pleased anymore.

Johannes who grew weak from the shock recovered.

Seeing that, Mitsuba secretly exhaled a sigh of relief.

He cant get anything done if he is down like he was before.

Everything is only a speculation.

However, if they can find proof then it will no longer be one.

Im having Lizelotte attack the Dominion. They will fall soon. In the meantime, I will look into it again. The death of the Crown Prince.

That would be wise.

Mitsuba stares at Amelia while agreeing with the Emperor.

Things wouldnt become like this if she had left them with more information.

The question left now is if Amelia could leave them a suicide note, why couldnt she left them with more information.

However, even fragmented, this information is their best lead.

The path ahead will be steep.

Mitsuba left the room thinking about that while supporting the Emperor.

TLN: Imagine if its really Mitsuba.

This song will surely play-

Whos been messing up everything?

Its been Mitsuba all along

Whos been pulling every evil string?

Its been Mitsuba all along

Shes insidious (ha-ha!)

So perfidious

That you havent even noticed

And the pity is (the pity is)

Pity, pity, pity, pity

Its too late to fix anything

Now that everything has gone wrong

Thanks to Mitsuba (ha!)

Naughty Mitsuba

Its been Mitsuba all along!

.

.

.

And I killed Amelia too

If you know you know