Count Gray disappeared for a while, saying he was going on vacation, and with winter upon us, a rare moment of leisure came to the imperial court.
My days were passing by peacefully and sweetly.
“Welcome, Ian!”
“I’ve arrived, Your Highness.”
My relationship with Chloe had grown noticeably closer.
At first, my approach had been calculated for the sake of survival, but as we saw each other every day and spent time together, before I knew it, we had become quite like natural lovers.
Now, when we read books in the library, we would naturally hold hands, and at times we had grown close enough to share rather ticklish little touches—softly stroking each other’s hair and blushing.
“Ian, the weather is nice today. Shall we go outside? There’s somewhere I want to take you.”
On a day when, for once, there was no work in the Crown Prince’s office, Chloe took my hand and led me outside.
We left the imperial castle and rode in a carriage for quite some time.
After passing through the bustling streets of the capital, we arrived at a small, quiet park on the outskirts.
‘……A park?’
Stepping down from the carriage, I looked around and let out a small exclamation of admiration.
It was a simple, peaceful scene, far removed from the splendid architecture of the empire.
A place of plain, modest design, enclosed by a small wall made of white marble.
But judging by the elite imperial soldiers standing strict guard near the entrance, sharp spears in hand, it was clearly not an ordinary park despite its appearance, but an important facility of the imperial family.
As I carefully followed Chloe inside, I discovered a small burial mound rising modestly at the center of the park.
A simple grave, without even an ornate headstone—but the moment I saw its location, the tight security, and the wistful look in Chloe’s eyes, I instinctively realized whose small mound it was.
‘Chloe’s mother’s grave…!’
It was the grave of the woman the emperor had loved, Chloe’s mother.
Though she had been a concubine, she was one of the two women the emperor was said to have loved with aching devotion.
‘From what I’ve heard, the emperor’s marriage to the empress was political, but he deeply loved his two concubines. Both died young, and after that, the emperor was never able to love anyone again…’
Without the slightest hesitation, I knelt on one knee and bowed my head deeply.
“…….”
At my courteous gesture, Chloe seemed slightly surprised, but soon gave me an exceedingly tender and gentle smile.
She lightly patted my shoulder, then approached the mound and whispered in a small, affectionate voice.
“Mother, I’m here.”
While only the rustling sound of the winter wind circled the park, Chloe began speaking comfortably to the grave, as if murmuring a conversation with someone still alive.
“Mother. By chance, I met a truly wonderful person in my life. He’s kind, intelligent, and someone who cherishes me sincerely.”
Chloe turned back to look at me once, smiling brightly.
“I was certain I would never meet someone like him again in my life. I…… want to marry this person.”
At her pure and straightforward confession, I felt a tight ache in one corner of my chest.
Even if my beginning had been a lie and a deception for survival, before this clear, sincere heart directed toward me, I simply could not put on an act.
Still kneeling, I spoke toward the grave, pressing my sincerity into every word.
“It is an honor to meet you for the first time. My name is Ian Sterling.”
I swallowed dryly and made a promise in a trembling voice.
“Having received Princess Chloe’s undeserved love, I too wish to return that warm love to her in full. I still lack confidence in myself, and I am not certain whether I will be able to do well by her side…… but for Her Highness, I will strive earnestly for the rest of my life.”
It was the truth I spoke not as the fake prince Ian Sterling, but as the human being named Ian Harper.
After hearing my firm vow, Chloe took my hand tightly with an exceedingly pleased and happy expression.
#
Inside the carriage returning to the imperial castle after our greeting at the grave.
Thanks to the small brazier within, the interior was very warm, and the atmosphere could not have been sweeter.
“Thank you, Ian. Mother surely would have liked you too.”
Sitting pressed close beside me, Chloe leaned her head against my shoulder and whispered softly.
At the faint scent of lilies drifting from her, my heart began to beat faster.
She lifted her head toward me, then very naturally and carefully placed a light kiss on my cheek.
“……!”
With a soft smacking sound, a gentle warmth touched my cheek and fell away.
I felt my face heat up all at once and did not know what to do, but I interlaced my fingers with hers as she giggled beside me and held her hand tightly.
Like that, hand in hand, we returned to the imperial castle laughing like the happiest lovers in the world.
‘I’ll be able to survive.’
My relationship with Chloe had become this solid, and I had even earned the emperor’s wholehearted trust.
The crown prince and the second prince were actively supporting my romance as well.
I was certain that if we returned and set the wedding date now, every variable that could threaten my life in the empire would disappear.
Rattle—!
At last, the carriage arrived at the main gate of the imperial castle and came to a stop.
“We’re here. I’ll get out first……”
“I will help you down from below.”
“Oh my, thank you. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Just as Chloe released our interlaced hands, smiled, and was about to open the carriage door—
Someone waiting outside opened the carriage door.
“You have returned, Your Imperial Highness.”
A man who had not shown so much as the tip of his nose in the imperial palace for some time was standing before the door.
It was Count Gray, the emperor’s chief aide, who had supposedly gone on vacation.
With his usual courteous and impeccable bearing, he bowed deeply to Chloe and paid his respects.
“Oh, Count Gray. Did you have a good vacation? It’s been a while!”
“Yes, Your Highness. I rested well in the south and have just returned.”
After finishing his greeting to Chloe, Count Gray slowly turned his gaze toward me, who still remained inside the carriage.
Then he showed an exceedingly kind smile at the corners of his mouth.
“It seems Your Highness Ian has also enjoyed a pleasant stroll with Her Imperial Highness.”
“Ah, yes. I’m glad you returned safely as well, Count……”
The moment I was about to step down from the carriage and give a light bow—
Count Gray approached my ear and whispered, low and cold enough that only I could hear.
“So. Was playing the fake prince and mocking the great empire quite enjoyable? Your acting skills were rather impressive. I have spent decades in imperial politics, and even I did not notice a thing. If not for a truly accidental opportunity, I might never have known at all.”
“……!!”
In that instant, as if lightning had struck beside my ear, every sound in the world grew distant.
My heart pounded as though it would tear through my ribs and burst out, then froze cold as if submerged in ice water.
‘Fake prince.’
Those four words burned my mind pure white.
I could not breathe.
Still maintaining his gentle smile toward my frozen self, Count Gray delivered a merciless death sentence.
“You must go see His Majesty the Emperor immediately. Follow me, Ian Harper. Your Imperial Highness Chloe, please return to the detached palace first.”
“……Ah.”
“Ordinarily, I would have soldiers summoned to bind you and drag you away… but in special consideration of the devotion you have shown the imperial family thus far, your character, and your abilities, I will grant you at least the right to walk there on your own two feet without being bound. I, too, have grown quite fond of you. I see no need to treat you cruelly, so I will give you the chance to follow with dignity.”
Count Gray’s tone was calm, but the weight of the words contained within it was dreadful.
An overwhelming despair crashed over me—the realization that my deepest, darkest secret had been completely exposed.
The strength left my legs as if the bones in them had melted away.
“Ian? What’s wrong? Your complexion suddenly…… Count Gray, what do you mean by that all of a sudden? Ian is… a criminal?”
Chloe, not understanding what was happening, called out to me with a worried face, but I could not answer.
No—I did not even have the strength left to stand properly on my own two feet.
“……Hah.”
My hand slipped from the carriage door, and I collapsed onto the cold marble floor.
It was perfect ruin, arriving at the happiest moment.
All that remained for me now was a painful death and the destruction of everyone I loved.