Chapter XXIII: Sin and Defilement (Part 3)

Frederick eased himself onto the bed beside his father, who lay there peacefully, unconscious. He looked at the serene expression on his father's face and let out a deep sigh. His thoughts drifted back to his recent conversation with Medea, and he couldn't help but clench his fist in frustration. Rejecting her proposal meant severing ties with someone whose intellect could have greatly aided his path to becoming emperor. Yet, he believed it was the right decision, both for her sake and his own.As he sat there, contemplating the implications of his choice, Frederick realized this rejection was an opportunity to prove himself, to rise on his own merits without relying on anyone else. However, the weight of that decision bore down on him heavily. He admitted begrudgingly that Medea possessed the intelligence and resources to help him achieve his goals swiftly, but accepting her aid would come at a cost he wasn't willing to pay.He stared at his father's frail hands, clasping them gently in his own. "Father," he whispered, his voice tinged with uncertainty, "what should I do now? Can I truly do this alone? Can I become the Emperor you've always expected me to be?"Frederick wrestled with his insecurities, questioning his abilities and fearing the potential consequences of his independence. Deep down, he feared that without Medea's support, all the hard work and sacrifices he'd made might not be enough."If I fail," Frederick murmured to himself, biting his lower lip, "Elysia will..." The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders as he waited for some semblance of an answer, seeking guidance from the man who had raised and shaped him.Deep in thought, Frederick didn't linger for an answer and remained seated beside his father, lost in contemplation. Minutes ticked by as he wrestled with his thoughts and fears, his mind swirling with uncertainties about the future and the weight of his decisions.Seated on the sofa, Medea crossed her legs elegantly, resting one elbow on the armrest while her hand cradled her temple. In her other hand, she toyed absently with a cherry, rolling it between her fingers with a playful flick. Her mind replayed Frederick's rejection from earlier, and a small, sardonic smile played at the corners of her lips."He didn't realize the opportunity he just squandered," she murmured to herself, her red eyes flickering dangerously with a hint of calculation.After pondering in silence for what felt like an eternity, Frederick eventually decided to leave his father's bedside and return to his own room. He rose quietly, ensuring the blanket was neatly adjusted over his father's still form. Just as he finished, the faint sound of the door creaking open caught his attention.Medea's gaze narrowed as she contemplated the consequences of Frederick's decision. The cherry in her hand suddenly felt too fragile, and she squeezed it slightly feeling the soft fruit yield under her fingers."He will..."Startled, Frederick turned abruptly, his heart racing with alarm as he tried to identify the intruder. Before he could react or even glimpse who had entered, a heavy object collided with the back of his head.With a sudden, decisive motion, Medea pressed her fingers harder into the fruit, crushing it completely.Pain then rushed through his skull, and the room spun as Frederick crumpled to the floor, consciousness slipping away from him.A drop of juice oozed out from between her clenched fingers, staining them red."...regret it."The last thing he registered was the cold sensation of the floor beneath him before darkness engulfed him completely.***"His Majesty, The Emperor has passed away!"The news of the Emperor's death spread like wildfire throughout the Empire. Shock and disbelief gripped the hearts of many, from the noble courtiers to the commoners who had supported the Emperor during his reign. "What? Right after the Crown Prince's birthday?" exclaimed a passerby on the streets, capturing the confusion and astonishment of those around him."His death was unexpected and brutal. I heard from the palace guards that the Emperor was found hanging by a rope!" another person interjected, causing a collective gasp from the crowd."Oh, dear heavens! Such a heinous crime! Do they know who did it?" a woman asked, her voice trembling with fear and curiosity."You won't believe this. It's the most unbelievable thing! The person who killed the Emperor is..." the speaker hesitated, knowing the impact of their next words."The Crown Prince?"Medea stood with her arms crossed, her face reflecting a rare moment of genuine surprise as she listened to her brother. Vincentius, seated in his office, pressed a hand to his temple and sighed deeply. "That's what I heard from the palace. When the First Prince went to visit the Emperor, he found Prince Frederick in the room, standing there motionless, holding a bloody knife. What he didn't expect was to see the lifeless body of His Majesty hanging from the ceiling."Medea tapped a finger against her lips, her eyes narrowing with a glint of malicious curiosity. "Shouldn't the Imperial Guards who were guarding the Emperor's room be blamed? Isn't it suspicious they didn't notice anything?" she asked, her tone laced with intrigue.Vincentius breathed sharply, clasping his hands together. "That's the mystery," he replied, shaking his head. "I didn't expect such a tragedy to occur, especially not right after the Crown Prince's birthday. Everyone was celebrating last night, and now we're mourning."Medea looked at him intently. "Do you believe that Frederick did it?" she asked, her voice probing for his true feelings.Vincentius pressed his lips into a thin line, conflicted. "I don't want to believe it. I hope he was framed. We have to wait for the investigation to reveal the truth."Medea tilted her head slightly, her mind racing with possibilities. "Since the Emperor is dead and the heir is under suspicion, does this mean the First Prince will manage the Empire for now?"Vincentius nodded, not meeting her gaze, his thoughts weighed down by the situation. Medea concealed a knowing grin behind her fingers, her eyes gleaming with calculated intent. Just as I thought, she mused inwardly. "Let's see how it all unfolds then," she murmured, already plotting her next move in the unfolding drama.In the depths of the palace, the dungeon lay in its cold, dark recesses. Inside one of the interrogation rooms sat Frederick Genovia, the crown prince, alongside his personal advisor. Frederick's appearance was a stark contrast to his usual self—his lips pale and his face marked with distress. An hour had passed since the tragic incident, and he had yet to regain his composure."Your Highness, I beg of you. Please provide some information about what happened. At least try to say something to defend yourself," his advisor urged him, his voice filled with concern.Frederick slowly lifted his gaze towards his advisor, who sat across from him. Memories of the previous night flooded back, the horrific sequence of events replaying in his mind. "L-Last night..." he began hesitantly, prompting his advisor to lean in, listening intently. Frederick swallowed hard before continuing, "I visited Father in his chamber to unburden myself of all my grievances." His thoughts wandered back to that moment, recalling how he had sat at his father's bedside, speaking of his insecurities and problems."When I decided to leave, someone entered the room and..." His hand gripped his head as he began to breathe heavily, a sharp pain searing through his skull. He clutched at the bandage on his head, groaning, "Urgh..!"His advisor, alarmed, stood up instantly. "Your Highness!" He rushed to Frederick's side, trying to support him. Looking towards the door, he shouted, "Please, send for a doctor immediately!"The door swung open, revealing the dignified presence of the First Prince, Rezef, accompanied by the knights who had guarded the Emperor's chamber the previous night. Frederick looked up at his older brother, hoping to find a glimmer of sympathy."We should focus on the interrogation first," Rezef declared, his voice powerful and unyielding. The advisor wanted to argue, but Frederick stopped him with a raised hand. "Brother..." he called out, his voice weak.Rezef's blue eyes flickered momentarily as he looked at Frederick. "I didn't know you had grown to be this insolent, Frederick," he began, his tone laced with disbelief. He walked over to an empty chair, sat down, and clasped his fingers. "I never expected that your ambition would know no limits. Killing the Emperor with your own hands? It sounds unbelievable."Frederick slammed his hand on the table, his voice firm. "I didn't kill Father. I swear it. I went to his room last night to visit him, and someone intruded—" Rezef cut off his words."Intruded? Who could that be when there were several palace guards stationed outside Father's chamber? If what you say is true, then these knights must be to blame for allowing an assassin to enter." Rezef turned his gaze to the knights. One of them stepped forward, bowing respectfully."Your Highness, I fear your accusation might be misplaced. We did not notice anyone besides Prince Frederick entering His Majesty's room," the knight stated solemnly.Frederick stared at them in disbelief, shaking his head. "Are you accusing me of killing my father? My own blood? If I prove you wrong, you could be executed for accusing the crown prince," he warned.Rezef sighed, rubbing his temple in apparent distress. One of the knights, however, spoke up again, determined to make their case. "Your Highness, pardon my insolence, but no one else indeed entered His Majesty's room."Frederick clenched his fist. "Then can you explain how I sustained this head injury? The intruder struck me with a heavy object, rendering me unconscious," he explained, the memory of that moment causing him visible anguish.Rezef's expression grew serious. "From what I've observed," he began, "I saw a flower vase that had been cracked. There was blood scattered on the floor—probably yours. I want to believe you, brother, I do. But one thing makes me hesitate: I found blood under Father's fingernails and noticed bruises on your neck."Frederick felt a cold shiver run down his spine as he heard Rezef's words. The implications were damning, and the room fell silent as the gravity of the situation weighed on everyone present.He slowly and deliberately raised his hand to touch his neck, feeling the slight sting on his skin. All the nerves in his body tensed as a wave of dread washed over him. His hand trembled, and his mind went hazy with confusion and panic. He was on the verge of losing his sanity, shaking his head and muttering denials under his breath.Rezef sighed heavily and stood up. "I'm going to leave. I'll return once you've calmed down and regained your composure, brother." He turned and walked out of the interrogation room, the knights following closely behind him.Frederick clutched his head and began to hit himself in frustration. His advisor panicked and rushed to stop him, but Frederick's voice cut through the chaos. "Stop... leave." The advisor hesitated but then bowed and obeyed, leaving the room. The door closed with an echo, and Frederick was left alone, grappling with the nightmare that had become his life.Everything had happened so quickly, too fast for him to process. The events of the previous night played over and over in his mind, each memory a piece of a puzzle that made no sense. Then, a woman's voice echoed in his thoughts, a voice that sent chills down his spine."I have nothing against your decision. But let me give you another warning. Beware of those tragedies." It was Medea, her words from their conversation last night resurfacing with a haunting clarity.Frederick clenched his fist and shut his eyes tight. Frustration and disbelief welled up inside him, and he whispered to himself, "Medea... do you know?"He felt a rush of emotions—anger, confusion, fear. How could everything have gone so wrong so quickly? His father's death, the accusations against him, the betrayal he felt from those he trusted—it all seemed like a cruel joke.His thoughts turned back to Medea. Was she involved? Did she know more than she had let on? The idea gnawed at him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that she held a piece of the truth. He needed answers, and he needed them soon.Frederick took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had to find a way out of this nightmare. He couldn't let his father's death be in vain, nor could he let himself be consumed by the chaos surrounding him. He had to think clearly, strategize, and uncover the truth, no matter how painful it might be.After several hours had passed, Elysia stood anxiously in front of the palace entrance, desperate to see her lover. She was stopped by the imposing Imperial Guards. "Please, just let me speak to His Highness! I need to see him, even if just for a moment!" she pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency.One of the guards, a hint of sympathy in his eyes, replied, "My apologies, Lady Elysia. But Prince Rezef has ordered that no visitors are allowed due to the Emperor's passing. Especially since the crown prince is a suspect in the incident."Elysia pressed her lips into a thin line, shaking her head in disbelief. 'That can't be true. There's no way Frederick would kill His Majesty!' she thought, clutching the fabric of her dress tightly. Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through her turmoil."Elysia?" It was Rezef. She looked up to see the First Prince approaching her with a concerned expression. "My Lady, what are you doing here?" he asked, worry evident in his tone. He quickly assessed the situation and shot a harsh, commanding glare at the guard who had stopped her."I don't recall ordering harsh treatment towards the future crown princess of the Genovian Empire," Rezef's voice was cold and intimidating, causing the guard to bow his head in fear. "My apologies, Your Highness—" the guard began, but Rezef cut him off, grabbing Elysia's wrist and pulling her inside the palace.Once inside, he released her and placed a hand on his chest. "Pardon me, Lady Elysia, for touching you without your permission," Rezef apologized sincerely.Elysia shook her head, clasping her fingers together nervously. "Is it really true what happened? Do you believe that Prince Frederick killed His Majesty, Your Highness?" she asked, her voice filled with desperation.Rezef stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I will do my best to find the real culprit, Elysia. I'm sure my brother was framed—" An alarmed voice abruptly cut off his words from a palace servant."Your Highness! We couldn't get a sight of Prince Frederick! He seems to have escaped!"Rezef's face hardened with determination. "I will handle this. Elysia, please stay here. We need to ensure your safety as well," he said firmly. He then turned to his guards, barking orders. "Search every corner of the palace and the grounds. The Crown Prince must be found immediately!"