Chronicles of the Forbidden Jewels

I stepped out of my study’s balcony to get some fresh air. On the horizon, black thunderclouds roiled, as if a storm would break out any second. I was feeling gloomy as the weather, but it was more than enough that I can keep myself sane despite the infuriating events all at once.

Today is the day I’m expecting Zera to return from Chavalleve manor.

I hold hope that she will bring valuable information that can serve as substantial evidence to hold that noble house accountable for their actions.

While my mother may harbor resentment towards me for exposing the truth, I believe that mere apologies will not rectify the fact that they conspired against her, despite her own birth within that noble household.

“Your Highness, Zera is here," I didn't respond to Ruford’s announcement, because I want to avoid facing her as much as possible. It was a relief that people started calling her by her original name and not addressing her with any titles – because she has none, to begin with.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness. All glory to the Ruivenfiere Empire,” I can picture her curtsying, even if it’s unnecessary.

"Cut to the chase. Tell me what you found," I said, my eyes still fixed on the horizon, while my hands were at my back. Zera’s standing behind me with the desk separating us, but showing her that I care is the last thing I want to do.

“There’s a basement in the Chavalleve manor and it’s a restricted area. Servants aren’t allowed to enter, only specific family members alone. As I read the documents, I found out that the duke is funding the human experiments of Dante Fletcher. Dante’s creating weapons on the surface, but behind that are some researches like finding the potential of an Izavene ring. So, they’re taking human objects, Izavenes, and even animals. It doesn’t get obvious because once an Izavene ring gets removed, the existence of that person won't be remembered. I'm not sure where their laboratory is or workspace, but the duke is funding it. I'm not aware of his reasons, but when I saw the transaction records, there were a lot,” she explained, and my stomach turned as I hear Dante’s name once again. If it’s true that he’s involved, I’d conclude that he doesn’t fear the imperial laws at all, for this is the second time he did something punishable by the imperial law.

“… I also found Kathrynne’s death certificate. She was buried in Heryozona Eskal since the Chavalleves have a property there. Other than that, the empress' assassination was caused by me, and the duke's crime was related to Dante's experiments and hiding Kathrynne's death by using me for their duchy’s advantage.” Zera was oddly confident when confessing what she found as if she's not afraid that she'll be included in the line of those who'll get punished.

I turned to face her, and she avoided looking, for she was focused on looking at her shoes while her hands were together in front of her on top of each other.

“You weren’t caught by Duke Walchelin?" I asked, for I find it suspicious how easy it was for her to deliver all the reports and bring the documents without fuss.

"It's simple. I rummaged through his documents at two in the morning and brought it with me. He was drunk at that time, so even he wouldn't notice that someone was roaming around the house. Is there anything else I can do for His Highness?”

She's asking that as if she's one of my servants, and not seeing herself as someone being used for my benefit. It seems to me like she's feigning ignorance and wants to pretend that nothing else happened. I could be wrong, but that's mere speculation.

“That’s all. I’ll be writing an imperial decree to arrest the duke and everyone else who are involved, and all will be done tomorrow,” I paused, and we gazed silently into each other’s eyes, both trying to discern what the other might be thinking.

“… As for you, I won’t have you executed. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let your crime slide just because you helped me gather information.”

Behind the long sleeves of her dress are lacerated wrists, as I have held her with my hands bare. I’ve always seen my hands as cursed because it ruins everything and hurts anyone, but after giving it some thought, I decided that I won’t recklessly remove my gloves just like that out of anger. It’s undeniably unfair treatment, knowing that I took advantage of my power to hurt her.

She deceived all of us and attempted to kill the empress. It’s not a simple crime. But even if she's not the original Kathrynne, she's still the woman I married. I won't deny that my eyes don’t feel like they’re burning at the sight of her, but my treatment should be fair to people whether I like them or not.

“I forbid you from leaving your room. Get some rest. You’ll need energy to stomach the trial in four days. I’ll be sending a Moissanite Izavene to cure your wounds,” I turned my back upon saying the words, but even if she knew that I’m done speaking and she can leave, I can still feel her presence from behind.

“M-May I know what’s going to happen to me, Your Highness?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“There’s no need for you to know further. Isn’t it enough that you have the assurance that you won’t experience execution? In simple words, you’ll live, and you’ll have those wrists healed. Enough said.”

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

Everything fell into place according to my schedule. It wasn’t hard to arrest the three main people involved – Duke Walchelin, Dante, and Hermine. It's been a while since I saw Dante and Hermine, and I wasn't expecting that this is how I'll see them next.

Ever since my first engagement was called off, I've been telling myself to forgive Dante, and I gave him mercy by removing him from his position in the palace. We were once friends, but he didn't value that and committed new sets of crimes after.

It makes me wonder if he did all these on purpose for the sake of rebellion, or if breaking the laws is simply a bad hobby of his.

Whatever the case, I don’t have to feed my curiosity. They’ve been arrested three days ago, while their households were investigated when they were imprisoned. All in all, there will be nine people whose lives will end today. The three, including the ones who are accused for committing crime of accessory.

Seated on the elevated center seat in the courtroom, I looked down upon the slightly lower judge's seat. From my vantage point, I could clearly observe the row of accused individuals, all bound and restrained.

While I was unfamiliar with most of them, my attention was drawn to the three notable figures: Duke Walchelin, Dante, and Hermine. Their condition was distressing, as they appeared emaciated, covered in filth, and adorned with bruises.

Throughout his entire life, the duke had enjoyed a privileged existence filled with luxury and comfort. The sight before me indicated that this new reality must be exceptionally hard for him.

Dante, on the other hand, maintained a stoic expression, showing no signs of fear. In stark contrast, Hermine wept inconsolably, her tears betraying a deep sense of guilt and regret. These observations led me to conclude that she was undoubtedly involved in the events at hand.

“I, the presiding judge, have been authorized by the imperial family. The accused, the jury, and the complainant are all present. We shall begin the trial," the judge looked at the spot where Zera was standing and he lifted his hand to call Zera’s attention.

“Zera of Herzoyona Eskal, please step forward. Introduce yourself and state between His Highness and the jury about your complaint,” Zera silently followed the instruction and bowed down to me, the judge, and the people while heaving a breath to gather courage.

Your Imperial Highness, Your Honor, and the people of Marrossi. My real name is Zera, and I was a slave from Herzoyona Eskal. You might be thinking, ‘Isn’t she Kathrynne Chavalleve, His Highness’ crown princess?’ To correct the misunderstanding, I am not. I’m a mere vessel who was bought by His Grace, Walchelin Chavalleve to cover up the death of his daughter, lady Kathrynne.”

Zera’s speaking the truth, but even if she knows this is supposed to be embarrassing, she kept her composure and said things with conviction, and if I didn’t know she was Zera, I would think that it was Kathrynne who’s talking, for she’s portraying Kathrynne’s boldness.

“I was bought to replace her ladyship, for we look alike. Despite having the features of a red diamond Izavene, I am not. I do not possess any Izavene ring, but the duke crafted a replica of Kathrynne's ring, which I have. He did this to secure the position of the empress – for his daughter to become empress. A red diamond Izavene’s hand is overflowing with power, and they’ll destroy whatever they hold so they’re required to wear special gloves to avoid that. If a red diamond Izavene will hold another red diamond Izavene, they won’t end up hurting each other’s skins. Humans and non-red diamond Izavenes, however, will have their skins lacerated when a red diamond Izavene holds them.” she paused, catching up with her breath.

“… This is how His Highness discovered everything, for it’s something that we didn’t realize sooner – that it’s one of the things that cannot be faked. You may think that I don’t have the right to accuse the duke because I’m a part of this scheme as well. I won’t be asking for anyone’s sympathy, but everyone in the Chavalleve manor is aware that the duke had been violent to his family including servants. Don't we citizens look up to nobles? Is it good that noble houses are having reputable reputations from the surface, but it's rotten from the inside?"

The crowd started murmuring, exchanging thoughts about Zera’s confessions. I believe there's no such thing as a noble house that can be considered righteous in this empire. The members of the Ruivenfiere family were exhilarated when they were given a territory they'll rule over.

I know the dirt of each dukedom because I send spies to each dukedom and see what they're doing. Poudrettite Izavenes have been useful for this matter because they can transform into any animal – thus, they can listen without others noticing. Those spies became my eyes since.

Zera continued expressing her statements and laid out the documents that points out the issues about Dante and Hermine's human experiments.

Although I'm aware that her words are convincing because she's citing the evidence without flaw, I only wanted everything to be over because I no longer stand being here.

I took a pen and listed the possible punishments for the accused. The kindest method I can think of is the removal of memory and exile. But these people don't deserve that kind of punishment because they can repeat doing similar things one way or another.

The empress is fond of public executions and people rarely undergo trials because once she knows that someone's involved, all of them would be punished – end of the story.

I believe this is the first trial that happened in the past 12 years. The rest died without having their voices heard. Here, though the duke kept denying it, Dante was admitting that all accusations are true as if he wants this to end quickly as I do.

“Your Highness! Please, have mercy on me! Let me fix my mistakes! House Chavalleve will surrender huge portions of our wealth to –” Walchelin sobbed while saying the words, but he couldn’t continue because he knows he can’t put his words into action.

I rolled my eyes and scoffed as I averted my gaze to the judge, sick of hearing further. I handed the verdict the judge would announce on my behalf, and his eyes widened upon reading what I wrote. He looked at me with disbelief, knowing that it was something that a typical Ruivenfiere wouldn’t do, knowing our reputation for punishing people in the most inhuman ways possible.

“I will announce the verdict. Duke Walchelin Chavalleve, who committed grave crimes by fooling the imperial family out of greed by hiding lady Kathrynne’s death by replacing her, and the one who funded the illegal experiments done by Dante and Hermine Fletcher, will be sentenced to death by poisoning. This includes the ones involved who will have the same punishment, and their dead bodies will be burned in pyres before sundown. The rest of their families will be exiled from the Ruivenfiere Empire.”

Choosing the fate of any person – criminal or not is not an easy task. It made me question myself countless times if I should be the one doing this, or if it's morally right to do. But in such circumstances, everyone will depend on my decision, as if I were already the emperor.

Poisoning is the method where people won't have to see them shamed in front of the public, and it was only reasonable to burn the corpse of the dead. It's better than burning someone alive and letting them suffer for hours as the fire eats up every inch of their body.

Poison, on the other hand, will burn their throat once they drink it, and it's over on the spot once it reaches their stomach. It will only take a couple of minutes to feel the pain. I hope that one day, these people can forgive me because of what I've done and not curse me in the afterlife.

The accused were all brought into a room where their fates will be sealed. However, I decided not to let Zera come with them, because I know we still have things to discuss.

Or at least, that's what I want to happen. I promised to make her live, and she must know that even though I hate her wholeheartedly, I cannot lay a finger on her, because the idea of executing my wife simply feels wrong.

In a moment of concern, I instinctively grabbed Zera by the wrist to prevent her from following the accused, as it seemed she had momentarily forgotten the promise I made to her.

Surprisingly, she exhibited no signs of discomfort when I grasped her, indicating that her previously lacerated wrists had likely healed from the effects of the moissanite Izavene I had sent her for treatment.

“Where are we going, Your Highness?” she asked, but I kept my lips sealed. I held her wrist tighter and used my powers to teleport us together into her room back in the palace.

The sense of nostalgia overwhelms me as I realize that this very room is where I caused her pain just a few days ago. Now, it will also serve as the setting for our final meeting.

Perhaps it would be wise to have the entire space refurbished once she departs, to remove any lingering reminders of her presence. This way, I can ensure that I won't associate her with this room in any way.

I let go of her wrist and crossed my arms as I face her. “You were about to follow those who are sentenced to be poisoned earlier. Weren’t you listening to me the other day? I said your life will be spared, that you won’t be executed. Is that even hard to understand?”

“What will be my punishment then?” Zera wanted to look at me but hesitated.

"You'll be dethroned, of course. I'm the one who'll give clarifications to those that should know because people will look for the crown princess. There's no need for you to get involved. You'll be forced to return to where you came from – Herzoyona Eskal. Lastly, I want our marriage to be annulled. I’m going to give you a choice – do you want me to remove all your memories as Kathrynne, or you’d prefer to keep the terrible memories and leave this place?”

Zera's hands clenched tightly by her sides as she lowered her head, her eyes hidden beneath the veil of her bangs. The dimly lit room offered little visibility, preventing me from catching even the slightest glimpse of her facial expression.

"I-I … I'll leave, and I’ll accept all of those that you mentioned. I chose to keep the memories even if they're bad ones so that I'll know of the mistakes I shouldn't repeat. Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness.”