308. What Led To The Vacant Throne Part 4
“At first, I thought of simply issuing a decree stating the new succession laws, but...” Emperor Andrew paused, his gaze shifting toward the shadows of the garden. “Duke Morgen talked me out of it in favor of a far more comprehensive plan.”
“We developed an idea with much higher stakes,” Duke Morgen added, pulling a sketch from his coat and showing it to her. “This is one of the elite operatives serving the Prime Minister of the Conley Empire.”
Emperor Andrew then unsheathed a sword, the metal gleaming with a foreign craftsmanship. “And this is his signature blade.”
Duke Morgen remained silent about the source, though he thought of the intelligence reports Ravenna had funneled to him. “Her Highness provided these assets thanks to Rexford and Laila’s deep-cover work in Conley” he mused inwardly.
“You... you want to frame the Conley Empire for your assassination?” Dame Ocelina asked, the gravity of the conspiracy finally sinking in.
“Precisely,” Duke Morgen said, taking a seat on a stone bench. “We are already in a state of friction with Conley. By making the Emperor’s final decree a declaration of total war, framed as revenge for his murder. we will possess the perfect lever to force the Imperial Court’s hand.”
“But how does a war declaration help with overturning the traditional laws?” Dame Ocelina asked, still struggling to see the connection.
Emperor Andrew took a sealed scroll and handed it to her. “Read it. You’ll see the logic.”
Ocelina unfurled the parchment and read the hurried, purposeful script:
“I write this while in hiding from my assailants... In the event of my death, the Ancorna Empire shall unleash its full might upon the Empire of Conley to avenge this blood debt. I am aware of the internal turmoil that may hinder our retaliation; therefore, the following administrative changes must be enacted immediately to stabilize the state for our holy vengeance against the heretics of Conley...”
She skimmed further down, her eyes widening. “It details a new process for selecting a successor, the immediate removal of permanent exile for Imperial family members, the lifting of religious restrictions on military operations, and several others...” Ocelina finished, her mouth hanging agape.
“This...” she started, but Duke Morgen cut in with a slight chuckle.
“Exactly. If the Imperial Court attempts to block such a decree, they will be branded as traitors who are handing victory to the hostile nation of Conley, a nation our people already hold a deep, bitter grudge against.”
“In the past, the Church would have controlled the narrative,” Emperor Andrew smirked, a hearty chuckle rumbling in his chest. “But because the Court’s public image was being ravaged by the Raven Casino’s newspapers during Landon’s rebellion, Duke Roland was forced to allow the reporters to attend sessions to write a ‘positive’ article. With the Church hierarchy in disarray and Raven Casino’s reporters ready to print every word for the public, the Court is trapped.”
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“It will be impossible for them to suppress the decree without causing a national uprising,” Dame Ocelina whispered, nodding as the brilliance of the trap became clear. “I cannot sign the decree until I am on my dying breath, or else the divine contract will simply kill me the moment I try,” Emperor Andrew said with a faint, chilling smile.
“So, Dame Ocelina, if you are willing to help us...” Duke Morgen said, holding up the sketch of the Conley operative once more. “Memorize this face. The narrative will be simple.” giving the stage to the Emperor.
Emperor Andrew began to idly play with the foreign Conley sword, his fingers tracing the hilt. “I summoned you to reward you for a bet we made months ago. I was drinking here with my brother-in-law, Duke Morgen, when this assassin arrived and struck me down.” He handed the weapon to her. “When you arrived, you saw only his face and this sword buried in me before he vanished into the night.”
“During the investigation, both of us must keep our stories perfectly aligned,” Duke Morgen added, drawing his own blade. “We need to describe the exact same face so that the sketch and the testimony are undeniable.”
Dame Ocelina fell into thought for a moment. “But Your Grace... if His Majesty dies right here in the garden, the court will never believe he wrote a decree several pages long. It’s too detailed for someone dying in the dirt.” She tapped her foot anxiously. “Also, every knight of the Imperial Guard is required to blow their emergency whistle the moment they perceive a threat to His Majesty’s life. Why would I not blow the whistle?”
“Which is exactly why it has to be you, Dame Ocelina,” Emperor Andrew countered. “You applied for leave yesterday to return to your hometown. And just a few hours ago, you officially submitted your emergency whistle to the Captain of the Guard for maintenance and storage. You are the only knight currently in the palace without the means to sound the alarm.”
Realization dawned on her. “That’s true...”
Duke Morgen nodded. “After the initial strike, we will move Andrew into the secret cabin nearby. He can sign the decree there in private while his life fades. It makes the story believable, that he managed to escape his assailant and spent his final moments writing his will while hiding in the cabin.”
A heavy silence settled over the garden for a few seconds. Dame Ocelina broke it, her voice hardening with resolve. “I will do it. But I’m not doing it for the Empire. I’m doing it for myself. If I don’t do this, the civil war sparked by your children will eventually sweep through my hometown and destroy the orphanage. This is the only way to ensure a future for those children.”
“I... I like that spirit,” Emperor Andrew said with a sober, appreciative smile. He took the Conley sword back, preparing himself as he began walking toward the small, secluded cabin. Before he stepped into the shadows, he leaned in and whispered into Duke Morgen’s ear, “Make sure Ravenna takes good care of the Empire... and the family.”
As he walked away, Duke Morgen stood stunned, a sly and somber smile touching his lips. “He knew” Morgen thought. “He knew from the very start that Ravenna had put me up to this.” He watched the Emperor disappear into the darkness of the cabin before turning back to the knight. Duke Morgen handed Dame Ocelina his own sword and bared his leg. “The Church won’t believe the story unless I was also injured. Ideally, make it a permanent injury, one that looks horrific but isn't fatal.”
“But Your Grace...” Dame Ocelina started to protest, her hands shaking.
“You don't have to worry,” he cut her off firmly. “My daughter, Aria, has already been managing the Dukedom expertly, and I have already named her my successor. There is nothing to fear, even if I can no longer lead the armies.”
With a sharp gulp, Dame Ocelina clutched the hilt of the sword. With a swift, practiced swing, she sliced deep into Duke Morgen’s leg, the spray of blood marking the beginning of the ruse that would change the Empire forever.