Chapter 87: Empire’s Secret
Maximus, with a curious look on his face, turned to his mother and asked, "Mother, was there someone born before me? Do I have any siblings?" His questions were sudden and unexpected, especially at such a late hour when the sun was about to rise.
The empress was taken aback by his questions. "Maximus, why are you asking this all of a sudden?" she asked. But Maximus was persistent. He wanted answers, and he disregarded the royal protocols to get them. "Mother, you’re not answering my question," he said.
The empress was alarmed by his disregard for the royal protocols. "Maximus! You’re forgetting your royal protocols. Before being your mother, I am your empress," she reminded him sternly. But Maximus was unfazed. If his mother was not willing to answer his questions, he was ready to leave.
Just as he was about to rise from his seat, the empress stopped him. She was worried about him. "Maximus, what’s gotten into you? You don’t sound like yourself at all," she said, trying to understand what was going on in his mind.
Maximus then revealed his suspicions about a previous empress that people talked about but was kept hidden from him. The empress was shocked and angered by this revelation. She demanded to know who told him about this and promised to fix it soon.
But Maximus pulled his hand away from her. "Then mother, are you trying to silence the one who told me the truth?" he asked. The empress’s complexion changed at this accusation. She looked scared, which made Maximus anxious.
He started questioning everything he knew about his mother. "Is this what I think is the truth? No no it can’t be. My mother can’t do such things. My mother’s hand can’t be drenched in blood," he muttered in panic.
In a state of panic, Maximus ran towards Alexavier’s room where he found Alex drinking alcohol glass after glass. He snatched the glass from Alex’s hand and confronted him about his behavior.
"Alex, what the heck are you doing? Have you lost your sense of judgement?"
"What? What are you doing here? Didn’t you say I’m only having war trauma then why are you here, Your Highness? Are you going to give me treatment for what I have gone through those years? Are you going to insert needles in my hand to get me treated? If so please do so. I’m ready. Is that all you and the emperor want right?" he blabbered drunkenly.
"No, Alex whatever you have said is the truth. I went looking for proofs and even found some but now I have failed and need your help that is why I’m here. I want to help you. I want to find the duchess too and I will find out who murdered your parents," he said in a low voice.
"Hah! Your Highness, you talk just like my wife," Alex slurred.