Chapter 5

Kristopher paused, his eyes sweeping over Maverick's wife, who was already scared out of her mind. "Banish every last one of them from Aetherburg. They are forbidden to ever return."

With a handful of words, Kristopher had sealed the fate of the entire Matthews family.

From a family that once ruled the capital to mere nobodies, it all changed in the blink of an eye.

Maverick and his wife crumpled to the floor, so devastated they couldn't even find the strength to cry.

Viviana, meanwhile, had her mouth covered by two servant women as they dragged her away, leaving her only able to let out desperate, muffled whimpers.

As she was hauled out of the hall, her heavy phoenix crown slipped to one side, and her lavish wedding dress dragged behind her, leaving a messy trail across the floor.

As she passed me, Viviana summoned every ounce of strength she had, broke free from the servant women, and spat at me, her face twisted with hatred.

"Natalia! Even if I die and become a ghost, I'll never forgive you!" Viviana screamed.

I just sidestepped, avoiding her spit without effort.

I watched as she was subdued again and dragged away in utter despair, my heart remained unmoved.

So you want to haunt me as a ghost?

Go ahead. I would be waiting.

With the Matthews family dealt with, Kristopher's gaze returned to Everett, who was still kneeling on the floor.

The atmosphere in the hall grew tense once again.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for Kristopher to announce his final judgment on Everett.

"Father," Everett rasped, his voice rough and dry. "I failed to see through people and almost brought disaster upon us. I don't deserve to be crown prince anymore. Please... take my title away."

When he said those words, his body shook uncontrollably.

That trembling came from fear and bitter resentment.

Everett had been born with everything handed to him, the only legitimate heir to the throne, his future as king set in stone from the moment he drew his first breath.

He never thought he'd live to see the day he'd have to beg for his own downfall.

To him, this felt like a fate worse than death.

But he knew he had no other choice.

After such a scandal, his reputation was in tatters before the whole court.

If he didn't step down on his own and waited for Kristopher to strip him of his title, there'd be no chance for redemption, not even a sliver.

Kristopher looked at him, his eyes heavy with thought.

"At least you've got a bit of self-awareness," Kristopher remarked.

He paused for a moment, like he was weighing his options.

Everyone in the hall was on pins and needles, tension thick in the air.

Deposing or appointing a crown prince was a matter of utmost national significance.

One misstep, and the entire dynasty could be plunged into turmoil.

Right then, I spoke up again.

"Your Majesty," I said.

All eyes were back on me.

I stood up, meeting their stares.

"The late Emperor's edict decreed that those who save the Emperor may ask the future ruler for a boon," I said.

Pausing for a moment, I let my gaze sweep over Everett, ashen-faced and trembling, before finally settling on Kristopher, the enigmatic Emperor seated upon the throne.

"My first request has been granted. Viviana claimed undeserved military merit and deceived the Emperor. She has been punished accordingly," I said.

"Now, I wish to ask for a second boon," I added.

Kristopher raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued.

"Oh? Let's hear it then," he said.

I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of strength I had, and finally spoke the words I'd practiced over and over in my head.

"Your Majesty, I humbly ask you to strip Everett of his title as Crown Prince," I said.

My words sent shockwaves through the entire hall. Everyone was floored.

Before, exposing Viviana was just family drama, but now, I was crossing the line and meddling in the affairs of the state by asking for the crown prince to be deposed.

Now, I was openly interfering in the politics of the royal court, demanding the removal of the crown prince.

An unmarried girl daring to weigh in on who should be the next crown prince? That was absolutely unprecedented.

"Outrageous!" An elderly official with white hair and beard finally couldn't hold back, stepping forward and pointing at me.

"Natalia! Do not overstep your bounds! The Crown Prince is the very foundation of our nation. How dare you presume to comment on him!" he rebuked.

"That's right! The late Emperor's edict may have granted you a boon, but it never gave you the right to interfere in matters of state!" another official added.

"Your Majesty, this woman is far too cunning. She cannot be allowed to remain!" a third official declared.

Suddenly, the whole court was up in arms, everyone shouting and hurling accusations at me.

Everett jerked his head up, staring at me like he couldn't believe what he was hearing, his eyes blazing with rage and humiliation.

He probably assumed everything I did was just so I could end up marrying him.

'First, I'd destroy Viviana, then use my act of saving the Emperor to force him to marry me as his crown princess,' I mused.

But what he never imagined was that I never wanted to be his crown princess in the first place.

What I really wanted was to knock him off that crown prince seat.

"Natalia..." Everett growled through clenched teeth, his voice shaking with anger. "Is your hatred for me really that deep?"

I looked at him and couldn't help but think how laughable it all was.

"Hate you? Your Highness, you really do think too much of yourself," I said.

"You can't even see through people, blindly trusting a liar and humiliating me time and time again. If I ever wanted to marry you, that would be the biggest joke ever," I added.