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Since I didn't have time to explain, then let me explain.

Due to the sudden rush of memories which I am not certain to whom belonged, the headache made me see the whole scenario from how it originally played out.

It was still resolved by the Empress. The only difference is my intervention, including the people present. In that memory, there were no Eldest nor Ashley. Only Lord Aquabelium and Archduke Shaman.

The situation about the missing nobles is all an act. In other words, a charade. And if I want to show them that it is all a planned act, as a portrayal of how they went to dissapear altogether with their loyalty to the Empire's current ruler, we need to get rid of the casted spell and find them inside the forest.

It's a good thing Archduke Shaman is useful in this situation. He managed to return the nobles safely and acted like nothing ever happened.

They are only hiding away inside. Those who have participated are nobles who opposed her majesty and the Emperor before, so it won't be a surprise if this is how they uniquely say that they don't respect the Empress and much more, the itself.

It was so complicated the first time I saw the memories about the situation. I thought that there was still few Arhams left that decided to abduct the nobles, but then I realized that these missing nobles themselves were the actors.

And so, the only way for me to be of help is to explain and elaborate the situation and my perspective carefully. I do not want another suspicion landed on me if I bluntly tell them what was going on without any logical explanation.

Therefore, I chose the very stressing way. Fortunately, some of the nobles are easy to handle, only the Count who was part of the act got killed by the Empress.

And from how I see it, the Empress knows what was going on. But I wonder why she's acting oblivious and decided to let me handle explaining it to others?

Is it because she wants to give me the spotlight? No clue. But it did helped me get a better reputation, as it is now, the rumors that Ashley spread before is now being replaced by the rumors that I solved the rather displeasing situation which involves traitors.

"Crown prince, let's have a conversation some other time."

"If you allow it, I'd like to send my kids as his highness' aquaintances."

"I suggest to become his highness' tutor!"

"Would you do the honor of inviting us in your next birthday? Thanks."

I massaged my temples the moment I was able to leave the swarm of nobles that crowded and bombarded me with lots of questions or suggestions. While the Empress went to hold a meeting with few elder nobles about the probable terror attack.

Judging from the situation today, the event has also been cancelled, but she permitted it for the nobles to stay for how long they want, but only for today. In the end, I went towards my own room inside the palace where few maids are standing from outside the door.

This palace is unique, it has the vibes of crimsom red and sparkly rubies everywhere. With golden linings and a platinum marble floor, everything screams of royalty.

"Greetings, your highness."

I nodded and smiled only as a response. It was a different maid since Jamie, Mia and Ria had to stay in the palace. My mind is tired today. I hope I could atleast have a peaceful sleep-

"Brother."

Or maybe not. I wanna die.

Looking back to my albino twin, I gave him a tired smile. "Yes, Klydeur?"

"I saw what happened." He stated, glancing at the maid briefly before locking his gaze at me. "Can we talk privately?"

Upon his suggestion, I weighed my options and chose it would be best to agree. Or else rumors will circulate that the Imperial twins are not in good terms.

With a sigh, I nodded. "Ofcourse brother. Come on in." Whirling my head towards the maid, I gave her an order. "Bring us refreshments and sweets to snack with."

The maid doesn't seem lacking as she bowed down respectfully. "Yes, your highness." As soon as she started walking away, I pulled Klydeur inside my room before closing the door shut.

"What is it you want to talk about?" I went straight to the point as I strode towards the table and draped my coat on the chair. "Don't beat around the bush."

His silver eyes stared at me before he took his seat on the opposite side. "How did you know about it?"

I sat down, my forehead creased at his unspecific question. "Do you mean, how I knew of the planned situation?"

"Certainly."

"It's obvious, Klydeur." I remarked, tapping my fingers on the round glass table. "We've been watching the participants and they miraculously dissapeared. And then we got to hear the commotion from the nobles who doesn't even have access to what we can see."

He nodded his head in understanding. "I know that. It was already suspicious enough that they're the ones to notice and announce it first before the Empress could."

"Exactly-" I stopped, warily eyeing the white haired boy infront of me. "Did you just-" shaking my head, I decided not to ask more for now. It's obvious he called Aureus as Empress even thou he would usually call her mother.

He raised a brow. "What is it?"

"Nothing." I waved a hand to dismiss it. "Anyways, as you said, it should have been mama who announced the news."

Klydeur nodded again. He seems to be disciplined today and decided to listen intently.

"But then we suddenly hear it from the nobles. When we asked where they learn of it, they told us they heard it from someone else and the news just spread without a specific source." I continued, earning an interested look from him.

"That means someone must have known of the situation, or they planned it all along, as you said earlier." Klydeur clarified, and I gave him a nod. "If that is so, they did a lacking job. I'm sure mother knows of it, so I don't understand why they took the risk of openly retaliating against us, the Imperial family."

I blinked my eyes. That never crossed my mind. In my memories, the Empress only solved the missing noble cases and decided to ignore the fact that they were plotting a retaliation. But now I'm sure it would change.

"They could be banished away from the Empire, or get stripped off their titles." I responded, resting my elbow on the table with my chin rested on my palm. "Mama already killed off one of the Count whose part of the charade. I wonder if she'd just plainly execute them all."

Klydeur's lips tugged upward, a smirk crept on his lips. "There is no doubt about that. A few Baron and Viscount took part of the charade. Without the Count who is their leader and is now dead, I don't think they'll continue their reckless retaliation."

"Which means they will try to appeal to mama so they can escape the same fate the Count received, and when the time comes, they'll try to gather more people who wants to take the throne away from the Imperial family." I added, making him hold into his chin in thought.

Huh, I never knew we'd have peace if we talk about problems and situations like this.

"Actually, they might succeed in replacing the Empress from the throne." Klydeur spoke, his silver eyes stared outside the window. "I won't explain more since I'm sure you know why."

I sighed, lowering my eyes to the round glass table. "Ofcourse. The case about the Emperor."

If word spreads out that the Emperor, the father of this nation, is dead, then the Empress will be found guilty for trying to deceive their people and for covering the truth. She can't even become an Emperor whether they knew the Emperor is dead or not due to her background.

That means she needs to take that secret with her into her grave. Or else every single member of the Imperial family will fall into ruins.

"Brother, what do you think?" I snapped back to reality after dozing off for a few seconds.

"...." I stared at him momentarily, not knowing what to say. Should I even talk about things I know more with him? What if he uses it against me? He's sly as I know it, and I don't want to tell him anything without thinking about the consequences.

He huffed out a sigh, rolling his eyes. "You probably think I'm not trust-worthy."

I snapped my fingers at him. "Absolutely."

"Well, the feeling is mutual."

"Why, thank you."

Tension grew around us once again, as if an air of suffocation surrounded us inside my room.

This albino kid is really testing my patience.

Before any of us could break the momentary silence, a knock on my door echoed, earning our attention.

"Your highness."

I sighed. "You may enter."

The door opened and three maids entered, with one maid on the lead while pushing a silver white cart filled with sweets and refreshments. The other two maids are behind her, as they closed the door, and helped in preparing our snacks.

"....." It feels like our lips got sealed from continuing our previous conversation as we focused on eating our snacks.

A pumpkin pie doesn't look bad. But I prefer apple pie...I guess I'll have to stick with this. There are assorted flavors of cupcakes and tarts, making me crave for more desserts but nope, I have to maintain my health.

Too much sweet can lead to diabetes.

We also have our different set of tea, the same one we had when we have our tea party together with the Empress. Mine's mint tea while Klydeur's chamomile tea.

If you don't remember that scene, you can check it at Chapter 26.

Now that I think about that time, I suddenly recalled the gift I've given to Aureus. It was a simple set of flowery diamond-shaped earrings paired with a silver necklace with the same design as its pendant.

Those were the kind of jewelry the Empress adored and was the same gift Klydeur gave to her from my glimpses before. Gladly I got to gift her that first before he could. And she seems to like it.

That was also the day I got to hear their inner thoughts somehow. If you don't remember, I thought it was weird that only I am able to hear what they were saying. Turns out it might have been because I can read minds.

I mean, that's one of the basics for someone observant like me. They can easily pick up random thoughts, be it the loudest or the innermost. That's one of the few traits a member of an Imperial family can have, which means....

"Don't worry brother, I respect your privacy." Klydeur spoke all of a sudden as he took a sip from his chamomile tea.

I knew what he meant, so I nodded my head. "Thanks." Even with his reassurance, that just means he really is reading my mind right now. Good thing I learned how to guard my thoughts from leaking out.

It's not simply by imagining a wall around your mind like the cliche you see in other novels. Our way is much more complicated.

I only need to alter my thoughts and remain silent. That way, even as I speak in my monologue, my thoughts won't leak out or would it even be read by anyone.

And judging from the sudden flinch of Klydeur's shoulder as he briefly glanced at me, it must mean he lost connection with my mind and wasn't able to read my thoughts anymore.

Now I have no worries of thinking about something else. I'm actually about to question myself something very important, especially about my fate and identity, so it's a must to guard my thoughts.

I smiled in relief before taking a spoonful bite of my pumpkin pie, savoring the look of disbelief from my albino brother.

Good grief.

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