Cecilia didn't answer right away, creating a moment of silence that seemed to choke the air. The temperature in the room seemed to have dropped several degrees since Cecilia threw the bomb at Cedric. Yes, the man did sit back down. But his eyes stared sharply at Cecilia as if he was ready to raise his sword at her if she said something wrong.
Queen Beatrix had just given birth last month, with a dangerously premature birth. The announcement of the birth of a member of the royal family should have been announced that day. But fearing the unstable condition of the new prince and the queen, the announcement was postponed until now.
People said the delay was made or forced by Cedric, a crown prince born to the late queen who had passed away. Cedric was afraid that his position would be replaced by the new prince, and that caused internal tension in the Blaine Kingdom.
"You said you knew about the birth of my new brother." His voice was sharp. "But the information hasn't even left the inner circle of the palace."
Cecilia stared at him straight, unwavering even if Cedric seemed to put a sword right to her neck. Cecilia knew about Cedric's anxiety. Since Cecilia could tell, Cedric must have thought that from the start, Cecilia had intended to abandon her defensive position to attack the kingdoms that threatened her.
"I know where to look, Prince Cedric. My kingdom has neither military power nor wealth. Given our condition, gathering information is the only way to survive amidst Blaine and Landis's pressure."
Cedric's gaze darkened. "So what do you mean? You want to use that information to threaten me?"
"No," Cecilia replied. "As I said, I intend to use this information to help you."
"Help me, you say?" Cedric raised an eyebrow. "What can that little bit of information possibly do to help me?"
Cecilia leaned forward. Her voice was soft, but her words were right on the spot.
"Because I know one thing that your father doesn't. You want to overthrow your father's authority. You have also prepared your attack. However, if war breaks out at a time like this, your plan could fail, and it will take more time for you to build up the same power in the future."
"And if that happens... You will lose your momentum forever. The little prince will grow up. With the influence that Queen Beatrix has, it won't be difficult for her to get rid of you once and for all."
Cecilia smiled after she finished speaking. She could be so sure because it had happened all her life. Cedric had always staged a coup to gain his throne. It happened because his father and the new queen only considered his existence a threat.
Cedric had been planning the coup for a long time. He built up his power with his mother's old retainers, then planned to attack the capital in the fall. That plan would not have happened if Cecilia had chosen to side with the Landis Kingdom and let Damian suppress the Blaine Kingdom in his way. On the contrary, Cecilia's help would speed up the coup plan if she sided with Cedric.
This time, Cecilia intended to use the opportunity to take control of both Landis and Blaine. Cecilia made an official agreement with the Landis Kingdom. On the other hand, she only needed a private agreement with the Blaine Kingdom to ensure that both kingdoms would not attack Magenta in the near future.
"Am I right, Prince Cedric?"
"...."
Cedric clenched his jaw after he listened to Cecilia's explanation. Cecilia even knew things that only he and those closest to him knew. Twice was no longer a coincidence. Cecilia might be able to dig up information about his half-brother's birth from someone else. But for his coup plan...
Cedric stared at Cecilia, looking complicated and conflicted. But that gaze no longer contained the hostility it had before. Although the information Cecilia had should have been enough to anger Cedric, the man actually seemed to be calmer as he spoke to her.
"And?" he challenged.
"And-" Cecilia continued, "-I can distract your father from your plan. I will give you time so you can start your coup from within without any interference from anyone."
Cedric frowned. "What guarantee that your plan will succeed?"
Cecilia smiled calmly. "The guarantee is my kingdom, Prince Cedric."
Cecilia rose slowly, walked to the window, and looked out at the quiet capital city of Magenta.
"If I fail to help you with the throne, my kingdom is at stake, Prince Cedric. They will not let this kingdom go easily after we choose to side with the Landis Kingdom. War will break out. And if that happens, the lives of my people will be in complete danger."
Cedric was silent. His eyes never left Cecilia's back.
"How will you help me?"
Cecilia turned with a faint smile.
"I will spread the news of the birth of the new prince before the palace does. I can make it seem like the news came from your nobles. Suspicion will be created because of that. Then, when your nobles and subjects start gossiping, you will have time to carry out your plan without their supervision."
Then she walked back to Cedric, her eyes flashing with a cold brilliance.
"I will create an opportunity for you to succeed on the throne safely. I will not hesitate to ruin the young prince's reputation if doing so will secure your position."
Cedric was silent for a long time. He could not keep his voice from sounding gloomy when he spoke again.
"What are you doing all this for?"
Cecilia smiled faintly. "I just don't want Magenta to become a battlefield. And I'm sure you are the only one sane enough to prevent that, as long as you ascend the throne."
Cedric stared at her for a long time. The gaze was no longer full of suspicion but was also not yet full of trust.
"Then," he said finally, "I will first see if your plan will work. But if it doesn't work... as you said, they might still choose the option of eliminating your kingdom forever."
Cecilia nodded. She knew the consequences of the plan she was about to carry out.
"Is it really that valuable?"
Cecilia looked at Cedric when he asked her.
"Is establishing a relationship with the Landis Kingdom really that valuable? None of this would have happened if you had remained neutral and laid low, Prince Cecilion."
"No. The destruction of the Magenta Kingdom would have happened anyway, sooner or later."
Cecilia failed to catch the look of surprise on Cedric's face when she spoke as if she knew the future. It was a fatal oversight. Cecilia had no idea how shaken Cedric's heart was when he heard her answer.
"Therefore, I want to be the one to take the first step to attack."
Cedric lowered his gaze. He secretly clenched his fists. His emotional control came in handy in front of Cecilia at that moment.
"Very well. I wish you success, Prince Cecilion."
Cecilia looked at Cedric. It was the first time Cedric had ever wished for her success.