Chapter 18：Let the games begin

She has not known this woman for a long time, but one thing is clear to her. "You are not the type of person who would help somebody because of their status."

Or rather, this person has a stronger presence than anybody in this Empire.

Zushi knew she was overdoing it with these words. But it is better to take a risk than sit back and do nothing. If she does not make the first move, then this person will destroy her easily.

"The previous candidates were very foolish; they genuinely believed they could control me using their position as the Empress. I played along with them at first, but when they failed my test, I decided to show them exactly who they were messing with."

That is right; the Empress name is just a title. Anybody in this Empire can have a title, but there are only those with real power. Miss Lillian is one of those people who have both.

"A test?"

"Yes, or should I call it a game?"

A dark aura seemed to appear around the girl's silhouette, causing her to shudder. It was similar to when sir Lucas tried to suppress her with his magic, but there was something darker about this.

For the next few minutes, it felt like she was battling with the darkness; she felt something restraining her feet as a dark-colored mist appeared.

"Miss Lillian, what are you?"

"Relax, the fog isn't poisonous."

It isn't poison, that much Zushi could tell, yet something odd about it. She suddenly felt very suffocated, and she couldn't move. Her body gradually grew weaker. Zushi tried to cover her mouth with her handkerchief, but it did not do much good. Moreover, she gradually lost the strength in her fingers.

It started from her fingers and then her legs. In the next second, she collapsed onto the ground.

"What are you doing?"

Miss Lillian would not kill her right away, will she? Zushi knew how dangerous the woman was, not just from the rumors but based on what she did during the coronation. The rumors were not the key deciding factor but what she did to her child—anybody who can harm a child that easily is surely not a good person.

But even then, she wanted to try and get to know her; she wanted somebody to prove that her theory was wrong.

When she saw the interaction between Miss Lillian and sir Lucas, Zushi thought she made a mistake. There is still a human side to this woman.

A human who can harm a child without a second thought? Zushi did not want her status as Braden's mother to cloud her judgment. She has a human side to her, but the evil side is far stronger.

"Hey Lilian, this is a bit-"

"Relax, you told me it wouldn't kill her."

Lucas sighed deeply. "I did say that, but be careful how you use it. Even if the imperial mages are incompetent, anybody with high-level magic can detect it."

"The palace is mainly empty today because of the ruckus that my father caused."

Is that why they came here a day early?

Lucas sighed again, and she felt him approach her. He bent down. "Are you sure you want me to look into her memories?"

"It is the fastest way; I want to know if she is the one."

"Didn't you say you saw it yourself?"

"Unfortunately, I was away at that time, so I can't confirm it. But you said you saw her in the lava region?"

"I found it odd why a noblewoman would be there."

Zushi could vaguely make out their words. She felt sick, and the fog made her feel even more nauseous. There is something strange mixed in with this fog that is making her feel this way.

A dark-colored light appeared from Luca's palm. His magic isn't dark, but it isn't light either. What kind of magician is he? "But you know Lillian, is it that important?"

"I told you before that somebody stole the treasure I was looking for before I arrived there. This woman was the only one there at the time, so it can't be anybody else."

"Why didn't you stop her then?" Lucas trailed off as he slowly scanned Lilian's expression. "The brat was with you."

Lillian sighed. "Natalia is very good; not even I noticed that she snuck into the carriage that time. When I realized she was there, I knew I couldn't chase after the woman. That region is dangerous."

The lava region, a treasure, and several years ago? Zushi immediately understood what they meant. So it was something like that. Back then, somebody poisoned Braden, and no magicians could cure him. Then again, she knew her family deliberately sent incompetent mages to her son.

At this rate, he will die; she has to do something. Zushi could not use her healing abilities freely then due to the restraints her family put on her. That time she snuck into town and learned a lot from a certain merchant. She traveled to the lava region alone and found it, a sacred treasure.

It seems like she must have crossed paths with Miss Lillian then.

But Zushi recalled what she just heard. Miss Lillian seems to care a lot for her sister. Can she use this? No, she cannot. The children are innocent; they have nothing to do with the petty family conflicts.

Just because she is in a bad situation now does not mean she can have such thoughts. Besides, that girl looks like she is Braden's age. She does not want to use the children as political tools.

"...gem.."

"Hm?"

"It was me who took it." Zushi weakly admitted.

Lilian blinked before she sighed. "It is no fun for me if you admit it this easily. While that wasn't the only thing I wanted to learn from you, it was one of the main things." She turned to Lucas.

"Did you get it?"

"Yeah, it is all good."

Wait, Zushi immediately understood despite her weak state. Did they have that conversation out loud just so she would admit it? Haa, it seems like these people are far smarter than she thought. She shouldn't have underestimated them.

No matter how cautious she was, she still let her guard down, and that was why they could do this to her.

If her husband had been here, would the situation have changed?

"It seems the fog is making you sick. I suppose it is normal since you have light magic."

So the strange feeling mixed with the fog is something that rejects lighter magic?

"It won't be long before the guards come here. I have enjoyed our conversation; today, Empress, so before I go, let me answer your question."

Her question? Zushi felt her vision become even blurrier; she could no longer make out miss Lilians features.

"In order to obtain my loyalty, you must win this game. The moment you show weakness, I will kill you with my own hands."