A Snake’s Life Ch 52

Chapter 52

 

Aiden came to visit early this morning. Neriah already knew that Aiden had no interest in the throne. However, Aiden had been attending his lessons diligently. Though he wasn’t showing as much exceptional talent as Zerpell had in his childhood, he was reportedly keeping up with the curriculum without difficulty.

Because Aiden was still young, the Empress hoped that once he understood the value of the Emperor’s seat, he would naturally come to desire it. She believed that the throne was rightfully Aiden’s—that it was his birthright.

“Lord Aiden has arrived.”

“Aiden? Bring him in. You prepare the tea.”

Neriah was curious as to why Aiden had come without notice so early in the morning. She ordered the maid who brought the news to bring Aiden in, and instructed the maid beside her to prepare tea. Soon, Aiden appeared before Neriah with a smiling face.

“Mother!”

“Come in, Aiden. Seeing you looking healthy brings me peace of mind.”

“It’s all thanks to the medicine you gave me.”

“I’m relieved to hear that. Come, sit down first. I’ve had your favorite tea prepared.”

Neriah smiled warmly and offered him a seat. Aiden quickly took his seat, and the waiting maid filled his teacup. Neriah asked how he had been lately.

“Is there anything difficult in your lessons?”

“No. It’s fine! Learning is fun, actually.”

Neriah smiled in satisfaction. Though the results weren’t perfect, what mattered was his enthusiasm. Aiden quietly sipped his tea for a while. It was unlike his usual self. Normally, he would have been chattering away about all sorts of things, but now he seemed hesitant, watching her closely. Neriah noticed the dark circles under his eyes. She reached out and gently caressed the area beneath them.

“You have shadows under your eyes. It’s good to work hard, but don’t push yourself too much.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Aiden’s gaunt face, Neriah began to worry. It would be a disaster if his health deteriorated because she pushed him too soon. She wasn’t even sure if she could get more of the medicine.

“Are the lessons too difficult?”

The nanny had filled Aiden’s schedule with lessons out of ambition. Neriah had not opposed the idea of studying, and Aiden had shown motivation, so it hadn’t been a problem. But now the nanny was gone. It must be difficult. He needed proper rest. That’s what Neriah thought—but it was only her own misconception.

“Ah, no. The lessons are fine. Actually, I enjoy them.”

“Is that so? Then what brings you here?”

Pressed by Neriah, Aiden swallowed hard. He hesitated, fidgeting with his hands as he spoke.

“I… have something to tell you…”

Aiden glanced at Neriah. She gently encouraged him. Seeing the troubled expression on Aiden’s face, she wondered if something serious had happened recently.

“Go on. Your mother is here to listen.”

“Please don’t be angry and just hear me out.”

Aiden looked straight at Neriah with determined eyes. The hesitant child from moments before was gone. Though Neriah found it strange, she nodded.

“I… realized something because of this recent incident. I’ve never really expressed my own thoughts before. Even when I did, I always mumbled my way through. I think… that’s why the nanny left…”

Aiden had known. It wasn’t possible that he’d never entered the nanny’s room even once. He had simply pretended not to know. She had always been kind to him, and he had been afraid to lose her.

Perhaps because he was sweating, Aiden kept wiping his hands on his trousers. Neriah’s brows furrowed slightly, but she listened to Aiden’s words to the end.

“I didn’t want to get hurt, so even when I knew what the nanny was doing, I pretended not to. That’s why I wanted to properly tell you what I’ve always kept inside.”

Aiden had come to Neriah to share his resolve. His determination was unwavering.

“I don’t want to inherit the throne.”

Neriah’s expression stiffened. Knowing her belief that Aiden was destined to be emperor, he knew she would not welcome his words. Neriah parted her lips but then clenched her teeth. She could feel Aiden watching her, but it was difficult to control her expression. Her hands trembled with frustration. Forcing a smile, she spoke.

“Was the nanny’s exile that difficult for you? I’m sorry I didn’t notice sooner. But that’s exactly why you must stay strong.”

She took a sip of the mild tea to calm her emotions before continuing.

“Your father’s position is naturally yours. Do you know how many benefits come with being Emperor? You’ll be the master of this empire. No one will dare to look down on you. You’ll hold the supreme authority of this empire.”

Despite her words, Aiden’s expression remained unchanged. He felt sad. He had earnestly spoken his heart, but the Empress’s attitude hadn’t changed. He swallowed hard, his throat tightening. Gathering his courage once more, Aiden spoke again.

He had come to tell her his resolution. He set down the teacup he had been sipping from and clutched his trousers.

“Mother, I don’t want to become Emperor.”

“…”

He had said the same before, but it had come out as whining. Now, his eyes held a resolve that showed he had no intention of backing down.

The smile Neriah had forced onto her face faded. Aiden flinched at her expression but continued speaking firmly. His unwavering voice reflected his resolve.

“I wish my brother would become Emperor…”

Smack.

Everyone flinched at the sound. The Empress had interrupted Aiden mid-sentence, silencing him by force. The maids watched with nervous hearts, but no one dared to intervene. Such was the Empress’s power within the palace. Even if the matter concerned Aiden, the Emperor’s own son.

Everyone knew that the Emperor favored the Empress. Some even mocked him as her puppet. When it came to Zerpell, Neriah became terrifyingly cold to anyone—even the Emperor himself.

Neriah could not contain her anger. Aiden’s words might have been brushed off as youthful folly. But the mention of Zerpell was intolerable. Zerpell was thriving—having successfully performed the rain ritual and earning praise from both the people and the nobility. Even the Duke of Bert had aligned with him.

And now Aiden said he wished for Zerpell to be Emperor. Neriah couldn’t handle the suffocating surge of fury and trembled with rage.

“…”

Aiden said nothing.

“Why… are you so weak-hearted?!”

It was the same cycle again. Aiden’s smile had vanished completely. Of course… Neriah’s face was hardening, but she still seemed to be listening. Perhaps his true feelings were getting through?

That one lingering hope was shattered to pieces. Neriah grabbed Aiden’s shoulders tightly, her fingernails digging painfully into his skin. Aiden was shaken back and forth by her strength.

“Why must you add to my burdens when things are already difficult? Wouldn’t I feel at ease only if you became Emperor? Why won’t you! Why won’t you try to become Emperor? Do you even understand what kind of position that is?!”

Neriah’s voice, full of venom, echoed fiercely through the room. Panting from the exertion, she looked down at Aiden’s face. His expression was unreadable. Neriah staggered back in shock.

“For your sake?”

Aiden asked in a monotone. Neriah only opened and closed her mouth, stunned. Then she calmed herself. Releasing her grip, she placed her hands neatly on her lap.

“…It’s for both your sake and mine. Do you know what will happen if Zerpell becomes Emperor? He might see you as a threat and banish you—or even have you killed. I’ll most likely end up confined somewhere.”

“My brother isn’t that kind of person.”

“No one can say for sure. History tells us otherwise. Zerpell’s mother shamelessly accepted the position of imperial consort and now lives comfortably in the palace. Who knows if Zerpell will be any different?”

“Wasn’t it Father who made her a consort? Why are you angry at someone innocent?”

“…”

Neriah was too dumbfounded to respond. In her place, a maid quietly interjected.

“Your Highness. His Majesty never wanted that either. He yielded to the nobles’ constant demands…”

“That has nothing to do with my brother, does it?”

Neriah trembled with anger at the sight of Aiden tilting his head slightly as he spoke.

Through lessons, Aiden had gained knowledge and discussed many topics with scholars. He had come to objectively understand both his situation and the state of the empire. The scholars had never pointed fingers at anyone but simply shared the facts as they were. Aiden was no longer a child swayed by others’ words. He could now listen, discern the truth, and make his own decisions.

Neriah couldn’t stand the sight of Aiden calmly answering back. She began berating the maid beside her, asking how she had been supervising Aiden. No one in the room realized when Aiden slipped away without a sound.

While everyone was busy trying to calm the Empress’s fury, it had happened unnoticed. By the time they realized it, the Empress and her maids had gone searching for Aiden by the lake—only to encounter Shuiren, who suggested having a tea time.