The royal hall was dim and quiet, with only Kayena present. She walked slowly towards the imperial throne, running her hand along its arms before settling into it. Her beautiful face was expressionless, but her eyes told another story.
Kayena Ayovetya Taryen was a powerful empress. Born as the daughter of a powerful noble family, she knew power more than anything else. She held onto it too, much more successfully than her ancestors. Yet, slowly, she began to hate it.
Power left her isolated, weary, and enraged. It consumed her.
Despite having the world under her feet, her soul was wrapped with suffering and loneliness. Too many irreversible choices. Too many lives lost, whether innocent or not. After all, she had sacrificed much for greatness, to claim the seat she now held.
And now, the people had grown tired of her and chosen another ruler who was worthy of them. A ruler who might be better than her. A ruler who would be less ruthless and mad, and more virtuous and sane.
Yet, at this point, she no longer cared.
The grand entrance of the hall swung open, and a group of soldiers marched in. But the look on their faces showed that they were no longer her loyal subjects but rather allies of her enemies, ready to fight against her. Still, they remained cautious in her presence. The empress was not to be underestimated, as she, for several times, was capable of turning the tables and making an unfavorable situation advantageous for her.
Kayena curved her lips.
"Leave," the leader of the group ordered bluntly. "Guard the door outside."
The men bowed and immediately locked the door from outside. The remaining two people inside the hall remained silent for some time. Kayena, whose eyes wandered elsewhere, crossed her legs, resting her face on her right hand. She smirked as her eyes finally landed on the imposing male figure who stood several meters away from the throne.
"I've been waiting for you," she spoke, breaking the silence.
"You have? You knew all along I'm alive, didn't you?"
She laughed quietly. "Don't fool yourself, Sighart. You can deceive the world. But not me."
The man nodded, smirking as if he was impressed. "You did not become an empress for nothing."
When she stayed silent, he pressed on, "People are celebrating your downfall in the streets. It's noisy out there."
"Yes, and you are their hero," she said with a slight smile.
"It's the people who decide that. What I'm sure right now is that they can't wait to watch your head chop off."
"I'd be surprised if they didn't," she replied dryly.
Matthieu Sighart stared at her, observing her closely, and raised his brows.
"Is he worth it?"
"He?"
"You could have ruled longer if not for that man, who ruined everything for you."
She smirked. "You..." Her voice trailed off before she continued, "have no idea."
Kayena stood and approached the tall man until she was mere inches away from his body.
"Why have you decided to show up now? I was almost convinced you were dead," she uttered while trailing her fingers over his chest and then met his gaze. Their bodies pressed against each other. "I thought you tried to escape our final showdown for old time's sake, Matthieu." Her voice sounded almost like a whisper.
Matthieu furrowed his brow. "Why would I do that? You know I've always been against your rule, Kayena."
She chuckled softly as her finger traced his face. "It's so ironic, isn't it? Here we are, so close, finally using each other's first names as we say goodbye. But that's how it goes. Really, I'm happy our long battle is over. It's my loss—and your victory."
He could now see the weariness in her eyes.
Suddenly, she coughed, losing her composure. Her body collapsed to the ground. Matthieu noticed blood pooling on the floor. Swiftly, he lifted Kayena's face, seeing her writhing in pain. Blood stained her lips, and her skin turned pale. He realized it was poison. And before her eyes closed forever, Empress Kayena managed a final smile at Matthieu Sighart, the only person who witnessed her death.