Chapter 11
Part 2
"Crown Prince? I don't know her."
A Romantic Comedy of Empire-Wide Suffering
Setting: A Completely Dysfunctional Imperial Court
The Imperial Palace is understaffed. Exhausted. Drowning. Every hallway echoes with complaints.
Court Minister #1 (screaming into his hands): All his secretaries left with him?!
Court Minister #2 (throwing ledgers): All of them! His entire bureau! We can't even finalize basic reports!
Nobleman (weeping): My duchy hasn't received grain allotments in three weeks!
Dowager Countess: My niece fainted from working two shifts in the salon. A salon!
Every noble in unison:
"Bring back the Crown Prince!!"
Letters from the Emperor — Ignored.
[Urgent Imperial Summons – Handwritten by the Emperor himself]
To His Royal Highness Crown Prince Adrien,
The Empire is under duress. Return at once to your post. Your "punishment" is hereby considered served. The court awaits your command.
Adrien (lounging in a hammock, reading the letter aloud): Return at once...? Oh no, no. I was punished, remember?
(pretends to squint at the sun)
I was told not to involve myself in anything related to the palace or empire unless it's about my own lands. I'm simply following orders.
Ophelia (smirking over her wine glass): You're so dutiful.
Adrien (kisses her cheek): I know. A model citizen.
Killian — The Reluctant Bureaucrat
Killian is now shouldering the work of ten men. Every time he closes his eyes, he sees Adrien's smug, relaxed face. He grits his teeth as he signs one more supply order.
Killian (under his breath): Do you know what Adrien said to me?
Assistant (terrified): N-No, my lord?
Killian: He said, 'I wish you joy.' And then he left me here. With this.
He gestures at the mountain of paperwork. His voice is haunted.
The Other Princes – All Five of Them – Useless
Prince #2 (panicked): What do you mean I'm supposed to write a speech?!
Prince #3: Can't I just... sign things? Isn't that what secretaries are for?
Prince #4 (crying in a closet): I didn't even want to be a royal!
Prince #5: Is this... is this what our brother has been doing this whole time?!
Meanwhile… Ophelia and Adrien's Daily Schedule:
Morning: Sleeping in. Pancakes with honey and wild berries.
Afternoon: Reading to each other under trees.
Evening: Watching the stars while cuddled under one cloak.
Night: Quiet dancing. Kisses. No politics.
Ophelia (laughing): Did you see the headlines? 'The Crown Prince has abandoned the empire.'
Adrien: Can't abandon what you were thrown out of.
The Nobles Are Crumbling
Lady Salenia (furious): My husband hasn't come home in three days. He's writing tax codes!
Marquess' Daughter: My brother looks like he's aged ten years! We need the Crown Prince back!
Lady Eliset (sobbing): Even the fashion houses are behind schedule! Adrien's aides used to handle the luxury trade routes!!
Noblewomen:
"Bring back Ophelia! At least she used to host salons that cleared up our social calendars!"
Duke Seraphim – Refuses to Work
Minister: My lord, the Empire needs your counsel—!
Duke Seraphim (sipping tea): My daughter's status was jeopardized. I am on strike.
Minister: But you're the only one who can fix—!
Duke Seraphim: Fix what? Let the ones who broke it handle it.
He closes the door in their face and returns to his book.
Duke of Rudolph – The Only One Left Standing
Duke of Rudolph (buried under paper): WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE WORKING?!
Assistant: Sir, you always said your daughter was better than Ophelia.
Duke Rudolph (screams): SHE. WAS. SUPPOSED. TO. WIN.
Chaeri – Absolutely Speechless
She watches as Adrien and Ophelia are spotted splashing in a lake, feeding geese, sitting by the fire like some cottagecore romance fantasy.
Chaeri (staring blankly): They're... they're happy?
Lady-in-Waiting: They're glowing, my lady.
Chaeri (genuinely confused):
"Why are they not planning anything? Why are they not—plotting?!"
Final Blow: Killian Visits Their Land
Killian arrives at Adrien's estate, bloodshot eyes, sleeves rolled, jaw clenched. He sees Adrien and Ophelia seated on a picnic blanket, laughing over some dumb joke.
Killian (in shock): You two are happy?
Adrien (smiling up at him): Painfully so. Want some cherry pie?
Killian: You do realize the court is falling apart?
Ophelia (cutting a slice): Oh, good. We were worried things might be stable without us.
Adrien: I'm simply observing the natural order when we step away. You know. For science.
Killian (broken): I hate both of you.
The Empire burns.
The palace is empty.
The lovers are in love.
And no one—no one—has a single idea what to do next.