Seduce the hero's mother (GL)

— The Archduchess Ashford arrived from home…

The servant had barely had time to announce my arrival-as I burst into the main part of the palace without further ado, and continued on my swift march forward. Maxie and Razor accompanied me and followed.

Almost no one stopped me on the way. Few people had the guts to block the way of the first Archduchess of the Empire. So I got to Rachel's chambers without too much trouble, and stopped at the threshold.

Since time was short, it was also difficult to think through an elaborate plan. Preparations for the wedding ceremony were in full swing at the palace. If not now, I wouldn't have another chance.

The guards at the entrance crossed their swords in front of me.

— You cannot enter.

— And why not?» I asked calmly.

— Her Grace is resting,» the knight announced.

I frowned.

— I have an important message. I cannot delay it until later.

— Her Majesty has ordered…

— Oh, come now!» Maxie suddenly intervened and put her hand on her swords, «Have you not heard that Her Grace has an urgent matter?

— It is…!

— If the fate of the entire empire depends on it… Can you then take responsibility?

The men looked at each other uncertainly.

— «The fate of the empire…?»

— Exactly! Why else do you think the Archduchess came to the palace in such a hurry?

Luckily, thanks to Maxi's tongue-in-cheek, we didn't even have to get into a fight and make a fuss here. When they heard the importance of my task and the girl's threats, the guards involuntarily put away their swords and retreated to the sides. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Well, the first stage was over.

I stepped into the chambers and shut the door quietly behind me. I didn't have to glance around the room for long: It turned out Rachel was actually resting in her bed. She usually slept very little, and I was surprised to see such an unusual sight.

In a way, it was good for me. I could do the job discreetly: before she threw me out.

I cautiously approached and squatted beside the bed. Rachel's face was right in front of me. I was going to use the same trick I'd used on Maxie-whether it was poison or physical trauma, my spiritual power was going to heal her.

After all, according to Razor, the Ileas clan's power even helped with fatal illness. This was only amnesia. So I had faith that it would work.

I decided to use the family pendant, the one I'd broken before, as my tool of choice. I reassembled it, and now it was just a piece of jewelry. But now I was going to infuse it with my power again.

Before I went to the palace, I studied the ancient records of the Ileas clan's powers. They described hypnosis as the most effective way to deal with amnesia. It was the best way to bring lost memories to the surface. In addition, thanks to the spiritual power, the effectiveness of the method increases many times over.

As soon as the pendant was «ready,» I began to swing it slowly in front of Rachel's face. At the same time, I mumbled familiar phrases from the past to both of us.

It may have looked silly, but I couldn't help but trust the information I was getting from my sources. The session had to work.

— The idiot, the fool…» I picked up the nicknames she used to call me, «After all, your puppy.

I hoped with all my might that it would work. Rachel can't just cut me out of her life.

— …if you don't remember me, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life like an evil spirit! — I threatened.

At that moment the girl suddenly opened her eyes and asked:

— Really?

I recoiled in surprise.

— What…?

— Are you really going to stalk me? — she repeated.

I was taken aback.

— Are you…!

While I was completely dumbfounded-Rachel calmly got up and sat down. While I was still on the floor, we locked eyes and I was speechless.

— You… You…

Rachel sighed and put her hand to her forehead.

— Just when I thought I was going to rest, and then you show up… You really are a strange woman. Are you trying to curse me?

My tongue was still slurring from the shock.

— So you weren't sleeping?! — I exclaimed belatedly.

— How can you sleep here… You sneak around so you can wake up a dead man. I just wondered what would happen next.

I hesitated. There was hope in the back of my mind.

— Maybe… Maybe you remembered something? — I asked her again.

She frowned.

— What the hell are you talking about? — Rachel walked over to the nightstand and took a glass of water, «You're lucky I'm in a good mood today, and I don't want to execute anyone. Otherwise you'd be finished on the doorstep.

I stood up hurriedly and couldn't believe my ears.

— You really don't feel anything?

Rachel was feeling more and more irritated.

— Go away,» she declared, «The crown princess has a good heart, and she even stood up for someone like you. Otherwise I wouldn't have spared you.

— I…!

— Don't think that once you're out there, the investigation is over,» Rachel continued, glaring at me angrily, «Sooner or later I'll get to the bottom of your deceitful nature.

The girl's attitude toward me was just as hostile as before. The contemptuous look had not changed at all. Which meant…

I couldn't believe it. Could it be that the power of the Ileas clan really didn't work!

— Rachel…! — I tried to say something else, but she wouldn't listen to me anymore.

— GET OUT!

I was shoved roughly out the door and into the hallway. Maxie and Razor were watching in amazement.

— Well? How was it? — Razor asked at once.

The Marquis's daughter snorted and answered for me:

— How do you think? If Cassius had really remembered everything, Leriana wouldn't have come out so soon.

The other prince looked away hopefully, while all I had to do was confirm Maxie's words. I sighed heavily.

Razor clenched his fists.

— Then I'll talk to her myself!

Maxie and I were surprised, but we didn't even have time to talk him out of it before the guy was already in the room. We just had to wait outside and hope for the best.

Rachel was standing by the window buttoning her shirt — when the prince suddenly approached her and grabbed her by the collar. At that moment he even forgot that she was the queen.

— Cassius! — He cried out, «I really don't understand you!

— What do you think you're doing? — The girl burst out in indignation and tossed him out of her arms. Razor recoiled.

Rachel stared at him angrily, one then the other… And everyone wanted something from her. What kind of day is this?

— Have you all lost your minds?!

— You should be asking yourself that! — He said.

— What?

— Don't you think what's going on around you is strange?

— You…!

— What the hell did you become queen for? — You don't even know that!

She shuddered.

— Your life has changed so drastically and you don't remember why. Did you ever think you might be missing something important?

Rachel was silent for a moment, glaring at him angrily.

— Important or not, it's none of your business,» she growled, «What right do you have to tell me what to do? Who do you think you are?

The second prince winced as he realized that he had done too much. But it was too late. There was never going to be another moment, so he decided to say what was on his mind.

— You may not believe me, but think about it. If you're wrong now, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

Rachel grinned coldly.

— How thoughtful of the Second Prince. What have I done to deserve it?

— I care not for you, but for my close friend,» the boy replied in the same cool tone, «She may also suffer from this decision.

The girl gave him an indifferent look.

— I don't care about you or your friends. But if you keep bothering me… I'll forget the previous amnesty decree. You will be executed as a member of the previous imperial dynasty.

Razor was speechless. She did not want or even intend to listen to him. Clearly, Leriane's attempt did not work at all.

Meanwhile, the queen's words made him smile sadly.

— «Amnesty?» — chuckled quietly,» You don't even remember why you gave it to me.

The girl was surprised, while the prince followed these words by turning around and walking out. Once outside the door he sighed heavily. The friends were relieved that nothing had happened to him.

— He was still alive! — Maxie wiped her forehead with her handkerchief.

In response to Leriana and Maxie's questioning glances, he shook his head.

— It's no use.

— What?» the Archduchess was taken aback.

— I went there to check. And I made sure… There's a very strong substance working on her. Even I don't know its origin.

— «Substance»? — Maxi snorted indignantly, «I knew that broomstick was obviously involved!

Razor nodded dejectedly.

— Maybe six months ago, things could have been fixed… But now Rachel had taken him too long. Even the powers of the Ileas clan would not help here.

Leriana shuddered.

— So you're saying we don't have a chance…?

The prince looked at her tensely.

— Now Rachel can only remember you herself. If that doesn't happen… Then it's really over.