How to Avoid the Execution Ending

*This work is a revised version rated for ages 15 and up.*

The rude, sharp, sensitive, and foolish crown prince, Aiden Valerian.

The only thing worth looking at about him is his face, which is just like the empress’s. To the emperor, Aiden is nothing more than the clearest and most precious relic left behind by his dead empress.

...That is what was written in the novel he read before going to bed.

"...Aley?"

"Yeah, Aiden. What is it?"

At the name he called on a hunch, a calm answer came back. Jinseong rubbed his aching head as the situation turned out to be more serious than he had expected.

"Does your head hurt? Should I call the imperial physician?"

Aley, who had rushed over the moment he saw him holding his head, gently stroked his cheek. Anyone could see he was sincerely worried about his lord and childhood friend, Aiden, but Jinseong did not trust that touch.

According to the contents of the book he had read, the man in front of him, Aley Renier, would grow fed up with the current imperial tyranny, organize a rebellion, and execute all the imperial family, including Aiden.

***

He had planned to avoid the execution ending by handing the crown prince position over to his half brother... but then something else he wanted appeared.

"I’m not trying to take what I desire. I’m only taking back what was originally mine."

Even after forcibly carving an emotion into the other person’s heart that he would never forget for the rest of his life, Aiden was still completely satisfied with the present moment.

It did not matter even if his methods were wrong. Aiden wanted Aley Renier too much.

Mine. My own. My Aley.

If it was for the sake of having him, he could even become the real "Aiden." Even if that meant deceiving Aley.

"The scar..."

I hope it stays.

That would make it easier to stir Aley’s guilt.