Suddenly, video footage exposing everything Her Majesty Queen had done flooded every screen.

Most critically, someone came forward, identifying themselves as a former member of the Biological Research Institute, and accused Her Majesty Queen of having absolute control over the matter.

Furthermore, this person claimed that after their retirement, Her Majesty Queen had repeatedly sent people to suppress and assassinate them to prevent any leaks. If they hadn’t been so lucky, they wouldn’t have survived to this day.

Every single incident came with a detailed chain of evidence, complete with both witness testimony and physical proof.

Due to the special technology used for the broadcast, the video played on a continuous loop throughout the Empire for three days without being taken down.

As a result, the entire Empire was plunged into a state of animosity toward the Imperial Family. The protest movements, which the Imperial Family had previously suppressed, rose up once more, even more fiercely than before.

Everyone could see that the Imperial Family was at the end of its rope.

And right at this critical moment, news spread online that the First Military District had declared its secession from the Imperial Family’s authority to join the Alliance Army.

This so-called Alliance Army was none other than the Rebel Army that had been successfully formed not long ago.

Instantly, online discussions exploded—

"Admiral Snop of the First Military District actually chose to abandon the Empire and join the Alliance Army at a time like this. Doesn’t that prove the videos weren’t faked and are actually real?"

"You’re still doubting if it’s real? Looks like the Imperial Family hasn’t hurt you enough. It’s obviously true. In all the years since Queen Biya took the throne, has she ever done a single good thing for the people?"

"Not only has she done nothing good, but taxes also go up every year. And those members of the Imperial Family, they always show up to events with the highest-level treatment, flaunting this and that online all day. If you ask me, they’re the ones living the good life."

"I can understand the First Military District’s defection. I even hope they act quickly, overthrow this corrupt imperial power, and establish a new system."

"I wonder if the Alliance Army is still recruiting. I want to enlist."

"Have you all lost your minds? No matter how bad the imperial power is, it’s still the Empire. If it’s really overthrown, won’t we commoners be the ones to suffer?"

"Whatever. I’m just a commoner no matter who’s in charge. I’ll support whoever lets me live a good life."

"The poster above is speaking the god’s honest truth. For stuff like this, we should just watch the show. It has nothing to do with us. It’s not like we’ll be the ones in power, no matter who takes over. As long as they’re good to us, that’s all that matters."

"I hope that after a new system is established, the gene fusion agent can be released soon. It could completely change the current situation for ’defective’ males. I think that’s what would be most beneficial for all citizens."

...

Facing one blow after another, Her Majesty Queen’s body finally gave out. Even though she had spent so many years maintaining her health through various means, she couldn’t change the fact that she was now an old woman.

No matter how many skincare products she used or how meticulously she maintained her appearance, the multitude of recent events had caused her to age visibly.

When Lady Daina saw her again, Her Majesty Queen had long since lost her former radiance.

Seeing Lady Daina appear, Her Majesty Queen’s usual sharpness was gone, and her voice was hoarse when she spoke. "Have you come to laugh at my misfortune, Daina?"

"How could I? Your Majesty, I’ve come to show my concern. You must take good care of your health. The Empire still needs you."

They seemed to be words of comfort, but how could they not be a taunt?

If she hadn’t used certain means back then, the one sitting in this position today would have been Daina. After all, Daina was the female heir the old Queen had valued most.

She had never doubted Daina’s hatred for her. ’Seeing me so broken-down, with the Imperial Family about to perish in my hands, Daina must be very happy.’

"There’s no need for your sarcasm. I know I’m a failure. Say whatever you want. It was my incompetence that let imperial power crumble in my hands. I have no face to see my mother."

Lady Daina turned and sat in a chair, pouring herself a cup of hot tea. After taking a sip, she asked, "What are your plans now? The First Military District has defected to the Alliance Army. After receiving the news, the other military districts are all taking a wait-and-see attitude. They’re only giving perfunctory responses to your orders, and clearly have no intention of following your command."

"What plans could I possibly have? It’s already come to this. I’ve lost the hearts of the people, and the situation is completely out of control. Besides maintaining a façade of harmony, what else can I do? You tell me, what else can I do?"

Lady Daina looked at Her Majesty Queen, who in that moment seemed to have lost all her spirit.

"Are you just going to be a coward at a time like this? Shouldn’t you stand up and apologize to all the citizens for everything you’ve done?"

"Would an apology even be useful now? Would they forgive me? Could I still make up for my past mistakes? If I could, I would willingly apologize. But it’s too late for everything now. An apology would only bring more stains upon the imperial power. Not apologizing will at least preserve its last shred of dignity."

Her Majesty Queen looked at Daina and sighed. "You were always smarter than me. All these years, your life has only gotten better. I imagine that soon, even with a change in power, you won’t be affected much. Thinking about it now, I really do envy you." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"Who knows what the future will bring? I’m just doing my best. You’re only starting to envy me now, Your Majesty, because the current situation is unfavorable for you, isn’t it?"

Her Majesty Queen let out a soft laugh. "You have a point, Daina. If you had been the one to take this seat back then, what would you have done?"

"There are no ’ifs,’ Your Majesty." Lady Daina did not answer her question. She rose and bid Her Majesty Queen a final farewell. This would likely be the last time the two would see each other in this life. After this, they would probably never have the chance to meet again.

When the regime changed, Her Majesty Queen, as the representative of imperial power, could at best hope for exile. She would not remain on the Imperial Star.

But everyone who remained would continue to live their lives.

Daina knew very well that Her Majesty Queen did not regret fighting her for the throne back then.

If she could do it all over again, the Queen would still have done the same thing. Her only regret was not being more careful, not preventing her actions from being exposed to the public, which caused her to completely lose their support.

Her Majesty Queen watched Lady Daina leave. She hadn’t expected Daina to come and see her in her final hours. But at the same time, she felt no gratitude, because she knew very well that at this point, no one could truly help her.

She was surprised to find that she felt a sense of relief.

The power she had once desperately clung to... the moment it finally vanished, she unexpectedly felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted.