A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 68

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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68.
“The Empress has brought up a scandal involving Cedric Myers.”
“Pardon?”
As I changed into fresh attire for the second Nobility Council meeting, Thetis spoke with a darkened expression.
“Cedric is my Guard Knight. What’s the problem with that?”
“Regardless of his position, the timing of his teleportation was too convenient. You spent over a week together. You didn’t contact the Sixth Prince immediately and acted alone as a pair. The Empress is suggesting that your marriage to the Sixth Prince is merely contractual, while Cedric Myers represents your true love.”
“Good heavens…”
The Empress must adore those romance novels about forbidden affairs.
I frowned while adjusting the brooch on the cloak Abigail had draped over my shoulders.
“Does anyone actually believe such nonsense?”
“Whether they believe it or not, it provides sufficient justification to separate Cedric Myers from the Princess’s side.”
“…Sigh.”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“Cedric and I truly harbor no feelings for each other. I don’t understand why everyone makes such a fuss about it.”
“…Are you truly certain there are no feelings at all?”
Thetis asked quietly as she handed me the Prince’s Consort’s crown.
“With respect, I don’t believe that’s the case with Cedric Myers.”
“What…do you mean?”
“Because he continues to address you as the Princess rather than the Prince’s Consort. How one addresses another reveals the true nature of their heart.”
“…”
Now that she mentioned it, Cedric had consistently called me the Princess even after our marriage, never the Prince’s Consort.
“That’s…that’s not necessarily true. Please don’t misunderstand, Thetis.”
I hastily denied it, though an unsettling anxiety crept into my chest.
“Let us proceed to the meeting.”
* * *
“Sixth Prince’s Wife, explain yourself.”
“…”
“Why did you remain with Cedric Myers without contacting the Sixth Prince from the Silverstone Territory?”
I genuinely believed my impulse to hurl the cake I’d eaten earlier at the Empress seated upon the dais was entirely justified.
Indeed, roughly a third of the Nobility Council’s attendees were growing visibly bored as she repeated the same question endlessly.
“Your Majesty, as I’ve stated repeatedly, it was necessary to resolve the matter concerning Count Pixis.”
“Hehe. You attempted to handle it alone when contacting the Sixth Prince would have resolved everything immediately. That makes no sense. Wasn’t it simply because you wished to remain with Cedric Myers?”
“Your Majesty possesses quite the vivid imagination. Do you perhaps enjoy popular novels? Especially those centered on infidelity?”
“What did you say?!”
“My apologies.”
As I smiled sweetly and fanned myself, the Empress gripped the armrests of her chair.
At that moment, Emperor Yukal frowned with evident boredom.
“This matter is merely gossip. We’ll discuss it later, outside the Nobility Council. The matter of the 3rd Empress is far more pressing, Empress.”
“…Understood.”
“Now then, what are your thoughts? I shall consider the matter according to your counsel.”
Truly, Emperor Yukal deserves his reputation as a madman. It seemed he had completely abandoned state affairs, now soliciting opinions from the three princes before him.
‘Still… Prince Chris. Seeing him up close for the first time.’
He was the complete opposite of Demian or Leonard Blake.
If anything, he bore a closer resemblance to Cedric’s image.
Extraordinarily serene and quiet.
His platinum hair, cut short, cascaded gently at the nape of his neck, and his pink eyes were composed.
His features were delicate and refined. At first glance, one might easily mistake him for a woman.
‘I heard he wasn’t particularly ambitious about succession to the throne?’
It seemed he intended to marry a foreign woman and preserve his house whenever the opportunity arose.
While I observed Prince Chris for some time, he spoke first.
“I have no opinion on the matter. Do as you see fit.”
His voice was calm and delicate.
“Again? You should think about this for once.”
“Managing my own territory is already overwhelming.”
“…Tsk. Then Demian, what is your opinion?”
“What are you asking? She committed incest and attempted to murder the Sixth Prince’s Wife. No matter if she is the 3rd Empress, it is absolutely unforgivable. She should be sent to the guillotine.”
At his cruel words, the courtiers who usually sided with the 3rd Empress audibly held their breath.
“Hmm, Leonard Blake. And you?”
“…Demian’s words are not without merit, but I believe confining her to Tartaros would be sufficient. Benjamin Prince stopped Count Pixis, his own maternal grandfather, himself. He is nothing short of a hero—please preserve his honor.”
“Hmm? Confining her to Tartaros hardly preserves honor either.”
Yukal tilted his head with a mocking smile.
It was unimaginable that this man was discussing someone who, until recently, had been his own wife.
Then he suddenly smiled and looked at me.
“…Ah. Is that so.”
“?”
“That won’t do.”
What was he thinking? As I slightly frowned, Emperor Yukal rose and delivered his verdict.
“Death sentence it is. And the Silverstone Territory shall be divided in two—Demian and Leonard Blake will each take one. Chris, since you have no objections.”
“Your Majesty, what of the Pixis Knights? Will you not grant my son half of the order as well?”
The Empress rose abruptly and asked.
Emperor Yukal glared at her with an expression of disgust.
“The Knights’ Order shall be integrated into the Imperial Army! Did Count Pixis not originally follow me!?”
“Your… Your Majesty….”
“What a greedily insatiable woman! I shall take my leave!”
As the Emperor descended from his golden throne, he spoke to me.
“Ah, Sixth Prince’s Wife. As was decided in the first Nobility Council, Benjamin Prince and the Princesses’ exile shall proceed within several days.”
“Yes….”
“I express my gratitude to the King of Sincester.”
Soon after, the Emperor departed swiftly, and the Empress followed him with a huff.
Now that the nominal co-ruler had vanished, the Nobility Council had no choice but to adjourn.
Once all the nobles had left, only I and three princes remained in the Conference Hall.
Prince Chris was the first to stand.
“I have no interest whatsoever in this matter, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Chris.”
Demian spoke with an oppressive tone, but Prince Chris paid him no mind and turned away.
“Whether Benjamin and the 3rd Empress live or die is none of my concern. Didn’t you say the territories and private assets would be distributed to them? The Knights’ Order belongs solely to the Imperial Court.”
“…There are many other matters we should discuss. The Succession to the Throne, for instance.”
“If you knew me at all, you’d understand I have absolutely no interest in that. Besides, would consulting between us even resolve such a matter?”
Chris ended his words curtly and left the Conference Hall, passing by me.
“He makes a fair point.”
Leonard also rose from his seat, following Chris.
“The Succession to the Throne will begin after the Redford hunting festival concludes. Demian, try not to be so anxious.”
….
He then approached me, seated at the far end.
“Shall we return as well?”
* * *
Tartaros.
It was Blake’s magical prison, where countless criminals were confined.
They say that any house failing to become the Imperial family faces complete annihilation, but that’s somewhat of an exaggeration.
There is a legitimate Succession to the Throne.
One of the princes gains the qualifications of Crown Prince through that struggle and ascends to the throne.
If one rebels against that decision and “fails,” then complete annihilation befalls them.
As I walked through the Corridor, I asked Leonard the reason for the Emperor’s peculiar smile.
“After I become Emperor, he fears I might free the 3rd Empress from Tartaros and let her escape to Sincester.”
“Good heavens, what’s wrong with letting her escape?”
“He’s afraid Benjamin will grow up and seek revenge on him. You could say the Emperor of Blake becomes a coward the moment he inherits the throne.”
As I walked slowly, I suddenly gazed at his smooth profile and asked.
“Will you become like that too?”
“…Perhaps I might.”
Now that I think about it, I never asked about his future after becoming Emperor.
Even if I return to Sincester, what will this man end up doing?
I also wanted to ask about that wishing stone.
But afterward, we had to manage a busy schedule.
Especially Leonard. He had to handle the issues between Blackwood and Silverstone.
We soon had to part ways.
I was heading to my Room, while Leonard was heading to a meeting with the Silverstone retainers.
“See you later.”
“Yes, we’ll definitely see each other.”
Surprisingly, when I returned to my Room, it was Demian who greeted me at the entrance.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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