Don’t Look for the Resurrected Villainess - Chapter 175
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 175
The Duchess of Roam’s eyes gradually regained their composure.
“Do you remember what rumors circulated when Her Majesty the Empress was attacked by monsters? They said monsters transformed into animals to approach her. And they also said a Dura’han appeared.”
The Duke of Roam, who had been silently listening to his wife’s explanation, asked in a voice tinged with fatigue.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying it could all be Anelli’s self-directed drama to manipulate everything with her own hands.”
“Did Lilia make another strange prophecy?”
“That cunning child is trying hard to win my heart. But I’m not saying this because I’m swayed by that. Darling, I simply want you to establish a successor you can control.”
The Duchess of Roam smoothly continued her words as if it were all for the Duke’s sake, then gracefully approached her husband.
“Besides, His Majesty apparently disapproves of the Crown Prince associating with the Mage Tower. His position, having fallen out of His Majesty’s favor, is dangerous. If we’re going to support him, we need to proceed with a marriage alliance, but who would we send to the Crown Prince?”
The Duchess reached out and calmly stroked her husband’s shoulder. After repeating this a few times, the Duke’s rigidly tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
“The situation has changed as you said, darling.”
“We cannot send Anelli away. That child is Roam’s bloodline.”
Not just any Roam bloodline, but a very valuable Roam bloodline.
The Duchess understood what her husband meant to say. She shared the same opinion.
The undeniable Reviver chosen by the Creator. Sending Anelli, who was no different from a living divine statue, outside of Roam was unthinkable.
“I’m not saying we should cast her out. Just… that we should be cautious. We still have choices available to us.”
They had maintained close ties with Maxel for a long time, but had no proper connections established with Heinrih.
If they had solidified their relationship through the most certain method of marriage, they wouldn’t be able to withdraw, but that wasn’t the case.
The Duchess continued speaking.
“Lilia told me that the Crown Prince will soon lead troops in a massive monster subjugation campaign. Through this, he’ll receive the people’s praise and ascend to the throne.”
Both of them knew that Lilia’s foresight had returned.
The Duke said nothing. However, deep anguish was evident in his furrowed brow.
The Duchess spoke unhurriedly and gently.
“They say the Creator sent down a Reviver to defeat monsters, but how could a Reviver accomplish such a tremendous task alone?”
The Duke swallowed hard.
While he could believe that it was the Creator who revived Anelli, he didn’t believe that Anelli could eliminate all monsters.
Even without his wife pointing it out, he had probably already considered this.
Anelli seemed to have no particular power, and the most she had shown publicly were instances of being kidnapped by monsters.
Of course, she had returned unharmed each time… but her abilities remained shrouded in mystery.
“If the Crown Prince leads troops to deal with monsters, he would certainly receive support.”
“Exactly. Roam needs the Reviver, but we mustn’t forget our close relationship with the Imperial family either.”
After saying this, the Duchess thought of Anelli.
Anelli had been the empress candidate she had carefully raised.
A daughter who had complied with her mother’s teachings and executed them admirably. But a foolish thing who couldn’t overcome her own burdensome greed and was heading toward self-destruction.
Recalling how she had collapsed in the past, placing that child as the heir apparent based solely on her reputation as a Reviver was indeed an unsettling prospect.
“Since the Reviver’s momentum is good publicly, make sure that child doesn’t act capriciously. It would be troublesome if her mood sours over employee issues. Seiri needs time.”
“I’ll send word immediately.”
In the end, it was the Duke who took a step back.
The Duchess, who had calmly organized her thoughts while recalling last night’s conversation, rose to her feet.
Had Anelli gone to the Imperial Palace?
“Tell them to prepare as I need to go out.”
“Yes, my lady. And this is a letter that arrived for you.”
Her personal maid carefully set down the letter. Priscian’s name was written on the envelope.
Upon seeing this, the Duchess clicked her tongue with an annoyed expression.
“Let’s go out first.”
The unopened letter disappeared into a drawer.
* * *
“Her Majesty the Empress still hasn’t awakened.”
I thought she would open her eyes immediately once Lusaka was killed.
Hearing news that the Empress was still asleep, I pursed my lips thoughtfully. Perhaps it would be better for me to examine her directly?
‘If it’s a matter of divine authority, I need to see with my own eyes.’
Heinrih gave me time to think sufficiently.
Sitting across from me, quietly sipping his tea in silence, he only spoke again when I let out a long breath.
“This was after the Mage Tower and Temple caused quite a commotion.”
“Yes.”
“Father’s rage was tremendous.”
Oh dear. If the Emperor was furious, Heinrih would have been the one suffering beside him.
When I looked at Heinrih with faint sympathy, he smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“He’s becoming increasingly sensitive.”
“Oh my.”
I sighed and picked up my teacup.
“Perhaps he wants to call Maxel back to his side. Coincidentally, Maxel requested an audience with His Majesty today.”
“Is that so?”
“From what I subtly gathered, it seems he wants permission to go out.”
“Ah.”
I nodded in response to his words and set down my cup.
Heinrih spoke as if he had no idea what Maxel’s intentions could be.
“It seems he wants to visit the Ruezhak Count’s Mansion. But wasn’t the Countess of Rueack close to you?”
“…”
I unconsciously stopped my hand mid-air as I was reaching for a snack.
But that was only for a moment, and I casually picked up a cookie.
The crumbs sticking to my fingertips felt annoyingly rough.
“We were very close friends.”
My mouth turned bitter at hearing that name after so long.
“Ah, so that’s why it sounded familiar.”
I swallowed a sigh as I looked at Heinrih nodding innocently.
I carelessly put down the uneaten cookie on the table, then wiped my hands with a handkerchief. Then I took out a paper I had brought from my pocket and handed it to him.
After confirming that Heinrih received and unfolded the paper, I gripped the handle of my teacup.
“It’s such an incredibly stupid choice that it’s hard to believe.”
When I muttered curtly, Heinrih replied as if talking to himself.
“Indeed. She’s really lost her mind. Is this truly her prophecy?”
“Yes. It’s a novel she’s been writing very diligently every night lately.”
She was writing so diligently that Tristan was having quite a hard time relaying the contents to me.
Heinrih, who had calmly read through the paper to the end, folded it after checking the last sentence. Then he brought it to a nearby candlestick.
As I stared at the paper curling up and turning black, Heinrih casually asked a question.
“Will you be alright?”
It was an unkind question, but I could understand what he was asking. I nodded and sipped my tea.
Rinsing my bitter mouth with warm tea made me feel much more refreshed.
“As I told you, we were very close friends.”
At that moment, I recalled the Countess of Rueack, who used to elegantly lift her chin and gaze at me.
My dear friend, whose turn for hatred had been pushed far back because there were so many people to hate.
She was one of those common people who was moved by Lilia’s kindness and criticized my callousness.
A woman who diligently pointed out my behavior under the pretense of wanting her friend to walk the right path.
If Lilia was a cookie, the Countess of Rueack was like the crumbs that stuck to that cookie.
“We were very close friends, but she has a life-or-death relationship with Lilia. She was influenced by Lilia and reborn as a warm and kind countess.”
Moreover, the Countess of Rueack’s long-held unrequited love came to fruition thanks to Lilia. Using that as an opportunity, the Countess became Lilia’s spokesperson and lectured me.
Heinrih muttered.
“Oh, I see.”
“So you don’t need to worry about me. It’s actually fortunate. They’re gathering together without being bothersome. Without even being told to do so.”
After comfortably emptying his tea, he looked at Heinrih and smiled faintly.
“So when do those fellows say they’re departing for the Ruezhak Count’s Mansion?”
“You know the atmosphere at the Imperial Palace as well. It won’t be easy to get permission all at once.”
The Ruezhak Count’s estate was quite far from the capital.
While using the Warp Gate would allow quick arrival, the Emperor wouldn’t like leaving the palace empty during these turbulent times when the Empress had collapsed.
Moreover, given how he distrusts Heinrih these days, wouldn’t he hold onto Maxel even more tightly?
I tilted my head, speculating about the conversation between the Emperor and Maxel, then spoke in a nonchalant tone.
“But since His Majesty’s mind grows more muddled by the day, he’ll give permission soon enough.”
“My, speaking such blasphemous words so casually.”
“So will you arrest me for blasphemy?”
I asked calmly while personally refilling my teacup. It couldn’t be helped since I had dismissed all the maids to have a comfortable conversation.
Steam rose gently from the moderately filled teacup, just like before.
“It’s sad that His Majesty has lost his cognitive abilities, but as his son, I must accept it. Once Mother opens her eyes, I’m thinking of starting His Majesty’s treatment.”
As if the Emperor were truly ill, Heinrih’s voice was filled with concern.
That’s why it was amusing. I didn’t know Heinrih could exaggerate emotions to this extent. His skill would be flawless even on a theater stage.
“The Empress must open her eyes soon.”
I stood up. Though a teacup sat on the table, full as if untouched from the beginning, I didn’t particularly want to drink it.
“I would like to see the Empress.”
At my words, Heinrih readily nodded and called for an attendant.
“The Reviver wishes to offer a blessing prayer to the Empress. Tell them to prepare to receive a guest.”
Lusarca was dead, and the power she had possessed was now in my hands.
So if the Empress still couldn’t awaken because of that power, I should naturally be able to resolve it.
I had to go confirm that.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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