How to Replace Your Dad - Chapter 247

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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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How to Replace Father
Chapter 247
Yujina bit her lip hard.
“I’ve done what I could.”
“If you hadn’t been outshone by the Saint, none of this would have happened.”
“What?”
Ludvico fixed her with a cold, piercing stare.
“If you hadn’t lost the Empress Dowager’s attention to the Saint, we could have set out earlier and brought those mine owners to heel.”
“Ludvico.”
“Am I wrong?”
His voice rose to a shout.
Yujina glared at him with a hardened expression.
“That was unavoidable—the Saint brought the palace maidens whom the Empress Dowager herself had saved….”
“The Saint thought of something you couldn’t.”
“I—”
“Why do you think the Empress Dowager gave information about the First Test to only the Saint?”
Yujina flinched.
It was something she too had wondered.
Information is not a finite thing.
Just because it was given to Yustea didn’t mean it couldn’t be given to her.
Yet the Empress Dowager had deliberately given test information only to Yustea.
Ludvico’s voice turned savage.
“Because you went around bullying every noble without a shred of fear.”
“—!”
Ludvico clenched his teeth.
Her dismissal by the Empress Dowager stemmed from her arrogance beyond measure.
The Empress Dowager had grasped it instantly upon seeing how she trampled nobles beneath her.
What Yujina would become when she held power.
Had the Empress Dowager possessed no other card to play, she would have sensed that Yujina would show him the same disrespect.
“If you hadn’t acted that way, the Empress Dowager would never have ignored her niece who carries a grandchild.”
Yujina’s face flushed crimson.
She stared at Ludvico, her lip clamped between her teeth.
“So you’re saying this entire disaster is my fault?”
“Or else.”
“Is it not your fault for lacking any military achievement whatsoever? If you’d led a single battle to victory, would those mine owners have flocked entirely to Prince Luciano?”
“You—!”
“Or is it the Empress’s fault for being too busy coddling her son and never sending you into battle?”
“What did you—”
“You’re the sort of person who can’t help but blame others.”
At her bitter words, Ludvico’s face burned scarlet.
He seized her wrist roughly.
“Watch your mouth!”
“What are you doing!”
Yujina had just cried out, her face drained of color—
When the tent flap was drawn back.
“How much longer do you intend to drag the Imperial Court’s honor through the mud?”
It was Luciano.
The knights and mine owners outside the tent were stealing glances inward.
Ludvico clicked his tongue sharply and released Yujina’s hand.
Yujina clutched her wrist, staring at Luciano.
The moment their eyes met, her face flushed.
‘Why did he….’
Why had he helped her?
He should be her enemy.
Luciano possessed a different measure of character.
Unlike Ludvico, who merely pressured his wife over minor mistakes.
Luciano left the tent.
Yujina approached him at the water tap, pretending to return to her own quarters.
“I….”
When Luciano glanced back, she hid her flushed cheeks with the back of her hand and spoke.
“I wanted to thank you for your help….”
“That wasn’t done for you, so don’t worry about it.”
“You show consideration in such a way.”
“….”
At his confused look, she smiled softly.
“So the other person won’t be bothered. Isn’t that right?”
Luciano let out a low chuckle.
He turned the tap closed and faced Yujina.
“That’s quite an interesting interpretation.”
“I understand even if you try to brush me off like that.”
“…What?”
“That you’re a kind person….”
Luciano looked down at Yujina, whose fingers fidgeted nervously, his expression blank.
Yujina remained bashful throughout.
Luciano let out a hollow laugh and turned away.
He had a habit of not speaking with those with whom words wouldn’t carry.
Yet Yujina lingered at the water tap even after he departed.
She traced the tap he had touched, then sighed.
“I should have tried to challenge him.”
Why had her past self been so lacking in confidence?
The Saint was nothing to speak of.
Luciano was a calculating man.
‘If she hadn’t borne the name Esgaroth or Saint, he wouldn’t have spared her a glance.’
Come to think of it, that was true.
When Yustea was a Noble Lady of Andres, all the Empire’s subjects knew them as rivals.
Yujina, touching the tap with her fingertips, thought to herself.
‘No, there’s no need to covet his wife’s position.’
When one became Emperor, how many Empresses came into being?
There were countless Empresses who never received a glance.
Even with an Empress or other Imperial wives present, many Emperors took lovers.
Not only in the Empire’s history, but in other lands as well.
They granted lovers the title of wife and lavished power and affection upon them.
How many Emperors had whispered love’s secrets with women of family, in shadow?
Long history bore witness to it.
‘Who can say?’
Perhaps she might see that woman, Yustea, turn pale as death when their eyes met, trembling.
* * *
Luciano’s tent.
He frowned, staring at the Communication Stone.
“So why did I have to help the Sixth Prince’s wife?”
[Because if you think ahead, Yujina is the key, isn’t she?]
Yustea spoke brightly.
Luciano sighed, cradling his jaw.
[Right now, the mine owners are comparing Prince Ludvico to Luciano, so Luciano’s victory is overwhelming.]
“When the announcement of the First Test drops and the princes and princesses gather, there will be those thinking differently?”
[Yes! Especially once Yohaël arrives, mine owners will start grasping for other straws.]
“….”
[The mine owners will start punching their calculators again.]
“….”
[The Eastern Region interests will certainly factor into their calculations too.]
“….”
[A prince with incredible military achievements. Plus Count Karka’s niece, who holds Eastern Region interests, joining his camp. Even if other princes and princesses come, the mine owners will have no choice but to pick Luciano.]
“What I’m asking is….”
Luciano narrowed his eyes, staring at the Communication Stone.
“Don’t you feel any jealousy?”
[Huh?]
Luciano, crossing his arms, spoke.
“I’ll be the jealous one. Even if the Sixth Prince’s wife has her eyes on me, you won’t feel anything.”
[….]
“The way she was looking at me was crazed.”
As Luciano’s voice dropped, a sigh flowed from the Communication Stone.
[Luciano doesn’t realize it, but it’s all the same. All of it.]
“…What?”
[Even among the maids. Count Esiel’s daughter, Marquis Fetuud’s daughter, Count Tarosd’s daughter, and even Lenon the male attendant!]
Yustea’s voice rose passionately.
[And in the first place, Yujina has been looking at Luciano that way every time! Even if she looks at you with an even crazier gaze, I’ve gotten used to it by now!]
Luciano’s eyes widened.
He fell silent for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“Were you jealous?”
[…It’s time for a meal.]
“At three?”
[I eat five meals normally.]
And then, click.
The connection cut off.
Luciano, head bowed, shook with silent laughter.
His Adjutant, who had been watching from behind, quietly presented documents.
“The mine owners have sent compiled information gathered from the workers.”
“I see.”
“And… that expression you’re arranging….”
“Expression?”
When Luciano looked, the Adjutant glanced around and spoke quietly.
“That sickeningly adorable expression. Please, maintain some dignity.”
“It’s cute though.”
“Please, Prince….”
The Adjutant clenched his teeth.
Did they get to have romance all to themselves?
‘I have a rabbit in the Archipelago—no, more like a tiger of a lover.’
He released a deep sigh and continued.
“The Roster Mine seems most likely, but the Fellow and Kiel Mines are also suspicious.”
“Have all three mine owners agreed to the search?”
“The Kiel Mine….”
“What’s the problem?”
When Luciano looked with an expressionless face, the Adjutant lowered his voice.
“Even an hour ago they were clamoring to be searched first, but suddenly their attitude has changed.”
“One of the other princes or princesses has made contact with them.”
“That appears to be the case.”
Yustea’s judgment was sound.
In mere three hours, a mine owner began calculating differently.
Luciano, holding the report, glanced away.
Through the tent opening, a skirt hem fluttered as someone lingered.
It was Yujina.
* * *
The search yielded no progress.
Even until the morning of the next day, neither Luciano’s nor Ludvico’s knights had caught the Reconstruction Society’s trail.
Ludvico shouted.
“Still nothing?!”
“….”
Ludvico’s knights only bowed their heads, offering no answer.
‘The announcement will be made soon.’
There were surely princes and princesses already watching the mine region.
The moment the announcement dropped, they would appear and hinder the search.
“Damn it.”
He clenched his teeth so hard they clicked.
He turned his head.
Yujina, sitting in a chair doing nothing but fiddling with her nails, glanced at him.
Ludvico’s face twisted.
“What exactly are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“You should contact your Uncle at least! Have him bring reinforcements!”
“Territorial conflicts are breaking out all across the Eastern Region. Should I ask for troops to be withdrawn? Would your Uncle agree to something so unreasonable?”
“Yujina!”
“Fine! I’ll send a letter. But don’t expect anything.”
Yujina turned her head with a snap.
Three hours passed, but there was no word from Count Karka, Yujina’s uncle.
Instead, those bearing the Imperial banner arrived in succession.
The announcement of the First Test had come down, and the princes and princesses had arrived.
Gaspard, Yohaël’s brother and the Empress’s second son, let out a derisive snort.
“The little rats are quick indeed.”
Ain also dismounted and looked at Ludvico.
“Set out first and still have nothing to show for it, I see.”
Ludvico forced a smile.
“You’re welcome to mock, sir.”
“Is speaking truth mockery?”
Gaspard let out another snort.
Walking up, he seized Ludvico’s shoulder roughly.
“You look terrified.”
“Terrified…?”
“Why not go back now? To spare yourself further shame.”
With that, Gaspard turned away.
Ain merely shrugged and tapped Ludvico’s back repeatedly as he walked past.
Ludvico’s face burned with humiliation.
‘Damn it. Damn it all…!’
He’d moved so hastily to avoid witnessing this very scene.
His hand, gripping his hair, trembled.
But something was strange.
“Where are the mine owners? Why aren’t they here?”
“They won’t meet with me. How about you, sister?”
“Same for me.”
The princesses looked around with bewildered expressions.
Gaspard and Ain bore hard faces as well.
One of Gaspard’s knights rushed forward.
“Your Highness!”
“What is it? Why won’t the mine owners—!”
“The mine owners have formed a coalition…!”
“What?!”
The faces of the princes and princesses hardened.
A coalition had formed.
That meant only one person could gather information and conduct the search.
Gaspard’s knight continued with an awkward expression.
“Furthermore… they will conduct all negotiations solely through the Sixth Prince’s wife….”
“…!”
“…?!”
The game would turn through Yujina’s hands.
Ludvico’s heart soared with silent triumph.
‘Perfect…!’
Yujina was his wife.
She would help only him.
Ludvico quickly spoke to his knight.
“Where is Yujina?”
“That is….”
“Where is she?”
“….”
The knight, looking confused, spoke.
“She is in Prince Luciano’s tent.”
“…What?”
Ludvico’s face went rigid.
* * *
Luciano’s tent.
Yujina, seated before Luciano, spoke.
“So what I’m saying is… I want you to give me a chance.”
“A chance.”
“A chance to grow close to you, Your Highness.”
Yujina quietly presented an Oath Contract.
It was a magical artifact that threatened the life of the contract-bound should they breach its terms.
“Twice a week, three hours each. Spend that time with me.”
“….”
“Surely that’s not a bad deal if you could become Crown Prince?”
Yujina smiled shyly.
But her eyes gleamed with arrogance beyond measure.
She tapped the Oath Contract twice and spoke.
“If you refuse….”
“I have another option.”
Ludvico.
It meant she could always return to him.
She gazed at Luciano with enraptured eyes.
If this man became hers.
Ah, if she could only possess this beautiful man.
She would never fear committing treachery.
And….
‘That girl Yustea would be so furious she wouldn’t know what to do with herself.’
Who could refuse an offer when the Crown Prince’s seat lay before them?
She was certain of victory.
But that was the moment—
“A message from the Saint!”
Luciano’s Adjutant’s voice rang out from beyond the tent.
Luciano left the tent.
Yujina hastily followed.
‘Perhaps she foresaw the situation and took fright?’
All the princes and princesses surrounded the messenger.
The messenger, on bended knee, cried out.
“All seventeen Lords of the Eastern Region have agreed to a proposal to refrain from territorial conflicts for the next ten years!”
“…What?”
Yujina’s eyes widened.
Luciano’s lips curled upward.
He spoke.
“This test was never about rescuing the Count of Andres.”
It was to end the turmoil of the Eastern Region.
This place was merely bait to draw the princes and princesses’ eyes away.

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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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