I Just Wanted Revenge, But Everyone Loves Me - Chapter 65

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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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Episode 65
It was a firm answer, yet my sister merely scoffed, as if she didn’t believe a word of it.
The Duke’s face twisted all the more.
But…….
Glance. Glance.
“……?”
Glance. Glance.
“……??”
Contrary to what he’d said about not envying it in the slightest, those golden eyes kept darting toward my cheeks, poking at them insistently.
‘Surely not.’
Really, truly?
“Ahem.”
“…….”
“Mmph.”
“Well then, do have a safe journey!”
I cried out hastily as a series of false coughs reached my ears.
Though even as I did, I knew this wasn’t the right answer…….
“All right.”
Ah, no—that wasn’t it.
An answer burst out as if he’d been waiting for this very moment.
Having learned firsthand the old saying that uncertainty can be dangerous, I gaped at him, slack-jawed.
“Pffft! Hehehehe! You should just be honest and say you’re dying of envy—gack! Ahhh!”
Hyacinth, who’d been snickering from the side, promptly vanished beyond the door. What happened afterward, I decided it was better not to wonder about.
Smack!
My sister kissed my cheek and spoke.
“Just wait a little longer.”
Her smile was radiant with confidence—as if she could overcome any hardship that stood in her way.
That reassuring gaze seemed proof that Bancadium knew no limits.
As expected…….
“I’ll sweep it all away for you.”
……Though I was just slightly, ever so slightly uneasy.
* * *
The Emperor’s Birthday Celebration was originally a state affair spanning four days—not something to be finished in a single day.
It was the birthday of the person called the heart and sun of the Empire, and rather than cutting back, the scale and budget had never been reduced.
To diminish it would invite whispers of an empty treasury, of an empire too depleted to properly observe even the Emperor’s birthday.
Thus, for the sake of demonstrating the nation’s prosperity and strength, some degree of investment and display was necessary.
Not merely to elevate the Emperor’s prestige, but also to attend to the incidental matters of diplomacy, trade, and more.
So the plan had been to prepare lavishly this year as well, as in years past.
Until the Crown Prince incident erupted.
“His Majesty seems to have been deeply affected by all this. To reduce even the guest list for the celebration so drastically.”
“After all, he is a father before he is an emperor. The thought of losing my own child breaks my heart completely.”
“It might be for the best, really. There are rumors circulating these days, you know…….”
Beneath the chandelier, nobles who had gathered in small clusters whispered among themselves.
With only a select few of the capital’s and provincial nobility in attendance, this year’s celebration, though yet to see its guest of honor, crackled with an electric energy.
The topics dominating conversation had narrowed to two main threads.
The Crown Prince incident and Bancadium.
“Where could he possibly be?”
“I’ve heard Bancadium maintains residences scattered throughout the Empire. Perhaps he’s at one of them?”
“I must say, things feel rather unsettled of late. It troubles me.”
“Indeed. In truth, His Majesty himself…….”
A noble who’d carelessly invoked the subject of the day quickly closed his mouth.
Yet everyone present knew.
Not only what was happening now, but the rumors circulating through society.
‘Certainly, there is something odd about it all.’
Bancadium had always been an extraordinarily closed-off faction.
They engaged in virtually no external activities; a family shrouded in something like legend.
Thus they were wrapped in gossip, suspicion, and conspiracy theories—but put another way—
‘A house that so scrupulously avoids contact with outsiders.’
Would they assassinate the Crown Prince?
If rebellion were their aim, wouldn’t it be wiser to kill the Emperor himself rather than the heir?
The Emperor and his close circle had certainly laid groundwork well, and the psychology of the masses had functioned perfectly, which was why the matter had been pushed through without real resistance until now.
Yet when examined seriously, there were details that didn’t sit right for a simple assassination.
“I find this situation rather strange, to be honest.”
The rumors going around lately as well.
Even those nobles who had believed Bancadium had killed the Crown Prince were beginning to waver.
“It’s untoward to say so, but wasn’t the interrogation conducted by His Majesty’s own people? Normally in such cases, even neutral houses would step forward to oversee it.”
This was how terrifying human psychology could be.
Even if one went along with what others thought, the moment doubt crept in—was that really true?—attitudes flipped like a turned hand.
“But then, the Duke did go to Istale without protest, didn’t he? Though he did keep insisting on his innocence.”
“He was reading the moment. All the blame was being directed at Bancadium then. Now there’s talk of evidence, you know.”
The reason people could reject Bancadium so swiftly was simple.
Condemning was far easier than uncovering the truth.
Moreover, the Emperor’s image as publicly known was remarkably positive.
Hailed as a sage ruler of the highest order, who would dare question his claims?
Naturally, people had assumed there was good reason and had entertained no real doubts until now.
But as the tide began to turn, the situation was gradually shifting.
“The Prime Minister, Jerban Felton, has arrived!”
“!”
The clustered nobles scattered at the announcement.
Jerban was the Emperor’s right hand.
Regardless of private doubts, there was nothing to gain from catching his eye.
Once word reached the Prime Minister, the Emperor would know as well.
“Good evening, Prime Minister.”
“It has been some time. I trust you have been well…….”
The imperial faction nobles who had merely been watching from the sidelines approached him one by one.
Yet their greetings were hollow affectations.
Most amounted to little more than tattling on what had been discussed before his arrival.
As the Prime Minister heard each account, he forced his lips upward into a smile.
Though inwardly, he’d long since curdled with frustration.
‘Damn it all.’
Things had spiraled into chaos.
Jerban recalled the rumors his retainers had reported to him.
‘I thought it would be brief.’
He had heard the rumors himself, but had dismissed them as mere sabotage.
Idle talk spread by Bancadium’s servants, standing on the brink of ruin.
But then,
‘They’re speaking of evidence?’
What was this now?
When he’d first heard of it, it was just talk that such rumors existed, not these specific details.
Feeling in his very bones how a small rumor had ballooned and continued to expand even now, Jerban’s fist clenched without his notice.
‘This feels wrong.’
Though he knew there could be no evidence, he found himself inexplicably anxious.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”
With the announcement of his arrival, the ornately carved doors of the banquet hall swung open on both sides.
The Emperor slipped through the gap, entering with a faint smile. Simultaneously, a sharp trumpet fanfare sounded from all directions to herald his entrance.
Swallowing his unease, Jerban stiffly moved his rigid neck.
As he remained bowed for some time, the Emperor, who had at last reached the dais, opened his mouth.

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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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