I Married the Terminally Ill Emperor - Chapter 121

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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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I Married a Terminally Ill Emperor

 

Chapter 121

 

Meanwhile, Heidi smiled inwardly.

 

She had been unable to move freely due to the Emperor’s surveillance, but there were clearly forces within the Empire that opposed the Emperor.

 

And they targeted the weak Princess rather than the steadfast Emperor.

 

Suddenly, the face of the Princess who pretended to be innocent came to mind.

 

Could she really remain so calm in the face of malicious rumors directed at her? There was no way she, who had grown up like a flower in a greenhouse, could endure it.

 

She needed to shake the Princess like this, then gradually drive a wedge between her and the Emperor so that she would have nowhere to turn.

 

After that, she could simply take her to the Holy Empire as the Pope desired.

 

She didn’t know why the Pope wanted her, but it would be fine if she just couldn’t bear the criticism and false rumors and took her own life.

 

Hiding her regretful feelings, Heidi looked at the crowd before her with a gentle smile.

 

“I understand well the fear you are feeling right now. Only the Goddess can protect you. Believe in the Goddess. The Hallen Sacred Empire will embrace you all.”

 

Neigh!

 

Just then, the sound of horses was heard from behind the crowd.

 

When people turned around, they could see the Emperor and Imperial Guard Knights lined up.

 

They were on their way back from patrolling the danger zone where Demon Beasts appeared. The Emperor himself was going out several times a day.

 

Clip-clop.

 

“We greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

 

The crowd parted to the sides so the Emperor and Knights could pass through.

 

Although they had come to the Palace Front out of fear, there were no Imperial Citizens who could openly raise their voices before the Emperor they deeply respected and trusted in their hearts.

 

That’s why their complaints were directed not at the Emperor but at the Princess from another Kingdom.

 

The Emperor, who had ridden his horse up to the Saint, looked down at her.

 

“Saint, I clearly warned you. Not to act recklessly.”

 

“Yes. But don’t we need someone to calm the angry public sentiment? Since the delicate Princess cannot come out here, I should at least listen to these people’s fears.”

 

“Isn’t this agitation?”

 

“How could that be? I merely wanted to soothe their fears.”

 

The Saint spoke plainly.

 

The Emperor swept his eyes over the hundreds of people gathered in front of the Palace.

 

These were people trembling in fear over just a few Demon Beasts.

 

But did they know? That the Princess they cursed as a villainess had decided to marry a man she didn’t even love in order to protect people from tens of thousands of Demon Beasts pouring down from the sky.

 

These were people who cursed her without knowing the Princess’s sacrifice, but he couldn’t arrest them. They too were likely being manipulated by the Marchioness’s schemes.

 

“I promised. That I would eliminate those things. Those who trust me, leave this place immediately.”

 

Then the middle-aged man who had been at the front raising his voice was the first to run away as if his tail was on fire.

 

Soon the crowd that had gathered in front of the Palace also disappeared quickly like a receding tide.

 

Heidi watched this scene with incredulous eyes and bit her lips. If the Emperor had appeared just a little later, she could have incited the people.

 

“The Saint of the Holy Empire and the only Sword Master are here, yet the Pope hasn’t said a word about returning. Is what the Pope is after recruiting believers through you two?”

 

The Emperor looked at her with sharp eyes.

 

“You speak the obvious. His Holiness the Pope wishes for the Goddess to embrace all Empires.”

 

“How strange. Both the Pope and the Saint seem to actually welcome the appearance of Demon Beasts.”

 

“That-”

 

She tried to immediately argue back, but the Emperor ignored her and walked past.

 

As Heidi glared at the Emperor’s retreating figure with dissatisfied eyes, she met Roand’s heavy gaze.

 

Heidi hurriedly avoided his eyes.

 

She felt like he might discover the story the Pope had told her never to reveal to him specifically.

 

* * *

 

Emperor Gray headed straight to Crystal Palace.

 

Dahlia must have heard those rumors too.

 

She who had sacrificed herself to prevent the world’s destruction had been branded with the stigma of being a villainess.

 

Wasn’t she heartbroken and crying? Would he be able to bear watching her tears when his heart ached so much?

 

“Hart. I’m doing well, right? Hahaha.”

 

However, contrary to his expectations, clear laughter could be heard from her Room.

 

When he knocked with a puzzled expression, Hart quickly ran over to open the door, then upon discovering him, swiftly bowed her head.

 

“I greet Emperor Gray.”

 

“Your Majesty, what brings you here?”

 

Dahlia was standing with a Wooden Sword in her hand.

 

Her and a Sword? Could there be a more mismatched combination?

 

“What are you doing right now?”

 

“I was showing Hart my Swordsmanship skills.”

 

Hearing Dahlia speak excitedly, he turned his gaze to Hart standing behind him.

 

“She’s surprisingly good.”

 

Emperor Gray looked at Dahlia with a truly surprised expression.

 

“Ahem.”

 

She lifted her chin with a proud expression.

 

Come to think of it, she was also good at Forward Roll, and said she was good at Horsemanship too. (Though he hadn’t actually seen her skills) But now Swordsmanship too?

 

“What can’t you do?”

 

At his serious question, Dahlia burst into laughter.

 

“I’m good at this and that. I had a lot of time, you know.”

 

If she had been a Princess of another country, she would have been busy with High Society activities, but she lived freely without meeting anyone.

 

What she had plenty of was time, and what she possessed was stamina. So she could pester Cole to teach her various things.

 

“Excellent.”

 

At the unexpected words, when she gave him a suspicious look, he chuckled.

 

“This time it’s a real compliment.”

 

Only then did she smile and hand the Wooden Sword to Cole.

 

“But what brings you here without any notice?”

 

The Emperor usually gave advance notice before visiting.

 

“To check if you’re doing well.”

 

“Yes? What do you mean?”

 

Dahlia looked at him with a puzzled expression, and the Emperor silently observed her face before shaking his head as if it was nothing.

 

“I’ve confirmed what I needed to. I’ll be going now.”

 

“Wait a moment. I also have something to tell you. Could everyone please step out for a moment?”

 

Soon, only the two of them remained in her room.

 

Dahlia awkwardly shifted her eyes and then pointed to the tea table.

 

“Would you like some cocoa?”

 

“I’ll pass. What did you want to say?”

 

As he took a seat, she opened her mouth with a determined expression.

 

“There are rumors going around lately that I’m a villainess.”

 

Gray’s eyes widened. It seemed she had heard the rumors too.

 

“You heard them.”

 

“Oh my, Your Majesty knew about them too?”

 

“Yes. You had to hear things you shouldn’t have because of me. I apologize. If you’re upset, you can resent me.”

 

“Why would I be upset?”

 

Dahlia asked with a puzzled expression.

 

“Aren’t you hurt by the false rumors?”

 

“Since they’re not true, I wasn’t hurt by them.”

 

She tilted her head and quietly murmured, “Should I have been upset?”

 

At this, Gray unconsciously smiled warmly.

 

His chest burned with heat. The moment his love for her intensified, Gray clenched his teeth in preparation for the pain.

 

As expected, a tearing pain rushed through his back.

 

Still, since he had mentally prepared himself this time, he was able to avoid showing it in front of her. His clenched fist became damp with sweat.

 

Just as the pain was gradually subsiding, her next words made him forget all about the pain.

 

“I need to go outside.”

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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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