One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 87

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

One Day I Picked Up a Mother – Episode 87

“Despite His Majesty the Emperor being firmly seated in his position, they whispered impious words to me as if coveting His Majesty’s throne. I consider this clear treason.”

The moment he labeled the faction that tried to support him as treason, there would be no more who would try to align themselves with Uncle.

What could be the reason for trampling his own support base with his own hands?

“I can no longer overlook the situation where my very existence becomes any kind of pressure or threat to His Majesty.”

Then one councilman who couldn’t contain himself jumped up from his seat and shouted.

“Who exactly are these traitors! Reveal the names of those who have shaken the Regent and defiled the dignity of the Imperial Family!”

The hall instantly erupted with agreeing outcries. Angry voices demanding the criminals be rooted out burst forth.

However, Orick only raised his hand without any response.

When the hall quieted again under the Chairman’s control, he continued speaking.

“I did not stand here today to reveal who they are or to punish them.”

After letting out a deep sigh, he opened his mouth again.

“I merely wish to fundamentally block the unnecessary ambitions that sprout because of my existence. If I completely renounce my right to the throne, no one will be able to whisper to me anymore about coveting His Majesty’s position.”

Even so, the councilmen’s murmuring arose once more.

They seemed thoroughly angered by the shocking words that came from the Regent’s mouth.

However, the matters Uncle spoke of would have been nothing more than flattering words at best.

Treason charges would be difficult to establish with mere incitement that had no evidence or will to execute.

“Ha, who would dare scheme such an insane thing?”

“It must be among the lower house councilmen. Aren’t they the ones who benefited the most since the Regent began governing?”

So we shouldn’t become obsessed with the so-called traitors Uncle mentioned.

What was important now was still that. Preventing this theatrical performance from ending with only proving the Regent’s legitimacy.

Ludrio Rharhart slowly raised his hand even before the Chairman could offer the right to question.

“I have a question.”

The Chairman’s permission was granted and the hall quieted once more.

“Since there were temptations from those around you to sit on the throne, I fully understand why Your Majesty would say you wish to renounce your succession rights.”

Ludrio Rharhart’s voice resonated quietly.

“I also fully understand the displeasure Your Majesty must have felt at the impiety of trying to go against the perfectly natural order of His Majesty the Emperor ascending to the throne. Perhaps Your Majesty felt the same anger that everyone present here feels.”

It was an extremely calm tone, without even a trace of sarcasm to be found.

“If I were in Your Majesty’s position, I too could not have put my pitiful nephew, who lost all his parents and siblings at the mere age of eight, in danger.”

Ludrio Rharhart paused and stared at Uncle.

That face quietly waiting for the next words was very calm.

As if there was nothing to fear, whatever words might follow.

“But as you and everyone present here knows, His Majesty the Emperor is still unmarried and has no heir. In this situation, having you, the next in line for succession, renounce your rights carries too great a risk that the Empire’s bloodline could be severed in case of emergency.”

Ludrio Rharhart drove the point home while scanning the Chairman’s seat and the councilmen’s seats in turn.

“Surely Parliament would never approve this proposal for the stability of the Empire.”

Agreeing murmurs burst out among the councilmen.

“So how about replacing your loyalty to the Empire and sincerity toward the Emperor with resignation from the regency instead of renouncing succession rights?”

At Ludrio Rharhart’s suggestion, the stirring in the hall stopped for a moment.

“If Your Majesty resigns and then recommends His Majesty the Emperor, who will come of age in two days, as the next regent, then with Parliament’s approval, His Majesty the Emperor will directly oversee state affairs. If that happens, even those who dared whisper vain hopes would give up.”

Originally, appointing a regent was the Emperor’s exclusive prerogative.

However, with the Emperor absent now, it could be legally and perfectly transferred through the procedures of the regent’s resignation, recommendation, and approval.

“Your Majesty would end the situation of being a pressure or threat to the Emperor as you wish, and the Empire could find stability without risk. I believe there could be no more perfect solution than this, what do you think?”

The councilmen’s agitation poured forth.

As if his proposal was a very good plan, even those sitting nearby let out small sighs and nodded their heads.

Only Orick had an emotionless face.

“….”

Had he anticipated even this far?

Was he so carefree because he had countermeasures?

Ludrio Rharhart clenched his fist invisibly under the desk.

Those blue eyes quietly meeting his gaze, those azure eyes proving the same bloodline as his own, continued to grate on Ludrio Rharhart’s nerves.

“Count, do not obscure the point!”

Orick turned his head only after a man roughly kicked back his chair and stood up from the lower house seats.

Only after Uncle’s blue gaze turned that way did Ludrio Rharhart also turn his head.

“The reason we gathered today is not to decide whether the regency should continue.”

The man with a quite agitated face continued speaking while scanning the councilmen’s seats.

“Moreover, you seem to be mistaken, but the reason Count Roderich became regent is because he is the legitimate representative directly appointed by His Majesty the missing Emperor. Therefore, until next September when His Majesty’s death declaration is legally accepted, this regency must be maintained according to His Majesty the Emperor’s command.”

At the lower house councilman’s sharp finger-pointing, someone sitting beside Ludrio Rharhart clicked their tongue, saying “How dare he.”

“Isn’t pressuring a regent who clearly has time left in his term the very act that shakes the Empire’s foundation?”

That was when it happened.

“I say, what kind of absurd nonsense are you spouting about a reasonable plan offered as a compromise? Did the Count’s remarks sound like pressure to your ears?”

A count who had been nervously tapping the floor with his cane opened his mouth as if dumbfounded.

“They said there was a group plotting treason, could that be you? Are you so terrified of being caught that you’ve lost your mind and are only spouting foolish words?”

“Wh-what kind of rude words are those!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Silence! Everyone sit down! This is the sacred Parliament of the Empire!”

At the Chairman’s fierce roar, the chaotic hall fell into silence as if having no choice.

Ludrio Rharhart looked at Uncle again.

He seemed a bit tired. Judging by how he sighed and rubbed around his eyebrows.

The Chairman gave the floor back to Orick and his answer was very brief.

“The Count is right.”

Even though he didn’t want to, Ludrio Rharhart’s brow furrowed.

“Whether the renunciation of succession rights is accepted or not. I will resign from the regency.”

He didn’t want to show signs of being shaken.

“As you probably already know, the Emperor is someone who would lack nothing even if he sat on the throne right now. My nephew has already grown sufficiently wise and strong. He will do excellently as regent too.”

He mustn’t let it show.

“Besides, he’ll soon be an adult. On the Emperor’s birthday, I will formalize my resignation from the regency and request Parliament again to support Prince Gaien as the next regent.”

Why so obediently.

Curses flowed through Ludrio Rharhart’s teeth.

‘Has nothing changed in ten years?’

This time too, like this, would he fail to catch anything?

“I have finished what I wanted to say.”

Orick nodded while looking at the Chairman.

At his urging, the Chairman prepared for the vote as if entranced.

Ludrio Rharhart watched Orick’s retreating figure from the platform for a long time.

His fingernails dug into his palm from his tightly clenched fist, finally creating a bitter pain.

He was being played in his hands again.

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