Queen of Revenge - Chapter 59

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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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Chapter 59
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The office lights flickered to life once all the soldiers had withdrawn.
Iolet sat across from the Third Prince at a low table between them.
Having agreed that each party would bring two guards, Lucian and Bara flanked Iolet on either side, while two of Prince Emeric’s guards stood behind him.
“The Princess of Elovis is in Kalande? I’ve never received such intelligence.”
Prince Emeric spoke first, his arms draped casually over the back of the sofa.
“So if I didn’t know, it means a secret entry that no one was informed of? Then it’s not a diplomatic matter—what reason would the princess have for setting foot in Kalande herself?”
“It’s purely a personal visit. I was curious about the place my husband frequents, where life and death dance so closely.”
“Ah ha, husband?”
Emeric chuckled.
“My savage younger brother is someone’s husband. I’ve sometimes wondered if marriage might tame his temperament, but I never imagined he’d take such a beautiful princess as his wife. I’m jealous now. Here I am, nearly thirty, and I can’t seem to find a suitable match.”
His manner of conversation carried a certain frivolousness, yet it lacked any sense of lightness.
“How did you discover I’m here? I came down quietly without even informing my close associates in the Capital. Could there be a breach in the Winterbark Information Guild, Heintz?”
“N-no, Your Majesty!”
Iolet pointed it out with indifference.
“How you learned of my presence isn’t what matters. What’s more important is why you wished to meet with the prince in the first place, isn’t it?”
“Fair point. Go ahead.”
“The Second Prince came to the fortress yesterday. He placed the Northern Fortress under direct royal control and removed Kairon from his position as commander. You’re aware of this, I assume.”
“Indeed.”
“This creates a difficult situation for me as the Princess of Elovis. My marriage bond is with my husband, not with Prince Dietrich.”
“Then divorce him and remarry your eldest brother. What’s the difficulty?”
Maintaining her smile required some effort from Iolet.
Emeric offered his suggestion as though bestowing a favor.
“You may not know this, but Prince Dietrich is quite skilled at seducing his brothers’ wives. His current wife, Rosica’s Daughter, was originally the eldest prince’s betrothed. He impregnated her just before the state wedding. She miscarried, of course.”
“….”
“That was three years ago, so a princess of Elovis’s standing might well convince him to discard his current wife and make you his legitimate consort. Would you like to try?”
“Would that truly be acceptable? Then Prince Dietrich would control the Northern Fortress and portions of the Unregistered Territory.”
Emeric, who had been speaking carelessly, raised one eyebrow at an angle.
Iolet countered without blinking.
“Then I’m puzzled why the Third Prince would trouble himself to come all this way to the borderlands. Unless you’re not after the Northern Fortress?”
“Ah, so the princess wasn’t actually targeting Prince Dietrich—it was me all along?”
“If I were to propose to you, would you accept?”
“My, my.”
Emeric covered his chest with a theatrical, pitiful gesture.
“I’m afraid I must apologize. My heart already belongs to another, so I cannot accept the princess’s affections.”
“So you’re willing to accept a proposal even if you can’t accept my heart? Since I’d be reluctant to abandon the Northern Fortress otherwise.”
“….”
Emeric dropped his affected blush and made a face as though he’d bitten into something foul.
“It seems you’ve come fully informed of my position. Stop probing and tell me what you really want, Princess.”
Who brought it up first?
I did not refuse.
“The crisis at Calande Northern Fortress is also a crisis at the Elovis Border. As the Princess entrusted with diplomatic authority by King Elovis himself, this situation is of great importance to me.”
“…And?”
“However, I have no wish to be entangled in Kalande’s succession dispute. The Border should remain under Commander Kairon Winterbark’s jurisdiction, as it has been. There is no commander capable of replacing him, and at the very least, he stands apart from the political machinations of the Capital.”
“Apart from the machinations….”
Prince Emeric narrowed his eyes to slits.
“So our precious youngest brother has no intention of joining his older brothers’ squabble over power, is that it?”
“Yes.”
“And you, Princess?”
“Yes. If Kairon guards the Border, peace between Kalande and Elovis will be maintained, and all the credit will fall to me. That is how I survive in Elovis, Your Highness.”
A moment of silence passed.
Sunlight illuminated only half of Prince Emeric’s face. Across the remaining half, shrouded in shadow, an inexplicable chill became apparent.
I paid it no mind. In this negotiation, the disadvantage was not mine.
Beneath the trivial words obscuring the truth, the real question was simple: whose hands would control the Northern Fortress—and that would determine which of the two princes survived.
Because this place generated wealth. Vast wealth.
Therefore, the choice belonged to me.
Emeric reached the same conclusion.
“So you want to form an alliance with me? Then why not my older brother instead?”
“Because your older brother beat my husband into a pulp. That handsome face of his is now a mess.”
“…?”
Prince Emeric’s expression went blank, as though he had just walked headfirst into transparent glass.
“Kairon actually took those blows?”
“What other choice did he have? The man came bearing the King’s orders as a prince.”
“Heh, that’s not like him at all, but heheheh….”
Emeric laughed in disbelief.
I spoke coldly.
“A prince who treats my husband so carelessly does not seem likely to willingly return command of the Fortress. I have no desire to appease such a man. My proposal is not without benefit to the Third Prince either.”
“Not being a loss and actually gaining something are different things, Princess. What exactly do I gain from this alliance?”
“You gain the golden prize of the Unregistered Territory, plus Kairon Winterbark as a weapon.”
“A weapon?”
“If you cooperate in driving the Second Prince from the Border, he and his army will stand with you. I guarantee it.”
Emeric’s face twisted grotesquely.
His trembling lips suddenly split wide on both sides.
“Ahahaha!!”
Emeric began laughing uncontrollably.
“Hahaha, hahahaha! So if I restore him to his post, he’ll obediently stand with me and make me king? Princess, it seems you still don’t truly know your husband. That man is not the type who can be—”
Emeric, who had been speaking so sharply, suddenly stopped laughing.
As if he had just realized something, his mouth fell open.
“The type who can be… ah?”
“…?”
“Huh? No way. I never thought about it from that angle.”
“….”
“Is this perhaps something you’ve already agreed upon with that man?”
Iolet clicked her tongue as if to say what nonsense I was spouting.
“Of course. Strictly speaking, this is his matter. I thought it would be more effective for me, as the Princess, to face you directly rather than have him come himself. That’s the only reason I’m here.”
Emeric rubbed his nose vigorously, scratched his chin, and blinked repeatedly. Then he muttered vacantly.
“Could it be that bastard actually dropped his pretense…?”
Iolet offered no response, only furrowing her brow.
What in the world has he been babbling about this whole time? Is he insane?

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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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