Queen of Revenge - Chapter 68

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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 68
* * *
Emeric certainly distinguished himself in stabilizing the people’s livelihoods compared to Dietrich.
Far gentler and more flexible than Dietrich, a soldier whose thinking was rigidly bound by the chain of command, he proved remarkably adaptable.
His administrative work was meticulous, and he swiftly identified and efficiently resolved the minor grievances that had festered under Dietrich’s command. Word of Emeric’s virtuous deeds spread like wildfire.
Iolet ventured outside for the first time in ages. Everywhere she went, she heard people singing the praises of Prince Emeric.
“Should we truly allow the Third Prince such free rein?”
Lucian lowered his voice as he posed the question.
“His reputation has grown far too favorable. He appears to be playing the hero of his own narrative.”
“Just because someone claims to be a hero doesn’t make them one.”
I replied with measured calm.
“Emeric certainly possesses a remarkable talent for cultivating followers. He’s skilled at highlighting his strengths to capture attention, and yet he remains cautious and thorough.”
Had Dietrich’s discovery of Emeric’s weakness remained hidden, the Kalande Kingdom would have fallen into Emeric’s hands within years.
Had we delayed even slightly longer, a military coup would have been the only viable option.
Snow fell on the Fortress that day.
Snow in the midst of August—a sight rarely witnessed anywhere on the Continent.
Lucian unfurled an umbrella and held it above my head.
“What news from the Command Tower?”
“The Crown Princess and Duke Valer are to be married in a state ceremony.”
My footsteps faltered momentarily.
“…Considering the time it takes for messages to travel, they may have already held the ceremony. No wonder Elder Sister was so anxious.”
When Benedix had unexpectedly visited the Command Tower months ago, talk of the state marriage had apparently already begun.
‘So that’s why he sought me out in such haste.’
Once the Crown Princess was married, there would be no taking it back.
The state marriage between Benedix and Catherine was a formal declaration that House Valer would stand as the Crown Princess’s ally.
Years ago, when Benedix and Catherine had first married, it was still some time in the future from this moment.
“The Dedication Prohibition Law dealt Catherine a serious blow. With her path to expanding her influence blocked, she must have accelerated the marriage to the Duke.”
A sound and shrewd choice.
Catherine had forgone the sycophants who offered her trinkets and wrung their hands for her favor, instead securing a formidable ally in Valer.
This meant Catherine gained Benedix’s connections and resources, while Benedix obtained Catherine’s authority.
‘Benedix could even summon me to the Capital under the pretext of the Crown Princess’s orders.’
What if Benedix had already revealed my secret to Catherine?
Anxiety swelled within me like a giant, consuming my composure.
My breath caught in my throat, and my heart began to race wildly.
I reached out and grasped Lucian’s wrist.
Lucian glanced at my complexion and withdrew his hand, then properly clasped my trembling hand in his.
“…Thank you.”
Lucian’s characteristic steadiness quickly restored me to equilibrium. Clear thought returned.
‘There’s no need to rush. My allies are formidable as well.’
Until now, it had been merely skirmishes; soon Dietrich and Emeric would clash head-on.
And once this affair concluded successfully, her husband’s status would rise to heights incomparable to his current position.
Iolet resumed walking.
Her destination was the Common Cemetery where the dead from Winterbark Village and the Northern Fortress were laid to rest.
Over a hundred wooden crosses marked the graves, blanketing the gentle hillside and descending toward the village below.
Iolet placed the wildflowers she had brought before a small, unmarked stone.
Carefully excavating beneath the stone, she retrieved a small slip of paper buried in the earth.
[Preparations for the hunt are complete.]
As Lucian burned the note in a matchflame, Iolet clasped her hands together and offered a brief prayer.
Someone watching her from a distance hastily disappeared beyond the fence.
“It appears someone has arrived, Your Highness.”
“Yes. Let us depart.”
Having finished her prayer, Iolet rose and left.
Minutes after Iolet and Lucian departed the cemetery, the hidden figure emerged from the shadows.
With his hood drawn tight and eyes scanning the surroundings, he rushed swiftly toward the stone.
Beneath a handful of wildflowers scattered on the earth lay a small, folded note.
[When the serpent emerges from its den, seal the entrance.]
Having read the message, the man tucked the note into his garments and departed the cemetery at a pace swifter than his arrival.
* * *
The Fortress quickly stabilized. Emeric was thoroughly satisfied.
The simple-minded and foolish villagers believed his heroic tales implicitly and revered him. At this rate, he could proceed to the next phase without difficulty.
“You are designating the Village Elder and the villagers as rioters, my lord?”
Franz, the administrative official, asked uncertainly.
“And you intend to select two representatives for punishment? What is the meaning of—”
“Regardless of how misguided my elder brother’s methods were, organizing and rising up with weapons crossed the line. Discipline must be restored.”
Franz’s face flushed crimson with indignation.
“Take the Village Elder and the youngest child in the village. Throw both of them into the Mining Site.”
“The Village Elder is advanced in years, my lord. It would be impossible for him to endure hard labor in a place as cold as the Unregistered Territory. Moreover, the youngest child in the village is merely a boy who has just begun to speak—”
“Administrator, it seems you are laboring under a misapprehension.”
Emeric twirled his pen between his fingers with a smirk. His smile was pleasant, but his eyes were glacial.
“Must I personally consider such circumstances when dispensing punishment?”
To openly defy a royal prince—the Second Prince, no less—who had come to manage the border as the King’s representative. That was the crime.
And they had even wounded Capital Guard Knights with weapons.
Mercy was laughable when their heads could be severed and displayed in the Town Square.
“It is only because the Princess of Elovis is observing that I am restraining myself to this degree.”
But what would happen once the princess departed?
Franz clenched his fists tightly.
That very day, the Village Elder—the oldest resident—and a three-year-old child were cast into the Unregistered Territory.
Public sentiment rippled with outrage.
“How could this be?! You boasted so loudly that royal orders would arrive for us soon—who was that?”
“How could they take the old man and the child!”
“How much longer do I have to endure this?! Why not just do it right now…!”
But the discontent quickly subsided. The Third Prince had reorganized personnel under the guise of the Standing Army, and they were now stationed throughout Winterbark Village and the Fortress.
“You there, what are you plotting standing around like that? Don’t gather in groups of five or more in the same location!”
“Stop posting unnecessary notices. We will investigate the content, and if even the slightest hint of improper intent is found, you will face fines!”
The villagers glared at the Standing Army soldiers with resentful eyes. But soon their resolve crumbled under the soldiers’ intimidation, and they scattered in all directions.
Thus, Winterbark naturally fell under Emeric’s control.
* * *
Several more days passed, and the day for Iolet to return to Elovis drew near.
“I must say, I thought you would stay much longer.”
Emeric whined with feigned disappointment.
He had come to meet her at the front gate of the Fortress.
“I have already imposed upon your kindness enough. With Winterbark now stabilized, I can return with peace of mind.”
“Kairon will be disappointed when he returns. Please stay until he comes back from patrol.”
“But you will be sending him to the Elovis Command Tower next month anyway, will you not?”
“Of course. It is a promise to His Majesty King Elovis, and I shall certainly keep it.”
Emeric placed his hand over his heart and bowed deeply. Iolet accepted his greeting lightly.
The journey from the Northern Fortress to the Elovis Command Tower would take four days. They had to make a wide detour to avoid trespassing into the Unregistered Territory.
Emeric pointed to the mercenaries waiting beside the carriage.
“These are soldiers I have hired. I have given them strict instructions, so they will serve you without fault. I pray you arrive safely at the Command Tower.”
The Princess climbed into the carriage.
The carriage soon began to move beyond the Fortress’s front gate.
A Guard Knight approached upon receiving Emeric’s signal.
Emeric lowered his voice.
“Confirm that she has crossed the border into the Unregistered Territory, then kill her. If it’s discovered that she died in Kalande or Elovis territory, it will be troublesome for both of us.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

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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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