Queen of Revenge - Chapter 79

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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 79
A faint smile played at the corners of the King’s mouth.
“What opportunity?”
“If Kairon were to place the First Prince on the throne through his own power, Kalande and Elovis would naturally enter into an alliance. After all, Kairon is the Late King of Kalande’s half-brother and the son-in-law of the Elovis Royal Family.”
“True. In that case, try to persuade your Elder Sister about how matters might unfold.”
“If that were to happen, we would no longer need to expend resources on border security. Rather, we could expect increased trade with Kalande through the border.”
“And?”
“Especially if the gold mines in the Unregistered Territory are successfully developed, a tariff agreement with Kalande would become essential. If we maintain an alliance through marriage ties, such an agreement would be easily concluded. Moreover, the more merit Kairon Winterbark accumulates during the First Prince’s reign, the higher Elovis’s standing will rise in Kalande. Kairon will never forget that Elovis chose him.”
The density of the air above the table began to shift.
Catherine felt a sense of déjà vu.
It was a situation she knew all too well.
Whenever Iolet exposed a blind spot she herself had never once considered and pierced through it with precision, Catherine’s spine would run cold.
The insight and logical clarity hidden within those gentle, delicate features terrified her. And that eloquence—the ability to extract a tangled puzzle into a single, devastatingly effective sentence.
“Thus, Mother would be able to exert influence over the Kalande Royal House without lifting a finger.”
Iolet’s gaze no longer turned toward Catherine and Benedix.
As though only the King and she existed above the table, Iolet erased their presence in an instant.
“However, if we act only after the First Prince secures real power, it will be too late. Should we attempt friendship only after his position is assured, he will perceive it as nothing but flattery. To make the First Prince feel gratitude toward Elovis, we must extend our hand now, when he is cornered.”
Iolet, meeting the King’s gaze directly, presented her opinion once more.
“Therefore, if Mother permits, I wish to persuade Kairon to support the First Prince. It is neither a particularly dangerous nor laborious undertaking. Should I, as the Princess of Elovis, express even modest affection toward the First Prince, that alone would give him both strength and justification. When the expected gains far outweigh the effort required, there is no reason not to act.”
At last, the King’s smile turned satisfied.
“Well done, Iolet. Quite impressive.”
As the King praised Iolet, Catherine’s cheek twitched ever so slightly.
This cannot continue further. That serpent’s tongue must be cut off before it seduces the Late King.
“Yet I still have doubts, Mother. What if the Second Prince stages a coup and seizes the throne? Then Elovis would bear the full brunt of the backlash.”
As Catherine raised her objection, Iolet responded gently.
“Should such signs appear, we need only follow the method the Duke suggested, Elder Sister. I would simply divorce the Commander and sever ties with Kalande.”
Catherine ignored that answer. The implication was clear—that question had not been directed at her.
“And it seems Iolet is confident that whichever prince Kairon Winterbark supports will absolutely become king. She also appears to believe the Commander will unconditionally obey her. It seems the two have grown quite close over these past six months. I doubt Mother permitted this marriage for such purposes.”
The fact that a gold vein first erupted near Elovis and then subsequently appeared on the Kalande side was also suspicious. Unless some sort of transaction had occurred between Iolet and Kairon.
The King seemed to regard this suspicion as reasonable. The matter of the gold mines in the Unregistered Territory was something that needed to be addressed regardless.
Receiving the King’s gaze demanding an explanation, Iolet appeared flustered.
“That is… well…”
Iolet’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“You see, Elder Sister, since you are also married, you would understand… In truth, this marriage began from Kairon’s will from the very start. As for the interest he shows me, there is nothing I can do about that…”
For a moment, silence fell.
Before long, the King burst into loud laughter.
“Is this what newlyweds are like? Well, not all men are as proper as the Duke. It seems the Commander is quite eager for you, Iolet.”
“It is simply that opportunities to meet are rare, and I was injured after being caught by a Demon, so while investigating the Demon’s origins in the Unregistered Territory, we discovered the gold vein. It was not something I could have prevented. I apologize, Mother.”
“Never mind. You do not have exclusive rights to the Unregistered Territory, and I cannot fault you for discovering something through your own efforts.”
The King, stroking his chin, cast a sidelong glance toward the Duke.
“You ought to learn that from the Commander, Duke.”
“…What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?”
“When a man is smitten with a woman, there is nothing he cannot accomplish. Look at how swiftly you arranged everything just now. A man of conviction does not hesitate—neither in body nor in heart.”
It was a remark that struck directly at the Duke’s pride, but what words were forbidden to a king?
The King drew out his words as though tracing through memories.
“Yet the human heart changes easily. It blooms like a flower in one season, only to wither just as quickly….”
The color drained from Catherine’s cheeks.
The King’s love ran deep, but it was fleeting.
He had loved his first queen with genuine devotion, yet that love soon shifted to his second queen, and thereafter passed easily to countless Royal Concubines. It was not merely the privilege of his station—such was the King’s very nature.
Catherine’s hand clenched into a fist beneath the table. Each time she witnessed the King’s capriciousness, ancient fury welled up within her.
At that moment, the Duke moved his hand. It was not so grand a gesture as to draw notice above the table.
Benedix covered Catherine’s fist with his palm—a silent plea for restraint.
“Your Majesty. Having heard the Princess’s words, I confess my assessment of this matter’s gravity was somewhat wanting.”
Benedix paused briefly.
“However, I remain cautious about delegating full diplomatic authority to the Princess. Might it not be wise to first test whether Iolet possesses the qualifications of an Ambassador?”
“Set a task for the Princess? That is not without merit. What sort of task would you suggest?”
“An Ambassador must possess both the discernment and the balance to coordinate mutual interests while prioritizing the welfare of their own nation. The dispute between Duke Uter and the Montfer Earldom would serve as an excellent example. What if we entrust this matter to the Princess?”
Iolet’s hands, folded upon her lap, trembled slightly.
The King crossed his arms, regarding the Duke’s proposal with evident interest.
The elder nobles of the Royal Council rarely engaged in public disputes. When conflicts arose, they were resolved by council vote rather than direct royal intervention.
Yet this case was complicated in many respects.
“The Princess has only just arrived, so she would not know. There is a private grievance between the Uter Duchy and the Montfer Earldom. The Duke’s only son killed the Count’s second son.”
Iolet’s eyes widened in genuine surprise at hearing this for the first time.
Catherine seized the moment to speak. “It seems a sound idea, Mother. In fact, the Duke was about to seek your counsel on this very matter today. It would be fitting to entrust it to Iolet instead.”
“It doesn’t seem bad, Mother. In fact, The Duke was planning to ask for your opinion on that matter today anyway, so it should be fine to entrust it to Iolet once.”
The King cast a meaningful gaze toward Iolet.
He seemed to see through Catherine and Benedix’s intentions, as well as Iolet’s bewilderment.
“Princess, will you attempt it?”
An inexplicable tension and exhilaration made her knees weak.
Iolet did not hesitate to seize the opportunity.
“Yes, Mother. If you entrust this to me, I shall do my utmost.”

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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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