Queen of Revenge - Chapter 90

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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 90
“At least it won’t be Elder Sister.”
“Then… are you saying The King will come looking for me?”
What was she talking about now?
Count Uter asked in bewilderment, and Iolet tilted her head thoughtfully.
“Think about it carefully. The Elder’s Seat now has seven members. If Marquis Melshier passes away prematurely, that number drops to six. And five of those six are Catherine’s people.”
“That would be… true, I suppose?”
“Marquis Melshier does have an heir, but there will be considerable debate over whether an adopted heir of only a few years’ standing should be seated in the Elder’s Seat. That matter too will be put to a vote in the Council, and naturally it will be rejected.”
From Catherine’s perspective, she would never want Ahil seated in the Elder’s Seat.
The Royal Council would nip it in the bud before any recommendation reached The King.
“Once the Royal Council falls completely into Catherine’s hands, she’ll begin to reveal her true nature. Mother will catch on to some extent by then, but by the time she realizes it, it’s too late. Once she brings just one more Elder into her fold or eliminates them, she can unanimously demand The King’s abdication.”
The moment Catherine creates a 5-to-1 configuration, she won’t hesitate.
From that point on, it becomes a race against time.
“When that happens, only one neutral figure remains—Count Sernan. Do you think Elder Sister will recruit him faster, or kill him faster?”
“Your Highness… you’re speaking words more terrifying than anything I’ve heard in my entire life. That Marquis Melshier might die and Count Sernan might be murdered…”
Count Uter felt a faint wave of dizziness wash over him.
Despite devoting his lifetime to history and philosophy, he couldn’t keep pace with the words pouring from the young girl before him.
‘Of course. No matter how renowned a scholar one is, no one can know the future.’
It was all true.
Marquis Melshier would not survive the spring-to-summer period of next year. And Count Sernan would meet an unexpected tragedy at his vacation residence.
Because the information accessible in my previous life had its limits, I couldn’t know the exact circumstances or causes, but the certainty that these events would occur was absolute.
“By the time Marquis Melshier passes, Mother will realize she has no allies in the Royal Council. Then naturally she’ll think of you, and by whatever pretext, she’ll restore your dukedom and appoint you to the Elder’s Seat. So until then, what you must do is provide Mother with that pretext.”
There was only one best pretext for recalling a retainer who had left in disgrace.
To nullify the crime itself.
Iolet stepped closer to the Count and whispered her final words.
“It’s incense, Teacher. The Duke’s Son killed that person because he was intoxicated by mind-altering incense.”
“You mean he was addicted to incense that causes hallucinations?”
“Yes. We must identify that incense and trace its distribution. With evidence, we can clear the Duke’s Son of his crime. That’s the only path for you to return to the Royal Council.”
“…And moreover, it would also become an excellent opportunity to ensnare the Crown Princess.”
A chill ran down Count Uter’s spine.
Iolet nodded.
“Yes. So you must pursue that incense without regard for means or methods.”
Though the only clue is still the formless incense itself, if we grasp its roots and dig deeper, we will surely uncover the thick root connected to Catherine.
The death of Charlotte must be entangled somewhere in the branches that extend from there.
“Yes. I understand, Your Highness.”
Count Uter answered with renewed determination.
“I must gather those with whom I have connections in the Academic Community. Since such volatile incense would leave no evidence anywhere, I’ll need to consult with herbalists and criminologists.”
“Just in case, be sure to trace Veronica Robert’s movements as well. I’ve asked a merchant company with whom I’m acquainted to investigate, but it won’t be easy, so I’ll need your help too.”
“Ah, if it’s Miss Robert, you needn’t worry.”
“Yes?”
Count Uter pressed his temples firmly and rose to his feet. Though his complexion had grown somewhat pale, his gaze remained resolute.
He gestured toward the window.
Turning to look, I was startled. A woman with distinctive purple hair stood before the luggage cart, apparently helping to transport the Countess’s belongings.
“Why is Robert there…?”
“She came to the Manor last night. She knelt and begged for forgiveness, so I granted it.”
The Count explained tersely, but I caught the flicker of melancholy that crossed his features.
From the moment the final trial concluded, Veronica would have become expendable.
She had been merely a pawn to remove the name Uter from the board—once her usefulness ended, it was only natural she would be swept away.
Moreover, since the trial had not unfolded as Catherine predicted, there was a high likelihood that Veronica would be erased from the world without anyone knowing.
She must have realized this herself. It seemed she had come to House Uter seeking a way to survive.
“The Duke’s Son has taken her back, then.”
“There is no parent greater than a child, as they say. Had my wife and I simply not opposed bringing that girl into our household from the start, none of this would have happened. I cannot claim to bear no responsibility.”
“One who has betrayed once can do so a second and third time. I will not object to keeping her nearby, but do watch her carefully.”
“Yes, I shall do so.”
Count Uter glanced toward the window once more.
“…Though I confess, something has troubled me since earlier—is that child hanging upside down from the window one of the King’s Maidservants?”
“Ah, yes. That’s Bara.”
Strands of golden-brown hair hung limply outside the window.
Bara, suspended upside down from the railing above, withdrew a long card folded twice from her embrace. She unfolded it fully and pressed it against the glass pane with a sharp slap.
[
Take your medicine. (7 times)
]
That crisp, angular handwriting was surely Lucian’s.
For the first time, embarrassment flickered across my ordinarily composed face.
“I should be going now. There is much to prepare before I can lead the Delegation.”
“Oh dear, I’ve taken far too much of your precious time. Do go at once. I’ve heard it takes a full three weeks to lead the Diplomatic Corps all the way to Kalande.”
It would be a long journey.
Two months just for travel, and accounting for the time spent there, I would not return this year.
“The roster of the Diplomatic Corps has not yet been announced, has it? Surely Catherine’s influence must be involved—will you be alright going alone?”
“Once I reach the Border, my people will join me. They are formidable, so I have no concerns.”
Indeed, that young girl hanging upside down from the window with her arms crossed seemed far from ordinary.
“Still, please take care of yourself.”
I received the Count’s farewell with a slight bow.
Count Uter quietly watched the Princess’s retreating figure disappear toward the Manor’s entrance.
The more I saw her, the more I spoke with her, the more I recalled those peaceful days of old.
The Queen I had taught at the Academy—more brilliant than any student—and her young daughter.
Those days spent leisurely discussing matters of state with them remained as a distant, aching longing.
“I hope you have been a good teacher to Iolet. So that this child might navigate this harsh world well.”
The Count’s voice grew thick with emotion.
“That the Princess has appeared before my eyes like this must be a solemn revelation from the Queen—a reminder to keep the promise made then.”
Despite her steadfast appearance, she was merely nineteen—a young girl who had just crossed the threshold into adulthood. The emptiness on either side of her seemed desolate and forlorn.
Kalande would be no less a battlefield than Elovis.
Count Uter recalled the Crown Princess’s resolute gaze as she spoke of needing his connections.
A girl forced prematurely into adulthood needed a trusted companion to stand beside her, a guard to protect her, a family to embrace her fully.
Though I lacked the capacity to become any of those things myself, I could at least serve as a prepared card to be played at the right moment in the right place.
“Wherever Your Highness’s destination may be, I shall accompany you to the very end.”
Isaac Uter bowed deeply toward her diminished silhouette.

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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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