Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 45

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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 45

“If this sword draws upon one’s life force to wield such power, then I believe it would be better for Your Majesty not to use it at all.”
“Hmm, no. No, that’s not it. You’ve only just awakened, and your health is already fragile. There’s no benefit in pushing you further.”
“That’s not so, Your Majesty. I only just learned I could use such power. When I saw Brian in danger, I… I couldn’t help myself.”
A grunt of displeasure escaped the Emperor’s lips.
His gaze swept across the unconscious Brian and the trembling Empress Cleo, who then parted her lips quietly as his eyes fell upon her. Her stare was venomous.
“Your Majesty, the princess—who could not awaken—has now awakened safely and obtained Holy Power capable of slaying Magic Beasts. Surely this is a blessing upon the empire. However, the princess has never held a sword before, nor has she shown any reaction to Your Majesty. Moreover, the knights who have wielded this sword previously reported nothing amiss about it, did they not? To be safe, might we examine the sword more thoroughly…?”
“Empress!”
“I speak only out of concern for Your Majesty. The princess claims the sword spoke to her in dreams, but what evidence exists beyond the princess’s word alone?”
“Then, Empress. Are you suggesting this sword is a Demonic Sword?”
“Not at all. I merely wish for a more thorough investigation…”
“The princess wielded this sword and saved Brian.”
……
“Yet a mother cannot offer thanks—only suspicion?”
“That is… that is not what I meant, Your Majesty!”
The Emperor’s eyes had turned glacial.
He did not believe in the Empress’s innocence.
Had things gone smoothly, had the Empress’s scheming aligned with his desires, he would have pretended not to know and covered for her. He might even have supported her, as he had yesterday.
But matters had taken this shape, this form. And most of all, the Empress’s blunder had nearly endangered the Emperor himself.
“So the Empress summoned the High Priest, you said?”
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty!”
High Priest Marjid, who had been standing behind the Empress, scrambled to kneel at the Emperor’s words.
“Tell me, is Princess Titania stained by a Curse and in need of your Purification?”
“No, no, not at all! Rather, she overflows with divine grace!”
Marjid stammered desperately. The Empress fixed him with bloodshot eyes. The Emperor narrowed his gaze and spoke.
“Is that so? Then what was it you claimed yesterday?”
“I never formally asserted that the Princess was definitely cursed! I merely said that if everything the Empress claimed were true, then it might be prudent to verify whether the Princess was indeed cursed.”
Marjid turned away from the Empress as he spoke.
“However, well, that is—as the Young Duke mentioned—since not all of the Empress’s claims align perfectly…”
“So Titania presents no problem?”
“Yes, yes! That is correct!”
“And the sword is without fault?”
“I myself witnessed with Your Majesty how that sword eliminated the Magic Beast. There are countless varieties of swords in the world, and only a few can channel divine mercy. One cannot simply claim a sword is wicked merely because it is selective about its wielder!”
“The High Priest’s reasoning is sound.”
High Priest Marjid exhaled with relief. When fortune had favored them, he would have been the Empress’s loyal ally without question, but the moment he sensed the Emperor’s displeasure, he abandoned her without hesitation and secured his own survival—a remarkably shrewd move. The Emperor turned to address the Empress.
“Let me hear my Empress speak once more.”
……
“Is it truly the case that what you discovered in the Underground of Rose Palace is evidence of a Curse upon Princess Titania?”
The Empress’s lip split, thin blood trickling down. She glanced once at Brian, who remained unconscious. Then, as though collecting herself, she closed her eyes and opened them again.
“That was…”
The Empress spoke with the calm tone of one who had reached a decision.
“That was merely a maidservant who brazenly broke into Rose Palace to steal, attempted to pilfer the sword, suffered a bout of madness, and made a commotion claiming a strange sword existed there…”
A low grinding sound escaped her clenched teeth.
“Someone heard of this and sowed suspicion throughout the Imperial Palace, using the innocent Princess Titania’s inability to awaken as a tool for treachery. And I foolishly fell into that trap… I became complicit in the scheme.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, foolish as I am, my excessive concern for the Princess caused me to commit… to act without sufficient care…”
Another grinding sound. Yes, had I known this would happen, I would have orchestrated things more carefully.
“My earnest efforts to safeguard the Imperial Palace only ended up putting it in danger instead. I have no further words, Your Majesty, and I beg your forgiveness.”
Tears welled in the Empress’s eyes. She cut a pitiful figure.
“Yet please look upon Brian’s condition, Your Majesty. That child has always been sincere toward you. Though the outcome was unfortunate, he merely exerted himself overzealously in hopes of bringing you a hunting trophy worthy of your glory…”
“Then he should have delivered results!”
The Empress’s carefully softened expression faltered. She understood what the Emperor’s displeasure signified.
Yes. The Emperor treasured Brian because he was “skilled with a sword and gifted at the hunt”—no less worthy than the Castrain Ducal House.
But Brian, though he borrowed the sword’s power, stood here before me without flinching, yet now lay collapsed and unconscious in a shameful state, having lost control of his bladder. Even now, he had not awakened.
Though Brian was not yet of age, he was far larger and stronger than I, who was smaller and more fragile than my peers.
Had I not been present, who knows what would have happened.
The Emperor had surely heard the report that the Magic Beast was pursuing Brian as he came here with the Empress. He had brought the Royal Guard to capture the Beast and save Brian.
I had prepared a performance for the Emperor.
Even if he knew this Curse incident was a farce orchestrated by the Empress, he would pretend ignorance and cover for her. No amount of evidence or testimony would matter.
What was needed was reason for the Emperor to despise Cleo and Brian. An occasion that would compel him to punish them, regardless of the truth.
Had Brian stood here now with head held high, declaring “I sought to capture a hunting prize worthy of Your Majesty’s glory,” the Emperor’s gaze might have softened. He might have argued for leniency toward Brian.
For it was Brian who was directly hunted by the Beast, not the Emperor.
Had Brian even boasted a little—claiming “Had I been given more time, I might have caught it”—while glaring at Raymond, the Emperor would have been entirely pleased.
But before that Young Duke Raymond, Brian had fainted in terror, collapsed in his own filth, and remained unconscious.
The Emperor was profoundly disappointed.
Nothing would remedy this disappointment unless Brian himself hunted a Magic Beast of such proportions and presented it to the Emperor.
Especially since I—dead and reborn, borrowing the sword’s power, even shortening my own lifespan—had charged at the Beast. Even empty words of forgiveness would not suffice now.
The Emperor suddenly raised his voice.
“Empress, confine yourself to quarters for the time being! Lay down all your duties.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Brian claims to love hunting so dearly, yet he cannot even remain conscious before a Magic Beast. It would be better if Brian abandoned hunting altogether.”
“Your Majesty! It was merely an error. His enthusiasm was simply excessive…”
“He appears to have exhausted himself greatly through this ordeal. See that he remains confined to his chambers for the time being. Bah!”
“Your Majestyyy!”
The Empress cried out in anguish.
More painful than falling into the trap itself would be witnessing the Emperor’s contempt for Brian.
The Emperor ignored the Empress and turned to address Raymond.
“Young Duke Raymond. You said you would finish clearing out the Magic Beasts that invaded the Imperial Palace?”
“Yes, of course I trust the Imperial forces. But given the sudden invasion of Magic Beasts, additional unintended casualties may occur. If you would permit it…”
“Very well, I grant it.”
“Thank you. And regarding the object the Empress called evidence—it is most dangerous. I would appreciate your permission to dispose of it as swiftly as possible.”
“Ah, yes, that. See to it at once, however you deem fit. Investigate those wicked things that dared target the Imperial Palace as well.”
The Emperor approached me as if struck by sudden recollection and stroked my head.
“You’ve done well. Had you not awakened safely, I shudder to imagine what would have become of today’s events! The fact that you could wield such precious power at the critical moment—surely this is the blessing of the divine upon the Imperial Family.”
When had the Emperor ever played the role of a merciful and gentle father toward me? I offered him a bright smile as his clumsy hand rested upon my head.
“Of course, Your Majesty!”
“Yes. Your face is drawn. Do take care of yourself.”
I watched as the Emperor departed with exaggerated pomposity, offering him a deep bow in farewell.
It was then.

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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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