The Baby Who Regressed Refuses Childcare - Chapter 155

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Duke Orgeon. I’m disappointed that you view everything so suspiciously.”

The first to speak was the Empress.

The Empress leaned back in her chair and deliberately placed one hand on her belly.

“Your words are correct too. The Crown Prince and a Prince are indeed different by law. However.”

Her gaze quietly turned toward Duke Orgeon.

“There’s no difference in that they both carry His Majesty’s bloodline as imperial family members. Isn’t that right?”

She slowly turned her gaze to look at Tian sitting at the head seat.

“These days, the Crown Prince’s reputation as a virtuous future emperor grows daily.”

“….”

“But would such a Crown Prince really be threatened by a sibling who hasn’t even been born yet?”

At those words, several nobles of the Empress Faction clenched their fists under the table.

Karin Empress was subtly steering the situation in her favor.

“Has everyone forgotten who was most delighted when I conceived this Prince?”

Karin leaned forward toward the table.

Her necklace caught the light and sparkled as she moved.

“None other than the people. The people of this Empire.”

Everyone fell silent.

As Karin said, the Empire had been in a festive mood for days upon hearing of the Empress’s pregnancy.

This was because Karin was publicly a perfect Empress.

She came from a distinguished noble family and had exceptional beauty.

She was also a strategist who knew better than anyone when to show herself to the people and when not to.

Duke Orgeon’s eyes gleamed sharply.

‘Karin is both despicable and clever.’

She would lay low during droughts or when the political situation was bad.

Then when the Empire’s people had abundant granaries, she would emerge publicly.

After that, she wouldn’t hesitate to hold festivals and banquets to show generosity.

As a result, Karin had successfully imprinted herself in the Empire’s people’s minds as a wise and benevolent Empress.

‘She even announced that the previous mistake of trying to break the weapons contract with Abner was her advisor’s doing.’

The Empire’s people supported Karin Empress.

And this was not a simple matter.

“Would I suggest holding a blessing festival only because of the Prince in my womb?”

Karin Empress smiled gently.

“Now is the time to be generous. Except for the pirate troubles in the Locaram region, the Empire has never been so peaceful.”

“….”

“All the Empire’s people are rejoicing at the news of a new Prince’s birth, so if we hold a festival for them to enjoy together, the effect would be doubled.”

Karin Empress looked at Duke Orgeon.

“But there are those who oppose that festival that everyone would love?”

Karin Empress laughed heartily, then opened her eyes sharply.

“Who exactly should bear the resentment that will come back?”

She looked at Tian with a leisurely gaze.

“We can’t let the Crown Prince bear it, so will you all take turns listening to it?”

The expressions of the Empress Faction nobles who were pointed out by her gaze darkened.

Duke Orgeon fell into serious thought.

‘Indeed, is the blessing festival something we have no choice but to concede?’

If they opposed the blessing festival to the end, Karin Empress would secretly leak today’s meeting contents to the public.

Then the Empire’s people would think the festival was ruined because of the Crown Prince.

A petty Crown Prince who was threatened by the Second Prince who hadn’t even been born yet.

‘Now that we’ve solidified the perception that Tian is a virtuous future emperor, this fight is meaningless and dangerous.’

Just as Duke Orgeon finished organizing his thoughts and was about to speak.

“Hold the blessing festival.”

Tian, who had been silent the whole time, answered.

Everyone looked at Tian in surprise.

“I intended to tell you to hold it from the beginning. With the birth of a new Prince approaching, shouldn’t we naturally hold one?”

The faces of several Dowager Empress Faction nobles hardened.

Duke Orgeon also slightly narrowed his brow as he stared at his grandson.

‘If it’s a blessing festival that must be held, then it’s right to hold it.’

However, giving in so easily to what Karin wanted was dangerous.

It looked as if Tian was intimidated by Karin Empress’s argument and backing down.

Duke Orgeon calmly looked around.

As expected, the expressions of the officials in the meeting hall were varied.

First, the Empress Faction nobles were exchanging subtle smiles among themselves.

They all looked as if they had expected Tian to back down.

Second, the Dowager Empress Faction nobles had tense faces similar to Duke Orgeon’s.

The problem was,

‘The moderate nobles.’

The moderate nobles, who belonged neither to the Empress Faction nor the Dowager Empress Faction, seemed quite flustered.

Duke Orgeon’s face became troubled.

‘These are people who were quietly watching the situation to see which side to support.’

The atmosphere in the meeting hall changed with Tian’s single statement.

An atmosphere was formed that made it seem like Karin’s power was still strong.

In this state, Tian was at a disadvantage.

Duke Orgeon clenched his fist.

Just as he was about to knock on the table to gain speaking rights.

Tian’s voice continued.

“Since it’s been a while since the last blessing festival, let’s make it grand, but.”

At the end, a bombshell statement awaited the officials.

“I will handle the arrangements.”

Several Empress Faction nobles held their breath.

“The event to hunt the beasts for the blessing festival, and offering the ritual with the sacred sword – I will handle and conduct everything myself.”

In the chilled atmosphere.

Karin let out a hollow laugh and forced a smile.

“Crown Prince. The blessing festival is not a light event.”

“I know.”

“I’m saying that the hunting event for the sacrificial game, the ceremony itself, and even the festival after it’s over are never easy!”

“That’s exactly why I, as the Crown Prince, should do it.”

Emphasizing the word ‘Crown Prince’, Tian smiled as if painted.

Karin Empress closed her mouth with a shocked expression.

Tian looked around at the other officials as if he had been waiting.

“It’s a ritual to pray for the safe birth of imperial family. Isn’t it natural for me, who will inherit the throne in the future, to conduct it?”

“Those are absolutely right words!”

All the Empress Faction nobles bowed their heads.

“Originally, His Majesty the Emperor should wield the sacred sword, but His Majesty currently needs absolute stability, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, only Crown Prince can represent the Emperor. If not Your Highness, who would conduct such an important ritual!”

The faces of the Empress Faction nobles stiffened rigidly.

The blessing festival.

A grand festival and ritual of the Empire that would draw all people’s attention the moment it was held.

The moment he led this ritual, the Crown Prince would receive the attention of all the Empire’s people.

And his presence as the next emperor would become even more solid.

Karin Empress urgently opened her mouth.

“That’s enough! There’s no need for the busy Crown Prince to go to such trouble. For the blessing festival, I have a high priest in mind who….”

“Isn’t this a matter concerning my brother who shares the same blood?”

Tian cut off Karin’s words.

This time with a slightly cold expression.

“Don’t make me say the same thing twice.”

He soon wore a relaxed smile.

“Then let’s conclude the meeting here.”

Late evening after the meeting ended.

“Your Majesty. That Person has arrived.”

Karin, who had been sitting cross-legged on the bed, quickly raised her head.

Through the curtains, she could see someone entering the room.

“I greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

The one bowing her head deeply in greeting was Philomena Longton.

Karin skipped the pleasantries and asked urgently.

“Yes. What about what I asked you to look into?”

“The Abner Territory has been selected as the hunting ground for the blessing festival.”

“Aaaaah-!”

Karin’s scream of uncontrollable rage echoed through the bedroom.

She gripped the blanket as if to tear it apart, then barely managed to catch her breath.

And reflexively placing one hand on her belly, she asked.

“The priests just stood by and watched? They should have done whatever it took to stop it!”

What was considered most important in the blessing festival was the sacrifice.

And as sacrifices, beasts considered fierce and threatening on the continent were mainly hunted.

Northern wolves and large-antlered deer were examples.

Philomena answered.

“The priests did try their best to avoid the Abner Territory.”

“But?”

“There’s no place quite like the Abner Territory as a hunting ground, and the Crown Prince leading the ceremony was so adamant…”

“Aaaaaaaah-!!!”

The candlestick in Karin’s hand was hurled to the floor.

The glass candlestick immediately shattered into pieces with a sharp cracking sound.

Karin muttered as if she couldn’t believe it.

“The region where the blessing festival’s sacrifice is taken becomes a sanctuary for five years.”

And during that time, the Imperial Army cannot enter the sanctuary under any circumstances.

Even if rebels were hiding inside.

“But if the Abner Territory becomes a sanctuary!”

For Tian, who had joined hands with Abner, it would be no different from gaining another refuge at a crucial moment.

At this very moment when she was already troubled about how to kill the Crown Prince.

Karin’s face crumpled completely.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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