The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 136

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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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Chapter 136

 

One of the guards was so stubborn that just to see a face for a moment, he had to hand over gold coins worth almost the price of a house as a bribe.

 

Anyway, he was incredibly lucky.

 

He had remained in the Royal Palace as a liaison between the Regent and Jason.

 

When the coup went differently than planned, he hid himself faster than anyone else.

 

As a Valdinian living in Kazen, quietly withdrawing and protecting himself like this was neither the first time nor a difficult task for him.

 

So, while Jason and all his subordinates were completely driven out of Valdina, only Raju was able to remain here.

 

“My lady, please have some of this. Clean water and blankets.”

 

Even in prison, he first looked after his beloved who was shrouded in sorrow.

 

“Oh my, oh my. How could such a noble lady end up in such a state…”

 

A roughened face, disheveled hair. A soiled dress.

 

Seeing his beautiful and noble Catherine trapped like a sick bird in such a shabby prison made Raju’s heart feel like it was tearing apart.

 

“Virna, apply this medicine. Your godfather brought it. If you don’t wrap it with clean bandages, the wound will fester.”

 

When he saw the wounds remaining on Virna’s back, he wished he had been injured instead.

 

He turned his body to look at the Regent beyond the bars on the opposite side and ground his teeth inwardly.

 

‘Stupid bastard, it’s all because of you. You said you’d stage a coup and pulled together every bit of strength you had and didn’t have, only to fail?’

 

The Regent not only failed but even dragged Jason into the same pit.

 

‘How dare you sell out His Grace the Duke to save yourself?! There’s a limit to stupid behavior, it’s not just about getting past the immediate crisis!’

 

He couldn’t stand the pathetic behavior that perfectly showed the downfall of a proud noble lord who had never once fallen to the bottom.

 

He would have been different.

 

If he had Claudio’s status and power, the outcome would have been different.

 

When his long-standing inferiority complex toward the Regent combined with the worst results he had brought about, murderous intent toward him surged.

 

If only he could, he wanted to kill the Regent right here and now.

 

‘Damn Valdina royal family! That bastard Hoakin too! And that bitch niece of yours!’

 

However, the flames of anger rising in his chest were not directed at the Regent first.

 

It was Princess Medeia.

 

‘That cunning bitch deceived and sold out our Virna to save herself?’

 

Being kidnapped by the rebels,

 

bearing the dishonor of having fled to save her own life in front of the whole world,

 

having her flesh cut by a blind sword – all of that should have been that girl’s fate.

 

Count Raju trembled with rage.

 

His selfish behavior of unreasonably directing all resentment toward the other party was exactly like Virna’s.

 

If he thought about it calmly for just a moment, he could realize that none of this would have happened if they hadn’t targeted Medeia in the first place, but if Raju had been capable of rational and reasonable judgment, he wouldn’t have stepped into this quagmire in the first place.

 

‘Virna, this father will surely avenge your resentment. The Princess will never die peacefully. If you survive here, if you return to the Empire.’

 

However, right now, finding a way to save the Prince’s family was more urgent than vowing revenge for his rising anger.

 

He didn’t care whether the Regent lived or died.

 

But Catherine was his one and only love, and Virna was his own daughter.

 

He couldn’t let them be trapped in this filthy prison and executed.

 

He had to get the mother and daughter out by any means necessary.

 

“…Samon.”

 

Raju turned his head and approached Samon, handing him a small basket.

 

Inside were clean water and bread to fill hunger, medicine and painkillers.

 

“Thank you, Uncle Raju.”

 

Samon came close to the bars. His eyes shining in the darkness were like those of a cat.

 

“It’s fortunate that at least you’re keeping your wits about you.”

 

Raju said as if sighing.

 

The Regent, Catherine, and Virna were all not in a sound state.

 

No matter what Raju said, they seemed absent-minded and unable to hear.

 

Occasionally they would only spout curses toward the King and Princess as if exploding.

 

At Raju’s words, Samon opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.

 

“Yes, we absolutely cannot collapse like this. Uncle, please call the 4th Princess. She should be able to get our family out.”

 

Raju inwardly swallowed a sigh of relief.

 

Even though the rebellion had failed and he was imprisoned, the Count at least still seemed to read the situation, so he hadn’t invested in a completely losing hand.

 

“Yes, you’ve found the right person, but… the 4th Princess won’t move. She’s not someone who would make a request to the King of Valdina for just a small favor.”

 

“…Even if I threaten to expose my relationship with her and her eccentricities?”

 

“How many men do you think have disappeared making such petty threats? The 4th Princess doesn’t even blink an eye.”

 

Samon couldn’t deny that Raju’s point was valid.

 

He bit his lip.

 

Was there really no way? Must they just wait for execution like this?

 

“Unless we catch a weakness incomparably greater than bedroom affairs.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Then, at Raju’s meaningful additional words, Samon looked up at him.

 

“What do you mean…”

 

“This uncle has already made arrangements. I bribed the 4th Princess’s maid to give her medicine that would show signs of pregnancy recently.”

 

Taking advantage of the chaos within the delegation as they hurriedly fled the Royal Palace in surprise at the rebellion.

 

Samon was stunned for a moment, then understood Raju’s words and asked back.

 

Pregnancy. Yes, that would certainly be a major issue the 4th Princess couldn’t ignore.

 

“But even so, if a court physician examines her, it will be exposed.”

 

Moreover, the court physician accompanying this delegation was renowned as a Divine Healer. He would surely discover that it was a fake pregnancy created by medicine.

 

“Don’t worry. He too will tell the Princess what we want. The Divine Healer’s grandson is in my hands.”

 

Raju’s eyes gleamed greedily.

 

He had kidnapped the Divine Healer’s grandson and threatened the Divine Healer.

 

Having lost his son and daughter-in-law early, when his only remaining blood relative, his grandson’s life, was held hostage, the Divine Healer had no choice but to submit to Raju’s commands.

 

“I’ve already sent word to the Imperial Palace too. That the 4th Princess is pregnant with your child. The Emperor will respond soon.”

 

The situation in Valdina would have reached Perdickas II’s ears as well.

 

He cherishes the 4th Princess most, and behind her are the Dowager Empress and Duke Dong, so he couldn’t make his first grandson a bastard.

 

“Uncle, thank you. I will never forget this kindness you’ve shown for our family.”

 

Samon prostrated himself and expressed his gratitude to Raju.

 

While everyone else had turned their backs, Raju was the first and only one to visit the Claudio family and arrange a way to survive despite the risks.

 

Even someone with his cold and selfish nature couldn’t help but be moved.

 

“We’re already family. Don’t make unnecessary thanks.”

 

Raju waved his hand.

 

His eyes briefly captured Catherine and Virna leaning against the wall of bars.

 

“Then, Uncle. Please convey this matter to the Holy Kingdom as well. Say that when the child is born, we hope the Pope will bestow his blessing.”

 

Raju understood Samon’s meaning.

 

It was to add another safeguard so that the Kazen Royal Family couldn’t possibly cover up the Princess’s pregnancy entirely.

 

“Indeed, how clever. Leave it to me.”

 

Raju gave his praise.

 

The eyes of the two men who had put their heads together were gleaming as black as a cockroach’s back.

 

* * *

 

On the sunny streets of Valdina, more people than ever had come outside.

 

It was to welcome the King’s triumphal ceremony.

 

“Long live Valdina! Long live His Majesty the King!”

 

Peleus on a white horse approached at the very front of the parade. Two hundred Agema followed behind him.

 

Under the sunlight, the armor Peleus wore sparkled white along with his silver hair.

 

The light shining behind him felt exactly like a sacred halo.

 

“Our young Majesty, when did he become so magnificent!”

 

As if they couldn’t see the deadly great sword he carried on his back, people let out admiring gasps.

 

“He cut down the enemies of the plains and ran that long journey of months in an instant for us, stopping the rebels.”

 

“There’s no comparison with Claudio, that filthy trash who changes his ways like flipping his palm! As they say, you can tell ten things from seeing one – even if he became king, he would have run away alone to save himself in a national crisis!”

 

“Ptui, I still have those disgusting words he spouted ringing in my ears. If you’re going to be crazy, at least know your limits. With that rock for a head, he should be grateful for living so well all this time. How dare he have such audacity!”

 

“That’s right, exactly. Who dares to steal His Majesty’s throne! The King of Valdina is His Majesty Peleus, and him alone!”

 

Just as Medeia had intended, the people’s mouths were filled with endless praise for the King and condemnation toward the Regent.

 

Bang, bang! Fireworks exploding throughout the streets and the majestic music of the military band made it seem like a festival.

 

It had been truly a long time since Valdina was bustling with such joy.

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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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