The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 147
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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 147
Alpha and Zeta were originally under the command of Duke Leniart.
Leniart was the father of the former Empress and currently the focal point of the 1st Prince’s faction within Kazen.
Once Chezare died, everything that had happened in Valdina would reach the Duke’s ears.
‘If it’s Leniart, he’ll try to eliminate her.’
The Duke was someone who had protected Chezare from the Emperor and all sorts of interference schemes.
For the reason that Chezare was material to lead the Empire, he had supported him despite his unclear status and precarious position.
Since he was someone who cared so much for the Empire, once he learned of Medeia’s true capabilities, he would be wary of her and surely try to eliminate her.
“Chezare, that could endanger the Empire. Who could possibly face the Princess of Valdina when nothing has been prepared?”
Terrence warned him. He had already experienced the Princess with his own eyes and body.
The Regent and the delegation who had been played on the chessboard she had created while hiding underwater. The Empire would be no exception.
His point was correct.
This was truly unlike Chezare. To leave scattered dangers unattended for the sake of a foreign princess.
“So what?”
Chezare asked back.
“I’m already a dead man. So Kazen should face the Princess without help from someone they’ve already cast aside.”
I couldn’t break the curse or reclaim my life, so do I have any passion left to offer this country?
Kazen. The Empire. The throne.
He felt all the things that had sustained him losing their color.
The fire of fleeting desire was dying out.
A similar level of emptiness that Kensington had felt bloomed in Chezare’s heart as well. Only his was deeper and darker.
“Terrence, answer me. Do I have anything left to offer Father?”
“…”
“It’s just temporarily blinding them. She won’t stop anyway.”
Nothing will change even if I disappear.
Perhaps Medeia’s blade that would strike down Jason would soon turn toward the Empire.
As if she had some old grudge against him, for reasons and background unknown, she would surely continue to steadily tighten the enemy’s throat just like now.
Ridiculously, it was regrettable that he could no longer watch that spectacle.
‘Did I want to confirm how far she could extend her reach?’
For the first time, he felt something like kinship toward another person.
He never thought he could find someone in distant Valdina with whom he felt he shared the same perspective and viewpoint.
That’s why the Princess, that small girl’s presence, wouldn’t fade away. Even on this final page as life was ending.
He recalled Medeia collapsing and crying in her brother’s arms that day.
A pointless competitive spirit arose. He even felt the urge to reveal himself before the Princess, saying she had chosen the wrong embrace.
Deflecting the falling sword, grasping her shoulder – these could never be his role now.
Nevertheless, an unavoidable bitterness remained on his tongue.
He wanted to watch that woman.
How far Medeia could go, he wanted to share in her vision.
Was it because he knew he couldn’t that he couldn’t let go? Where did this inexplicable obsession that he couldn’t shake from his heart originate?
Emotions that would fade away hazily, covered by the veil of death, held Chezare’s ankles.
Torn pieces of the letter fluttered down like flower petals from his elegant fingertips.
“If you won’t obey my command, return to your old master.”
“Our only master is Your Highness!”
Alpha quickly shook his head.
“Then don’t forget the will.”
Chezare’s languid authority indicated it would not tolerate any further overstepping.
The will.
Alpha flinched. He viscerally realized that his master, who had been like a great mountain, was truly preparing for the end.
“…Yes, I receive your command.”
The subordinates withdrew. Chezare gazed out the window.
As if mocking his efforts to prepare a flawless, noble ending, the sky was black and heavy.
* * *
Valdina Prison.
A damp, musty-smelling cell. The sound of someone chewing something echoed softly – crunch, crunch.
“Is this all there is?”
Samon grumbled irritably as he rummaged through the basket of medicine and bread that Mariyu had brought.
“I’m sorry, ever since I was caught last time, the head cook has become very strict…”
Mariyu watched Samon hastily stuff bread into his mouth with the heart of a mother.
“You’ll choke. Drink this too, darling.”
Gulp, gulp. Sweet fruit juice greedily flowed down Samon’s lips.
It was cheap drink he wouldn’t have glanced at normally, but to him now it was sweeter than the nectar the gods were said to drink.
“Damn it, I starved for three straight days. Three days!”
Even while chewing, his stomach thundered, clamoring for more food.
As if even rock-hard black bread and thin oat porridge were luxuries, Samon had to suffer organ-clawing hunger for the past four days.
The 4th Princess, angry at his schemes, had completely blocked all rations going into the prison.
Since tormenting the traitorous Prince Claudio’s household was the task, the guards also turned a blind eye to her harassment without reporting it to their superiors.
‘My poor love, even though he’s of royal blood, to be treated so harshly!’
Unaware of this fact, Mariyu’s heart felt like it would tear seeing Samon’s skeletal complexion.
“I’ll somehow manage to bring meat before the execution.”
Mariyu reached through the bars to carefully wipe the juice and crumbs from Samon’s lips.
The execution of the traitors was not far off.
After Prince Claudio’s household fell, Mariyu had kept her head down and hidden her presence.
But she could no longer stand by as each passing day brought her beloved’s life closer to danger.
“Don’t worry, darling. We’ll somehow avoid the execution.”
Finally, Mariyu spoke resolutely as if she had made some decision.
“Our child will save his father.”
“What?”
Samon looked up, doubting his ears. His hand that had been greedily stuffing bread into his mouth stopped.
“What are you talking about?”
Mariyu nodded as if she had expected Samon’s surprise.
“Yes, I have an idea. I’ve made connections with a servant at the Queen Mother’s Palace, so I can meet the Queen Mother soon-”
“No! Not that!”
Samon shook his head as if frustrated. His arm reached through the bars to grab Mariyu’s wrist.
“A child, what do you mean by that!”
Samon grabbed both her wrists so she couldn’t move and growled in a low voice.
Confirming her lover’s flashing eyes, Mariyu instinctively hunched her shoulders.
“I, I went to see a physician and he said I was with child.”
Mariyu twisted her hands free from his grip. Then she answered while holding her belly.
“In my body, the bloodline of Prince Claudio’s house is here.”
“…”
“Samon, aren’t you happy? If she knows of this child’s existence, the Queen Mother won’t be able to turn away from you either.”
Mariyu hurriedly continued speaking to her lover who gave no response.
“The royal family has few heirs, and this would be the Queen Mother’s first grandchild too. If you just survive like that, we can live peacefully with the child and plan for the future anytime.”
Her eyes held both cunning and fear. She feared Medeia but aimed for the Queen Mother’s recognition.
Excluding the Medeia siblings, royal bloodline was virtually nonexistent.
No matter how much the Regent had committed treason, wasn’t he the Queen Mother’s own son whom she had carried for ten months?
If she knew that her soon-to-be-executed son’s bloodline was alive and breathing, surely her frozen heart would melt. What parent would want their child’s lineage to end?
Mariyu was confident of this.
“…Samon?”
However, she was bewildered by Samon’s reaction.
She had expected him to be overjoyed that a way to avoid execution had emerged, but contrary to her expectations, his reaction was excessively quiet.
The frigid air of the cold prison rushed in as if to sting her cheeks.
Mariyu hesitated upon seeing Samon’s distorted face.
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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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