The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 159
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Part 2, Chapter 6
After the Empire proclamation ceremony ended, she had planned to begin searching for Rachel’s whereabouts in earnest. Around the time when the Saint had appeared in her past life.
However, even Medeia hadn’t expected her to appear before her eyes of her own accord like this.
Why now, why here.
Questions that couldn’t be asked, that would never receive answers, arose. Reason and emotion clashed, creating a whirlpool.
The sweet enemy’s neck that came into view. It was like the forbidden fruit tempting Medeia.
‘I can’t be swept away by emotions.’
She knew the fate of those foolish ones who had fallen after being blinded by momentary vengeance.
Tap, tap.
Her index finger tapping the surface pressed down with enough force to carve into the table.
The vase placed on the table shook slightly. Medeia reached her hand toward the flower in the vase.
Snap.
The fragile rose was crushed and crumpled in her hand. Ignoring the scratches carved into her palm, Medeia rose from her seat.
From the place she had left, the rose’s fragrance wafted out sickeningly thick.
* * *
Central Palace of Valdina.
The Agema guarding the Emperor’s bedroom where Peleus stayed welcomed Rachel.
“Miss Rachel, why aren’t you resting at your quarters? You must still be suffering from travel fatigue.”
Their attitude was quite friendly.
“His Majesty’s purification isn’t finished yet.”
“Miss Rachel, didn’t we tell you that audiences are only possible when His Majesty requests them? Coming here so suddenly like this…”
When Menil made a troubled expression, Rachel held out a small wooden box as if she had been waiting for this.
“Yes, I know. Here, this is for the knights. Please share it with them, Sir Menil.”
Inside the crude box were several brilliantly glowing blue vials.
Menil, the Agema’s vice-captain, immediately recognized what the vials were.
“This is… holy water.”
“Yes, we ran out recently so I couldn’t give you any. So I made a little more.”
Rachel’s face reddened as if embarrassed.
“It can’t compare to the temple’s holy water, but it should be better than having nothing.”
“What do you mean it can’t compare? This is holy water personally bestowed by the Saint. Even gold couldn’t buy this.”
Menil accepted the box without hesitation and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
He thought of his comrades who still hadn’t fully recovered.
“But Miss Rachel, you must not be feeling well either, yet you’re not using it yourself first.”
“I’m fine. I’m just a little tired. It’s thanks to the knights protecting me.”
“Still, you should take care of your health first. We’re grateful that you look after iron lumps like us, but…”
“Please don’t say such things. If it weren’t for you, my hometown would have been devastated by the ghoul horde. I’m just grateful I can help in this small way.”
When Rachel shook her head, her soft blonde hair swayed gently. Peace and love dwelt in her serene eyes.
Truly the representative chosen by the Goddess.
Menil admired inwardly.
During the long journey from the plains, suppressing the monster wave and heading to Valdina, Rachel’s good deeds had captivated the Agema.
She had even poured her holy power into the wave’s epicenter without caring that her own body would be contaminated.
Rachel’s dedication—her courageous appearance showing not a step back in the monster den that even seasoned men feared to approach, and generously giving her precious holy power and holy water—had broken down Menil’s firm guard.
“Sir Menil.”
Then, Rachel looked around and, confirming no one else was nearby, spoke.
“Please open the door so I can see His Majesty.”
Rachel spoke pleadingly to Menil, who was guarding the office entrance.
At that moment, a goat horn-shaped mark appeared in Menil’s eyes. It disappeared instantly, unnoticed by anyone.
With dazed eyes, Menil nodded.
“Yes, Saint. Please go right in. His Majesty should be inside.”
Click.
Rachel smiled. And stepped through the opened door.
* * *
Central Palace, the King’s office.
Making his days on the plains seem like nothing, Peleus had quickly adapted to palace life.
He rarely left his office, spending all day processing the backlog of state affairs.
“Peleus.”
Even when Medeia visited the Central Palace, Peleus was buried under piles of documents.
“Dea, you came.”
“How’s your body?”
Her brother’s handsome face was still the same, except for being slightly pale.
“I’m fine.”
“…”
“Dea, if my body wasn’t fine, I wouldn’t be sitting here like this. It really wasn’t as serious a situation as you’re worried about.”
He comforted his sister with an affectionate touch.
“This brother will always be by your side. You sometimes get anxious as if I don’t exist in this world.”
Medeia smiled bitterly. Peleus could be perceptive in unexpected ways.
That’s when it happened.
“Oh, Your Highness the Princess is here too.”
Medeia froze when she spotted blonde hair swaying behind the office entrance pillar.
“Why are you here?”
Medeia’s green eyes turned toward Menil, who had entered the office with Rachel. At the unprecedented pressure in the Princess’s pale face, Menil instinctively shrank back.
He belatedly realized that the Princess’s question was directed at him, not Rachel.
“Ah, that is, Miss Rachel came to purify His Majesty’s remaining demonic energy… sir.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness. His Majesty seems to have continuing pain from the demonic energy remaining in his body, so I insisted.”
Rachel, who hadn’t expected Medeia’s presence, was slightly flustered but soon smiled softly.
As if not noticing the Princess’s coldness, her white hand held out a wooden box.
Inside were small vials with a blue glow swirling within them.
“This is holy water I made. Please accept my gift, Your Highness the Princess, and forgive my rudeness.”
“…”
“Though my power is humble, I’m confident about its purity. If the Goddess’s blessing is added to Your Highness’s precious body, it will surely help even a little.”
“…”
Rachel was still holding the box. Because Medeia had not accepted the Saint’s gift.
She gazed at Rachel with an indifferent face. The atmosphere instantly became awkward.
“Did, did I again act rudely toward Your Highness? If so, please blame foolish me and graciously forgive me.”
With her face red from embarrassment, the Saint forced a smile. Menil, feeling sympathy for the Saint who had been rejected publicly, stepped forward.
“Your Highness, I can vouch for Miss Rachel’s holy power. It was several times more effective than the temple’s holy water, so please trust us and accept—”
“So you let her through without notice or confirmation? Since when has the Agema guarding the Emperor been so lax?”
At Medeia’s cold criticism, Menil flinched. Because he instinctively realized her words weren’t wrong.
Why did I bring Rachel in? He couldn’t properly remember the reason. He just felt like he should.
Menil looked dismayed.
No matter how much the Saint had saved them, the Agema must be the King’s sharpest sword.
Among the countless enemies who had targeted Peleus, weren’t there those who wore friendly faces like the Saint?
‘I was careless. I should never have lowered my guard under any circumstances.’
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. This is my mistake.”
He prostrated himself, recognizing his error.
“If you give me appropriate punishment, I will accept it gladly.”
“Menil is relieved of his position, and from now on Diangel will be in charge of Central Palace security.”
Peleus rose from his seat and spoke in a cold voice. Then he turned toward Rachel.
“Rachel, even though you haven’t received baptismal confirmation yet, you clearly belong to the Holy Kingdom, so ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
His frosty tone left no room for argument. Rachel was flustered, but Peleus continued regardless.
“I won’t forget your help. The promised support will remain valid, so please take your leave now.”
“Your Majesty, at least let me purify… Please let me at least examine your wounds. As a messenger carrying out the Goddess’s will, I must help Your Majesty—”
“Escort the Saint out.”
However, the young king’s voice was indifferent.
“But—”
“Diangel, escort her outside.”
Rachel reached out her hand in desperation, but Peleus had already sent a stern look toward Diangel first.
Diangel nodded and grabbed hold of her.
“Ah!”
Just then, a short scream burst out.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————