The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 216

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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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Part 2, Chapter 63

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Medeia stepped forward as if she couldn’t feel the gazes of the people directed at her.

The hem of her black dress, which had been gently swaying, stopped in front of Hoakin’s coffin.

“How, how are you here….”

Catherine looked as if she had seen a ghost. Her fingertips trembled and she couldn’t meet Medeia’s gaze.

After the failed kidnapping incident, Catherine could no longer burn with hatred toward her niece.

Her instincts had sounded the alarm before her reason could.

‘Not only did she kill Jared, but she even brought in Kazen’s black demon….’

The fact that she had never once achieved victory against her, and the reality that her daughter and son had paid painful sacrifices each time, suffocated Catherine.

‘Could it be, perhaps this incident too… this wench….’

Had Medeia’s hand reached into the series of events that led to her lover killing her husband?

Though she couldn’t make out the expression due to the black veil draped over the Princess’s face, somehow it seemed like she must be smiling beneath the veil.

Goosebumps rose all over her.

Now even imagination alone sent chilling fear seeping into her bones.

Unlike his mother who feared Medeia, Samon was still burning with hatred.

This was the first time he was facing Medeia since his accident, which made it even more so.

“….”

However, he dared not open his mouth carelessly due to the imposing presence of the Agema standing behind Medeia.

He bit his lips. The flesh was torn to shreds between the metallic taste of blood.

Medeia was absorbed in looking down at Hoakin as if she couldn’t sense their existence at all.

Her expression was hidden by the black veil draped over her face.

“….”

A deathly silence flowed for a long while.

No one dared to break the Princess’s silence.

This was her land, and everyone instinctively felt in their bones that she was the master here.

Medeia, who had been looking down at the coffin, extended her hand. Saya quickly handed her a flower as if she had been waiting.

A single black rose swaying from her white fingertips was placed not in Hoakin’s embrace, but on top of the half-open coffin.

The black rose lying alone on the white silk looked out of place.

It appeared disconnected, as if representing the life of the deceased who died coveting a coffin that didn’t suit him.

Medeia’s eyes, looking down at the black rose, faintly contorted. But soon returned to an expressionless face.

Medeia stepped back.

The priest presiding over the funeral began the ceremony, reciting Hoakin’s life.

His voice was dry and emotionless, the content formal.

They say you can see what kind of life the deceased lived at their funeral.

The insincere eulogy and the desolately empty ceremony hall. There was no one present who truly wanted to honor Hoakin.

This was the true nature of Joaquin Claudio, who had parasitized off others, after everything he had extorted disappeared.

In other words, there was nothing.

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The priest finished his recitation.

Seeing the Princess, who had been quietly observing the ceremony, leave her seat, the attendees also rose from their seats.

“Our Princess is truly a warm person. I never dreamed I would see her here today.”

“She is so generous that the people trust and follow her. To embrace even the deceased who threatened the Royal Family, saying they share blood.”

“Why wouldn’t they? Come now, the late Dowager would think we’ve shown sufficient courtesy. This old woman must be going now.”

The patience of the elderly ladies, who could no longer bear the gloomy atmosphere, had reached its limit.

“I’ll go with you. By the way, truly, for someone who once rose to Prince and even Regent to have such a pitiful end. You really never know what will happen in this world.”

They were people who had seen and experienced the Regent’s family with their own eyes, who could make even flying birds fall until just three years ago.

“Hmph, His Majesty showed mercy and spared their lives, so if that Claudio fellow had known his place and restrained himself, it wouldn’t have ended like this.”

“That’s right. Ever since those people set foot on this strait, misfortune hasn’t ceased. The son lost his leg and now the head of the family is dead… Perhaps they’ve incurred the Goddess’s wrath.”

Since Claudio’s evil deeds ran so deep, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if the divine had become angry.

The chapel became empty as even the few attendees left.

Samon had long since left in the middle of the ceremony with Mariyu, using his uncomfortable leg as an excuse.

It was the desperate measure of a coward who could neither hide his hatred toward Medeia nor muster the courage to confront her.

So only Virna and her mother remained in the chapel, along with the mortician who would carry out the remaining procedures.

“It doesn’t look like more people will come, so let’s end it here. I also have somewhere to go….”

Catherine’s urgency was evident in her desire to quickly finish the funeral.

“Where does mother have to go…. Wait, you’re not going to see that bastard Raju, are you?”

When Virna pressed her, Catherine, feeling guilty, hesitated.

“Calling him a bastard. Isn’t that too rude? Virna, that person was so good to you—”

“Mother, are you insane? That bastard is the murderer who killed father!”

“So, he said it was an accident! If you treat that person like that too…!”

Catherine spoke in a suppressed, scolding voice.

“Virna, how long will you only be angry? The living must live. Look properly at who you really need. Do you think your dead father will feed us? Get a grip.”

Then, the mortician spoke. He wanted to escape from this mother and daughter who were as fierce as flames.

“Madam, the crematorium you mentioned has a backlog recently, so it will take some time. So we plan to transport the body in half a day.”

“Yes, please do so.”

Catherine nodded. Her tone suggested she didn’t care either way.

“Wait. Cremation? You’re going to burn father’s body now?”

Rather, Virna was horrified and interrupted.

According to the doctrine of the Old Church, which believes in the salvation and resurrection of souls after death, continental people thought that the body must remain intact for the soul to rest peacefully.

The cremation method of burning corpses was known to prevent souls from enjoying eternal rest and make them wander the world, so it was a funeral method performed only on heretics and criminals.

“Mother, what on earth are you thinking? Does brother know? Did you discuss this—”

“He was a person as cold as blue blood, so I wanted him to be warm at least when he goes for the last time. Is there a problem?”

Virna truly couldn’t understand her mother.

“Mother, why are you really like this? Why are you doing this to father, such humiliation, suddenly acting like you two were mortal enemies…!”

At her daughter’s outcry, Catherine’s gaze changed.

Surging emotions rose within Catherine as the past unfolded before her eyes.

The days when she had shed blood and sweat trying to make Hoakin the king of Valdina.

The time when she had run around until her feet were blistered, to the Royal Palace, to social circles, while he ignored even her love.

All the shame and hardships she had endured over the past three years for being Claudio’s wife.

‘But that bastard Hoakin, instead of being grateful to me, ignored and humiliated me!’

Suddenly, her dead husband became utterly hateful.

The medicinal properties of the Monga leaves made her emotions more vivid and raw.

“Ah!”

Catherine suddenly grabbed Virna’s arm.

“Virna, don’t be sad anymore. Your anger and tears are too precious to waste on that wretch.”

“Mother!”

Catherine’s nails dug painfully into Virna’s tender flesh.

“You can’t understand now, but you’ll know soon. When we arrive in Kazen—. Then mother will explain everything.”

Catherine’s lips moved, but soon she realized there were still people around.

Remembering Raju’s request, she barely swallowed her impulse. Her grip on Virna’s arm tightened.

“…!”

Then, familiar silver hair caught Virna’s vision over her mother’s shoulder. Virna hesitated.

‘Earlier, she left… didn’t she?’

Medeia, realizing that Virna had discovered her, raised her hand.

And slowly turned around and walked out. As if saying farewell, her voluminous black dress swayed.

Beneath the black veil covering her face, she must surely be mocking her. Virna was certain of it.

Her face contorted with anger.

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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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