The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 232

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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 79

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Administrative Palace of the Kazen Imperial Palace.

In this place where ministers came and went, sharing discourse and strategies, Eratosthe immediately drew attention.

“Duke Eratosthe, Your Grace.”

The centrist figures who had been bowing and scraping before Duke Leniar instinctively sensed that the situation had changed and flocked to Eratosthe.

And they tried to curry favor with Eratosthe by mentioning the new title the Emperor had bestowed upon him.

“And about the gift sent to reconcile with Valdina this time. What on earth is His Majesty thinking? As a Duke, surely you must have some insight into his thoughts.”

“How could this old man know such things? I can only follow His Majesty’s will.”

Eratosthe slipped out of the web with a dry tone.

His manner of speaking was humble but firm.

The ministers exchanged subtle glances and looked at each other, but could find no opening to probe further.

‘Damn old fool. He hasn’t changed one bit. Did he eat nothing but loaches instead of praying at the monastery?’

Count Montfort, a key figure of the 3rd Prince’s faction and the Queen Mother’s father, grumbled inwardly but dared not voice his complaints aloud.

And for good reason, as the Emperor now stood behind Eratosthe.

Perdickas II had raised Eratosthe’s title by several ranks and returned his castle, completing all preparations for his return so that he would not be inferior to the Queen Mother or Duke Leniar.

He had personally arranged a truly magnificent return, yet Eratosthe still had not removed his monk’s robes.

Fortunately, it was made of much finer cloth than the worn monk’s robes of that day.

But the wearer himself still looked like a withered branch, giving an impression that was both desolate and transcendent of worldly matters.

Indeed, he still refused the manor and remained at the Monastery in the Capital.

Leniar inwardly sneered.

Who would call that old man worldly?

Eratosthe was no longer the retired old monk he once was.

Now, to the people he was an object of tender sympathy mourning his dead daughter, to the new nobles he was a teacher they could lean on, and to the Emperor who was becoming tainted with madness, he had become a living sanctuary.

[Monk, sir.]

A small boy tugged at Eratosthe’s sleeve from beside him.

The boy was also wearing monk’s robes like Eratosthe, but had a badge indicating he was a novice adorably pinned to his chest.

“What’s that thing?”

“Some kid the Duke picked up from the streets, and he’s deaf, so no need to watch our words particularly.”

“Why would he bring such a thing all the way to the capital…”

The little monk with bright, sparkling eyes looked clever, but was born without one ear.

The other ear had also lost its hearing due to his father’s violence.

“Your Grace. His Majesty has sent this food. He was wondering if you might not be taking care of your health, thinking of you.”

The Imperial Chamberlain who appeared behind the boy bowed at the waist. Behind him, the stew sent by Perdickas II’s loyal servants was still steaming hot.

People tried to hide their envious eyes.

Since the Duke’s return, the Emperor had been summoning him almost daily.

Even Duke Leniar, the leader of the 1st Prince’s faction who was one of the few allowed entry to the Golden Chamber, could not have audiences with the Emperor so freely.

Though Perdickas II’s madness was growing worse and his temperament unpredictable, there was no minister who would refuse the sovereign’s trust.

If the Emperor’s unwavering trust in seeking him out continued like this, it was widely said that Eratosthe’s influence would soon surpass Duke Leniar’s.

“His Majesty even raised his title!”

“The Former Empress’s mischief was all from when she was young. Now that time has passed, he’s remembering the late Empress.”

“You, watch your tongue…!”

“Hm?”

One of the centrists saw Duke Leniar standing behind them and his face went pale.

“Y-Your Grace. I, I didn’t mean it that way…”

“Go on, say more. What’s so painful about this much to a father who put his child forward?”

The Former Empress died of puerperal fever not long after giving birth to Chezare.

This remained deeply in the heart of the current Emperor Perdickas II, leading him to establish Chezare as the 1st Prince after his accession.

However, her death was not entirely favorable to Chezare.

Because she died early, there was no way to dispel the suspicions created by the Emperor’s madness.

The suspicion about whether the son born by his sister-in-law was truly his own blood.

What had risen like a single thread of heat haze grew over time, as the Emperor weakened and Chezare matured, into a great tsunami that constantly overwhelmed the Emperor.

The bloodline of the conquering 1st Prince who led the continental war to victory was something no one dared question.

But the one who endlessly obsessed over that suspicion, and the only one who could, was solely the Emperor, Chezare’s father and master of the Empire.

“I am sorry. I have committed an unforgivable sin.”

The Minor Nobleman of the Centrist Faction dropped to his knees with a thud.

Leniar was the father of the deceased Former Empress and the key figure of the currently most powerful faction, the 1st Prince’s faction. Being humiliated here for insulting him would actually be fortunate.

But if the anger of the 1st Prince behind the Duke were directed at him…

“Please spare me, Your Grace. I will never utter such nonsense again.”

He bowed his head and begged abjectly.

It was somewhat excessive for just one careless remark, but since the target was none other than the Former Empress, everyone understood that fear.

“Don’t be so harsh. You’re not the only father here who put his daughter forward, surely you have the magnanimity to overlook that much.”

Then, Eratosthe’s voice rang out in the quiet room.

Leniar quietly turned his head to gaze at the old monk, no, his political rival who had now returned to the capital.

“Is that not so, Your Grace?”

“…”

The gathering fell silent as death.

Though it was a dry voice without any anger or emotion, Eratosthe was clearly provoking Leniar.

The Former Empress was said to have died of illness, but the current Empress…

She had taken her own life, but was there anyone who didn’t know that those who had driven her to that point were the Former Empress, the Emperor, and their offspring Chezare, who were here?

Leniar, their blood relative, could never be confident before Eratosthe.

“…That’s right.”

The wrinkles above Leniar’s forced smile trembled slightly.

The arrogant noble’s pride soon disappeared silently and skillfully, as if it had never been there.

However, Eratosthe smiled slightly upon seeing Leniar’s wrinkled hand stroke the pattern on his ring.

“At this age, even standing for long is burdensome. If it’s not rude, this old man will take his leave now.”

And he left.

“Let’s go.”

As Eratosthe took the first step, the boy quickly followed behind him.

Had they just left the corridor?

“…Your Grace!”

A dignified voice echoed through the corridor. However, Eratosthe’s steps did not stop.

“…Your Grace!”

[Someone’s calling for you, monk, sir.]

When the little monk stopped and tugged at his sleeve, Eratosthe sighed and stopped walking.

“Lord Eratosthe.”

A tall, handsome young man stood before Eratosthe and the boy.

Glasses perched on his straight nose. On his slender shoulders was embroidered the emblem signifying affiliation with the Mage Tower.

Eratosthe suddenly recalled that this young man was the Matap Master’s disciple and had grown up with his adopted grandson, becoming his most trusted aide.

“…Terrence, so it’s you.”

He nodded briefly. As if that greeting was sufficient for their reunion after several years.

Terrence also didn’t seem to expect a warm welcome and immediately bowed his head calmly.

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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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