The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 264

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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 111

She knelt down.

A handkerchief embroidered with Valdina’s crest wrapped around Chezare’s index finger.

The moment the white cloth was stained red, all the candles illuminating the Central Temple danced in unison.

It was such a subtle tremor that no one noticed, but the dance continued.

As if welcoming the union of two stars that had finally met, for quite a long time.

The Pope slowly rose from his seat, his wrinkled hand gripping his staff.

“Then in this place.”

Rustle. His cream-colored robes swept the floor.

“Medeia de Valdina, Chezare Dwaisler Kazen. Through the engagement of these two, I command the fulfillment of the oracle,”

His steps stopped before Medeia and Chezare.

“This union is the will of God, and the oath sealed in blood shall be made under divine blessing,”

He adjusted his mitre.

“The Holy Kingdom and this old man shall be witnesses to this oracle.”

Medeia stared at the Pope with surprised eyes.

This meant that the engagement would be conducted in the Holy Kingdom, with the Pope officiating the ceremony.

This signified that the bride would not be subordinated to the groom’s family, but would marry as an equal while maintaining her own nation’s identity and authority.

For Valdina, which had been engaged in a long power struggle with Kazen, this was an incredibly advantageous opportunity.

Since there had never been a precedent of the Holy Kingdom presiding over a specific royal marriage, nor of the Pope serving as a wedding witness.

This was a political act where the Pope broke principles and clearly intervened in the relationship between the two nations, and it was also a special favor extended to Medeia.

The attendees’ eyes widened.

“So right now… Kazen and Valdina are being united?”

“And His Holiness is presiding over it…?”

They were dumbfounded by this completely unexpected form of alliance between the three strongest nations in the central continent.

While they were in a daze, applause came from somewhere – clap, clap, clap.

“Indeed, that would work! A brilliant move worthy of the heroes who defeated the Evil Dragon!”

It was the King of Mycenae.

He felt indebted to the Princess of Valdina who had solved the monster wave.

Seeing her face directly – so young and pale for her age – his guilt deepened even more.

‘But to become the First Prince of Kazen’s consort! What great fortune this is!’

What had been a disaster had instead become a golden opportunity.

None other than the First Prince of Kazen.

The main figure in the continental war victory and currently the man closest to Kazen’s Imperial Throne.

Fear and admiration always go hand in hand.

The people of the continent feared the First Prince while also yearning to enjoy even a portion of the immense power by his side.

Especially if it was the position of his closest companion…

So the Princess of Valdina had now boarded the fastest path to becoming the Empire’s Empress.

Perhaps standing at the pinnacle of this continent,

To a place more splendid and higher than all the days she had lived.

The King of Mycenae gave a bitter smile.

‘What to do, Perdickas. You’re going to have quite a headache ahead.’

No matter how much the Emperor of Kazen was wary of his outstanding son, he couldn’t take away his achievements and talents.

He must have been burning inside just from having such an exceptional son, and now he would have a strong-willed daughter-in-law by his side too.

“Hehe, this old wolf is finally understanding the ways of time.”

The King of Mycenae, who knew Perdickas II’s temperament better than anyone, finally couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

However, while the King of Mycenae was enjoying his spreading excitement, someone was precariously hanging on at the edge of a cliff.

Jason’s eyes were bloodshot.

‘How could you do this to me.’

Watching his wife pledge marriage to another man before his eyes, he barely held himself up by gripping a pillar to keep from collapsing.

He gripped so hard that his nails broke and bright red blood stained the marble pillar.

“Your Grace, we should escort you to the infirmary. How could you come here when you’re not even well…”

“Let go!”

He couldn’t hear his anxious subordinates’ words.

‘So you won’t even allow me a chance for redemption.’

She had even chosen Chezare, Jason’s most hated political enemy.

Medeia had cut away his existence in the most cruel way, ensuring Jason could harbor no hope.

“Congratulations! A destined pair ordained by oracle!”

“A match made by heaven, so their love shall become history and remain eternal!”

This loneliness of being abandoned alone amidst all the world’s cheers and congratulations.

This helplessness of having no choice but to watch my wife be with another man.

This wretchedness of not being allowed any resistance under the pretense of divine will.

‘So this is how you were, Medeia.’

If she wanted me to feel the despair that Medeia felt when she saw Rachel and me united by oracle, then she had succeeded.

“Cough-!”

“Your Highness!”

Jason coughed up blood from the agony that carved out his heart more sharply than any blade.

* * *

At that moment, Medeia turned toward the Pope.

“I know that Your Holiness has shown me favor. Thank you, Your Holiness.”

Even though she had devised the new method for the oracle, it was entirely thanks to the Pope’s grace that it was easily accepted.

Otherwise, there would have been a long and difficult power struggle.

“I merely hoped that the Goddess’s will would not be misinterpreted. However,”

Warmth appeared in the Pope’s eyes as he gazed at Medeia.

“Looking at you now, I somehow feel certain that I did the right thing.”

He turned around.

“Anastasia.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“You shall stay by the Princess’s side for the time being and help ensure the oracle’s implementation proceeds smoothly.”

The people of the Holy Kingdom were startled by the Pope’s command.

Anastasia was someone the Pope kept especially close and cherished among the Chief Priests.

‘His Holiness was never this affectionate even to the Saint.’

This benevolent appearance was truly unlike the Pope they knew.

Even Pope Benedict himself couldn’t find the reason for the affection that surged from deep in his heart the moment he saw Medeia.

He simply felt the desire to protect and guard her.

‘As if it should have been that way from the beginning.’

Conversely, he had felt aversion toward Saint Rachel from the moment he first saw her.

The Pope’s gaze toward Rachel became dry again.

“Then, that is all.”

The Pope turned away from Rachel and simply passed by. The High Priests following him did the same.

‘Does the Saint truly not know what impact her every word and action has on our Holy Kingdom.’

It was an expression of displeasure about Rachel’s open confrontation with the Pope in front of all these continental dignitaries just moments ago.

Especially since the reason for that stubbornness was to corner the Princess of Valdina to the very end.

‘Such an attitude of obsessing only with doctrine and encouraging death. Such childishness unbecoming of a representative.’

Rachel felt that the priests’ gazes toward her had grown even colder.

She clenched her fingertips as she turned pale.

“Princess Medeia is truly.”

Perhaps because she bit the inside of her mouth too hard, Rachel’s voice flowed out muffled.

“Lucky.”

“Yes, because I don’t rely on God’s name.”

Medeia calmly countered.

“Because I believe that a destiny not grasped by one’s own hands is not truly one’s own.”

“…!”

Rachel’s eyes widened instantly.

Medeia’s response sounded exactly like words directed at Rachel herself, who was trying to steal her destiny.

‘Could it be that she’s awakened…!’

Despite the meaningful tone, her consistently calm expression and demeanor revealed no clues whatsoever.

‘What is this?’

Meanwhile, Medeia noticed the fear that momentarily flashed through Rachel’s large violet eyes.

It was a raw reaction she hadn’t shown even when inheriting the divine oracle.

‘What could Rachel be so afraid of?’

“…!”

At that moment, Medeia’s vision suddenly fragmented.

The first fragment showed figures sitting in a dark underground space,

The second fragment revealed a young priest stepping onto some kind of drawing.

In the brief moment the fragments disappeared, Rachel’s hand glowed black. Like the red light that had warned of the Evil Dragon’s reverse scale.

However, Rachel’s black light emanated an ominous and sinister aura.

‘It extends all the way to her heart….’

And that black light didn’t stop at her hands, but spread filthily throughout Rachel’s entire body, as if wrapping around her.

The moment Medeia took a step forward to get a closer look,

“I hope…Your Majesty’s conviction remains unchanged.”

The vision ended.

“May the Goddess’s blessing accompany…the union of you both.”

Rachel offered her final greeting in a frail voice that sounded as if she were being strangled.

Without waiting for Medeia’s response, she hurriedly retreated as if backing away.

“Ha, after cornering Your Majesty to the edge of a cliff just moments ago, what a truly shameless woman.”

Neryl glared fiercely at Rachel’s retreating figure.

“Neryl, can you see it too?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“There, the priests accompanying her….”

The priests following Rachel also had their hearts flickering with ominous black light.

“Since when have they been by the Saint’s side?”

“…The Attending Priests… I heard they’ve been with the Saint since around the time she left Valdina. Your Majesty, is there some problem?”

Neryl seemed completely oblivious to any sense of wrongness.

As if she couldn’t see that ominous scene of black light emanating from the hearts of dozens of Attending Priests, spreading into the air of the Grand Temple.

“Your Majesty…? Are you alright?”

Of course, that scene vanished like a momentary illusion.

‘How can no one else notice? With so many high-ranking priests here?’

Medeia swept her surroundings with persistent eyes.

And finally, she discovered someone with the same eyes as hers.

A handsome Temple Knight was sharply observing the Saint and Attending Priests, just like Medeia.

Soon, the knight quietly turned his head.

The moment the knight’s and Medeia’s gazes met, Knight Commander Leonor’s voice rang out.

“Theo! What are you looking at again!”

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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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