The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 266

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Part 2, Chapter 113

“….”

“Garo? Terrence? Were you planning to choose from the expedition members? Diangel because he’s a fellow countryman?”

His tone instantly changed to sound like an interrogation.

As harsh evaluations followed as naturally as breathing—that Garo was frivolous, Terrence was frail, and Diangel was old—Medeia felt a bit bewildered.

“I haven’t thought about it. I would have if you had refused.”

“So I was your first choice.”

“….”

Though it was the same meaning, the subtly one-sided confidence in his tone made Medeia feel slightly rebellious.

“Anyway, you’ve answered, and even fulfilled the oracle, so nothing will change anymore. The wedding will proceed as planned.”

Chezare quietly suppressed a smile.

The dry-faced Medeia who had proposed on the flying Loke.

“How could I not love such a man.”

One would never think she was the same person as the Princess who had confessed her love in front of her brother.

Though he knew she had a talent for acting, having himself as the target of that passionate performance made the gap all the more endearing.

‘You truly have no expectations for this marriage, or rather, for me.’

The line Medeia had drawn was all too clear.

“And when our contract ends, after that you can take whoever you want as Empress.”

“Medeia. Have you forgotten that you can demand anything of me? No contract is necessary.”

“As I’ve already said, I don’t trust anyone. There are no exceptions.”

A white hand extends through a small gap in the stone wall covered with thorny vines.

What a heartless woman.

Even while letting out a bitter smile, Chezare had no choice but to gladly take that hand.

Even if his flesh tore on the thorns, he wouldn’t stop climbing this wall. Because he knew it was the only path to reach her beyond this wall.

And finally, he would be the only one to climb this wall.

“Right. You were so earnest that I couldn’t refuse.”

“When was I ever earnest—”

When Medeia flared up, he suddenly drew closer.

“I’ll gladly become your companion.”

Though it was a compliant answer, when combined with his arrogant demeanor, it sounded more like a one-sided declaration.

The eyes gazing at her seemed exactly like those looking at prey caught in a trap.

Perhaps she had carelessly stepped into something she couldn’t escape from.

For a moment, at the dangerous premonition that flashed through her mind, Medeia unconsciously stepped backward.

Her wavering green eyes were as precarious as those of a young beast.

“It’s too late to run away.”

A firm hand caught her swaying waist.

And slowly penetrated to a distance where their breaths could touch.

“Don’t worry, Medeia.”

“….”

“I’ll make you the most enviable bride in the world.”

His burning eyes were saying it.

Now that she had entered his orbit, there was no way to escape.

* * *

Kazen’s Imperial Palace.

“Say something that makes sense!”

Crash. From early morning, the palace was in an uproar.

After the continental conference ended, the results of the oracle that Medeia and Chezare were fulfilling had finally reached Kazen’s Imperial Palace.

“I have to accept that Valdina wench as my daughter-in-law?!”

Perdickas II threw down his staff.

The vase that was hit by the thrown staff shattered into pieces. Count Montfort, who was standing opposite, flinched.

‘It would be better if he just threw it. If he keeps holding it, who knows when I might get hit.’

He kept his guard up, worried that the enraged Emperor might strike even him, his son-in-law, with the staff.

“I am ashamed, Your Majesty. The situation has gotten out of hand….”

But Count Montfort felt equally wronged inside.

He wasn’t a god—how could he have known that the 1st Prince would appear and throw the evil dragon’s head into the middle of the temple, then shamelessly demand a bride instead of the evil dragon?

“The Pope has already promised to officiate.”

The Head Servant answered in a calm voice. He skillfully picked up the fallen staff and offered it back to the Emperor.

“Who gave permission when the parents didn’t allow it!”

“This marriage contract is not an ordinary marriage between royals, but a ceremony inheriting the oracle… That’s why His Holiness also promised to officiate and have the ceremony held at the Central Temple.”

The more he heard, the more infuriating the news became. His vision grew dizzy.

“Moreover, the 1st Prince additionally sent a marriage contract signed by the late Empress to the Holy Kingdom.”

“That damned bastard! How did he get his hands on that!”

“That is… It seems the late Empress left it for the 1st Prince before she passed away.”

“Eleanor…!”

Perdickas’s brow furrowed. Bang, his fist struck the armrest of the golden chair.

Since he wasn’t her real son, she probably didn’t care who Chezare brought home. His insides boiled.

“Eleanor. Are you taking revenge on me?”

You would have been happy even if my son ended up with some street ruffian, wouldn’t you?

The Emperor barely swallowed his breath and twisted his lips.

“Mother and son alike, they don’t give a damn about my authority.”

It was surprising how similarly willful they were despite not sharing blood.

He contorted his face in anger.

“Fine, let them do whatever they want. He’s a son I’ve already cast out anyway—what do I care who he marries!”

Even with that precious oracle, no matter how much protection he received from the Holy Kingdom and her brother, once that young wench entered Kazen, killing her slowly would be no trouble at all.

* * *

Valdina’s Imperial Capital.

“Have you heard the news?”

When news of Medeia and Chezare’s marriage spread, the continent was in turmoil.

Valdina, the homeland of the Princess who was a party to the engagement, was no exception.

“A Prince of Kazen! Our Princess can’t go! Absolutely can’t send her!”

The union of the two empires that shook the continent had somehow become the hottest topic in every square and marketplace.

“And it can’t be the 1st Prince! How can our lovely Princess trust that savage man who’s gone mad from war as a husband!”

“Of course! The late Emperor would jump out of his grave!”

The Valdinians’ reactions were mixed.

“How can we refuse a marriage contract blessed by oracle? While the Holy Kingdom is desperately trying to bind our Princess to that dead evil dragon!”

“If it weren’t for Kazen’s 1st Prince, Her Highness would have had to wither away for life as a cursed bride. Surely the lesser evil is better than the worst.”

Those who had experienced the atmosphere of the continental conference, where war clouds loomed between nations, argued that this engagement was inevitable.

“Still…”

Then, thump. Thump. The grand performance of a military band echoed through the Royal Palace.

“What’s that?”

Along with the earth-shaking sound, a splendid carriage entered toward Valdina’s Royal Palace.

A flag bearing the 1st Prince’s crest fluttered above the large black carriage.

“It’s the 1st Prince’s gift procession. So soon.”

It had been only a short time since the engagement between the Princess and the 1st Prince was announced.

Before Valdina and Kazen could coordinate the various matters that would arise from their union, the gift procession sent by 1st Prince Chezare arrived at the Royal Palace first.

It was remarkably fast progress, giving the impression that he intended to push this marriage forward forcefully without any room for delay.

The knights escorting the carriage wore pitch-black cloaks and black armor.

Even their jet-black warhorses and black helmets without any metal decorations matched.

“The 1st Prince’s army…”

Sending his elite soldiers who had swept the battlefields during the continental war to personally escort the gifts showed that the 1st Prince regarded this engagement seriously.

The Valdinians were feeling a contradictory mix of satisfaction and resentment somewhere in between as they watched that magnificent procession.

“Huh?”

“What?”

One carriage, two carriages…

People’s eyes widened at the endless procession of carriages that continued without end.

Valdina Palace.

“So then.”

Sisear said, looking down at the stacks of documents piling up on the table.

“Are you saying this is truly being sent from Kazen?”

It was a detailed list of the gift procession sent by the 1st Prince.

“Five carriages filled with gold. Three filled with mithril. Two carriages filled with magic books. A thousand bottles of holy water from the Holy Kingdom and ten chests of treasures crafted by the dwarves of Alphensia.”

He read from a stiff, golden scroll made of fine fabric.

“…300 stems of eternal golden roses. Silver deer leather letter cases and golden wax seals, the Divine King’s jeweled crown, the Holy Temple’s sword and 80 other blessed weapons consecrated by the High Priests…”

The list was so long it couldn’t be read in its entirety here.

“Are you certain this is truly being sent as gifts?”

Sisear’s eyebrows furrowed deeply behind his monocle at this unprecedented list.

Sharp eyes trying to gauge the other party’s intentions turned toward Terrence.

‘Heh.’

Terrence raised the corners of his mouth and gestured with his eyes toward the scrolls piled high on the table.

‘We haven’t even started on the transfer deeds yet.’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————