The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 267

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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 114

Terrence returned not as the Matap Master’s disciple, but as a member of the Crown Prince’s faction and Marquis Ipoleto, tasked with delivering this gift.

Garo, as the leader of Facade, had been acquainted with Sisear from early on.

So to avoid revealing his connection to 1st Prince Chezare, only Terrence would do.

“Of course. His Highness considers this marriage more seriously than anything else.”

“….”

“He said he hopes this modest gesture conveys that this is not merely a political engagement, but that His Highness truly becomes Valdina’s ‘family.'”

Terrence pulled out something like a thick paper book.

The cover was wrapped in black leather with gold trim at the corners.

“This is something His Highness specifically ordered to be delivered privately to Princess before the wedding.”

Opening the first page revealed thick certificates decorated with velvet, intricately bound page by page.

“This is….”

Sisear was momentarily speechless.

It was a collection of certificates bundling together the territories, authority, and assets that the 1st Prince was transferring to his wife.

Each time Sisear’s fingertips turned a page, the seals and wax stamps carved into each document made rustling sounds.

‘Guild seat rights for Romagna territory, horse ranches in the Duchy of Benapro, diamond mines in Alphanon…,’

He’s giving all this to the bride?

Since when has Kazen’s 1st Prince been so generous?

Then Terrence added.

“Ah, as you’ll see at the end, there’s also a transfer deed for the Golden Rose Garden. Since it’s located on the outskirts of Kazen’s capital, unlike other places, Princess can easily visit anytime.”

“….”

Romagna, Benapro, Alphanon.

These familiar names were territories and conquered lands under the 1st Prince’s control.

Sisear frowned.

He realized why it had been impossible for the Emperor to crush the 1st Prince’s power, even when he was terminally ill.

‘He was also holding the purse strings.’

“He said it was his consideration to ensure Princess wouldn’t be lonely in a foreign land, since she’s leaving her homeland.”

Terrence slightly closed one eye.

“However, I trust that as a wise minister, you understand why we cannot officially present this to Princess.”

The velvet certificates took a complex form, being transferred through multiple owners before finally reaching 1st Princess Medeia.

Sisear fell silent for a moment, then cast a cool gaze through his glasses.

“…Is it alright to so blatantly reveal to us the source of the secret funds behind 1st Prince’s curtain?

Especially when even his father, Emperor Perdickas II, was unaware of the 1st Prince’s wealth?

At Sisear’s question, Terrence hesitated. He removed his glasses and rubbed his gaunt face.

‘It’s not like I didn’t bring that up either.’

“You’re really going to give all this away? If you give everything away like this, what will you do when the marriage ends in three years?”

Before Garo could finish speaking, Chezare’s sharp voice cut in.

“Who decided it would end.”

“Huh? But at that time, Princess surely—”

Didn’t she say it was a three-year contract? Garo tilted his head in confusion.

Terrence also stared at his friend who was denying what they had both clearly heard.

Did he hit his head when jumping off Loke?

Then, an unwavering, resolute voice was heard.

“When Dea becomes Crown Princess, I’ll make sure she becomes the owner of Romagna. Start moving now so we can transfer it immediately then.”

The guild seat rights were merely a foundation to reduce internal opposition. Romagna was the 1st Prince’s own territory, the land where he was born and raised.

Setting aside the arrogance of treating the unconfirmed Crown Prince position as a foregone conclusion,

Saying he’d hand that over to Medeia meant….

‘This bastard has no intention of peacefully dissolving the marriage as contracted.’

He mustn’t be deceived by beautiful and fancy wrapping.

This was his black scheme to entangle Medeia tightly with himself.

“Wait, Boss. Would Princess and Valdina’s side think the same way?”

“Did that sound like I was asking for your opinion?”

Garo’s mouth fell wide open. Terrence shook his head.

“Marquis?”

Terrence snapped out of his thoughts at Sisear’s voice. Terrence put his glasses back on.

“What’s there to worry about between future family members? Once 1st Prince gives his heart to someone, he’s an infinitely benevolent person.”

‘Ah… Princess. I’m sorry, you’ve been caught by something wicked.’

He inwardly apologized to Medeia.

He wondered if he should warn her even now, but if Chezare found out, he might be buried in the abyss for life.

‘Still, who would have thought that bastard would change like this.’

Terrence smiled faintly.

Perhaps due to experiencing too many tsunamis over the long years.

His friend Chezare was so cold and dried up when it came to people that you could stab him and not a drop of blood would come out.

He never showed attachment to anyone or lingered over past relationships.

‘Chezare, so you were human after all. Something other than the will to survive has come to hold onto you.’

But now,

Like a young child trying to win favor by offering his best toys, seeing him so desperately trying to hold onto someone gave a strange sense of relief.

“Just convey His Highness’s feelings to His Majesty and Princess.”

“….”

When no response came, Terrence turned his head to look at Sisear.

His slender build and tired complexion.

Though meeting for the first time, Sisear and Terrence were quite similar.

‘Garo said he was like a stone, but he doesn’t seem that indifferent.’

Despite his handsome appearance, he was openly displaying unpleasant emotions.

As Terrence thought, Sisear was currently lost in a fierce emotional whirlwind somewhere between confusion and disappointment.

“Your Majesty. Is the missing Lord Diangel currently with Princess?”

Since Medeia’s oracle was delivered, Sisear hadn’t slept peacefully for a single day.

“Your Excellency! News from His Majesty! He’s returning to Valdina soon with Princess!”

Making the past few months of agonizing over protecting her and shielding Valdina from the continental conference’s aftermath seem meaningless,

The thunderbolt news of Medeia’s marriage had struck.

‘How could I not have considered this possibility.’

Even with his brilliant mind, the succession of the oracle was completely unexpected. Especially in the form of Medeia’s marriage.

While his head accepted that inevitable choice, his heart couldn’t comprehend it.

Before he could sort through that confusion, the 1st Prince’s carriage had arrived.

‘An engagement between Chezare Kazen and Princess.’

As the arrogant and dangerous shadow of Kazen’s 1st Prince overlapped the pure face of the indifferent but still young Princess, his heart seemed to drop.

‘It’s still too early. If Princess were a bit older, if more time passed….’

At that moment, Sisear realized.

The reason his rationality refused to accept the news of Medeia’s engagement.

‘I’m not in my right mind. To dare forget my duty as a subject.’

His mind snapped to attention as if cold water had been poured over his head.

Sisear let out a self-deprecating laugh and shook his head slightly.

His eyes behind the single-lens glasses scanned down the stiff certificates.

“….”

The common point of the three certificates was that they controlled the unofficial financial flow of the Crown Prince’s faction.

If these were in Medeia’s hands, the Crown Prince faction’s subjects would have no choice but to bow to her.

Not merely nominal courtesy as the 1st Princess, but the ability to exercise real power.

‘Then Princess could carry out her will just as she does now in Valdina.’

At the moment of piercing realization, Sisear let out a short laugh.

‘The grand gifts sent earlier were bait to conceal this certificate.’

Even the 1st Prince couldn’t openly show himself handing over weapons that would allow his bride to control his subordinates at will. 

“…Yes. I am grateful for the 1st Prince’s noble intentions.”

The 1st Prince of Kazen had shown excessive sincerity in this engagement, contrary to his infamous reputation. 

As if he knew the ultimate reason why Peleus was reluctant to pair him with Medeia, he even provided a solution to protect her in Kazen. 

These certificates would become the foundation for Medeia to exercise independent influence in Kazen. 

The 1st Prince’s certificate before his eyes seemed to slap Sisear’s cheek, telling him not to forget his duty. 

“I will deeply engrave the 1st Prince’s intentions and convey them without omission to His Majesty and Her Highness the Princess, so please do not worry.”

Sisear bowed with a face more hardened than before. 

“Since you have bestowed such generous gifts, Valdina also wishes to prepare a suitable return gift. However, please understand that preparation will take some time.”

At Sisear’s words, Terrence waved his hand dismissively.

“No. The 1st Prince did not desire any separate return gift. However, he strictly instructed us to provide every convenience for the ceremony to proceed smoothly and to assist in Her Highness the Princess’s preparations.”

Though he laid out plausible courtesies, the true intention was singular.

Rather than spend time preparing return gifts, he wanted the wedding moved up even by a day.

“I didn’t want to say this either, but….”

Even Terrence’s face grew hot as he conveyed those words.

After pouring out gifts as if pushing them forward, now he wanted to move up the wedding too… Who could deliver such shameless demands without batting an eye? 

“…That’s not within my authority. However, I will convey it to Their Majesties.”

Fortunately, no curses flew his way. Sisear merely answered indifferently.

However, Terrence didn’t know. 

That beneath the table, Sisear’s fingertips hidden in his sleeves were clenched tightly.

The tender heart that had barely begun to sprout withered silently before it could even understand its meaning.

* * * 

Valdina Imperial Palace.

The list of tremendous gifts sent by 1st Prince Chezare soon reached Peleus as well. 

“Your Majesty, look at the sheen of those horses. If they’re warhorses from the Duchy of Benapro, aren’t they among the finest battle steeds in the Empire?”

Humans naturally only see what they like.

“Blessed weapons would be very effective when suppressing Masu-“

Diangel, who had been rifling through the list long enough to reach the floor, sensed the chill emanating from beside him and closed his mouth.

Peleus narrowed his eyes and glared at Diangel. 

“…My apologies, Your Majesty.”

The young Emperor’s appearance as he slowly closed and opened his eyes was as cold as winter wind.

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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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