The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 273

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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 120

* * *

Rachel was also present at that wedding ceremony, which was brilliant from beginning to end.

She wore cream-colored priest robes reminiscent of a pure white dress.

She looked as beautiful as always. Her hands were also spotlessly elegant.

However, only her outward appearance remained stable.

Every time Medeia did something, every time that damned god cheerfully revealed his will in response, Rachel compulsively clenched and unclenched her perfectly fine hands.

As if she wanted to feel the one remaining mark of black magic.

‘It’s okay. It’s okay.’

She repeated to herself. Even so, she couldn’t suppress the rising heat.

This beautiful temple. The family that treasured Medeia like a jewel. Her beloved retainers.

Seeing even the cruel 1st Prince, who regarded human lives like flies, revering her before everyone was truly unbearable.

‘Everything should be mine.’

Rachel lowered her gaze to hide her bloodshot eyes as she tried to suppress her anger.

‘It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s okay…’

And she repeated to herself as if brainwashing herself.

‘That arrogant act of seeming to have the world beneath her feet will end in just a few hours anyway.’

She should graciously allow the girl who would fall into eternal sleep to enjoy her final moment of joy.

However, even as she repeated this to herself, Rachel’s nails were sharply digging into her flesh.

“Are you alright? Saint?”

Leonor, who was beside her, asked in surprise.

He rarely paid attention to the Saint’s every move.

However, Rachel’s appearance in his eyes right now seemed like that of a sick person.

A grayish pale complexion like a skeleton and protruding cheekbones.

“I’m… fine. I was just dizzy for a moment. I can’t… become a burden at such a sacred moment.”

Due to this recent oracle incident, criticism toward the Saint was raging both inside and outside the temple.

‘She must have suffered a lot mentally.’

Leonor simply concluded this and turned away.

“If you’re feeling unwell, please let me know. I’ll call a medical priest.”

“I’ll be fine once this moment passes. Just after now…”

Rachel muttered ominously and lowered her gaze again.

* * *

After the wedding ceremony ended, the reception concluding the sacred marriage was held in the central corridor connected to the Grand Cathedral.

Sacred paintings depicting the history of the Holy Kingdom hung on every wall of the corridor. Above, crystal windows through which sunlight streamed extended lengthily across the ceiling.

Through those windows, the sun was slowly setting, painting the sky red.

In the central corridor filled with gentle music, the guests’ laughter and admiration mingled.

“My goodness, the World Tree, to see this here?”

“I heard the 1st Prince’s faction went all the way to the Elven Forest to personally procure it at the 1st Prince’s request.”

In the brilliant glasses lined up on the tables, cocktails made from the World Tree gently swirled.

The World Tree’s characteristic subtle yet sweet fragrance continuously permeated the air of the feast.

“It’s truly a beautiful and fulfilling wedding. I don’t know when we’ll see something like this again.”

The Pope recited a short blessing and prayer.

The Pope had decided to personally officiate the reception as well, with the intention of blessing the ceremony signifying sacred union.

Medeia and Chezare, who had been sitting at the head table, rose from their seats.

Both had changed into lighter attire suitable for the reception.

The military-style charcoal formal wear Chezare wore was neat while revealing a smooth silhouette along his solid torso and broad shoulders.

Meanwhile, the silver thread dress from Silvarend made by elven craftsmen that Medeia wore was a quiet grayish-white like moonlight.

Each time the corridor’s light brushed against it, a slight greenish tint swirled over the fabric, adding subtle vitality.

With the addition of cute lily-of-the-valley decorations in her hair, she looked as lovely as a forest fairy.

“The two will now exchange the covenant cups.”

With the Pope’s words, a Temple Knight brought the covenant cups.

It was Theo.

He had been assigned the task of delivering the cups as the next Temple Captain.

As he set down the cups and carefully stepped back, his gaze briefly met Medeia’s.

Theo nodded very slightly.

Only Chezare, who was beside them, noticed that subtle movement.

Chezare’s captivating eyes glanced over Theo.

The 1st Prince’s well-shaped lips still curved in a smile, but Theo felt sharp eyes watching him continuously until he retreated to his position.

The Pope tilted his hand.

Trickle.

Holy water was poured into the covenant cups.

The Pope handed each cup to Chezare and Medeia.

“…”

Rachel watched with clenched fists as Medeia received the silver cup.

The moment Medeia brought the cup to her lips, Rachel’s violet eyes flashed sharply.

Like a predator hunting prey, Rachel didn’t take her eyes off Medeia until she had completely swallowed all the holy water in the cup.

Perhaps because she was concentrating all her attention on Medeia, she failed to notice that the covenant cup, a sacred object, was shining subtly less than usual.

Chezare also refreshingly drained his cup and set it down.

“Waaaah!”

People cheered enthusiastically.

When the Pope nodded, gentle music began to flow from the end of the corridor.

Chezare extended his hand first.

When Medeia took his hand, those gathered in the corridor quietly held their breath.

The two passed through the guests who had stepped aside and moved toward the circular floor.

When the melody of harps and string instruments enveloped the beautiful couple, Chezare slightly lowered his head.

“Tonight, are you ready?”

His slowly uttered voice resonated low, brushing against Medeia’s earlobe. It was deeply tinged with laughter.

He chose an ambiguous subject, playfully teasing whether he meant their wedding night or tonight’s plan.

If she had been a young girl, she would have blushed, but that was impossible for Medeia.

“As long as you do well, I won’t have reason to be disappointed.”

At her indifferent reply, he seemed to hesitate for a moment, then burst into laughter and pulled Medeia’s waist deeper into his embrace.

“Of course, how could I disappoint my bride’s expectations.”

Everything, I shall present before you.

Chezare whispered softly and stroked Medeia’s cheek with his thumb. It was an affectionate touch as if handling something precious.

What are you doing?

When Medeia glared fiercely with her eyes instead of words, he said calmly.

“Smile, Medeia. We need to look like a happy couple.”

“…”

“That way, the prey will feel secure and crawl into the trap, won’t they?”

Medeia glanced over his shoulder. It wasn’t difficult to find the gaze watching her as if to devour her.

Sigh. Medeia let out a short sigh and lowered her head. She buried her face in Chezare’s embrace.

Then exclamations of “Ah-” spread through the corridor.

To the guests’ eyes, she looked like a new bride hiding her face in embarrassment.

“That really is the 1st Prince of Kazen, right? It’s the first time I’ve seen him laugh out loud like that.”

“And what about the Princess of Valdina, she was so bold before the Evil Dragon, yet look at her shy appearance. How lovely.”

“Perhaps because it’s a match made by God, they truly make a well-suited pair.”

The two who became husband and wife today strolled across the floor like flowing water until the harp melody ended.

Watching the beautiful man and woman, the guests felt a warm afterglow as if viewing a fairy tale that began with tragedy and ended with comedy.

At the moment when everyone was immersed in that emotion, only two people remained unmoved by that fervor.

Rachel and Jason.

Both were clenching their fists until their blood seemed ready to burst.

Both stood as if nailed in place, gazing only at Medeia.

Her, nestled in Chezare’s embrace, seemingly reveling in love and happiness beneath the glorious light of the Holy Kingdom.

‘She should have been mine.’

Was it because they had been husband and wife in their previous life?

Now, the thoughts that flashed through Rachel and Jason’s minds were remarkably similar.

Rachel wanted to steal away everything that Medeia enjoyed,

and Jason wanted to erase that bastard who had taken the place beside Medeia.

Both their eyes became bloodshot.

As if carving an indelible brand, as if they would never forget this moment, every expression of Medeia’s, even every breath.

But what was truly ironic was,

despite being so alike, neither felt even a trace of attraction toward the other.

Once, the affection he had held so dearly for Rachel, his second wife, that he abandoned even his first wife Medeia and their children, now seemed meaningless,

as Jason felt no desire whatsoever for the Saint now.

The current Saint, who had caused trouble with the Pope and Valdina several times and become the subject of gossip, lacked the dignity and influence of the Saint from their previous life.

Rachel felt the same way.

There was no reason to waste emotions on a fallen Duke who couldn’t even participate in the Kazen Imperial succession struggle.

The marital bond they had once shared was, in the end, a relationship that meant nothing once the benefits they could extract from each other disappeared.

* * *

It was when the reception was in full swing.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Medeia, pressing her temple as if dizzy, rose from her seat.

“I think I drank too much World Tree essence.”

“Yes, Your Highness Princess. I shall escort you to a place where you can rest for a moment.”

‘The time has come. The drug is taking effect.’

Rachel smiled a cowardly smile inwardly.

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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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