The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 282

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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 129

The once-clean priest robes were stained with dust and bloodstains, and her face still bore traces of barely suppressed shock.

“The criminal’s struggle to avoid the search was too violent… I had no choice but to render her unconscious.”

Catching her breath as she continued her report, she then spoke clearly.

“It was exactly as Your Highness said. There was a silence seal carved under the criminal’s tongue.”

She added that it was such a small trace hidden deep inside that they wouldn’t have known if they hadn’t examined it carefully.

The assembly swallowed their surprise.

How did the Princess know that fact without even looking?

Then the Princess’s warning that Rachel would once again shake the faith of the Holy Kingdom’s people also had credibility.

“Isolate the criminal in the Pitch Black Layer. Until the execution day, all interrogations and investigations shall not leave that place. Ensure that none of the criminal’s demands are conveyed either.”

The Pope commanded.

The spark of counterattack that Rachel had barely ignited was futilely extinguished by Medeia’s words.

“Sir Leonor, is there anything else you wish to say?”

When Medeia left after hearing the Pope’s confirmation, she encountered Knight Commander Leonor and his knights who had followed her.

“…Your Highness.”

His face was still confused.

“As a Temple Knight, I wish to offer my deepest apologies for the discourtesy I have shown to the Saint all this time.”

He bowed his head. Gone was the proud knight’s dignity, replaced by a gloomy appearance.

Medeia looked down at the upright Knight Commander.

She knew that even among the fanatics who protected the false saint, he had tried to maintain the righteous path until the end.

“How could that be your fault alone? When countless priests couldn’t figure it out either.”

“But-“

Leonor glanced at Theo beside him with an even more ashamed expression. The other Temple Knights standing behind him were no different.

Only Theo stood silently.

Medeia comforted them with a few short words, but ultimately did not say she would accept the Temple Knights as her escort.

As Leonor swallowed a bitter smile, Medeia glanced at Theo.

“Wait, I’d like to borrow Sir Theodore.”

“Yes. Theo, come to the training ground after the audience ends.”

Soon only Medeia, Chezare, and Theo remained in the quiet corridor.

After the storm had passed, the Central Temple had a refreshing breeze flowing as if nothing had happened.

“You heard too. Nothing changes. I’m going to Kazen.”

“Yes.”

Theo bit his lips.

‘That means she’ll never return to this Holy Kingdom.’

The Temple Knights who protect the Saint would remain here without a master.

And Theo as well.

It was too obvious that the Princess would never keep him by her side.

‘It was nothing but wrong choices every time. Revolution, faith.’

There was no way the Princess would allow someone foolish enough to be deceived by appearances and unable to see through the truth to stay by her side.

‘This will be the end of any involvement with you.’

The Princess had drawn a line with the Holy Kingdom as well.

For the Holy Kingdom, barely managing to hold onto her so she wouldn’t completely abandon the name was all they could do.

A Holy Kingdom rejected by God’s representative – the fact that this unprecedented shame would be deeply recorded in history was both amusing and bitter.

“I have something to command you.”

At the clear voice that rang out then, Theo quickly raised his eyes. Without realizing it, he bowed excessively.

“Yes… Your Highness. Please command anything.”

Chezare noticed the suppressed excitement reflected in the young Holy Knight’s eyes. A faint mockery passed through his golden eyes.

“I don’t think it will happen, but if something goes wrong with Rachel’s execution carried out by the temple… or if she is released,”

A calm but chilling voice echoed.

The air froze cold.

“You kill Rachel.”

“…”

“And bring that corpse to me.”

She had accepted the Pope’s request to escape the Holy Kingdom’s interference and restore her mother’s honor, but that didn’t mean she intended to let Rachel go.

Theo looked up in surprise.

Then he quickly checked Chezare’s reaction before looking at Medeia again.

Was it alright for Chezare to hear this command?

Wasn’t he her husband? Wouldn’t he think it was too cruel, that Medeia was evil?

A trace of concern flickered through his eyes.

However, there was no change in Medeia’s expression. Finally, Theo nodded firmly.

“I accept the Saint’s command.”

And he withdrew.

Watching Theo move away, Medeia glanced at Chezare.

“This is who I am. So you should know that too.”

She had deliberately given the command to Theo in his presence to make it clear to Chezare as well.

‘Once I make this man the Emperor of Kazen,’

Medeia had to prepare for what came after that too.

From the moment he wore the emperor’s crown, he could no longer be the same person as before.

“Dea, you don’t have to love me.”

Medeia smiled.

Under the shadow of brilliant power, promises lose their light, and old affections become infinitely trivial.

Perdickas II was like that, Jason was like that, so Chezare would be no exception.

So this was her warning. Don’t betray me in the name of contract, not emotion.

“I forgive nothing.”

“I’ll engrave it deeply.”

Chezare raised the corner of his mouth and bowed elegantly.

Far from looking surprised, his reaction was calm as if he had known her true intention from the beginning.

“Your Highness, you were here!”

“Lady Pinatelli.”

Then, Lady Pinatelli, Valdina’s royal Maid Supervisor, found Medeia with hurried steps.

She was now busy packing the Princess’s belongings for her journey to her husband’s country.

“There are parts that Your Highness needs to review.”

Chezare gazed intently at Medeia’s departing figure.

He couldn’t take his eyes off the gently swaying hem of her water-colored dress.

“Garo.”

“Yeah, Boss.”

“Tell Facade at the temple to watch Rachel. The black mages will try to get her back.”

Garo quickly raised his head.

“Huh?”

“And once we identify their base, kill them.”

The reason for not executing Rachel immediately was to wipe out the black mages behind her in one sweep.

Of course the Holy Kingdom would track them, but Chezare had no intention of leaving the black mages’ fate in their hands.

Unlike the Temple Knights who aimed for internal information, Chezare had been waiting for external clues from the beginning.

“It doesn’t matter if the Pope doesn’t act. Whatever the Holy Kingdom’s will, Rachel ends here.”

The clear statement showed arrogance, or confidence, that would not allow any variables.

“…Got it.”

Garo hesitated for a moment then asked.

“Boss, why are you giving me the same command that Her Highness gave to the Temple Knight earlier? If you just leave it to that knight…”

Garo, who was continuing to speak, closed his mouth at Chezare’s gaze.

“Ah, I’ll double-check about going to Kazen. Got to be thorough. Haha.”

Garo scratched his head and left his spot. Now only Chezare remained in the temple corridor.

He lowered his gaze. In front of the Grand Temple, a carriage bearing Valdina’s imperial crest was busily preparing for departure.

“….”

However, Chezare’s expression was somewhat complicated.

Last night, he had heard the words Medeia spoke while suffering from nightmares.

‘Kazen has been a land of torment for you your entire life. From the very beginning, to the very end.’

It would be a lie to say he felt no guilt for calling her back to this place again, when she was meant to live anew in this life.

This was separate from the elation he felt that Medeia had chosen him despite bearing Kazen’s label.

He raised his head.

The continental map hanging in the temple corridor came into view.

Kazen, occupying the largest area, was striking.

“….”

Chezare did not leave his spot in front of the map for quite some time.

* * *

Central Temple, Valdina quarters.

The night before departure, Lady Pinatelli presented a book to Medeia.

“It may not be appropriate for me to give this to you, but I felt Your Highness absolutely needed to know.”

She knew that the first night between the 1st Prince and Medeia had been disrupted by the fake Saint incident.

‘Actually, this worked out well. Now Her innocent Highness, who knows nothing, can at least prepare herself mentally.’

Medeia was the only woman in the Valdina Imperial Court, so there was no one else but her to hint at such things.

Medeia paused as she received the book.

She had expected the book Lady Pinatelli handed her to be something like a Kazen nobility directory, but unexpectedly….

“Your Highness. On your first night, you need only keep your eyes closed.”

Lady Pinatelli’s smooth brow furrowed.

Given the 1st Prince’s temperament, if he was equally rough in bed, she absolutely had to advise her mistress.

“Your Highness need not endure anything at all. It is very important that you convey your thoughts to the 1st Prince as well. Whether the 1st Prince accepts it or not, Your Highness’s pleasure comes first.”

“….”

Lady Pinatelli paused for a moment.

Did the 1st Prince have experience? Among all the rumors she had heard about him, there was nothing related to women.

He also had no close female family members,

‘Then the 1st Prince would be inexperienced too. It would be difficult without someone to guide them. I should have sent him a copy of this book as well.’

Medeia watched with interest as Lady Pinatelli’s expression darkened and brightened in real time, following her train of thought.

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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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