The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 292

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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 139

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Kazen Imperial Palace.

On the spacious terrace adjoining the first floor garden, Perdickas II was leaning back.

He sat slouched in a chair with gleaming golden armrests.

The garden’s characteristic fragrant flower scent made one’s heart feel at ease.

This was no exception for Perdickas II, as he wore a rarely seen satisfied expression.

Swoosh-!

At the end of the lush lawn stretching before and behind, an arrow struck the makeshift target.

“A hit! Congratulations, Your Highness the 3rd Prince!”

However, the Emperor’s unusually generous mood today was certainly not due to the greenery alone.

“Father, did you see that?”

The 3rd Prince’s excited voice echoed throughout the court.

“Juan resembles His Majesty greatly.”

The Queen Mother spoke first from beside Perdickas II.

A rare benevolent smile graced her face, famous for its coldness.

“Really?”

“Yes, his face and physique are increasingly resembling Your Majesty’s younger days, are they not? When I first met Your Majesty, it brings back memories of that dignified appearance.”

While seeming to praise the Emperor, the Queen Mother cleverly complimented her own son.

However, her words could not be blamed as biased, as Juan’s current appearance holding the bow was truly dazzling.

Golden hair like the Queen Mother’s. A somewhat slender build, youthful vigor blooming even more vividly under the sunlight.

3rd Prince Juan actually resembled his maternal side more, looking more like the restrained and refined Queen Mother than the intense-featured Perdickas II.

But now, wearing a uniform of the same color and style as the Emperor, the 3rd Prince’s appearance exuded such a similar atmosphere that one could not doubt they were father and son.

Of course, he had deliberately chosen to wear the exact same clothes as the Emperor.

“Nonsense, at that boy’s age, I was overwhelmingly superior to anyone.”

Perdickas II felt an inexplicable pride in Juan’s grown appearance, along with a subtle sense of defeat at the vivid youth his son emanated.

Because he knew he could never return to those days again.

“He can’t compare to someone who’s never even faced a pack of hyenas!”

As if pushing away that subtle emotion, Perdickas II snapped sharply. The smile faded slightly from the Queen Mother’s face.

“Of course, I wish to remain a sapling that never grows beyond Father’s shadow. Those grand achievements Father accomplished… I could never dare even imitate them.”

Unlike his mother, 3rd Prince Juan, far from being upset at his father belittling his achievements, smiled even more brightly and agreed.

Whoosh-!

He drew the bowstring again.

However, as if showing his inadequacy, this arrow failed to reach the target and fell helplessly to the ground.

“See? Without Father’s guidance, am I not this incompetent?”

This was the decisive difference between 3rd Prince Juan and 1st Prince Chezare.

Unlike 1st Prince Chezare who always opposed his father’s words, Juan always prostrated himself before his father and wagged his tail like a loyal puppy.

“Hmph, with a little more practice, you might do more than just imitate me.”

Perdickas II said while casually patting the Queen Mother’s hand a few times.

Though he spoke with displeasure, his face watching the 3rd Prince harbored a secretly ripened smile.

The Emperor despised open flattery directed at him, but simultaneously wanted everyone to look up to him.

Especially in areas of physical strength and martial prowess like archery.

The Head Servant swallowed a sigh.

‘Originally the most astute and wise person, but now he only wants to hear sweet words.’

Recently, the Emperor had been summoning the Queen Mother and her son more frequently.

“…Head Servant.”

Then, Suha approached. The Head Servant nodded slightly and headed toward the Emperor.

“What is it?”

“Your Majesty. The 1st Prince and his wife have arrived.”

The moment he heard Chezare’s name, Perdickas II frowned. He spoke in an arrogant yet stern voice.

“Juan’s practice is not yet finished, so tell them to wait.”

“Your Majesty, since the 1st Prince and his wife have come, we shall take our leave.”

‘So this is why the Emperor suddenly summoned us mother and son to the Imperial Palace.’

The Queen Mother’s face, which had been smiling until just moments ago, hardened slightly.

The Emperor’s behavior of making two lions fight to watch the spectacle was no longer surprising.

‘But this isn’t a bad opportunity for us.’

The Queen Mother calculated calmly.

It was a good opportunity to let the Princess directly experience the Emperor’s cold treatment toward her husband.

She could restore the pride that had been crushed at the coronation by borrowing the Emperor’s authority.

So the Queen Mother spoke words she didn’t mean and bowed her head respectfully.

“Is this not an important moment for the first audience? On the capital city streets, they say the Prince’s wife will become Kazen’s hope, so we mother and son should not interfere with such an important person.”

These were words that subtly scratched at Perdickas II’s pride.

3rd Prince Juan also seemed to catch the meaning, erasing his cheerful expression and carefully putting away the bow he was holding.

“When Brother Chezare has come, how could I dare make him wait?”

Perdickas II frowned and shouted angrily.

“Hey! You continue. Didn’t I say I still have more to teach you!”

Though the 3rd Prince looked frightened, he picked up the bow again as if unable to disobey the Emperor’s command.

‘Juan, yes. This is the difference. Look at those fearful eyes looking up at me.’

He feared Chezare, yet prioritized his father’s commands above all else.

Like a drop of ink falling into water, a faint satisfaction seeped into the Emperor’s heart.

Perdickas II turned toward the Head Servant.

“Tell the 1st Prince as well. When his younger brother works so hard day after day to lighten the burden I carry on my shoulders, what kind of older brother cannot wait even that brief moment? When the time comes, I will naturally call for him.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Why aren’t you going? Have your old ears become blocked?”

The Head Servant tried to change the Emperor’s mind, but Perdickas II stamped his foot with a thud.

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The corridor of Kazen Imperial Palace.

“My apologies, Your Highness the 1st Prince, Your Highness. His Majesty’s health is not well…”

The Imperial Chamberlain bowed deeply toward Chezare and Medeia.

Unable to say that the Emperor couldn’t spare time because he was watching the 3rd Prince’s archery as commanded, he only expressed his apologies indirectly.

“…”

Since the Emperor had not attended the coronation, according to imperial protocol, the Prince’s wife had to complete the entrance ceremony by directly meeting the Emperor and paying her respects.

This was the final procedure for Medeia to be recognized as a member of Kazen royalty.

Yet knowing this, the Emperor made various excuses and left the 1st Prince couple standing endlessly before the Imperial Palace.

Medeia’s veil drooped listlessly beneath the diadem on her head.

It had been enough time for her skin to cool in the chilling wind.

The Head Servant also could not understand the Emperor’s unreasonable stubbornness.

Two hours passed like this.

“It seems His Majesty cannot receive audiences today. I regret to inform the 1st Prince and his wife to please visit again on another auspicious day.”

Perdickas II refused the eldest son and his wife’s audience altogether.

‘He’s deliberately trying to make us anxious. This was his intention from the beginning.’

Chezare’s eyes turned cold as he immediately saw through his father’s scheme.

A Prince’s wife who hadn’t received the Emperor’s approval even after the coronation would remain an incomplete existence indefinitely.

“Father’s condition must be quite serious indeed. I should see him directly.”

“However, Your Highness, His Majesty has forbidden all visits except for the Court Physician.”

Chezare’s lips curved crookedly. Cold mockery flowed out.

“…My apologies, Your Highness.”

The old Head Servant hung his head. Being caught in a poor excuse made him feel even more ashamed before the clear-eyed 1st Prince’s wife.

“…”

Distinct tendons stood out on Chezare’s hand. This was unlike him, who usually remained leisurely without revealing his inner thoughts.

I don’t care about such petty coldness from my father. But my wife is different.

‘Not Medeia.’

I didn’t have her leave Valdina to be treated like this. Especially not from the very first day of entering the Kazen Imperial Palace.

They say words without feet travel a thousand miles, but in this Imperial Palace where those faster than tongues gather, that speed was even greater.

If today’s events become known, it will become difficult for Medeia to establish her authority as an Imperial Prince’s wife.

“It seems that during my brief absence, the Late Emperor has forgotten me entirely.”

Amidst the coldly sharpened air, along with a languid voice that sounded all the more dangerous for its laziness, Chezare’s hand unconsciously moved toward his sword hilt.

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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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