The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 322

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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 169

Count Leonar’s eyes, glancing at Medeia, carried a hint of wariness.

Meanwhile, a retainer of the First Prince’s faction chimed in agreement.

“The Count’s words have merit. Recently, isn’t that why His Majesty keeps trying to push our lord to increasingly dangerous places?”

After the recent birthday banquet, an imperial decree had been issued ordering Chezare to subjugate the foreign tribes near the border.

It was a dangerous region where fierce battles constantly raged over the southern border.

“If it’s already like this, changing His Majesty’s heart would be impossible. In the end, the choice left to us is…”

Count Leonar shook his head.

“You must understand the weight of justification. Even if our First Prince’s faction seizes the throne by force, if we lose the people’s hearts, we won’t be able to keep the throne. So rebellion is not an option.”

Fraternal bloodshed might be disguised as ambition for power.

But the unfilial act of killing one’s parents and seizing the throne would not be tolerated even by the desire-driven Kazens.

Rule by terror has its limits.

Making the entire continent kneel forever was realistically impossible.

“Well.”

At that moment, a clear voice resonated through the air.

“Where do human emotions ever end with just one? Compassion hides within hatred, and affection lies beneath loathing. Nothing is eternal.”

“Your Highness’s words are…”

“If it doesn’t exist, create it anew. If it’s forgotten, shake it awake again.”

Through two lifetimes, Medeia had witnessed countless moments when people’s emotions were overturned.

Loyalty turning to betrayal, love twisting into cynicism—she had seen all such processes.

Would an emperor be any different?

‘The reverse should be possible too.’

Perdickas II was so outstanding that he had always felt inferiority and crisis toward his eldest son who surpassed him.

Then,

What if, conversely, he were made to realize that Chezare was absolutely necessary to protect his throne?

Medeia’s index finger slowly traced the edge of the table.

‘Now that I’ve removed the obstacle called the Queen Mother, it’s time to change the Emperor’s intentions toward Chezare.’

The catalyst for that change would need to be both natural and decisive.

Her green eyes grew calm.

Lost in thought, Medeia didn’t notice that golden eyes were fixed on her.

‘However, I don’t think he’ll follow my plan.’

Medeia slightly furrowed her brow and looked up.

“…”

The gaze that had lingered briefly had vanished without a trace.

* * *

Near the Kazen Imperial Palace, Sherwood Forest.

Under a clear sky, it was a day without a single cloud.

With the sound of hoofbeats thundering across the earth, the Emperor’s carriage arrived at the forest entrance.

Following behind, carriages of royalty and nobles appeared in succession.

“Woof, woof!”

Hunting dogs excited by the scent of nature barked competitively as they rushed forward.

Today was the day of the annual deer hunting competition of the Kazen Empire.

At the entrance to Sherwood Forest, in the center of a clearing covered with lush grass, the Emperor’s tent was erected.

On both sides, the nobles’ tents were set up as well.

As carriages arrived one by one, a particularly magnificent black horse appeared from beyond the forest path.

“The First Prince’s black horse is always intimidating. Whoa. Easy there, it’s fine, calm down.”

“It’s a warhorse that crossed over piles of corpses on the battlefield, so something like this imperial hunting ground would be boring. Tsk, stay still!”

As other horses backed away, overwhelmed by its presence, people frantically gripped their reins in panic.

Then, the First Prince leaped down from his horse.

His tight black hunting outfit flowed gracefully along his firm thigh muscles, captivating onlookers.

Small silver ornaments at the end of his cloak added to his sharp atmosphere.

Though covered from head to toe, his shadow-like appearance in the forest looked both fierce and imposing.

Snap. Snap.

Beyond the sound of fans opening, the gazes of aristocratic ladies rippled toward him.

“Dea.”

He turned and extended his hand toward the horse carrying the First Prince’s wife.

As the First Prince’s wife’s small foot rested on the knee against the horse’s belly, he playfully lifted her into his arms.

The moment the graceful First Prince’s wife’s eyes became bashful, people gasped seeing the First Prince’s eyes curve.

“The First Prince again…?”

Then came the sight of him boldly kissing his wife’s fingertips.

How on earth had that tiny First Prince’s wife, who always seemed so calm, melted the walls of that ice-cold man? It was truly a mystery.

“Wait, but the First Prince’s wife’s horse… Could it be a purebred Arion?”

“To think I’d live to see such a precious bloodline with my own eyes.”

People rubbed their eyes looking at the beautiful white horse Medeia was riding.

“I never imagined the First Prince would really act like this. I’m more ridiculous for being surprised every time I see it.”

“Perhaps since they were united by divine oracle, the Goddess cast a love spell on His Highness the First Prince.”

They still couldn’t adapt to the First Prince’s changed appearance and tried to find reasons to understand it somehow.

However, one thing was certain.

The First Prince was truly a devoted husband who cherished his wife deeply.

Under the central tent, at the highest seat among the places of honor, sat Perdickas II.

To his right sat the Dowager Empress, but the Queen Mother’s seat on the opposite side was vacant.

‘The Queen Mother didn’t attend this hunting competition either. But he still keeps the Third Prince by his side, so what is His Majesty thinking…?’

As people were glancing around, trying to read the Emperor’s mood,

Someone entered the tent.

“Fourth Princess!”

It was the Fourth Princess, Angelique.

She looked thinner than before and her complexion wasn’t good.

However, her current hunting outfit was more splendid than anyone else’s, as if to avenge her previously shabby life, so it wasn’t very noticeable.

“Oh, Angelique, come here.”

Perdickas II extended his hand toward the Fourth Princess.

“Father, I was wrong. I will never again presumptuously trouble you.”

The Fourth Princess clung to one of his legs, unchanged despite the years she hadn’t seen her father.

“Now I’ll stick right by Father’s side and never leave this place.”

“My, my. You still have a long way to go before you mature. Still acting like such a child.”

Perdickas II still scolded the Fourth Princess in an angry tone.

But satisfaction gleamed in his eyes.

By confirming his daughter was still transparent and exactly as he expected.

The Fourth Princess soon seemed to realize her disgraceful behavior, got up, and deliberately raised her voice maturely.

“As royalty, I have no face to show for causing concern to the Kazen Empire.”

“Young people should make a mistake or two. Now that you’ve come to your senses, return to my side. I missed you.”

His heart softened, Perdickas gently stroked the Fourth Princess’s head and bestowed favor.

The Kazen nobles inwardly clicked their tongues at the Emperor’s duplicitous attitude.

Just at the recent birthday celebration, his furious reaction at merely thinking of Angelique was still vivid in their minds.

“Send her to the Fourth Princess’s palace as soon as we return. Ah, along with Angelique’s guards.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Even the guards that had been taken away before she was expelled were included.

Thus, the Fourth Princess successfully returned before everyone.

News of her return would soon spread widely throughout the capital.

The Dowager Empress, who had watched it all from the side, inwardly stuck out her tongue.

‘Just as the First Prince’s wife said.’

If I had requested my daughter’s return, the Emperor would never have shown such generous consideration.

Meanwhile, as Perdickas II welcomed back the daughter he had banished with such hospitality, the atmosphere inside the tent shifted slightly.

Ah. Was another new wind about to blow?

The Fourth Princess’s faction’s vassals showed glimmers of hope, while others cast searching glances.

On the road heading to Serwood Forest where the hunting competition would be held.

Angelique awkwardly looked around before quietly approaching Medeia.

“Ahem. Thank you, for making it possible for me to return to the capital city again… The Princess, no, the First Prince’s Wife used her influence, didn’t she?”

They say trials make people grow, and the 4th Princess had changed in many ways compared to three years ago when she had been reckless and arrogant.

“I’m glad to see you’ve been well during this time. The Dowager Empress was very worried about you too.”

Medeia responded gently.

“Ha, they say you never know how life will turn out. How could I have known that bastard Samon would die like that, or that I’d see you again in my country like this?”

The 4th Princess let out a hollow laugh as she added.

“Most of all, I never dreamed that you would become Chezare’s… that man’s wife.”

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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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