The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 323

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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 170

A ruthless conqueror who broke enemies with his blade and carved paths with blood.

No matter that it was because of an oracle, to think she had to spend her entire life with such a cold-hearted man.

Angelique couldn’t help but feel pity without realizing it.

“Angelique! You must show proper respect!”

The Dowager Empress beside her quietly scolded her daughter.

The way she glanced at Medeia at the end of her words seemed like she was checking whether she was offended by her daughter’s rudeness in not using honorifics toward Chezare.

The Dowager Empress then continued nagging her daughter that she shouldn’t act selfishly like before, then left her seat.

Angelique pouted her lips.

“So, is Your Highness the 4th Princess displeased to see me here again?”

Medeia raised the corners of her mouth.

That expression resembled the one from three years ago when she had smiled while taking away Shadeia Island, making the 4th Princess momentarily stop speaking.

“That’s… not it. I acknowledge it now. That you’re above me.”

Angelique gave a dry cough.

Somehow it felt like a drop of sweat was trickling down her spine.

“I’m overwhelmed by such praise from Your Highness the 4th Princess. I’m simply delighted to meet Your Highness the 4th Princess again in this unfamiliar Kazen, given our deep connection.”

“Fine. Let’s forget about past matters and get along well.”

Angelique soon extended her hand arrogantly, as if her meddling only went that far.

“What I mean is, I’ll support my eldest brother. After all, rather than that gloomy Juan-“

“How long have you been in the capital that you’re already causing trouble?”

Just then, a sharp voice rang out.

It was Prince Juan, the 3rd Prince.

He too was dressed in hunting attire as he strode toward the group.

“Don’t you think that if you keep sticking your nose everywhere like that, His Late Majesty might want to send you back again?”

Though it seemed like simple reproach, there was savagery hidden within those words.

It was a completely different appearance from the 3rd Prince who was always kind and formal.

Angelique snorted at Juan’s words.

“Ah. Then I should ask His Late Majesty to send me to the tower this time. If you have anything you want to tell the Queen Mother, just tell me, brother. I’ll gladly pass it along.”

She continued her sarcasm.

“His Late Majesty won’t keep me there long, so I’ll just stay overnight and check on the Queen Mother. You must be quite worried too, brother.”

The 4th Princess bowed slightly. Then she whispered so only Juan could hear.

“You’d better watch your behavior from now on, brother. The Queen Mother’s first love – how romantic, but didn’t she think about her only son?”

Mockery was evident in her raised lip corners.

“If it reached my ears just after arriving in the capital, just how passionate was it?”

She laughed merrily.

“You, how dare a thing like you insult my mother…!”

Unable to contain his anger at Angelique’s provocation, Juan raised his hand.

“Hmm, Juan, you are thinking about the consequences, right? Oh, of course I’m saying this out of concern. In case you get kicked out like me, brother.”

However, Princess Angelique spat out her venom without blinking an eye.

She didn’t forget to provoke him by opening her eyes wide as if truly worried.

Juan’s hand froze stiffly in mid-air.

Though he wanted to slap that girl’s cheek hard, he remembered that the Emperor was still in front of them.

‘I barely got permission to accompany Father today.’

He had planned to spend the entire day hunting beside his father, helping him and winning back his heart.

But if this sharp-tongued girl ran her mouth to Father, even this hard-won opportunity might fly away.

“Speaking of which, instead of coveting places you shouldn’t, how about just being satisfied as the next Emperor’s relative and finishing your life like that?”

“…What did you say?”

As if receiving the ultimate insult, Juan glared at the 4th Princess.

But the 4th Princess opened her eyes exaggeratedly wide and covered her mouth with her hand.

“Oh my, I can give advice like this too? Hoho, after seeing a bit of the world, I guess I’ve matured quite a bit. Juan, since it’s advice from your dear sister, think about it carefully.”

Bursting into laughter was a bonus.

The 4th Princess seemed to have mastered the optimal method of turning people inside out during her time away from the capital.

Juan’s hands trembled.

He looked ready to pounce on Angelique at any moment.

‘Growing up in the Queen Mother’s greenhouse, she easily falls for even this level of provocation.’

Medeia clicked her tongue inwardly.

And she subtly stepped back two or three steps as if distancing herself from the two.

The 4th Princess and 3rd Prince seemed so consumed with hatred, glaring at each other, that they didn’t notice movements around them.

“Both of you, please stop. The hunt will begin soon.”

In that gap, Medeia reached out her hand as if stopping the two.

Then she subtly flicked a small pebble hidden under her sleeve.

Thud-

The thin blade attached under the pebble scraped the string of the quiver tied to Juan’s back.

“Angelique, I should tear that insolent mouth of yours-“

It was when Juan, finally exploding, approached Angelique with murderous intent.

Clatter-!

A commotion arose as the quiver’s strap broke and arrows spilled out.

Thanks to this, the sharp atmosphere between Juan and Angelique subsided momentarily.

“…”

Juan also seemed to come to his senses and withdrew his killing intent.

“Huff. Hufff…”

His breath as he picked up the arrows scattered on the floor was filled with suppressed rage.

“Here, Juan.”

“Thank you, but there’s no need for sister-in-law to dirty her hands.”

The 3rd Prince coldly snapped at Medeia who was helping pick up the arrows scattered on the floor.

‘First Prince’s wife, you must have framed our mother.’

He regretted the days when he had acted like a gentleman, charmed by her fair appearance.

Juan gritted his teeth and stood up, gathering his quiver.

Without noticing that Medeia had put a small bundle of paper into the quiver along with the arrows.

“Really, why are you picking things up for him? No matter how kindly you act, do you think that sinister bastard will even blink?”

The 4th Princess couldn’t control her temper and snapped.

Medeia smiled benevolently as if she knew nothing.

“Well. Good intentions are bound to be repaid in some way. Isn’t that right, Angelique?”

So isn’t this how I’m repaying the ‘good intentions’ you showed me three years ago?

“…”

As if understanding the hidden meaning behind the smile, the 4th Princess’s face grew slightly pale.

‘…Did I say she didn’t suit Chezare?’

When it came to squeezing and releasing people’s hearts, that enigmatic woman was the most suitable match for the 1st Prince.

* * *

“Now, whoever catches the white deer first will be the winner of this hunting competition!”

Boooo-

The hunting competition began with the heart-stirring sound of horn calls.

“Hiya, hiya!”

Perdickas II’s horse galloped vigorously into the forest.

Gone was the unstable appearance consumed by madness until recently, and now his face was alive with the passion and vitality befitting an emperor enjoying the greenery.

And for good reason, as Serwood Forest was the imperial family’s exclusive hunting ground.

That meant it was an incomparably safer and more controlled environment than monster waves or subjugations.

All the wild beasts in the forest had been completely removed.

In such a place, even Perdickas II could courageously kick off from the imperial throne and mount his horse.

“Your Late Majesty, I will surely drive the white deer to bring you joy.”

“Drive it toward me, aren’t you going to catch it?”

“How could I dare steal the Late Emperor’s glory? I practiced the archery you taught me before, so just having the Late Emperor watch is enough for me.”

Prince Juan’s voice was quite sweet.

“Look, this is the bow the Late Emperor personally bestowed upon me. With this, I will protect the Late Emperor.”

“Really, how can a man have so little ambition? How pathetic.”

The Emperor grumbled, but his voice was quite softened.

Though he knew it was flattery to escape his situation, Juan’s words reminded him of the time they had spent together as father and son.

Like the moment when he had directly held Juan’s hand to help him grip the bow.

“Let’s go in. Stay alert.”

The hunting grounds were vast.

Thanks to this, even though quite some time had passed since entering the forest, they couldn’t find any trace of the white deer.

“Does a white deer really live in this place?”

Perdickas II muttered irritably.

Being constantly on the swaying horse was gradually eating away at his stamina.

The prosperity of the Kazen Empire had been achieved under Perdickas II’s reign.

However, in reality, that achievement was thanks to his eldest son Chezare.

Since the Emperor, who had only been obsessed with the throne, couldn’t have diligently trained his body, the prolonged hunt was now becoming torture for him.

“Late Emperor, over there…!”

Just then, Juan loudly pointed somewhere.

Through the thicket, the whitish form of a beast could be seen.

The hunting dogs they had brought growled and ran forward first.

“It’s mine! Zim will deal with it! Everyone stop!”

Perdickas II, who had been irritated just moments before, ran toward the thicket ahead of everyone else, excited as if he had never been annoyed.

If he were to capture the white deer before anyone else today,

wouldn’t he be able to clearly imprint in the eyes of Chezare and countless other young people that he, the Emperor, was still strong?

Meanwhile, the white deer quickly fled.

“Chase it! Follow Zim!”

Perdickas II excitedly whipped the reins.

He didn’t care that the thicket was scratching his cheeks. Blood boiled in his body as if he had returned to being a young man.

How far had he run ahead like that?

“It’s mine, it’s mine! No one touch it! This auspicious energy is all Zim’s—!”

The Emperor, who had been excitedly running forward with his sword raised instead of his staff, suddenly stopped his horse.

“Grrrrr…”

What was in front of him was not a white deer, but a black bear with bright yellow eyes.

That massive beast was glaring at Perdickas II.

“Neighhhh—!”

“Your Majesty!”

The horse screamed and backed away.

Soon the guards spurred their horses to follow.

But the bear’s pot lid-sized front paw striking the side of the Emperor’s horse came first.

“Kugh—!”

The horse collapsed from the impact, and Perdickas II was thrown to the ground as if bounced from the saddle.

“Late Emperor!”

“Protect His Majesty!”

However, the knights noticed that something was wrong with the bear’s condition.

“Is that really a bear? How is it so large and strong…”

The black bear’s eyes were bloodshot red, and foam and saliva were dripping from its mouth.

Yet its ferocious appearance hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

Soon the Captain of the Imperial Knights’ face turned pale.

“Mo, monster, it’s a Giant Bear! Everyone into battle formation! Protect His Majesty!”

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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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