The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 326

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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 173

“Chezare, you’ve come.”

Chezare prostrated himself before Perdickas II.

“Your son greets the Late Emperor.”

“Is your shoulder alright?”

“It’s fine, I wasn’t seriously injured.”

Not seriously injured, indeed.

The court physician said the skin was torn and deeply scratched, and even with holy water, it would take at least a month to fully heal.

Perdickas II’s expression softened.

He sat on the imperial throne, silently looking down at his son.

His tall stature, handsome features sculpted with meticulous care, and brilliantly shining golden eyes.

And an overwhelming presence that made no attempt to hide his intention to dominate others.

Even while having a private audience with the Emperor after defeating all others, his face remained indifferent as if nothing could stir his emotions.

Normally, he would have felt anger at that fierce and arrogant appearance, thinking it was meant to crush him.

However, now his son didn’t seem as hateful as before.

‘Is it because I owe my life to that bastard? Hah, how ridiculous.’

With such presence, he could easily suppress the petty lackeys rising from the continent.

Thinking this way actually put his mind at ease.

He was surprised at how amusing this change in his thoughts was, even to himself.

“I know well that I was harsh to you.”

“…”

“However, you must also know that it was all for you and this empire. Do you think there was ever a weak person among those who sat on Kazen’s imperial throne?”

Chezare paused and turned his head to stare at the Emperor. He had grasped the meaning behind his father’s words.

“Yes, I will soon announce the crown prince position. Let your wife know in advance as well.”

Perdickas II smiled with satisfaction as he watched his son freeze momentarily.

He even felt proud, like an eagle that raises its young strong by dropping them from cliffs.

“…Why has your heart changed?”

So he didn’t get angry even when his son asked a question before expressing gratitude.

“Changed? I have always kept you in my thoughts. Who in this imperial family resembles me more than you, and who is more suitable for the imperial throne than you?”

As if it wasn’t he who refused to acknowledge Chezare despite knowing this, constantly denying and doubting his son’s achievements.

“…”

“As soon as I rise from my sickbed, I will proclaim the crown prince position. There will be much to prepare. Above all, when you become crown prince, you must take good care of your brothers.”

Perdickas II added.

“Even if they have different mothers, they are your blood relatives. You must not take their lives. Especially Juan, that child is also—”

“Since Your Majesty is so healthy, it seems I cannot accept Your Majesty’s will for now.”

The Emperor stiffened at Chezare’s firm words.

Your Majesty, I. Why use the formal titles between sovereign and subject when they were alone?

“You bastard…”

Perdickas II’s face, still pale, began to flush red again.

“Are you refusing the imperial throne now?”

“With dangers still surrounding Your Majesty and the political situation unstable, where is there time to decide on a successor?”

Chezare pulled up the corners of his mouth.

‘Telling me to spare the 3rd Prince.’

If the situation were reversed, would his father have told Juan to spare his life?

No, that would never happen.

Because his very existence would be the greatest threat to the imperial throne.

“Even if I inherit that position, how can it be my place and safe when I must only watch instead of eliminating the obvious living danger?”

Still, seeing him mention Juan, it was certain that the child his father cherished most in his heart was definitely not him.

“So perhaps independence would be better than the imperial throne.”

“You, you insolent bastard…! How dare you speak such nonsense before me!”

Perdickas II’s face flushed red instantly. Unable to contain his rage, he threw his cane.

He didn’t care at all that it struck his injured son’s shoulder.

“It’s your homeland! Hah, your country! Your family!”

“It would have been good if you had said those words to the people trying to kill me as well.”

Chezare also felt a strange emotion.

Even though the moment he had most desired was right before his eyes, he couldn’t choose it.

Because becoming Kazen’s emperor might not be the path to being with Medeia.

In this current state, even if he ascended the throne… No, if he took the imperial position, she would definitely leave.

‘She would leave without regret as soon as the contract is completed.’

“Father, focus your efforts on recovering your health. This empire still needs you.”

“That, that bastard…!”

“Your Majesty, please calm yourself!”

Chezare turned and left the Imperial Palace.

“My lord, what did His Majesty say?”

“Just told me to tend to my wounds.”

His retainers must not know that the Emperor tried to make him crown prince.

‘At least not now.’

“You, you! This foolish thing! You were all just pretending to be clever. Do you know what a great opportunity you’re kicking away?!”

Behind the Emperor’s fierce shouting, someone watched Chezare leaving the Imperial Palace.

“Lord Eratosthe, I apologize. His Majesty’s condition has worsened again, so today’s audience will be difficult. You’ll need to schedule another day.”

Soon the head servant came out and bowed.

“It seems the 1st Prince refused the crown prince position.”

“How did you…”

“I guessed when I heard His Majesty commanded a private audience with the 1st Prince, and it seems I was right. Seeing His Majesty act so unlike himself, he must be quite exhausted in mind and body from this hunting competition.”

The head servant nodded at Eratosthe’s words.

“Yes, he barely survived that Giant Bear… He’s been having nightmares at night, which is slowing his recovery.”

“How is the beast tracking going?”

“The Captain of the Imperial Knights is investigating, but no significant traces have emerged yet.”

Eratosthe let out a short sigh and shook his head.

“The Captain of the Imperial Knights recently filled a vacant position, so it would be difficult for him to investigate without restraint. Being from the capital, his interests are also complexly intertwined. General Calver recently completed his service and returned to the capital, so how about entrusting it to him?”

The head servant nodded at the appropriate suggestion.

While busy caring for the Emperor and handling minor government affairs, Eratosthe’s advice was like rain during a drought.

The head servant repeatedly expressed his gratitude and left.

“…Perdickas, your lifeline is truly tenacious.”

Eratosthe muttered quietly.

A small medicine bottle that had been rattling in his investigator’s robe pocket was grasped in his wrinkled hand.

“They said it works well on mutant magical beasts, but it’s useless.”

He dropped the medicine bottle from his hand.

Crack—!

The medicine bottle that fell to the floor shattered, and black liquid leaked out.

“Now I have no choice but to move directly.”

* * *

The Crown Prince’s Palace.

It was dinner time as the sun was setting.

Only silence filled the dining hall.

Only the occasional sound of utensils hitting dishes could be heard.

“…I received word from Marquis Terrence.”

Since the man with an indifferent expression mechanically moving his utensils seemed unlikely to speak,

Medeia had no choice but to initiate conversation first.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

However, as soon as those words fell, a mercilessly cold response came back.

Normally, he would have opened the letter and read aloud in a low voice the trivial news from the Mage Tower that Terrence had written,

or sat beside Medeia to make sure the things she liked were properly chewed and swallowed.

But now Chezare wouldn’t even meet Medeia’s eyes.

‘What on earth is going on with those two?’

‘I don’t know either.’

Even the maids who occasionally brought out dishes rolled their eyes and watched nervously at the cold atmosphere between the Prince and his wife that they were seeing for the first time.

Clank.

Then, frightened by Chezare’s chilling aura, they quickly set down their plates on the table and hurriedly retreated.

Even when it was time to sleep, the silent cold war continued.

Step.

Chezare went straight into his own room, not the couple’s bedroom in the center.

Soon, clank. The door closed.

His room door, which had never been closed once since their marriage.

“Ha.”

Medeia let out a short breath.

She glared at the closed door. As if staring at it like that would make him open the door and come out again.

But the door never opened, nor did he kiss her cheek and whisper good night.

It was something he had never missed even once, like a ritual.

Even as deep darkness fell and the lamps in the bedroom were extinguished, nothing happened.

Only after complete darkness descended did Medeia vaguely realize.

‘We’ve grown distant.’

At that quiet realization, a corner of her heart felt heavy and suffocating.

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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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