The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 335

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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 182

Just as all thoughts were about to evaporate from Medeia’s mind as she received his kiss,

“Handsome sir, how is it that you went up to check on your wife’s condition but there’s been no word? Do you know how much work goes into making medicinal soup? What kind of sight is it for the innkeeper to come fetch you personally? Oh my goodness-!”

The stern-faced female innkeeper grumbled as she carelessly opened the door.

Then she jumped up in shock at seeing the two entangled in each other’s arms.

“Oh my! S-sorry. I was being foolish, well… carry on with what you were doing.”

Medeia, who had snapped back to her senses, hastily pushed Chezare away.

“No, ma’am!”

And she followed after the female innkeeper.

“He just woke up a moment ago and I was checking his condition. I was about to come down right away.”

Adding a somewhat urgent excuse that was unlike her usual self.

Click. The door closed.

The cold air that rushed in pushed away the heat that had filled the empty room.

“…”

Only then did Chezare look down at his upper body that was throbbing painfully.

Blood was seeping through the bandages wrapped around his torso.

“Hah.”

Chezare rubbed his gaunt face.

He clenched and unclenched his fingers with lingering regret that couldn’t be filled.

On one hand, he thought it might have been fortunate that cold water was poured on the fire that had blazed up in an instant.

* * *

Evening time after the sun had set.

“Eat up heartily. It’s soup boiled thoroughly with medicinal herbs used as tonics. There’s nothing better for driving away the cold air of the snowy mountains and settling your stomach.”

The female innkeeper, who was strict but warm-hearted, seemed inclined to accept Medeia’s clumsy excuse as merely the reckless indiscretion of a young couple.

‘Ha, it would be… better to let it pass like this.’

Medeia swallowed a sigh.

What just happened was really unlike her.

Even as she thought this, she brought the back of her hand to her cheek. Her face still seemed to be burning.

Instead of prying further, the female innkeeper ladled the steaming soup and pushed it in front of Medeia.

“Hmph, I don’t know what’s so lovely about that husband of yours that made you go through such hardship, clinging to him like that.”

The female innkeeper also shot a glance at Chezare who came down shortly after.

Only the middle-aged male innkeeper, who didn’t understand what was happening, tilted his head in confusion.

He soon checked on Chezare’s condition and nagged about what he had done to reopen wounds that were healing well.

“…We’re truly grateful. We husband and wife saved our lives thanks to you both.”

While eating, Medeia offered a monetary reward to the innkeeper couple, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins.

But the couple stubbornly refused to accept it.

“That’s enough. I don’t know what circumstances brought you to this dangerous place, but finding our house must have been God’s guidance.”

The innkeeper couple, who said they had been court physicians in the capital city before coming to live in this remote place, didn’t reveal the details of their story.

And Medeia and Chezare also said they were just a young couple on a trip, but they didn’t seem to believe it much.

‘Their appearance and demeanor must surely be from a noble family.’

Mr. Jenkins quietly observed the young couple eating.

Though they didn’t know proper etiquette well, nothing was out of place.

The manners of the handsome man and beautiful woman who caught the eye just by looking were extraordinary.

‘Moreover, the wounds that man had… are definitely not something an ordinary person would receive.’

A common person wouldn’t be poisoned or face assassination threats.

Mr. Jenkins had seen high-ranking nobles several times.

The young man before his eyes exuded an arrogant and dangerous aura like the Duke of the North, the highest-ranking person he had ever seen.

“Anyway, it’ll be difficult to send word to your companions until the snowstorm stops. The area ahead is a gorge where it’s hard to find even a mouse in the snowfield.”

Mr. Jenkins muttered that it was even more miraculous that Medeia had found their house.

“Stay here until you recover. My wife agreed too.”

“T-that’s right. How nice it is to not be lonely. We couple only use the 1st floor anyway, so you can use the 2nd floor. We absolutely won’t have any reason to go upstairs, so don’t worry at all from now on.”

Mrs. Jenkins winked at Medeia as if she understood everything.

“…”

Medeia hesitated for a moment then chose to keep her mouth shut.

In any case, the Jenkins couple devotedly helped with Medeia and Chezare’s treatment and recovery.

Mr. Jenkins’ medicinal herbs were very effective, and the poison remaining in Chezare’s body had long since almost disappeared.

Chezare scanned Medeia’s pale complexion with his eyes and quietly nodded.

“Then, we’ll impose on you for just a little while.”

After dinner time, the snow had stopped.

Mr. Jenkins, who came out to the courtyard, gave the young couple a spot in front of the campfire that still had embers alive.

“There’s no need to go out on a night like this, so get some fresh air and look at the stars before going in. Though the terrain is rough, there are few places closer to the stars than here.”

Then he handed them each a wooden cup containing steaming tea, and the couple went inside.

“…”

Again, an awkward atmosphere lingered between Medeia and Chezare.

Because like the embers of that campfire warming the air, heat that couldn’t be completely subdued remained between them.

“The wind is still cold.”

A soft weight settled on Medeia’s shoulders.

Chezare had wrapped a blanket around Medeia’s shoulders, bringing it from somewhere.

“…It’s hot.”

“Even if it’s stuffy, keep it on. You just got up not long ago.”

His voice conveyed concern for Medeia.

“…”

Silence continued again.

Still, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

At some point, Chezare had become a comfortable companion with whom Medeia could share silence.

“Dea.”

Then, at the voice calling her, Medeia raised her head.

“…I’m always sorry for making you set foot in Kazen.”

An apology suddenly offered in the dark night with just the two of them.

It was a sincerity of a different kind from the fear he had confessed in the room earlier.

“Why?”

Why was he apologizing?

“If it weren’t for me… you would never have… returned to this place.”

Chezare’s answer settled low and heavy. Medeia felt distant.

“…”

She didn’t answer.

The oracle, the Evil Dragon, and Jason.

Countless events had occurred before she took steps back to this place, Kazen.

Could all of that be attributed to Chezare alone?

In any case, Chezare himself seemed to think so.

“So.”

Unlike his usual languid voice, she could tell from his intermittent swallowing that he was carefully choosing his words.

“I’m thinking of leaving Kazen.”

Medeia flinched. She looked back at him as if doubting her ears.

“I’ll become independent. So that Medeia, you and I, we two can remain by each other’s side. No more purposes or justifications are needed.”

“What do you…”

“…This Kazen was painful land for you, Dea. So, I want to change it. I want you to live in a peaceful and warm place. Of course, with me by your side as well.”

Medeia was momentarily at a loss for words.

What was he saying right now?

“…Chezare, I don’t understand what you’re saying right now.”

“I’m saying I’ll declare independence.”

Chezare spoke calmly.

His lightly scattered voice made what he was saying sound trivial, but she knew better than anyone that the meaning contained within was anything but.

“You can give that up? You’ve spent your entire life running toward becoming Emperor, toward becoming the master of this Empire. And you’d give that up, just because of me?”

“You know it’s not ‘just because.’ Even I didn’t know it would come to this. But it’s clear. Medeia, rather than sit on the Imperial Throne in a place without you, I’d rather sit nowhere and hold your hand for the rest of my life.”

Medeia was momentarily at a loss for words.

“We’d have to start over from the beginning. Do you even realize you’d have to let go of everything you’ve built up until now?”

“It doesn’t matter. If I wasn’t prepared for that, I wouldn’t have even considered it.”

He kissed the back of Medeia’s hand. The warmth touching her skin felt like a brand that could never be erased.

“So, Medeia. I’m courting you. Don’t abandon me.”

“…You’re not someone who can live as a mere commoner.”

“Who said I’d become a commoner?”

Chezare chuckled softly.

At the corner of his beautiful lips, she caught a glimpse of that characteristic arrogance she knew so well.

“Dea, I’ll eventually stand where I want to be. It’ll just take a little more time. So there’s no need for guilt. You just need to not let go of my hand.”

“…You’ll regret this. This isn’t something to decide so simply, so hastily.”

“In that cave, when I thought it was the end, it became clear. My dream hasn’t changed. My ambition, my desires remain the same. I just want to walk that path with you, Dea.”

His voice was monotone. However, a deep heat emanated from his golden eyes. Medeia suddenly found herself speechless.

“So stay by my side. You chose me, didn’t you.”

“…”

There would be no one in the world more suited to the Emperor’s crown than Chezare.

Having spent half his life running toward Kazen’s Imperial Throne, he now stood just a few steps away from it.

Yet Chezare was saying he would cast aside all that glory for Medeia’s sake.

Even though someone so cold and shrewd surely knew what price he would have to pay for it.

For the single reason that Kazen, this vast land, would be too burdensome for her.

Knowing that price, that weight, Medeia couldn’t dare say anything.

“…”

Heat rushed to her eyes. Afraid she might cry unsightly, she bit her lip.

“Medeia, I’ll make sure you never regret your choice for the rest of your life.”

Gently grasping one of Medeia’s wrists without hurting her, he slowly leaned down.

Their lips met again, tasting of heartbreaking saltiness.

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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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