The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 339
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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 186
Ch. 9
Perdickas II looked at the 3rd Prince.
His eldest son Chezare, who had gone missing on the iceberg. Even the First Prince’s Wife who had followed him was nowhere to be found.
‘Tsk, I had no intention of naming a crown prince yet…’
As the First Prince’s death became almost certain, public sentiment wavered and the borders became precarious.
So, even though the 3rd Prince didn’t meet his standards, he could no longer hesitate.
“Of course, Father!”
Juan hastily agreed.
“If you entrust it to me, I will never betray your expectations.”
His pupils gleamed as he bowed his head fervently, like dying embers suddenly bursting into flame.
‘God has given me another chance!’
The First Prince Chezare, who had seemed like an insurmountable mountain, had finally fallen.
That alone was cause for great joy, but fortune had struck repeatedly.
Juan could barely contain the euphoria rising within him.
‘No, perhaps that damned Chezare was blocking my great fortune all along.’
The moment he heard news of Chezare’s death, his path forward had opened so smoothly.
Juan struggled desperately to suppress the corners of his mouth from splitting into a grin.
His eyes, suppressing his joy, lifted to search for someone.
‘Mother.’
His gaze met his mother’s, who had been watching him from afar.
Shortly after news of the First Prince Chezare’s disappearance spread, Perdickas II had allowed the Queen Mother to leave the tower.
This was calculated – if he was to support Juan, he couldn’t keep the prince’s mother as a criminal.
The Queen Mother, barely freed from house arrest, showed none of her former arrogance and elegance, only gauntness stood out.
‘Don’t worry, I will repay every bit of the misery and humiliation you endured, Mother.’
‘Restrain yourself.’
The Queen Mother seemed to understand the message her son conveyed with his eyes, giving a slight nod.
She had also read the resentment in her son’s gaze toward the father who treated both her and her son as mere chess pieces.
‘Don’t worry. I too know how heartless Father is.’
Juan had no intention of being caught either.
He hid his ominous gaze and returned to being a dutiful son, bowing his head before Perdickas II.
“Then it would be proper to hold the First Prince’s funeral before the coronation ceremony. I trust everyone agrees.”
People let out sighs.
As the saying goes that life and death are decided in an instant,
Who could have known that the triumphant First Prince would have a funeral, while the 3rd Prince, who had fallen from grace, would be resurrected to hold a crown prince coronation?
That was when it happened.
CRASH—!
The doors burst open on both sides.
The shadow of a man silhouetted against the sunlight stretched long.
“I’m perfectly alive, so who exactly are you calling a ghost?”
The man backlit by the sun emanated a fierce aura as if he had returned from hell itself.
There was even the illusion of a fierce blizzard raging behind him.
Everyone’s mouths fell open.
“F-First Prince!”
“H-how!”
“I knew you would be alive!”
Exclamations mixed with joy and shock burst out from everywhere.
“Juan, how unfortunate. Your big brother has returned to steal away your one and only chance.”
Chezare smiled coldly.
His completely unapologetic face and voice made Juan even more furious.
“…What happened?”
The Emperor asked, facing his eldest son who had brazenly returned alive. Chezare shrugged indifferently.
“How many people have tried to take my life? As you know, Father, it’s the same crude trick as always. Though this time they were a bit more vicious.”
Chezare’s meaningful gaze turned steadily toward the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother shuddered at the chilling sensation, as if a blade had grazed her neck.
‘He knows.’
That the mage who stabbed him in the back was my person.
“…”
Perdickas II stared at his eldest son.
Over his faded pupils, a somewhat confused mix of joy and contempt arose.
He felt strange and complex emotions.
First was relief.
He was glad that Chezare, the most outstanding of his children who would make Kazen the continent’s hegemon, had miraculously returned from death’s door.
But at the same time, he was also afraid of that tenacious vitality that survived even extreme situations.
‘That bastard was born with a life as tenacious as mine.’
The moment he confirmed that persistent vitality, anxiety raised its head.
Eventually, his twisted nature emerged again.
Duke Leniar added as if he had been waiting. His face had clearly brightened upon confirming Chezare’s survival.
“Your Majesty, the mastermind behind this incident is certainly someone within the palace. A thorough investigation is necessary.”
“Your Majesty, please grant your wise judgment.”
The First Prince’s retainers bowed their heads together.
The Owner of Facade and the Hollow-eyed Mage also bowed behind him.
From the Disciple of the Mage Tower to the Mercenary Leader, all were pressuring the Emperor solely for Chezare.
Flames mixed with anger and jealousy surged in Perdickas II’s chest.
He was reluctant to believe their words easily. No, perhaps he didn’t want to believe them.
“In any case, you’ve returned alive, and that’s enough.”
Perdickas II said coldly.
That single statement contained the same characteristic indifference and coldness he had shown Chezare his entire life.
He wouldn’t even permit the formation of an investigation team.
Indeed, it was the same indifferent and cold reaction as when he first heard news of his son’s disappearance.
It was also an expression of his will to leave the 3rd Prince and Queen Mother as they were.
“Your Majesty, how can you be so…!”
“Silence! How much more chaos do you intend to cause in my empire? This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t set foot on those icy cliffs in the first place. Do you know how many state affairs were delayed and how much manpower and resources were wasted because of that bastard’s disappearance?”
The Emperor shouted angrily.
The court fell silent as if frozen.
Had the Emperor’s wariness toward his eldest son reached this extent?
They unconsciously watched the First Prince’s reaction.
Who wouldn’t crumble seeing their own father treat their life and death as trivial, even protecting those who tried to kill them?
“…”
But contrary to expectations, Chezare remained unshaken and expressionless.
However, he couldn’t erase the deep resignation that had settled in his golden eyes.
Just as the chasm of misunderstanding was about to deepen uncontrollably.
“Then I dare to ask, Your Majesty.”
It was a low but clear voice, as if weighed down by fatigue.
It was Medeia, who had been quietly hiding her presence beside Chezare.
Perdickas II frowned as he stared at her.
The difficult journey had left her more gaunt than when he last saw her.
But even with her pale face, she remained composed.
“If this incident was intended to kill not just the First Prince, but even the imperial grandson who is the rightful heir to the throne…”
Medeia asked slowly, gently caressing her belly.
“Could the situation change somewhat?”
* * *
The First Prince’s Wife had made a bombshell announcement.
“Your, Your Highness. Su, surely you don’t mean….”
Everyone’s gaze focused on where her hand had touched. The murmuring grew louder and eventually even occasional hiccupping sounds could be heard.
Perdickas II was no different.
“Wh, what do you mean by that.”
His beard trembled finely.
Medeia lowered her eyes slightly and nodded her head demurely.
“Bring a court physician! Quickly! Where is the court physician!?”
The Emperor shouted loudly. His eyes were completely bloodshot.
Soon after, the court physician who had been urgently summoned and examined Medeia nodded his head vigorously.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty! The First Prince’s Wife is with child.”
Perdickas II’s eyes widened greatly.
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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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