The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 357

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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 204

The first thing Terrence saw as he stepped into the blood-reeking room was Chezare holding someone in his arms.

“Chezare, you…”

“1st Prince…”

The Head Servant also hesitated.

He realized that the person the 1st Prince was holding was not the Emperor, but Eratosthenes.

“…”

Chezare quietly wiped Eratosthenes’ face with his sleeve.

Until the dark red bloodstains were erased and he returned to the neat appearance of the old man he knew, those hands were as careful and devoted as if performing a sacred ritual.

He covered the monk’s robes, muddied with spilled blood, with his own clothes.

‘What on earth… does this mean?’

The Head Servant was confused about how to accept a son who treated his father’s killer with such devotion.

“Head Servant.”

Then, Chezare’s mouth opened.

“…The Late Emperor was not assassinated.”

The Head Servant hesitated.

“Duke Eratosthenes died because he was stabbed by the Late Emperor’s hand. The Late Emperor’s madness wasn’t just a day or two, and he poisoned himself then mistakenly thought Count Eratosthenes had poisoned him.”

Only Chezare’s calm voice echoed through the Emperor’s palace.

“1st Prince, but…”

“It wasn’t assassination. The Late Emperor unfortunately mistook his medicine.”

“…”

“Head Servant, you have always supported the Late Emperor even in chaos and worked to keep this country from wavering. I trust you will do so until the end.”

It was both a warning and an order not to let rumors about the Emperor’s death spread.

The Head Servant realized.

That Chezare had no intention of letting Eratosthenes’ name be tarnished.

Perdickas II’s own son covered up his own father’s death for someone who shared not a drop of blood with him.

“Furthermore, I cannot help but suggest the noble death of Count Eratosthenes, who was innocently sacrificed. It would be good to hold a grand state funeral together with the Late Emperor.”

Not only was he assassinated, but a funeral held together with his enemy.

Given the Emperor’s temperament that the Head Servant knew, he would be so resentful and furious that he would come back to life from the underworld and rage wildly.

However, at the same time.

‘Ah.’

The Head Servant came to understand.

That this wouldn’t even come close to being adequate compensation for the wounds Perdickas II had left on so many people.

“I understand. Your Majesty.”

The Head Servant bowed deeply.

The respectfully changed form of address was sufficient to greet the Empire’s master.

“…”

Chezare did not respond.

The Head Servant watched the retreating figure of the 1st Prince as he gave orders and walked away leisurely.

In that blood-soaked place, even after witnessing the deaths of his father and adoptive maternal grandfather, that man showed no wavering at all.

Even though traces of divine punishment still remained on his skin.

The Head Servant trembled.

Could an oracle or divine punishment stop the path of such a strong being?

“Kazen is… welcoming a new sun.”

Even if flesh burns in that heat, even that pain will be forgotten in the brilliance.

Chezare walked steadily.

Palace Servants who recognized him bowed deeply.

News of Perdickas II’s death was spreading by word of mouth.

Even those who didn’t know the news were already paying respects, knowing that Kazen had fallen into the 1st Prince’s grasp.

There were those who wanted to curry favor, and pitiful ones who aimed for fruits that fell belatedly.

However, they dared not approach due to the 1st Prince’s cold aura and could only watch his retreating figure.

* * *

1st Prince’s Palace.

Medeia only heard the news that Chezare had awakened after arriving at the Palace.

“If Chezare woke up, you should have informed me immediately.”

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

Menil scratched his head.

“Despite Count Terrence’s attempts to stop him, the 1st Prince headed straight to the Imperial Palace upon hearing news of Your Highness as soon as he opened his eyes. So I thought you two would meet…”

Medeia quietly bit her lip.

Despite searching for each other so desperately, the fact that they ultimately missed each other made her heart sink for no reason.

“Still, how fortunate that the 1st Prince has awakened. Until just a while ago, the entire Palace was in a festive mood.”

Despite Medeia’s scolding, Menil’s voice was full of joy.

‘At least now there’s no need to escort Princess and escape Kazen.’

Though he didn’t show it, he had been receiving communications every other day to bring Medeia back.

The letters sent by his superior Diangel now contained more curses than words.

However, perhaps because his thoughts about the 1st Prince had changed quite a bit since coming to Kazen and living in this Palace,

or perhaps because camaraderie had sprouted after going through life-and-death situations with the 1st Prince’s faction several times, Menil hesitated to readily follow those orders.

Above all, unless his master Medeia commanded it, Menil intended to stay here.

“The priests and mages all left, so I don’t know how it was possible… but at least he opened his eyes.”

Medeia hesitated.

At a point when neither holy power nor mana worked, if there was something else done for Chezare…

‘Could my blood have been effective?’

To find out if that truly awakened Chezare, she needed to see him directly.

She felt she could only be at ease after seeing him in good condition, not lying with his eyes closed.

Medeia clenched her fingertips to hide her silent anxiety.

“Prepare the carriage. I need to go to the Imperial Palace.”

“What if you miss each other again? Garo sent communication to Count Terrence, so it would be better to wait here.”

Lady Tollin chimed in from the side.

That’s when urgent footsteps rang out.

“Your Highness!”

Kensington and Garo burst in simultaneously. Both their faces were grimly hardened.

“What on earth is happening that you’re pushing yourselves like this? Menil, give this handkerchief to Kensington-“

Kensington, whose legs were uncomfortable, had even thrown away her cane to run here. Beads of sweat were flowing down her forehead.

“Duke Eratosthenes has poisoned the Emperor.”

“…What?”

Medeia stood dumbfounded, clutching the handkerchief and at a loss for words.

Medeia’s subordinates, including Menil, were the same. Lady Tollin also gasped.

“And the Duke also took his own life on the spot.”

Garo added.

“…”

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

Even for Medeia, the Emperor’s death was sudden.

In her previous life too, Perdickas II had lived for a very long time.

He had struggled back and forth in power fights, unwilling to hand over the throne to Jason, and eventually died caught up in Medeia’s machinations.

‘But I never expected Duke Eratosthenes to eliminate Perdickas II…’

Was the reason that old man was like dried kindling because he had burned everything for revenge?

Medeia cast her gaze out the window.

In one corner of the garden visible outside the window was the Young Monk playing with young attendants.

The child, who had initially been hesitant and shy, now seemed to be gradually getting along with children his age.

“…”

‘I should have noticed when the Duke sent that child to me.’

Medeia bit her lip.

For reasons unknown, the news of Eratosthe’s death stung her heart more than the Emperor’s death.

The old man who always seemed dry, but was never cold to me.

Perhaps, if I had acted differently, I could have prevented his death.

“So His Highness is requesting that Your Majesty please come to the Imperial Palace now, says the Imperial Chamberlain.”

“…Chezare?”

If so, perhaps I could have prevented Chezare from getting hurt as well…

“When the First Prince was about to leave the Imperial Palace, he heard the news and went back inside.”

Kensington added.

“And the palace gates have been blocked and sealed. By His Highness’s command, it seems no one has noticed yet…”

‘The fact that news of the assassination hasn’t spread outside means Chezare doesn’t want it to.’

Medeia nodded.

“Prepare the carriage.”

Coincidentally, there would be no chance of missing each other.

The now empty Imperial Throne would not let Chezare go.

* * *

Before departing for the Imperial Palace, Neryl stood beside Medeia.

“Your Majesty.”

Neryl turned her head slightly to look around.

After confirming Garo was busy checking the carriage in the distance, Neryl lowered her voice.

“The Valdina Army has arrived at the border.”

Medeia paused.

“His Majesty accompanied them as well.”

“Peleus, good heavens, what does he think he’s doing coming here.”

Since my brother cherishes me dearly, I didn’t think he would sit still after hearing about the oracle.

But now Perdickas II was dead.

It was dangerous at a time when the fallout could spread to Valdina.

“You know well that no one can stop His Majesty. And Count Sisear accompanied him as well.”

Medeia pressed her throbbing temples. If even Sisear came, what would happen to state affairs?

“Neither of them are the type to abandon their duties, so they must have found an appropriate method. This trip to Kazen was also conducted in utmost secrecy, which is why they told me to inform only Your Majesty.”

As Neryl spoke, she quietly conveyed in a small voice to Medeia.

“Count Sisear told me to tell Your Majesty. That now is the only time you can pull out.”

“…”

“Your Majesty, so the Count’s meaning is-“

“I understand what he means. However,”

With Perdickas II’s death, now when everyone would be frantically busy deciding the next owner of the Imperial Throne, this was the only time Medeia could leave Kazen without difficulty.

Medeia nodded.

“For now, let’s postpone it.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she took a deep breath and boarded the carriage.

Medeia cast her gaze out the window.

The Imperial Palace was getting closer and closer.

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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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