The Crown I Will Take From You - Chapter 83

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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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Chapter 83

* * *

Prince Claudio’s estate.

The lights in the Prince’s office didn’t go out until late at night.

“I’ve already heard about the Minister of the Royal Household. It’s unfortunate that we lost him, but your judgment was correct. We must extinguish any spark that could burn everything down.”

Claudio and Raju.

They were allies who had boarded the ship called Jason. Their goal was the same. To make Jason the Emperor.

Thus the Regent would become the king of Valdina and Raju would become a meritorious subject of Kazen.

The Regent’s eyes filled with emotion.

“I knew Count would say that. That rotten son of mine insists he’s right, and my retainers come looking for me first when trouble breaks out… How lonely it’s been carrying this grand plan alone…”

“Don’t worry, Prince. Now that I’m here, everything will return to its proper place.”

Count Raju spoke confidently.

“Our delegation will refuse Valdina’s request for aid. If you plead for it and we end up providing just a small amount of food supplies, how would that be?”

“Mother won’t stand for it…”

“If the Queen Mother keeps interfering, we can use that as an excuse to refuse aid. Then your mother’s power will be broken too. All the blame for the suspended aid will be directed at the Queen Mother.”

Count Raju reassured him that there was nothing to worry about.

“Furthermore, all communication with our delegation will go through Prince Claudio only, not the royal family.”

The Regent’s face brightened.

The sole channel of communication with the Empire. In Valdina, the value of such exclusivity was enormous.

Especially at a time like this, facing winter and desperately needing Kazen’s aid.

If that could be achieved, he could restore his shaken position.

“Very good thinking. That will work perfectly.”

The Regent’s eyes shone with relief and joy.

“Count Raju, I won’t forget this help. During your stay, if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

The Regent brought out his precious liquor. He didn’t begrudge it at all.

“What’s this much between those in the same boat? I too don’t know how precious it is to have a trustworthy friend like you, Prince. It’s the warmth of homeland that I couldn’t feel in the brutal Empire.”

“Of course, how much worry must you have every minute as a foreigner trying to establish yourself in the Empire? Yet to serve His Grace the Duke by his side is truly remarkable.”

The Regent, a thorough classist, treated him with surprising consideration as if Raju’s original commoner status wasn’t even in his mind.

As the night deepened, their glasses clinked more frequently.

“Count Raju. Truly, you came at just the right time… What a relief.”

Even he, with his cold personality who rarely lost his composure, seemed helpless against the continuous drinking.

His tongue grew looser. Then with a thud, the drunken Prince dropped his head on the table and fell fast asleep.

Count Raju also seemed affected by the alcohol, unable to steady himself.

“Prince… Prince Claudio? Oh my, this won’t do, falling asleep like this…”

No matter how much Count Raju shook him, the Regent was thoroughly drunk and showed no signs of waking.

How long did that silence last?

“…”

Scrape. The sound of a chair being dragged.

Step, step.

Count Raju’s footsteps as he quietly left the office showed not the slightest unsteadiness, unlike moments before.

* * *

Lady Claudio’s bedroom.

“My lady, shall I prepare you for bed?”

“No need. I’ll take care of it myself tonight. Go ahead and sleep.”

She waved her delicate hand to dismiss the maid.

“Don’t wake me until I call for you tomorrow.”

“Of course. Then sleep well, my lady.”

Lady Claudio was extremely sensitive, and once she fell asleep, no one was allowed to enter her bedroom without permission under any circumstances.

The young maid, well aware of her temperament, nodded and left the room.

“…”

Catherine sat at her vanity.

Wearing a silk gown that revealed her figure without concealment, with her hair pinned up, she looked ageless in her beauty.

For someone ready for bed, she hadn’t removed her carefully applied makeup, and a subtle perfume scent lingered.

As she was touching her face reflected in the mirror.

A rough man’s arms came in, grabbing her delicate chin and waist to pull her close.

“Robbie, you startled me!”

Catherine gasped and cried out in a shrill voice before immediately lowering it.

“My love, you’re as beautiful as ever.”

Count Raju embraced her and showered her with passionate kisses.

“What about him?”

“What’s to say? I put sleeping pills in his drink, so he’ll be out cold until noon tomorrow.”

A mocking glint crossed Count Raju’s eyes as he recalled the Regent sprawled disgracefully over the table.

“Still, he’s my husband. Don’t be too cruel to him.”

“Your husband? Then who is your man? Tell me.”

When Raju couldn’t hide his jealousy, Catherine concealed a silent laugh.

Robert, this man was always as passionate as the first time, even after all these years.

They had been lovers for a long time.

From long ago, when Catherine wasn’t Lady Claudio and Robert wasn’t a Count of the Empire.

“Cat, run away with me. Come to the Empire, just the two of us.”

“Robbie. I… I can’t go against my family’s wishes.”

The love between the noble lady and the commoner youth working for the ducal house didn’t end well.

Catherine’s father discovered their relationship and beat Robert severely before driving him away.

He had to lie in a sickbed, listening to the church bells ringing for his beloved’s wedding.

“I’ll never come back to this damned place again.”

Robert, driven mad by ambition, worked desperately in the Kazen Empire.

Then one day, after saving the former Emperor, his life changed completely.

With his new surname Raju, he became the very nobleman who had once oppressed him. The fruits of success were both sweet and hollow.

“Count Raju, this is Lady Claudio. From Valdina-“

But one day, after accidentally encountering his first love, the buried embers of passion were rekindled.

“Of course, Robbie, only you.”

Catherine, awakening from her reverie, answered sweetly.

“Right. Me too. That’s why I brought the Duke and even the General. To make your husband king.”

Even as Count Raju spoke, he held her in his arms as if unable to let go.

“How long has it been? Damn it, it’s only been a year but it feels like I haven’t seen you for decades.”

Catherine pushed against his chest and rolled her eyes.

“Hmph, I already heard you got a woman in Kazen. A wench the Duke personally introduced you to?”

“She’s just a political match. You know Cat is the only one in my heart.”

The entangled pair fell onto the bed. The bedroom air grew hot and heavy.

Click. The small sound of the bedroom door closing didn’t reach the ears of those absorbed in devouring each other.

* * *

“Hah, hah.”

Wrinkled sheets. Disheveled air. Catherine caught her panting breath and pulled away.

Unlike her cold husband, her lover was always passionate.

“Cat, but where is my lovely daughter? I haven’t seen her since earlier.”

Raju lovingly stroked her disheveled hair.

“I filled an entire carriage with gifts for Virna. I’m already excited to see how happy she’ll be.”

“Virna is… still at the convent because of that bitch Medeia.”

Catherine ground her teeth.

“My heart aches to death, thinking how much our Virna must be suffering in that cold and strict place…”

“Then tell them to bring her back. Etien is dead too, so there’s no need to worry about anyone anymore.”

When Raju answered as if there was no problem, Catherine looked worried.

“But, people’s eyes….”

“What does it matter? If anyone dares to speak carelessly about my daughter, I’ll gouge their eyes out.”

His confidently stretched mustache trembled finely.

“Cat, your man is someone even the Empire’s nobles can’t handle. Moreover, in a small country like Valdina, who could there be that I couldn’t go against?”

He spoke arrogantly.

“Our daughter will receive the finest treatment. When the Duke ascends to the imperial throne, she’ll become the Empire’s mistress, incomparable to some Princess of Valdina.”

Raju’s sinister gaze was even chilling to behold.

“There’s nothing to worry about, my love. The blood and flesh of that Princess brat will become fertilizer for our Virna to spread her wings.”

Moved, Catherine threw herself into his arms again.

* * *

Princess’s Palace.

“Count Raju with my aunt?”

The note from Prince Claudio’s estate surprised Medeia.

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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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