The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 167

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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 167

It was easy to manipulate someone whose weakness you had a grip on.

The Empress had already sent a letter to Cheria before the banquet.

Cooperate in framing Alpheus, or else I’ll immediately hand you over to the Magic Tower for the crime of colluding with a dark mage.

No significant evidence was needed, just make up a few strange situations and speak them on the spot.

‘Even if he’s later released as innocent, his reputation will be greatly damaged.’

In truth, it didn’t seem like Alpheus would receive severe punishment.

There were limits to fabrication, and pushing too hard could backfire. Things that aren’t true show flaws when investigated thoroughly.

So the Empress had a different scheme in mind.

‘It’s accusations from two of the original five families. The Magic Tower will hold Alpheus for a long investigation, and during that time Brisa Sears will be alone again.’

After Alpheus was dragged to the Magic Tower, when Brisa took charge of the territory, the Empress planned to work behind the scenes with all her might to make Sears’ prosperity a public fact.

That indeed, Sears could only prosper under Brisa’s leadership.

Brisa’s reputation was already tremendous, and having endured two months in isolation, she had high support from the territory residents.

‘I can use Brisa’s reputation in reverse.’

The Empress spoke in a chilling voice.

“From the beginning, the owner suited to the noble Sears Territory was Lady Brisa Sears, but how unfortunate…”

Moreover, humiliating only one side in such a public place would obviously drive a wedge between them.

Even if he returned innocent, Alpheus, who was disgraced in front of others because of Brisa, would naturally have no choice but to distance himself from Brisa.

“It is indeed a grave matter in many ways.”

The Empress Dowager gently interjected.

“Really, really grave indeed.”

But at that moment.

“Ahem.”

The Emperor’s clearing of throat was heard from behind.

“It seems something happened while I was away from my seat.”

Hilberry also appeared quietly, limping. It seemed their private meeting had ended right on time.

Hilberry, his expression hidden behind an eyepatch, disappeared into the crowd, and the Emperor sat in the central special seat, lifting his chin and asking.

“At this gathering to celebrate Bakahun’s return, what exactly is there that requires everyone to be so tense?”

The Emperor’s green eyes turned emotionlessly toward the Empress.

The Empress bowed her head and said.

“One tainted by dark magic caused a disturbance first, so it couldn’t be helped.”

Indeed, if Harrison hadn’t suddenly acted up, the Empress would have waited for a more appropriate time.

“If I didn’t know the circumstances it would be one thing, but knowing what I suspect, it’s a situation I absolutely cannot overlook.”

That’s when it happened.

Cheria, who had been trembling, pulled out several sheets of paper from her bosom.

“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

She slowly approached the Emperor and knelt down.

“I-I’m truly sorry for causing trouble, but…”

And she had a court attendant beside her deliver the papers from her bosom to the Emperor.

“Since it has already happened, I request Your Majesty’s judgment.”

As if she didn’t want to use 【Charm】 on anyone, Cheria kept her head deeply bowed. That appearance increased her credibility.

‘She’s doing well. She must have brought something properly fabricated.’

The Empress watched the scene leisurely.

‘Right now in this place, just making up a few reports that the Curse of Sleep subtly resumed as soon as Alpheus left would be enough.’

As she held her head high and waited for the Emperor’s reaction.

‘…Huh?’

The Empress, who had been somewhat at ease, was inwardly shocked when she saw the letter the Emperor was holding.

‘That’s…’

Was there some mistake?

The Empress blinked. The Crown Prince, who had been observing the situation from afar, felt the same way.

The documents Cheria had offered to the Emperor were the letters she had received from the Empress all this time.

* * *

I sighed inwardly.

‘Ha, so the Empress is finally causing trouble.’

Just in case, I had sent a letter to Cheria in advance.

Somehow, given the Empress’s personality, she wouldn’t stay still after seeing with her own eyes that Alpheus and Maximus were getting along well.

Then I couldn’t just keep taking hits either.

Cheria had always wanted to pay for her sins.

She said several times that she wasn’t qualified to occupy the lord’s position. That she had continued to worsen the situation with wrong judgments.

“Delmia is timid, and Harrison is stupid, so they won’t do as the next marquis, but fortunately Shania is very clever. Her fiancé is also from a long-standing loyal family of the south… In many ways, Shania should take the next marquis position.”

Cheria’s mind was firm.

“I already broke the rules ‘once.’ By compromising with a dark mage. It’s not that I committed an unforgivable sin, but to avoid setting a precedent, I shouldn’t continue sitting in the marquis position.”

She expressed her firm intention even in front of her family.

“My case might be misused later. I don’t want to live such a disgraceful life.”

For some people, there are things more important than the desire for power.

Some people find it more comfortable to live paying for their sins.

The Empress didn’t know this, so I thought she would naturally fall into this trap.

It was also a fact you couldn’t understand if you’d been at the center of power for too long.

Alpheus flinched beside me, biting his lower lip. I poked his side and told him to keep quiet.

Earlier, when the Empress and Ethan were insulting Alpheus together, I whispered ‘just stay still.’

“Just listen to me in this place. Use only your arms and legs, don’t use your brain or mouth. Then you’ll be safe.”

Cheria said while trembling.

“Her Majesty the Empress ordered me today to fabricate evidence.”

Of course, the Empress wasn’t a fool either, so she didn’t leave decisive evidence like proof of collusion with dark mages on record.

But from the standpoint of confessing, there were naturally things to drag down with her.

“Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince have long known that I dealt with a dark mage. However, instead of reporting me to the Magic Tower, they used that fact as blackmail to manipulate me as they pleased.”

The Emperor bit his lower lip and stared intently at the documents.

Veins stood out on the hand gripping the letter. Though he was trying not to show emotion, clear anger could be felt.

It was natural since the Empress had lowered the imperial authority in front of many people.

Cheria prostrated herself while still kneeling and said.

“I request to relinquish the Marquis Naisar position and submit to the Magic Tower’s investigation.”

I took a deep breath beside Alpheus.

Even knowing this was the right thing to do, seeing Cheria’s back somehow made my heart churn.

‘The Empress and Crown Prince will naturally counterattack again… This drawn-out situation will continue.’

That’s when it happened.

“Wait a moment.”

The Empress Dowager, who had been sitting leisurely in the back, stood up.

The Empress looked at the Empress Dowager with somewhat hopeful eyes.

The Empress Dowager said leisurely.

“Now that things have come to this… I want to hear the Sears family’s story.”

Only her deep blue eyes glowed eerily in her pale face.

In her jet-black dress contrasting with that white skin, she slowly approached me.

“Isn’t that right, Brisa? After all, the target being pointed at is the Marquis Sears family.”

Even in the midst of this, she didn’t even address Alpheus by name. Even though Alpheus was the marquis.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward us.

To avoid obstructing the Empress Dowager’s steps, the people in the banquet hall parted like an ebbing tide to open a path.

Meeting the Empress Dowager’s eyes, I involuntarily swallowed dry saliva.

I took a deep breath and clasped my hands together.

“Now, what is Sears’ opinion?”

Before I knew it, she had glided up in front of me. Behind her stood an elite imperial knight in a helmet, as if guarding her.

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!”

Alpheus shouted spiritedly beside me.

“I will obey your command!”

Then he stood boldly before the Empress Dowager.

I glanced toward the Imperial Family’s Special Seating Area. The Emperor stood quietly without stopping Mother.

Well, the Emperor had always been in the role of observer.

The Empress, meanwhile, glared at Alpheus as if she found it absurd.

Anais sat restlessly beside the Empress. Neither of them were in a position to step forward here.

“Hmm.”

The Empress Dowager didn’t even spare Alpheus a glance.

“Your elder brother is slow to grasp the situation. Isn’t that right?”

At the same time, she gently took my hand and asked.

“I asked you, Brisa.”

At the same time, my body was pulled toward her with a swift motion.

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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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