The Prince’s Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 126
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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 126. Those Who Share the Same Dream (4)
“From the moment Prince Edwin truly steps into the imperial succession struggle, both of your roles will become even more crucial.”
I looked at Catherine, who was trembling.
“Catherine, you can no longer focus solely on managing the Prince’s Palace as you have until now. You must also pay attention to exchanges with other palaces and uncover all the rumors and information circulating within the Imperial Capital.”
“M-me?”
Catherine clutched her head as if she had fallen into a panic at my words.
“And Gardener.”
I continued while looking at Seiji.
“You’ll have many more things to teach Prince Edwin.”
“What’s so difficult about that?”
Seiji raised his wine glass and twisted one corner of his mouth.
“I’m not worried at all! Our Brown Lordling is worth a hundred men…”
He was about to mention my identity but quickly shut his mouth.
Because I had instantly shot him a murderous glare.
“Caretaker, I-I want out.”
Meanwhile, Catherine began shaking her head with a pale face.
“I’m not prepared to handle such a role. And I’m worried about the Princes too. Prince Edwin is different from the other Princes! He hasn’t prepared anything, and he doesn’t have a powerful maternal family…”
“What does that matter? Cabellius III, the current Emperor, also ascended to the throne after killing all his siblings.”
“Th-that may be true, but…”
“Housekeeper, do you know what’s most important in power struggles?”
“What? What is it?”
“You just need to win at the very end. By any means necessary.”
At the old sage’s words, Catherine bit her lower lip tightly.
“Well, in Prince Edwin’s case, following his father’s path would be easiest. Even if it doesn’t suit him.”
He deliberately smiled sinisterly while looking at me.
“I can make poison that kills with just one drop, so just say the word.”
“Hey!”
Catherine looked around nervously as if worried someone might hear, pressing her index finger to her lips.
“How can you say such frightening things out loud!”
“Hmph, what’s worse than death if I speak out? Kill me then. This old man has lived long enough and fears nothing.”
“I’m scared, I am!”
They clearly seemed to dislike each other, yet strangely got along well.
I watched the two bickering continuously and lightly struck the desk.
Thud.
At the dull sound, both turned their gazes toward me.
“Let me ask you one thing.”
I looked at the two and asked.
“What is needed to become Emperor?”
“First, one must have the qualifications.”
The answer came from Seiji as expected.
He spoke while elegantly raising one hand.
“One must have imperial blood flowing through them. That’s most important.”
That’s not what I was asking about.
As I made an unimpressed expression, Catherine interjected.
“But not everyone with imperial blood can become Emperor.”
She murmured with a still worried expression.
“The Emperor’s position can only be claimed by one who receives everyone’s recognition.”
The Empire’s Emperor appeared to be an absolute ruler on the surface, but that wasn’t the reality.
Rather, they were like a balance that coordinated all forces to prevent the nation’s foundation from shaking.
“Exactly.”
Seiji raised his index finger and added to her words.
“Therefore, to become Emperor, one must gain support from three people excluding the Previous Emperor.”
The first was the Senate Chairman, who could be called the representative of the Imperial Nobles; the second was the Supreme Commander, who oversaw the Empire’s military authority; and lastly, the Holy Emperor of the Kingdom of Leon. Only with these three people’s consent could one ascend to the Emperor’s throne.
‘I already know who the Holy Emperor is.’
The current Holy Emperor of the Kingdom of Leon was The Man who had ascended before my death.
During my time working for The Organization, I had seen The Man who became Holy Emperor directly.
Because I had been assigned a mission to infiltrate the Holy Emperor’s coronation ceremony and assassinate a target.
‘He didn’t seem particularly devout.’
I had no way of knowing how a pot-bellied, greedy high cleric had ended up in the Holy Emperor’s position. At the time, I wasn’t particularly interested in the Holy Emperor’s existence.
‘But I don’t know who the Senate Chairman and Supreme Commander are.’
The Holy Emperor served a 7-year term and stepped down when the time came.
However, the Senate Chairman and Supreme Commander, appointed by the Emperor, were positions that changed hands frequently.
This meant that different people from those I knew before my death might be occupying those positions.
“Who are the current Senate Chairman and Supreme Commander?”
“They’re people you know well, Caretaker.”
Catherine cleared her throat briefly and spoke.
“The Senate Chairman is The Marquis of Redcliff, and the Supreme Commander is Duke of Crowner.”
Damn it. Why does it have to be those two bastards?
Meanwhile, Seiji burst into laughter at Catherine’s words as if amused.
“Puhahaha! This is going to be quite troublesome!”
They happened to be ardent supporters of the 2nd Prince and 1st Prince respectively.
Drawing people with clearly established camps to one’s side was nearly impossible.
‘This is beyond troublesome.’
I frowned.
‘The game is definitely too big for Edwin to enter now.’
Catherine, as if reading my thoughts, quickly poured out her words.
“Caretaker, the other Princes have been steadily preparing to become Emperor through their close associates for a very long time. But Prince Edwin hasn’t.”
For Edwin, everything was new – the imperial language, imperial studies, swordsmanship, everything.
While the boy’s growth rate was fast, it was true that his proficiency couldn’t match the other two Princes.
“It’s too reckless.”
“…Still, we can’t give up without trying anything.”
Princes who fail to become Emperor all end up killed anyway.
While it was said they could inherit their maternal family’s status and become nobles rather than royalty, reality wasn’t so beautiful.
‘Leaving bloodlines that could threaten one’s position would be foolish.’
Very few Princes who inherited their maternal family’s status survived.
Throughout the entire history of the Bentrum Empire.
‘In Edwin’s case, exile to the Holy Kingdom would be the only way to survive.’
It was questionable whether the boy, who hated being separated from his sister, could go to the Holy Kingdom alone and live as a cleric.
I clasped my hands together and spoke again.
“I intend to work so that Prince Edwin can achieve what he desires.”
An employee’s duty is to help their master’s will be fulfilled.
I had accepted Edwin as my employer and promised to give him the opportunity to choose anything.
‘Becoming Emperor is Edwin’s dream.’
I had sworn before Emma’s grave to work for that boy’s happiness.
‘One who has dreams cannot be happy if they cannot achieve them.’
I had long since awakened from my dreams.
But I wanted to make Edwin’s dream come true.
‘I promised Emma too. That I would protect those children’s happiness.’
I recalled Edwin’s eyes when he said he wanted to become Emperor.
The boy’s eyes as he dreamed were beautiful. Like stars in the night sky.
‘I just….’
I didn’t want to see the light fade from those eyes.
“No matter what anyone says, I will do everything in my power to ensure Prince Edwin becomes Emperor.”
I raised my head toward the two people before me.
“Because I am The Prince’s caretaker.”
Perhaps she thought there was no point in trying to dissuade me since I wouldn’t listen anyway.
Catherine pressed her forehead and let out a deep sigh.
“…Caretaker, if Prince Edwin participates in the succession war but fails to become Emperor, do you know what happens to people like us?”
Instead of answering, I quietly looked at Catherine.
She met my eyes and added in a heavily subdued voice.
“We would be eliminated first if The Prince fails to become Emperor.”
“I know.”
Catherine made a tearful expression as if she couldn’t quite understand.
“For someone who knows that to say such things so easily….”
“That’s exactly why we must ensure Prince Edwin ascends to the imperial throne.”
At my words, Catherine opened her mouth as if speechless.
Then Seiji, who was sitting beside her, patted her shoulder firmly.
“Geez, even worrying is a matter of fate! Ca— I mean, don’t you think Brown Lordling has reasons for being so confident? We just need to do our best in our own way.”
“No, why are you like this too, Gardener!”
“Since he was born with imperial blood anyway, shouldn’t he at least take the imperial throne to make being born into this world worthwhile?”
Catherine pressed her lips tightly shut again at his words.
Her clenched hands, knuckles showing, were as pale as her complexion.
“…Catherine.”
I spoke quietly while looking at Catherine.
“If you want, you can step away.”
“…What?”
“Don’t you have family members you need to support? You should also marry a wonderful man.”
I couldn’t force unilateral sacrifice on someone who had much to protect.
I added to Catherine, who looked surprised.
“Catherine’s life is just as important as The Prince’s dreams. So please make your choice freely.”
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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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