The Prince’s Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 260

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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 260. Acceleration Ignition (1)

“What do you mean? His Imperial Majesty has collapsed?”

“He suddenly coughed up blood in his study and lost consciousness.”

The news that the Emperor had vomited blood and collapsed was delivered first to the Gloria Knight Order.

“That’s impossible!”

Jerome, the head of the knight order and the Emperor’s right hand, immediately rushed out of the barracks upon hearing the news.

“Then could there be a possibility of poisoning?”

“A physician is examining him now, but it seems they haven’t been able to determine the exact cause yet.”

“Damn it!”

Jerome cursed as he hurriedly crossed the corridor leading to the Imperial Palace.

Philip, the Vice-Captain, followed closely behind him and lowered his voice.

“Damn, what kind of bastard would do such a thing!”

“Please calm down, Captain. If someone hears, the Duke’s family…”

“Let them hear! Whoever it was, they dared to touch the Empire’s Emperor – they must be a bastard with no liver left to speak of.”

The Emperor had been born with a frail constitution.

Hadn’t Prince Adrian inherited that trait and suffered from illnesses since childhood?

“You’ve arrived, Your Grace Duke Crowner.”

As soon as Jerome arrived at the Imperial Palace, he went straight to the Emperor’s bedroom.

Beside the bed where the Emperor lay, the Empress, physicians, and several attendants were keeping watch.

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

“…According to the physician, he was poisoned.”

Empress Melanie didn’t even look at her brother.

She simply added quietly while holding the Emperor’s hand as he lay in bed.

“And the physician says the poison His Imperial Majesty was given has the same components as the poison I was given before.”

“What?”

Jerome’s head whipped toward the physician.

The physician broke into a cold sweat and bowed his head as soon as their eyes met.

“Y-yes. After taking a blood sample from His Imperial Majesty and conducting a toxicity test, the components are the same as the poison found in Her Imperial Majesty’s body previously.”

A cold and heavy atmosphere flowed through the room.

Jerome said nothing and clenched his fists.

‘The poison components are the same. Then does that mean the mastermind is the same too?’

That day, it was the 2nd Empress who had attempted to poison the Empress.

‘Though it was only an attempt and that crazy woman continued to deny her crime, so His Majesty couldn’t punish her and had to let it pass.’

In any case, the most likely suspects in the Empress’s attempted poisoning were the 2nd Empress and The Marquis of Redcliff.

“How is His Majesty’s condition?”

“He vomited blood, but thanks to being discovered quickly like with Her Imperial Majesty, he’s passed the dangerous crisis. However…”

“However?”

“Since he was born with such a frail constitution, it will likely take quite a long time for him to recover.”

“…Does that mean even when he awakens, there will be difficulties in handling state affairs?”

Instead of answering, the physician bowed his head.

It was a regretful affirmative response.

“…Ha.”

Jerome frowned as he looked at the Emperor.

Though he must have collapsed in agony from the poison, strangely he was sleeping with a very peaceful expression.

“This incident must not be known outside until we identify the culprit.”

The first to break the silence was none other than Empress Melanie.

“If it becomes known that the Empire’s Emperor was the target of an assassination attempt and is lying unconscious in bed, it will cause turmoil both inside and outside the country.”

She murmured quietly with the same indifferent face as usual.

“But Your Imperial Majesty, what do you intend to do about the banquet in two weeks?”

The old Finance Minister who had been keeping watch beside the Emperor asked back.

His wrinkled face was colored with confusion and worry.

“It’s no less than His Imperial Majesty’s birthday celebration. Foreign envoys will visit too. Envoys from places far from the Empire may have already departed.”

That’s right, the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

Jerome covered his forehead with one hand.

‘Damn, of all times.’

The second most grand annual event that came every year.

But for Jerome, that day was less of a festival and more the busiest day when he had to strengthen the Imperial Capital’s security. So he had completely forgotten about it.

“If we suddenly cancel without reason, it will attract unnecessary attention. But to come up with a suitable lie…”

“The fact that His Imperial Majesty is frail is already known to everyone on The Continent.”

Melanie gripped the Emperor’s hand tightly.

“We won’t cancel the banquet. I and the other princes can greet the envoys in place of His Imperial Majesty.”

“Pardon? But…”

The Finance Minister started to speak then stopped and looked at Jerome.

He finally opened his mouth at the old minister’s look that seemed to say ‘do something about this.’

“This is His Imperial Majesty’s birthday banquet. But would it be acceptable to proceed without the person in question? Especially when even 2nd Prince’s seat will be empty…”

The Emperor couldn’t maintain his position, and one of the three princes was confined to the palace.

‘Adrian also hasn’t fully recovered his health yet. If we force him to stand at an official event, he might collapse again.’

Though the shoulder injured in the subjugation war had almost completely healed, the 1st Prince hadn’t fully recovered his strength.

“…Then we’ll have to move up the Crown Prince investiture ceremony.”

Suddenly, a faint but clear voice was heard.

Everyone beside the bed turned their heads.

The Emperor, who had regained consciousness at some point, was looking at them with half-opened eyes.

“Your Majesty! Your Imperial Majesty! Are you conscious?”

“Heat the water again! Where are the ground herbs!”

As soon as the master of the bedroom opened his eyes, the surroundings became busy.

But as soon as the Emperor slowly raised his finger, everyone froze as if under a spell and focused their attention on him.

“…Everyone, be quiet for a moment and listen to me.”

The Emperor continued speaking with difficulty in a completely hoarse voice.

“With this body, attending the upcoming banquet would be too much. So it would be right to appoint a representative to take my place.”

The Emperor paused mid-sentence and coughed several times.

Empress Melanie, who was keeping watch beside him, took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth.

“Rather than another representative, it would look better to present the Crown Prince who will succeed me.”

“So you’ll appoint a Crown Prince? So suddenly?”

“It’s not sudden. I’ve been contemplating for quite some time that I should decide on a Crown Prince quickly.”

This poisoning attempt had simply moved up the timing of announcing the Crown Prince.

“In any case, I don’t have long to live. Having drunk poison this time, my lifespan has become even shorter.”

“Your Majesty, how can you say such things…”

“Enough with the useless comfort. Then the investiture ceremony preparations…”

The Emperor slowly turned his gaze toward the Empress.

Melanie nodded slightly as if she had expected this.

“Y-Your Majesty, then.”

The Finance Minister asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“Have you already decided which of the princes to make Crown Prince?”

There were only two candidates anyway.

Prince Adrian, the legitimate eldest son of the Empress and backed by the Duke of Crowner known as the Empire’s sword, and Prince Edwin, though born to an empress from a fallen kingdom, who had recently achieved brilliant accomplishments.

“Between Prince Adrian and Prince Edwin, who will…”

No one had expected the Emperor to decide on a Crown Prince so suddenly.

Everyone gathered in the room waited for the Emperor’s words with tense eyes.

“Yes, I’ve decided.”

The Emperor muttered in a weak voice.

“The Crown Prince who will succeed me is….”

* * *

Along with the news that The Emperor’s health had deteriorated, the announcement that a Crown Prince investiture ceremony would be held in a week caused a stir not only in the Imperial Capital but throughout the entire Empire.

“It’s unusually quiet today.”

The Maid Captain of The Second Prince’s Palace looked toward where The Prince’s Chamber was located, from which no sound could be heard, then turned her gaze away.

The palace was quiet partly because the 2nd Prince wasn’t causing his usual trouble, but also because most of the maids who had been assigned to The Second Prince’s Palace had been called to The Empress’s Palace to prepare for the Crown Prince investiture ceremony.

“By the way.”

The Maid Captain muttered to herself while looking down at the newsletter.

“The Crown Prince position ultimately went to Prince Adrian.”

It was a legitimate and proper result.

Though he may be physically weak, there was no other prince as qualified for the Crown Prince position as Adrian.

‘If being physically weak had prevented someone from becoming emperor in the first place, then even His Imperial Majesty wouldn’t have been able to ascend to the throne.’

The nobles belonging to the Imperial Council and those who took issue with Adrian’s health would oppose it, but only briefly.

‘If The 3rd Prince had been appointed it would be one thing, but since Prince the First was ultimately appointed, there would be no grounds for raising objections.’

Compared to the 1st Prince, the 3rd Prince was too pathetic a loser.

Even if they wanted to check The Emperor and The Duke of Crowner, there would be no fool who would support the 3rd Prince when The Emperor had openly designated the 1st Prince.

‘Honestly, there must have been those who had expectations. His Imperial Majesty suddenly started favoring Princess Emilia, and he continued to show interest in The 3rd Prince as well.’

But in the end, things always went according to the natural order.

The Maid Captain put down her small glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose.

The Prince was being well-behaved and the maids she needed to manage were away from their posts, so she was thinking of going to bed early today when it happened.

“I heard that the new Maid Captain of The Second Prince’s Palace does her job well, but she seems to lack vigilance.”

This place was The Maid Captain’s private room.

She had definitely been alone just moments ago.

“Intru….”

The Maid Captain, who had urgently tried to shout and stand up, collapsed right there.

Someone had grabbed the back of her neck and pressed her down to the floor.

“I heard that you too are a person of House of Redcliffe. Then it would be better for you to cooperate with me obediently.”

The Maid Captain exhaled roughly and raised her eyes.

The gray eyes of the one who had pressed down on her neck were looking down at her.

“Everything I do is for 2nd Prince and House of Redcliffe.”

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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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