The Prince’s Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 70

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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 70. Princess, Bridget Crowner (2)

“Reason?”

Edwin muttered, repeating the girl’s words.

“I, I told you my name!”

When he shouted as if feeling wronged, the girl chuckled.

“Ah, so I have to tell you mine too?”

The girl approached Edwin step by step.

Flustered, Edwin stepped back little by little as she drew closer.

“Uh, you’re getting too close…”

“I am destined to become the Empress.”

“Em, Empress?”

Edwin’s mouth fell wide open.

“That’s right. I was born to become the Empress.”

The girl lifted her chin proudly.

“So a knight who hasn’t even received a title yet isn’t in a position to dare ask my name.”

It was quite an arrogant statement.

However, to the girl, those words seemed perfectly natural.

Despite being just a child, she looked so noble and dignified that the position of Empress suited her perfectly.

“So.”

The girl pressed her index finger firmly against the center of Edwin’s chest as he stared at her with a dazed expression.

“Come find me after you’ve become strong enough to earn at least a title.”

The girl smiled brilliantly.

Like midsummer sunlight.

“Then I might let you call my name.”

With those final words, the girl turned away without hesitation.

“W, wait!”

“Consider it an honor! There aren’t many people in the entire Empire who can call my name!”

The girl disappeared like that.

Edwin lowered the hand he had unconsciously extended.

The young prince clutched his chest.

“What’s this, I wasn’t even running…”

Somehow his heart seemed to be beating faster than usual.

* * *

Today was the day of the hunting competition hosted by The Emperor.

Edwin didn’t look well.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

It was understandable. The hunting grounds were bustling with people as if all the nobles of the Empire had attended.

Edwin averted his gaze whenever he made eye contact with the nobles who had arrived earlier.

“You know, it feels like everyone’s staring at me. Is it just my imagination?”

“It doesn’t seem to be just your imagination.”

Indeed, there were quite a few gazes watching this way.

From those glaring with openly hostile eyes to those secretly stealing curious glances.

The 3rd Prince Edwin was truly the center of everyone’s attention here.

‘They must have heard the rumors that The Emperor personally summoned him.’

Rumors travel faster than galloping horses. Especially in noble society.

The fact that Edwin was receiving The Emperor’s attention would have already reached their ears and more.

‘From their perspective, it wouldn’t have been very welcome news.’

Most of the Empire’s nobles were already divided into the 1st Prince Faction and 2nd Prince Faction.

In that situation, the emergence of a third force would only be troublesome for both sides.

Empress Helena seemed to feel the same way.

She was sending murderous glares from up ahead along with her son Lloyd.

‘Could those guys have been sent by that woman too?’

I recalled the fellows who had now disappeared as fertilizer in Seiji’s vegetable garden.

‘The human hunters, Gilbert Brothers.’

But they were quite lowly types to associate with a noble lady like Empress Helena.

‘I should have thoroughly investigated who was behind them before dealing with them.’

Perhaps facing similar types after so long had clouded my judgment without me realizing it.

If I had known this would happen, I should have at least tried truth serum on them.

But they had already become excellent nourishment for the poisonous plants Seiji was growing, so regretting it now was pointless.

As I was reflecting on my rash actions, someone approached us.

“Have you arrived, Your Highness?”

“Philip, the Count!”

Edwin’s face lit up when he saw Vice-Captain Philip.

He had been praising him endlessly since the first day of training for continuously helping him.

His delight was clearly visible.

‘That guy has his peculiar sides too.’

Philip had approached Edwin without minding anyone’s opinion when the other royals hadn’t arrived yet.

He seemed rigid, but at times like this, he appeared to have no prejudices, which made him peculiar.

“You’re participating too?”

“I’m a count after all, so I have no choice. The captain threatened that he wouldn’t let it slide if I didn’t participate this time either.”

Philip glanced around lightly with a displeased expression.

“I absolutely hate occasions like this.”

“Still, I’m glad to meet you here. I was incredibly nervous until just now.”

At the young prince’s words, Philip’s eyes widened slightly before returning to normal.

“…I am honored.”

As he turned his head after the greeting, his gaze met mine.

“It’s been a while, Brown Lordling.”

“Yes, well.”

“I was quite surprised to hear you were coming as an attendant.”

“I see.”

Perhaps my insincere response irritated him.

Philip’s tone became slightly sharp.

“Well, it might be a difficult occasion for a caretaker, but I hope you can assist His Highness well.”

“I’ve been assisting him well from the beginning, so don’t worry too much about it.”

Of course, I wasn’t one to be shaken by such a youngster’s words.

“…Then that’s fortunate. Your Highness, I’ll return to my seat now.”

Perhaps sensing the awkwardness between us two.

Edwin hurriedly waved at Philip.

“Yes, go ahead quickly!”

“Then.”

Philip gave a light bow and leisurely disappeared into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Philip’s appearance threw the nobles into even more confusion.

“Wasn’t that just now Philip, the Count?”

“The vice-captain of The Gloria Knight Order…”

“I heard he’s Count Crowner’s closest aide, but I didn’t know he’d be so young…”

“A commoner who received a count title purely through merit? That’s impressive.”

“Could that be purely due to skill? It’s all because The Duke supports him from behind…”

“But why would such a person approach The 3rd Prince…”

They murmured, speculating about the relationship between The 3rd Prince and the vice-captain.

Edwin’s shoulders shrank even more.

As I was pondering how to comfort the still dejected boy.

A loud cheer came from not far away.

“Count Crowner, it’s been so long!”

“Your Grace, do you remember me? My son also participated in the Eraneia Mountains subjugation before…”

“It’s an honor to meet the Sword of the Empire!”

It was the appearance of the Sword of the Empire, Count Crowner.

Whether on the battlefield or in private settings, Count Crowner’s presence was always the same.

The Duke was nodding casually with a good-natured smile at the nobles’ greetings.

Even at that small gesture, the nobles were acting as if they had received tremendous favor.

I wonder if they know that he actually finds them quite bothersome.

“Oh!”

Edwin, who had been quietly still until then, suddenly let out an exclamation.

“What’s wrong, Your Highness?”

“No, it’s just…”

The boy was fidgeting restlessly like a puppy that needed to relieve itself.

‘Why is he suddenly acting like that?’

I turned my eyes to follow where his gaze was directed.

There was a young girl there.

She was a maiden like a spring rose that matched well with today’s bright weather.

The child mounted on a pure white horse held her head high and didn’t give anyone a glance.

“That’s the Crauner Ducal Princess. What brings her to such a place.”

“She probably came to see the Duke off. They’re famous for being close as father and daughter, aren’t they.”

“A daughter isn’t even family once she marries anyway. The Duke’s love for his child is truly exceptional.”

“Be quiet. You could get severely punished by the Duke if he hears such talk.”

The Crauner Ducal Princess.

So that child is the Duke’s daughter that Seiji mentioned.

As expected of blood relations, her fierce yet indifferent eyes resembled Jerome quite a bit.

But other parts showed no resemblance to the Duke, being delicately and intricately cute, suggesting she would become a great beauty when grown.

It seemed the Duchess’s blood had worked very hard for the second generation.

“Either way, she’s going to be the next Empress, so it’s best to be careful.”

“Nothing’s decided yet, is it? If the 1st Prince ascends to the throne, it would all be for nothing.”

“That’s something we can’t know.”

Then, the conversation of nobles passing by me reached my ears.

“Actually, the Crowner Princess and the 1st Prince share virtually no blood. So even if the 1st Prince ascends to the throne, the Crowner Princess could still become Empress.”

The fact that Jerome wasn’t a legitimate heir seemed to have already become an open secret among the nobles.

But to bring up such talk in the presence of the person himself – was that proper or improper?

Anyway, you have to give it to these noble bastards for playing lowly games while pretending to be refined.

‘Well, maybe it has nothing to do with being noble. Speaking carelessly when you think no one can hear might be a human instinct regardless of status.’

I just looked at them pathetically without a word.

“Still, how can cousins marry each other?”

“Well, incest isn’t legally prohibited in this country. They share virtually no blood anyway.”

“My good man! How long has incestuous marriage been taboo as anti-human! How could the Duke, who cherishes his daughter so much, do such a thing!”

“You never know with people’s affairs. Already among the noble ladies, rumors are rampant that the Crowner Princess will become Empress regardless of who ascends to the throne.”

“If that’s true, it’s really…”

The nobles glanced toward where Jerome was with disgusted expressions.

“Count Crowner, I didn’t see him that way.”

To be gossiping about rumors that might not even be true.

‘And with a child right in front of them.’

Looking at them pathetically was brief.

I turned my head back toward Edwin.

The boy was still fidgeting his bottom while looking toward the Ducal Princess.

At this point, I couldn’t not ask.

“Your Highness, are you acquainted with the Crauner Ducal Princess?”

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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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