The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 119

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 119
All eyes turned toward Lucas. Rachel, too, found herself watching him. Depending on what conclusion he reached, everything would change.
‘Please, just make the promise. Accept the Imperial Throne.’
The Emperor was the one growing anxious.
From the start, he had never been suited for imperial rule. Elevated to the throne solely because he was the firstborn, complications had festered ever since.
The Emperor himself knew this truth, which was why he had granted his son Lucas considerable authority.
With that authority in hand, Lucas wielded it with unmatched skill. Because of this, every citizen of the Tiernus Empire knew of his capabilities.
Reluctant as he was to admit it, the Emperor had always been a figurehead. He had fought hard to deny it until this very moment, but he could deny it no longer. He simply was not equal to the task.
‘I want to spend my remaining years in peace and comfort. So promise me!’
The Emperor held his breath, waiting for Lucas to speak. Then it came.
“I, too, agree with Your Majesty’s opinion.”
Duke Reus stepped forward and opened his mouth.
“I humbly beseech the Crown Prince to ascend the Imperial Throne and make Tiernus yet more prosperous and strong.”
Duke Reus bowed deeply to Lucas. At once, the other nobles around them followed suit, offering their respects.
“Crown Prince, please ascend to the throne.”
“Crown Prince!”
Their voices united. Rachel held Lucas in her gaze.
Her beloved, shining brighter than anyone in the world.
* * *
“Goodness, you haven’t a shred of sense about you!”
The Nanny cried out in mock alarm, though she could not hide her delight.
The reason was simple: she was preparing for the Coronation Ceremony.
The date of Lucas’s coronation had been set. The high priestess, having received word from the Sun God, announced the day, and everything was hurried into preparation accordingly.
Needless to say, Rachel’s gown was being crafted with equal urgency.
“So many of them?!”
Upon hearing that dozens of dresses were being made, Rachel’s eyes widened. The Nanny nodded as though the question were obvious.
“Of course. You’re becoming the Empress of Tiernus, after all.”
……
The words ‘Empress of Tiernus’ still felt strange on her ears.
‘Me? An Empress?’
She could not quite believe that she would soon hold such a position. Each morning, Rachel woke and tried to distinguish dream from reality. Yet the fact that she would soon become Empress was undeniably true.
‘I was the Crown Princess, so it makes sense that I’d become Empress, but…’
In her heart of hearts, she wondered if this was really allowed. A woman not of this world, rising from the station of a mere Baron’s daughter to Empress—no matter how she turned it over in her mind, it seemed wrong.
‘But it will be alright, won’t it…?’
Rachel tried to give herself reassurance. In truth, it was Lucas who could have steadied her, but his schedule was so demanding that she rarely saw his face. Perhaps that was why she wavered all the more.
“Teacher!”
“Wow, teacher! The dress is absolutely beautiful!”
Theo and Noah, having just entered the room, gasped at the sight of Rachel’s gown. Even Rachel had to admit it was elaborate—it was the main dress she would wear at Lucas’s coronation, after all.
The gown, its golden fabric densely studded with yellow diamonds, commanded attention even from a distance. Simply wearing such a thing felt like an honor in itself.
“Teacher, are the things you told us about going well?”
“We’re so curious!”
Theo and Noah could not contain their questions.
“They’re progressing well. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“It’s still hard to believe my novels will be in so many schools across Tiernus.”
“And that my toys will be there too.”
Rachel gently ruffled the heads of the two bright children.
Even amid the chaos, Rachel had devoted herself to establishing the academy. She had introduced Noah’s novels and Theo’s toys to those who shared her vision. In the end, both their works had become part of the school.
“I can’t wait for the school to open.”
“I hope other children have fun playing with my toys.”
The two children’s imaginations soared.
What had those children been like at first? They’d turned the Swan Knight Academy into chaos, fought so fiercely with the other students—and now they’d grown so dependably. She could hardly believe it.
‘I’m truly grateful.’
She was thankful to them for following her wishes so well, for growing so wonderfully. Rachel regarded the two children warmly, wishing that happiness would fill all their tomorrows.
* * *
It was a beautiful night. After a day spent rushing through one task after another, Rachel at last found peace.
‘Perhaps I’ll take an evening walk.’
It was her habit to walk at night when she needed to gather her thoughts. She believed there was nothing quite as calming and restorative as a walk, and so she made her way through the Imperial Garden.
The garden was full of flowers. They would have been more beautiful in daylight.
But the thought soon passed. If it were day, she’d never have had such leisure to admire them. Now, in this moment, their beauty felt all the more precious.
One step. Another step.
She walked out of the Imperial Garden.
She had been savoring the quiet, lost in her own thoughts, when
she sensed someone’s presence nearby.
It might have been a servant or an attendant, but Rachel could guess who had approached her.
“…Lucas.”
“Rachel.”
It was Lucas who had come to her side.
Rachel naturally linked her arm through his. In truth, it wasn’t common for her to take his arm like this—she usually held his hand instead.
But today, for some reason, she wanted to walk arm in arm with him. Rachel smiled softly, drinking in the sight of him.
A person so luminous.
When she first met him, she never imagined they would become entangled like this. Back then, she’d had only one thought: that she must repay her debt. Now, she found it hard to imagine a life without him.
“What were you doing?”
Lucas asked gently. Rachel looked at him and slowly opened her mouth.
“I was organizing my thoughts.”
“Hmm? Organizing your thoughts?”
“Yes.”
Rachel answered honestly.
“And what thoughts were you organizing?”
Lucas asked her.
“Um… may I speak freely?”
“By all means.”
“I was thinking that I never imagined things would turn out like this between you and me.”
Rachel spoke with a hint of embarrassment. At that, Lucas let out a clear, warm laugh.
“Perhaps I foresaw this ending from the moment I first saw you.”
“What?”
“I felt a strong sense that you were different from everyone else.”
Lucas spoke matter-of-factly.
“Rachel.”
“…Yes, Lucas.”
Rachel felt her cheeks flush at his confession—or rather, what was almost a confession. Her voice grew quieter.
“There’s something I wish to tell you.”
“What is it…?”
Lucas gazed at her, his steady eyes holding nothing but her.
Standing before Rachel, he slowly, very slowly, lowered himself onto one knee.
“Rachel Swan.”
……
“Will you marry me?”
Lucas gently took her left hand and slipped a ring onto her fourth finger.
Rachel froze completely, unable to speak, her eyes fixed only on the ring adorning her hand.
“Rachel.”
Lucas called to her softly. Rachel lowered her head slightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
It was such a joyful moment, yet tears kept falling inexplicably.
“Don’t cry.”
The back of Lucas’s hand brushed away the tears from her eyes. More fell. Rachel bit her lip hard to hold back the sobs that threatened to burst forth.
“I will wait for your answer as long as it takes.”
Lucas whispered tenderly.
Now, finally, she wanted to give him an answer. Rachel slowly parted her lips.
“…Yes, Lucas. Please… marry me.”
“Rachel.”
Lucas rose to his feet. His warm hands cupped her cheeks.
Rachel knew all too well what would happen next.
She closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his lips meeting hers.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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