The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 51

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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 51
“The Crown Prince’s right hand?”
“Yes. A very formidable one, at that.”
The Nanny’s eyes gleamed as she regarded Rachel. Rachel waited quietly for what came next.
“Do you know of the Crown Prince’s fiancée?”
“His fiancée?”
“They’ve been engaged for two years now. Her name is Katie Teyson. She comes from a very prestigious family.”
If he was engaged to a noblewoman from such a prominent house, wasn’t that a good thing? Rachel tilted her head in confusion.
“The problem is that Duke Teyson has sided with the Empress.”
“Ah… I see.”
The picture was becoming clearer. From what she could gather, Crown Prince Lucas was trapped in an unwanted engagement. And his fiancée was allied with the Empress—someone who stood against him. Needless to say, such a situation could hardly be comfortable.
“I wish to support the Crown Prince with all my heart. But I’m only a nanny—what can someone like me truly do? However, I know that you are different.”
“Different, you say?”
“I’ve heard that you possess the skill of Mana Operation. And you’re planning to enter the Magic Tower.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Please demonstrate your Mana Operation more powerfully than anyone else, and show those Magic Tower mages exactly what you’re made of. Most of them, after all, are in Duke Teyson’s camp.”
The Nanny brought her hands together respectfully before her and bowed deeply. When Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise, the Nanny lifted her head and smiled warmly.
“I support the Crown Prince more sincerely than anyone else. For his sake, I would stop at nothing. To me, he is like my own child.”
“I care deeply for the Crown Prince too. Though perhaps not quite as much as you do.”
“I’m so grateful to hear you say that.”
The Nanny pushed a cake across the table toward Rachel as she continued.
“The Crown Prince has many good people around him, but he has just as many enemies. That’s why I worry constantly. To know that someone so reliable stands beside him—it puts my mind at ease.”
Sincerity filled every word the Nanny spoke. Rachel could feel the depth of her devotion to the Crown Prince.
Suddenly, Rachel thought of her mother.
‘My mother was just as selfless for me.’
Once her mother came to mind, the Nanny’s image began to overlap with hers. Within moments, the two figures merged completely. The longing for her mother, whom she hadn’t seen in so long, mingled with the growing affection she felt for the Nanny.
Without thinking, Rachel pressed her lips together firmly. She had to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.
“May I trust you, teacher?”
At the Nanny’s question, Rachel nodded at once. She had always wanted to stand beside Lucas anyway.
But now there was one more person she wanted to stand with. That kind woman sitting across from her. She didn’t want to disappoint her.
“I’m truly grateful. The Crown Prince holds each and every person close to his heart.”
The Nanny rose from her seat and came to Rachel, clasping her hand firmly—though the moment passed in an instant. Her face was radiant with joy.
“There is so much I wish to tell you, teacher. For one, the Crown Prince’s fiancée, Katie Teyson.”
The Nanny spoke slowly. Rachel found herself tensing involuntarily.
“She is a woman of considerable notoriety within the Imperial Palace.”
“What sort of notoriety?”
“It would be easier to find rumors she hasn’t been involved in.”
The Nanny exhaled softly.
“She already carries herself as though she were the Empress herself, naturally. And she makes a habit of acting as she pleases under the Crown Prince’s name. If she dislikes someone, she casts aside even nobles without hesitation.”
It was a damning assessment—hardly praise by any measure. As the fiancée of the future ruler, she had clearly grown emboldened.
“I truly fear what will happen if such a woman becomes Empress someday.”
Hearing this, Rachel felt the same dread settle over her. Being friendly with the Empress would mean danger for Theo and Noah.
The thought that her disciples might be put at risk made Rachel’s brow furrow involuntarily.
“Above all else, Miss Katie will suspect the relationship between you and the Crown Prince.”
“Suspect our relationship? What… sort of relationship?”
“She will believe the Crown Prince takes a great interest in you.”
“Will he really…?”
“Not just Katie, but others will think the same. It’s because the Crown Prince has never brought a woman into the Imperial Palace before.”
Rachel was aware that Lucas bringing her into the palace was no ordinary occurrence. Still, the realization that she was drawing more attention than she’d anticipated made her slightly uneasy.
“Teacher, I intend to do everything in my power to support you. No matter how coldly others may look upon you, I am confident I can shield you from them. So please, even if adaptation proves difficult, I ask that you find strength.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll do exactly that.”
Rachel affirmed without hesitation.
She had already steeled herself when entering the palace. There was no reason to expect that everyone here would be kind to her.
And indeed, the Imperial Palace was exactly as she’d anticipated—a jungle of competing interests.
‘I’m so grateful someone like the Nanny is here.’
Without a steadfast ally like her, Rachel might never have dared to ask a single question. Lucas was consumed with his duties, and the children were still too young to grasp the palace’s politics.
‘I must rely on the Nanny and Lucas, and do everything I can to endure.’
She had entered the palace with the grand dream of universal education. Of course, achieving what she desired would require some sacrifice.
‘But even that sacrifice has meaning when I think of the children spending their days on the streets.’
Rachel clenched her fists, resolve hardening within her. From now on, she would keep her wits about her more than ever.
* * *
Deep within the Imperial Palace, the ministers of each department sat rigidly in their seats, their faces drawn tight.
These high-ranking officials, whose names alone would astound most people, all kept their gaze fixed on the man seated in the middle.
“It’s the first time you’ve all stared at me with such fervor. Regardless of political faction, I might add.”
Lucas spoke with deliberate indifference, and at his words, one of the nobles who had been fidgeting spoke up carefully.
“Your Highness, we’ve heard that you intend to levy taxes on the Nobility as well….”
“Your ears seem to be functioning properly. Or perhaps it’s simply a matter so vital to you that you couldn’t possibly ignore it.”
“With all respect, Your Highness! Taxes on the Nobility? Surely you jest!”
Someone cried out in protest, and the nobles seated nearby nodded in agreement.
“For centuries, the greatest distinction between the Nobility and commoners in this empire has been whether one bears the Tax Obligation or not. If the Nobility must now shoulder the Tax Obligation, what would separate them from the common people?”
The man with crimson hair and dark eyes seated closest to Lucas—that was Teyson, the Duke.
He was barely restraining the fury rising within him, clinging to composure through sheer force of will. Yet already, fine red capillaries traced patterns across his eyes.
“Your Highness, I would humbly suggest you reconsider this matter….”
“The empire’s current tax revenues are deemed sufficient, are they not?”
“I foresee the Nobility throughout the empire rising in rebellion, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Duke Teyson had no need to speak further. The other nobles who followed him began voicing their opposition in turn. Even the nobles who had supported Lucas seemed to nod reluctantly in agreement.
“If I may be so bold as to inquire—once you’ve levied taxes on the Nobility, what use do you intend for such vast resources?”
Duke Teyson, who had been silent for some time, spoke again. At his question, Lucas slowly rested his chin in his palm.
At length, he opened his mouth.
“Well then. What would you do, if you were in my position?”

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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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