The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 61

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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 61
Rachel could barely breathe. There was no way to predict what madness the Empress might utter next.
“Miss Swan.”
“…Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Empress sipped her tea with elegant grace, her gaze settling on Rachel.
“You’re well aware of the Order of Succession, I presume.”
Of course she was. The higher one’s place in the Order of Succession, the greater the chance of becoming Emperor. Lucas, holding the position of Crown Prince, had a place in the Order higher than anyone else’s.
“My son currently stands fourth in the Order of Succession.”
The Empress’s son came after Theo and Noah—fourth in line. Unless something catastrophic occurred, the Empress’s son would have little hope of inheriting the throne.
“I wish for my son to be second in the Order of Succession.”
Changing the Order of Succession itself. A chill ran down Rachel’s spine, and she flinched.
She said nothing in response to the absurd proposal, deciding instead to hear the Empress through to the end.
“Of course, simply telling the Crown Prince such things wouldn’t raise my son’s position in the succession on its own.”
Then why are you even bringing this up! Rachel wanted to shout, but didn’t.
‘The Crown Prince’s words carry weight. If he speaks in an official setting, then the second and third mentions will gain momentum.’
Whatever Rachel thought, the Empress smiled with grace.
“Ask the Crown Prince to state in public that he wishes to change the Order of Succession. If you follow my words, I will believe that the Crown Prince has nothing to do with this matter.”
“…….”
“I won’t demand an answer here—go back and think carefully about it.”
The Empress dismissed her. Rachel rose from her seat with no choice in the matter, though she felt anything but calm.
All the way back to the palace, Rachel’s face remained rigid. She couldn’t fathom where things had gone wrong. And when she even thought about telling Lucas, her head throbbed.
‘Lucas must not be harmed because of my actions.’
Above all else, she wanted to prevent Lucas from suffering consequences for the situation she had created. Rachel bit her lip hard.
‘First, I’ll return to the palace and rush the Textbook work as much as possible. With the Empress making moves like this, there’s no knowing when everything might collapse.’
Rachel quickened her pace and, upon arriving at the palace, spotted the familiar faces of attendants and servants.
‘Those people are Lucas’s attendants and servants…?’
Their presence here meant Lucas was here. Rachel hurried inside the palace.
“Lucas!”
He was reading through the Textbook she had been working on.
“It seems quite complete.”
“Is that so…?”
“I saw writings from Theo and Noah as well. Did those children participate in making the Textbook?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Rachel explained in measured tones about Theo and Noah’s contributions—how they had identified which characters were most difficult to learn from a child’s perspective, and which concepts were hardest to grasp.
Lucas looked at her with genuine interest.
“I never forget how much effort you’ve put in.”
“…Thank you.”
Here Lucas was, speaking to her with such kindness, yet she had to tell him something that made no sense. Rachel drew in a deep breath.
“By the way, I heard you visited the Empress Palace.”
“…Yes?”
“It wasn’t a pleasant visit, surely. The Empress certainly demanded something unreasonable of you.”
“…….”
Lucas understood the situation precisely. Rachel couldn’t move forward or back, caught in uncertainty. Then Lucas stepped a little closer to her side.
“Tell me what the Empress said.”
‘Should I tell him honestly…?’
Rachel fell into thought.
‘Yes. Trusting the Crown Prince is the right choice over trusting the Empress.’
Once her mind was made, Rachel slowly opened her mouth.
“The Empress knew about the Textbook work I’ve been doing. She mentioned that it was a grave mistake to prepare it without His Majesty’s permission.”
“She doesn’t fail to meet expectations,” Lucas said flatly.
His voice was measured and cold.
“To prove that you have nothing to do with this matter, she asked me to have you state publicly that the Empress’s son should be second in the Order of Succession.”
Rachel barely finished speaking and looked up at him. Lucas appeared lost in thought.
“So she thought she could coerce me. That’s interesting.”
“…The Empress had evidence that I was making the Textbook.”
“What kind of evidence exactly?”
“Paper with written questions—things like what was difficult when learning to read, what commoner children should pay attention to when learning letters.”
“Rachel. Don’t worry too much.”
“Don’t worry, you say…?”
“That evidence alone won’t hold. Even if the Empress brings it to His Majesty, there are plenty of ways to slip through.”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes. If we frame it not as a textbook for universal education, but as a book for commoner children who will one day assist the nobility in their work, His Imperial Majesty will have no way of knowing the truth.”
Lucas remained perfectly composed.
“I’ll arrange to meet with His Imperial Majesty before the Empress takes action today.”
A smile played across Lucas’s face—exactly the sort of smile one would expect from him. Rachel couldn’t have been more relieved. His confidence steadied her own.
Lucas rose from his seat, setting aside the textbook work he’d been helping with. He was heading to see the Emperor.
Rachel, at a loss for words, clenched her fists and flashed him a fighting gesture. Lucas caught sight of it and let out a soft laugh.
* * *
Lucas’s footsteps led him toward the Emperor’s Palace. The Emperor, claiming illness, had entrusted his duties to Lucas and taken to rest. Yet to the Emperor, Lucas was nothing more than an uncomfortable regent.
For one thing, he had never trusted Lucas himself. Perhaps because of this, he was forever testing his son and dragging him into troublesome situations.
‘He won’t let this pass easily.’
In any case, a weakness had emerged. From the Emperor’s perspective, he would not wish to simply leave Lucas be. He would certainly seize upon that weakness and use it to orchestrate his own amusement.
‘For now, there’s no choice but to face it head-on.’
Lucas stepped into the Emperor’s Palace. Servants and attendants bowed as he passed. Not a flicker of expression crossed Lucas’s face.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.”
The servant announced Lucas’s entrance in a clear, ringing voice. The door opened, and Lucas stepped through. In that moment, the Emperor came into his view.
The Emperor sat upon a long bed of rest, regarding Lucas intently while clearing his throat. Lucas approached with a gentle smile and stood before him.
“Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Lucas, *cough*—”
The Emperor’s health seemed particularly poor today. Lucas considered that no matter what he said, it might be received with displeasure. He began to speak slowly.
“I’ve come because there is a matter I wished to discuss with you.”
“As I thought. You wouldn’t seek me out without pressing business.”
At a glance, the Emperor’s mood appeared foul. Lucas was just composing his expression to speak again when—
“The Empress has arrived.”
At the news of the Empress’s arrival, Lucas’s brow furrowed involuntarily. Even as it did, the door swung open and the Empress entered.
“Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Empress.”
Unlike Lucas, the Empress enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Emperor. She approached him with playful affection and settled beside him. The Emperor took her hand firmly in his own.
“What brings you here again so soon after this morning?”
“Your Imperial Majesty, I had hoped not to trouble you with worry, yet a most extraordinary matter has driven me to come.”
Most extraordinary.
Lucas immediately grasped what the Empress intended to discuss.
“Empress, speak freely. What has occurred?”
“In truth, it is a matter that involves the Crown Prince as well. Should I speak of it here?”
Though she had already made up her mind before arriving, the Empress feigned hesitation, her lips curving into a smile as sharp as a drawn blade.

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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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