The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 171

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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 171

While an investigation was being conducted internally within the Empire, the truth was that in the south, why Countess Rexen had assassinated Queen Eimel wasn’t particularly important in itself.

Cadriole wasn’t particularly curious about it either. It was probably Artizea’s doing anyway. Digging into it wouldn’t benefit the Kingdom of Eimel.

What was important to him was that the King had fallen into grief, and at this moment, complete authority over the Eimel Kingdom’s army had fallen into his hands.

And that he had also obtained justification to attack House Riagan.

“Aren’t you going to crush them in one blow?”

Cadriole’s subordinate asked. He found it strange that despite the initial momentum, Cadriole wasn’t actually attacking House Riagan.

“We’re not going to have a real war with the Empire.”

Cadriole said, looking down at the army surrounding House Riagan.

“It would feel good to attack and eliminate House Riagan, but if it becomes a real war with the Empire, it’ll become troublesome. We can’t wound their pride too much.”

Above all, it was impossible to seize all of House Riagan’s assets anyway. It would become a land battle.

“We’ll retreat with our tails between our legs at an appropriate time anyway. The Empire has its dignity, so they won’t just sit back and wait for us to dispose of them just because we have justification.”

Of course, for the Empire’s Emperor to react swiftly right now, this place was too far away.

His subordinate asked again.

“Are you worried about incurring the Cratese Empire’s wrath?”

“Emperor Gregor has aged, but he’s still an Emperor.”

Cadriole playfully kicked up a pebble that had caught on his toe as if playing hacky sack.

“Wounding an old man’s pride is a scary thing. If that old man holds the greatest power in the world. Even so, we can just run away before that happens.”

“This is a hard-earned justification.”

“Taking the entire southern Empire was impossible anyway. We’ve gained everything worth gaining.”

Cadriole laughed with a grin.

The Duke and Duchess of Riagan didn’t have such exceptional abilities, but they knew the southern region fairly well.

The fact that they tried to build their own power meant they had gained that much confidence.

After bringing down such a ducal couple, who would be the next Imperial power holder to take over this place?

The Empress wouldn’t step forward again, and the old House Riagan, with its major roots severed, couldn’t rise again.

Could a newly chosen retainer sent by the Emperor quickly grasp the complex southern affairs entangled with all sorts of small nations?

It would be difficult.

In the meantime, he would overturn the power structure of the south.

Cadriole had already prepared the foundation for doing so.

He had eliminated political enemies within the royal family, gained complete control of the kingdom’s army, and seized real power in place of his despondent father.

The crown prince investiture would also proceed smoothly.

The Cratese Empire would be busy with internal reorganization for a while. He planned to extract every possible benefit during that time.

‘But I really didn’t think Marquess Rosan would have already planted people that far.’

This wasn’t about the assassin.

Cadriole had been able to catch a glimpse of Artizea’s organization planted in the Kingdom of Eimel and the southern Empire this time.

The skill with which they had spirited away the Empress’s relatives and eliminated rumors before the incident began was still extraordinary.

Counting from when her memories returned, not even what could be called a significant amount of time had passed.

‘Would it have been much more profitable to kidnap her after all?’

Cadriole thought about this for a moment, then chuckled.

Even if he had brought her by force, Artizea wouldn’t have become his. Whether as a woman or as a strategist.

Well, hiding her away and admiring her alone would have been one way to enjoy a treasure.

‘What a pity.’

His subordinate’s words interrupted his thoughts.

“A messenger bird is flying away. Should we catch it?”

“Leave it be. Since we’re not really going to attack and eliminate House Riagan, the Duke needs to keep spouting nonsense for the Empire’s interior to become chaotic too.”

“Will the Empire really send troops? Didn’t they say a Southern Subjugation Army was formed?”

“By the time they send it, we’ll already be long gone. We’re not in a position to be newly ashamed of fleeing.”

“That’s true.”

“Let’s properly light a fire under Duke Riagan’s ass. Just thinking about that old man’s frightened face is amusing, isn’t it?”

“Of course.”

His subordinates giggled and laughed.

While neighboring countries generally don’t get along well, House Riagan and the Kingdom of Eimel were even more so.

House Riagan viewed the Kingdom of Eimel as a band of thieves.

The Kingdom of Eimel viewed House Riagan as fools. They thought it was pathetic how they acted arrogantly and tried to play the role of overlord of the southern region despite being powerless at sea.

Though if you asked whether they were actually a band of thieves, that wasn’t quite right either.

* * *

Countess Unise’s audience with the Emperor took place about a week after Lawrence’s return.

This audience was arranged by the Chamberlain.

Letters requesting rescue flew in from House Riagan almost daily.

However, the Kingdom of Eimel had justification. They were seeking to find the culprit of the Queen’s assassination and hold them accountable.

Accepting that demand and allowing House Riagan to be investigated would be a loss of face.

Moreover, regardless of justification, the mere Kingdom of Eimel had dared to raise an army, occupy the Empire’s ports, and attack House Riagan.

However, gathering the Southern Army and sending a subjugation force from the center to wage war wasn’t something that could be easily decided either.

Subjugating pirates and waging war against another nation were different things. Moreover, since the other side had justification, there would inevitably be problems with the army’s morale.

The southern region where House Riagan was located was a long way away. Even with favorable winds, it took twenty days.

There wasn’t enough information to make an immediate judgment. Even with information, there was no guarantee that when countermeasures decided here were sent down, they would be timely and appropriate.

There was a reason why Duke Riagan had been given jurisdiction over southern governance in the first place.

The Emperor was suffering from intense work while waiting for the next information and discussing countermeasures.

Moreover, he was despondent with disappointment in his son.

Unable to bear seeing this, the Chamberlain had invited his daughter and granddaughters to comfort his heart.

When Countess Unise entered the drawing room, the Emperor was receiving a massage. The scent of lavender filled the room.

Undisguisable fatigue showed on the Emperor’s face. As if he also had a headache, his closed eyelids trembled slightly.

He looked as if he had aged several years in just a few days.

“You look tired, Your Majesty.”

“Of course I’m tired. How could I not be tired?”

The Emperor muttered while pressing his wrinkled eyelids with his hand.

“Still, seeing you all makes me feel much better. Come here, give your grandfather a kiss.”

Countess Unise’s two daughters hesitantly approached the Emperor and kissed both his cheeks.

The Emperor seemed to feel better just from that.

The Emperor extended his hand to the masseur. The masseur placed a warm towel on the Emperor’s hand.

The Emperor wiped his face once with it.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“My body is definitely not what it used to be.”

“Shall I massage your shoulders a bit?”

“Would you?”

The Emperor smiled.

Countess Unise gracefully approached the Emperor’s side and began massaging his shoulders.

Her massage couldn’t be more refreshing than the masseur’s. However, it was much better for the Emperor’s mood.

So he sighed even more deeply.

How wonderful it would have been if his adorable child had also been a reliable successor at times like this.

The Emperor had occasionally sighed like this before. It was out of concern for political stability and for the future.

But now he desperately needed a successor who could share half his burden right now.

“You seem deeply troubled.”

Countess Unise said carefully.

“Now that you’ve raised children too, don’t you know? Nothing in the world goes as planned like raising children.”

The Emperor groaned with his eyes closed.

Countess Unise gave no answer. So the Emperor let out a bitter laugh.

“Do you also think Lawrence lacks the qualifications?”

“Lawrence isn’t a foolish child.”

Countess Unise answered only that much.

The Emperor understood the hidden meaning within that answer.

If she had been inclined to think he was worthy of serving as Emperor, Countess Unise would not have answered so indifferently.

Conversely, even if she had been afraid, she would have answered more cautiously than this.

He knew that Lawrence did not possess such outstanding qualities. However, he hadn’t realized he lacked popular support to this extent.

If one lacks popular support, they should at least know how to instill fear, but he couldn’t even do that.

“The foolish one was me. I was the only one struggling desperately.”

The Emperor recalled his conversation with Amelie.

“I humbly say, Your Majesty, while Lord Lawrence is neither dull nor foolish, he is neither generous enough to accept advice nor wise enough to judge the value of counsel.”

When the Emperor rebuked her for giving poor advice when he had hoped she would assist well, Amelie answered without hesitation.

“It is true that I said he would need to resolve the House of Liagan’s problems to gain Her Majesty the Empress’s favor. But how could that have meant to defy Your Majesty’s will and bring down Duke Riagan?”

“Harper.”

“If Lord Lawrence had been wise, he would have come to seek Your Majesty’s permission first. At the very least, he would have realized my statement was dangerous and sought advice from others.”

“Are you saying you tested Lawrence?”

“Several of Your Majesty’s loyal subjects were present at that gathering. If there had truly been disloyal counsel, Your Majesty would have already known. I would have reported it myself.”

Amelie spoke coldly.

“Lord Lawrence either doesn’t know exactly where his power comes from, or he thinks Your Majesty’s authority is his own.”

At those words, the Emperor made a displeased expression.

“Moreover, he likes sweet words and doesn’t know how to let go of views he once considers correct.”

Amelie continued.

“So he only picks and chooses advice from subordinates that suits his taste, and doesn’t know how to judge properly. Even if not this time, he would have made such failures at any point.”

“I said I would pass everything to him. You should have properly looked after Lawrence.”

“I seek someone to follow, not someone to look after, Your Majesty.”

“Harper.”

“I became Your Majesty’s subject because you are worthy of following. Because Your Majesty cherishes him, I tried to lend strength to Lord Lawrence.”

Amelie spoke with a serious expression.

“But I am a soldier, Your Majesty. I am one who exists where lives are at stake. Even with tens of thousands of troops before me, I must be able to charge forward blindly, trusting in the righteousness of the orders given, and I must command my subordinates to do the same.”

Since Amelie didn’t mind being demoted, she said everything she wanted to say.

“How could I follow orders from someone I must look after?”

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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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