The Villainess Lives Twice - Chapter 267

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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 267

The Emperor was immediately moved to his bedchamber.

A guard knight carried the Emperor on his back. The attendants ran ahead to clear the corridor and summon the court physician.

Cedric followed behind them.

The chaos was tremendous. Prime Minister Lin, his face turned deathly pale, ordered the meeting room door to be closed.

Fortunately, today’s meeting was attended only by high-ranking officials.

“This matter must be kept secret.”

Lin said.

“But Prime Minister.”

“Think about the Empire’s current situation. What chaos would arise if even rumors spread that His Majesty has collapsed.”

The western warlords would stir, and the eastern rebels wouldn’t remain idle either.

In contrast, a considerable portion of the military forces were deployed to the south.

Among the foreign envoys who attended the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony, some still remained in the capital.

Not to mention the envoys, how many foreigners were staying in the Imperial Capital for trade purposes.

Though Cedric had been invested as Crown Prince, it was just the beginning. He could hardly be said to have firmly established his position.

The Emperor had held power alone and reigned until now. His absence would immediately create a vacuum in the Empire’s politics.

“He may wake up soon. Don’t create unnecessary commotion, return to your positions and be faithful to your duties.”

The officials nodded.

The meeting was dismissed. Lin was the first to head toward the Emperor’s bedchamber.

The officials gathered their documents and notes and headed to their respective offices.

And very quietly, carefully so as not to cause misunderstandings, they had such conversations only with close associates.

“He was such a robust person, when did he become like this…”

“Though he is getting on in years.”

“He wasn’t the same as before. He kept worrying about succession…”

“Even so, this suddenly?”

“There were many things that troubled his heart.”

Various whispers were exchanged.

“Come to think of it, he changed his personal physician several times.”

The Emperor had been suffering from several chronic conditions for years. He had long been concerned about high blood pressure, and he also had diabetes.

Probably there were other minor symptoms that people didn’t know about for certain.

However, no one was greatly concerned.

Who doesn’t live with one or two such ailments as they age? It’s a matter of managing them well.

The Emperor was a hedonist, but he wasn’t someone who lived carelessly at the expense of his health.

“These past few days, he did show signs of struggling more.”

An official from the Department of Internal Affairs whispered.

“When we reported the news about the fire at the port too. Normally he would have gotten up from bed immediately and come out.”

What had happened inside the bedchamber during the time it took for him to regain consciousness and recover his judgment before coming out?

The officials had such questions.

At the same time, they felt relieved.

“It’s fortunate that this happened after he established the heir.”

“Shh. Watch your words.”

Someone cautioned.

“I understand what you mean by fortunate, but you could be misunderstood if you’re not careful. His Majesty might shake it off and get up within a day or two.”

However, even the one saying this didn’t believe his own words.

Everyone had an uneasy feeling that this was too serious to be such a light matter.

When Prime Minister Lin entered, the Emperor’s bedchamber was eerily silent.

The court physician was examining the Emperor. Standing beside him were Cedric and Gayan.

The chamberlain was removing the Emperor’s socks and personally massaging his feet.

Because secrecy had to be maintained, only they were inside the bedchamber.

From outside the bedchamber to the corridor, servants and imperial guards were standing watch without a gap.

“Her Majesty the Empress is entering.”

Soon the Empress arrived.

The door closed silently behind the Empress.

Cedric turned to look at her and bowed silently. Lin and Gayan also bowed their heads quietly in greeting.

The Empress gave the three men a brief glance and looked toward the bed. However, she didn’t come inside but stood at the doorway.

The Empress was wearing a black dress today as well. There was no special meaning to it.

She still spent most of her daily life in black clothes that resembled mourning attire.

But given the situation, it looked strange. The Empress standing at the doorway looked like a messenger of death.

Lin quickly shook off such thoughts. Thoughts dominate words and actions. Not having dangerous thoughts was the secret to not acting wrongly.

“How is Gregor’s condition?”

The Empress asked without being particularly shocked, saddened, or for that matter, pleased.

Of course, it would be foolish to take her attitude at face value.

The court physician finished his examination and stood up. His complexion was blackened with fear.

“The immediate crisis has passed. I cannot be certain, but… I suspect that his blood vessels narrowed and blood couldn’t circulate to his head.”

“Is that all? There was no conspiracy involved?”

“His blood pressure was already high and his blood had become thick and sticky. His urine was also sweet.”

Such chronic conditions don’t heal. They gradually worsen with age and are bound to flare up eventually.

“Still, he took his medicine well and managed his health properly. He could have lived healthily for at least another ten years.”

“Recently, he was mentally stressed in various ways and neglected exercise. He drank a lot. He often said he was tired.”

The chamberlain spoke very slowly.

“Still, how could this happen so suddenly…”

The court physician was the most bewildered.

Recently his symptoms had been unpredictably erratic for unknown reasons. But it wasn’t to the degree that he would suddenly collapse like this.

Gayan spoke to the court physician with a shadowed face.

“The cause is important, but more urgent right now is when he might wake up.”

“Ah…”

The court physician was at a loss.

Lin also nodded.

Determining the cause was important, but when the Emperor could get up was also crucial.

The question of how long this matter should be kept secret was at stake.

The court physician’s face turned deathly pale.

“I cannot tell at this point whether the medicine took effect in time or not. If he wakes up by tomorrow, he will recover. But even if he recovers, it will be difficult for him to get up as healthily as before.”

“But he will wake up, right?”

“Probably…”

Lin unconsciously let out a long sigh.

Cedric also covered his eyes with his hand.

“It would be best to hide this matter for a while.”

“Yes. While it might be unavoidable that he’s unwell, it would be problematic if it became known that he collapsed.”

Prime Minister Lin answered Cedric’s words.

Gayan asked.

“What will you do about the others?”

“Others?”

“Those living far away can’t be helped, but shouldn’t we inform Countess Unise?”

“It would be better not to inform anyone until his condition changes. When there are more ears that hear, there are also more mouths that speak.”

Even as Lin spoke, he was seized by a strange feeling.

If this had been a few years ago, Milaire would have been sitting by his bedside. And Lawrence would have been there as his son.

At that time, Countess Unise and her daughters would also have been summoned. News would have been sent to the daughter living far away.

Whatever the emotions involved, Duke Loigar would also have been standing in a corner of the bedchamber as his younger brother. The Prince’s Consort would also have approached the bedside to offer words of comfort.

But only the Empress and Cedric were present in this place.

Only the Empress, who had been left as an empty shell for political reasons, and the Crown Prince, who had been adopted as a son out of political necessity only to be kept in check again.

Emperor Gregor still remained, but the human Gregor was gone.

And even the Empire he had tried to grasp tightly was slipping from his hands. If the Empire were stable, there would be no reason to treat the Emperor’s illness with utmost secrecy.

He had daughters remaining, but they wouldn’t even be allowed to enter the place where important decisions were made, let alone share confidential information.

That’s what legitimate inheritance rights meant.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Rin called out to Cedric, who was looking down at the unconscious Emperor.

Cedric raised his head.

The Empress spoke.

“Why do you have such a weak expression on your face?”

“Your Majesty the Empress…”

“The Emperor has collapsed. It would be good if he opens his eyes within a day or two, but if he doesn’t, you must naturally take his place.”

“…”

Cedric looked at the Empress with indescribable feelings.

Prime Minister Rin nodded his head.

“Her Majesty the Empress’s words are not wrong.”

“I know.”

Of all times, the Emperor had to collapse during such a precarious period when the country was in danger from all directions.

No matter how hard Cedric tried, it would be difficult to completely erase the Emperor’s absence and replace him immediately.

However, from another perspective, it was also an opportune time as if blessed by heaven.

Not long after the Crown Prince investiture ceremony, the Emperor had begun to keep him in check.

If there had been more time, the hostile forces the Emperor cultivated would have increased. Then, even after ascending the throne, they would surely become troublesome throughout the early reign.

The Empress narrowed her eyes and asked.

“Don’t tell me you lack resolve?”

“No.”

Cedric answered briefly.

He had made his resolve long ago. Not when he returned and met Artizea again, but even before that.

It was when he thought he must bring down Lawrence, even if it meant becoming a despicable person, even if it meant remaining a villain for generations.

Rin interjected.

“Let’s observe a little longer. His Majesty might open his eyes in just a few hours, don’t you think?”

In his cautious thinking, it was still too dangerous for such talk to be exchanged.

To protect Cedric, it should properly be done by having him jointly petition with nobles and officials for a regency when they were certain.

At Rin’s words, the court physician’s mouth moved slightly. However, he said nothing.

Cedric spoke.

“Your words are right. Until His Majesty opens his eyes, let’s postpone the matters decided in meetings for now. I’ll only handle the annual routine matters and very urgent issues.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Count Gayan, make sure this fact doesn’t spread to the Imperial Guard as much as possible.”

“I’ll inform only the guard knights and have them directly guard the bedroom.”

“You’ll need to pay attention to the escort as well.”

“Yes. I’ll arrange to deploy mainly those who already learned of the situation today.”

“Good. Thank you for your trouble.”

Gayan withdrew from the bedroom, saying he needed to summon the guard knights.

Rin approached Cedric and spoke in a small voice close to a whisper.

“I’ll control the officials as much as I can. But I can’t do anything about inside the Imperial Palace. Especially His Majesty’s investigative organization…”

Cedric nodded his head.

The Emperor’s secret organization would certainly move in hostility against him.

‘Whether you left knowing or not knowing, this is exactly when you’re needed.’

Cedric muttered this to himself in his heart.

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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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