Tia’s Smooth Life After Regression - Chapter 97

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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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Tiya’s Smooth Regression Life

Chapter 97

It was a minor change, but since the man always wore a mask-like expressionless face, that change felt all the more striking.

It was an unexpected, entertaining morsel to chew on. The Emperor’s eyebrow rose playfully.

“Ever since she started spending time with the young lady of Vladijef, Anaël has become much more lively. She talks about your daughter so much. What does your daughter say about our daughter?”

“They do not spend time together.”

“Even though they’re such an affectionate father-daughter pair who ride in the same carriage to the Imperial Palace?”

“At most, they share morning meals together.”

Morning meals?

The Emperor stared intently at the Count, but he seemed completely unaware of what he had just said.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because you finally look somewhat human.”

“If there is nothing more to command, I shall take my leave.”

Shurkha, who had no intention of entertaining such frivolous talk, rose from his seat.

Just as he bowed silently to the Emperor who gestured for him to withdraw and turned around.

“Count. What do you plan to do after you obtain what you desire?”

The death sentence hadn’t fallen on the Emperor alone.

When the hunt ends, the hunting dogs are boiled.

It sounded nice to be called a ‘loyal hound’ who received the Emperor’s absolute trust, but most audit ministers were cut down along with the Emperor’s reign. Whether it was their political life, or literally their necks.

That’s how many enemies came with the position of audit minister.

However, his expression as he looked back at the Emperor was merely dry. As if even his own death couldn’t stir any emotion.

“…I have not thought about what comes after.”

Thud.

After Shurkha left, the Emperor muttered bitterly.

“He’ll die once he achieves what he wants.”

Clink. The empty wine cup was placed on the table.

Four years ago, Shurkha, who had severed ties with his family and lost everything, suddenly came to find the Emperor.

“I will live and die as Your Majesty’s dog for life. So please grant me the title of the late Count Valoz.”

“Count Valoz met with a mysterious accident just yesterday. To discuss his title before even holding his funeral. Anyone would misunderstand that you killed the Count.”

The Emperor, who had been dumbfounded by such an unreasonable request, hardened his expression at the words that followed.

“I know that he was blinded by greed and Your Majesty personally took his head. I will never covet anything other than the prey my master throws to me.”

“You are…”

Suddenly, the Emperor was at a loss for words.

Shurkha’s eyes looking at him.

He had seen such eyes before – eyes that contained no desire, no emotion, not even lingering attachment or regret.

Duke Vladijef, who had jumped into the conquest war when the Empire was showing signs of defeat and ended the war in just five years, also had such eyes.

In those eyes, you couldn’t find desire, lingering attachment, hesitation, or even traces of human emotion.

They simply moved their bodies mechanically to slaughter enemies in order to achieve their given purpose.

The Emperor swallowed his saliva. Ironically, that’s exactly why Shurkha was suited for the position of loyal hound that was Count Valoz.

Because he wouldn’t be swayed by personal attachments or tainted by others’ desires.

“For someone who was once the heir of a great family to offer himself as a loyal hound. You must surely want something.”

“Please give me the basilisk fruit in the Royal treasury.”

He didn’t know why he wanted the basilisk fruit, or how he had obtained information that the Royal Court possessed it.

Nevertheless, the Emperor accepted his proposal.

Shurkha, who became the Emperor’s loyal hound, fulfilled his role flawlessly.

The Emperor’s enemies became his enemies, and he elevated imperial authority even while becoming the target of countless nobles.

Just as the Emperor had expected, and as he himself had promised, he never touched anything other than the prey his master threw to him.

That’s why the Emperor regarded Shurkha as a trustworthy comrade-in-arms before being his subordinate.

Therefore, it was regrettable. Because he realized that whatever Shurkha was running toward, only self-destruction awaited at the end.

* * *

At that time, in the garden of the Princess’s Palace.

Tiya was having a political secret meeting disguised as tea time with the Princess.

“In the next 10 years, no, if I cling desperately, I’ll become the tower master of the Morning Star Tower within 8 years!”

Anaël looked worried at Tiya’s bold ambition.

“Don’t overdo it too much. If you do that, your stomach won’t survive.”

“Your Highness saying that gives me strength! How have you been lately, Your Highness?”

It was a question with many implications.

Many things had changed since Anaël began receiving successor education.

Unlike before, she could feel people’s gazes wherever she went, and gifts from nobles she had only heard of by name but never seen began arriving at her palace.

Also, an indescribable distance had formed between her and her brother.

She summed up all these changes in one sentence.

“My stomach hurts often…”

“Shall I give you a healing touch?”

“No. When I’m with you, Astiya, it’s fine.”

“Then I’m Your Highness’s healing touch! I’ll come visit more often from now on.”

A faint smile finally appeared on Anaël’s lips, which had looked anxious the whole time.

The two girls parted after sharing their recent news like that.

Perhaps because they finished tea time earlier than usual, Father hadn’t come to pick her up yet.

After pondering for a moment, Tiya came up with a good idea.

“This time, I should go pick up Father!”

Winter, who had been quietly keeping his mouth shut to let Tiya act according to her true nature when meeting with the Princess, let out an “Ah” of admiration.

【That’s a good idea.】

“…”

【Why are you looking at your master with such impure eyes?】

“Because you’re saying something unlike you, Winter. You must have some scheme, right?”

【As if. Don’t you trust this master?】

“Nope.”

Tiya immediately nodded. It wasn’t the first or second time Winter had deceived her.

【This kid has become so cheeky lately. No respect for her master at all. Who taught you such manners?】

“I learned it all from Winter.”

【…】

This time, Winter, who truly had nothing to say, kept his mouth tightly shut.

He had no idea when this bean-sized kid had become so good at talking back.

Tiya, who had successfully gotten one over on Winter, politely asked the Princess’s Palace attendant.

“Could you take me to where my father, that is, Count Valoz, is working?”

“Pardon? Ta, ta, ta, ta, take you to Count Valoz?”

“Not ta-ta-ta-ta-Count Valoz, but Count Valoz.”

When Tiya spoke clearly once again, the attendant, realizing he hadn’t misheard, reverently made the sign of the cross.

Then he answered with a face full of determined resolve.

“I shall escort you. Please follow me.”

While riding in the carriage with the attendant, Tiya stuck her head out the window and persistently watched outside to avoid missing Father.

Fortunately, Vladijef’s carriage was nowhere to be seen, but somehow the atmosphere around them seemed to be growing increasingly ominous.

【Something’s strange. Are we going the right way?】

It didn’t seem like it was just Tiya’s imagination.

The attendant sitting across from her was also completely tense, looking very suspicious.

‘There’s no way a kidnapping would happen in the middle of the Royal Court.’

Just as Tiya and Winter were feeling puzzled, the carriage came to a stop.

“This is the Royal Investigative Bureau where Count Valoz works. I’m sorry, but I’m very timid and cowardly and suffer from anxiety, so I think I can only escort you this far.”

“Ah, yes. Take care!”

The moment Tiya got off the carriage after expressing her thanks, she could understand the attendant’s words to some extent.

【It’s like a den of evil.】

“It looks like a demon lord’s castle.”

Unlike the other buildings that were lavishly decorated, the Royal Investigative Bureau was built simply with stone and dark wood.

Moreover, for some reason, dark clouds were hanging heavily over the Royal Investigative Bureau, making the nickname “demon lord’s castle” seem perfectly fitting.

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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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