Every time he let his guard down, his desire for Cornelia would surge.
He wanted to be with her, to talk with her as much as possible.
He wanted to hear about her life goals and to learn more about the child.
He was curious about the woman he loved and wanted to know everything about her.
Even if the child wasn’t his, he wanted to live happily with both of them.
Maybe he could have achieved that wish.
If only he had treated her better in the past.
<I appreciate you saving me today. But from now on, I’d prefer it if you didn’t interfere in my affairs.>
His heart ached again as he recalled the carriage that had been moving away from him earlier.
But he didn’t even deserve to feel that pain.
She had undoubtedly suffered far more, and all of this was his karma.
It was only natural that she treated him coldly.
‘But I can’t help but interfere in your life because…’
<Duke Blant, I’ll take good care of Cornelia from now on.>
Grit.
Erich clenched his jaw and tightly balled his fists.
Just then, a hawk flew in through the open window.
It was a messenger bird sent by his informant.
The note briefly detailed what Reinhardt had been up to.
Erich’s eyes turned icy.
‘So, Reinhardt investigated the matter Duke Hauzen requested of the Empress in the past… He plans to expose Fritz’s corruption and frame Duke Hauzen at the same time?’
Reinhardt’s intentions were clear.
He planned to assert at the noble council that he alone was fit to be emperor.
As Erich read through the rest of the note, one corner of his mouth curled up.
‘So, he’s trying to use the Grand Madam and Medelin Arzen to drive a wedge between me and Cornelia again.’
Up until now, he had been caught in Reinhardt’s schemes, but he had no intention of falling into his traps any longer.
‘If that’s how you want to play it, I’ll take action myself.’
After changing clothes, Erich threw a black cloak over his shoulders and left the room.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Meanwhile, the Emperor was receiving a report from Marquis Philippe.
“So, you’re saying she has gone to the Blant mansion?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor sighed.
‘Duke Blant… Well, at least she’ll be safe under his protection.’
Though he was far from pleased with his son-in-law, at this moment, he couldn’t have asked for a better guardian.
Knowing Duke Blant’s character, he was certain that he would do whatever it took to protect Cornelia, if only to restore his tarnished reputation.
‘Now, all that’s left is to uncover who’s behind this.’
The Emperor recalled the details of the report.
‘The person who detonated the bomb at the hotel, intending to kill Cornelia’s child, is likely someone within the royal family.’
The Emperor also suspected Reinhardt as the culprit behind the explosion.
‘It’s no coincidence that they found candles like those in his mansion.’
The Emperor’s gaze grew cold as he realized that the loyal dog he had trusted was now baring its fangs at its master.
There was no immediate excuse to get rid of him. But the bigger issue was Reinhardt’s vast power and influence.
‘So, I must choose the next emperor to oppose him… but who should that be?’
Knock, knock.
“Your Majesty, I have something to report.”
It was the chamberlain who interrupted the Emperor’s deep thoughts.
The Emperor nodded and replied, “Come in.”
The chamberlain hurried in, bowed his head, and spoke.
“Your Majesty, the Empress is insistent that Princess Cornelia be brought back to the palace.”
“And why is that?”
“Well…”
Seeing the chamberlain hesitate, the Emperor sighed and said, “Speak freely. I can handle it.”
“She says it’s disgraceful to leave a daughter who abandoned her sacred marital duties and ran away. Furthermore, she claims that Cornelia insulted the Crown Prince and demands punishment.”
The Emperor furrowed his brow, immediately suspecting who was behind this.
‘Fritz must have stirred up his mother again. What a foolish child!’
As if Reinhardt’s unexpected betrayal wasn’t enough to give him a headache, now the Empress and Fritz were causing trouble as well.
‘If his sister says something like that, he should be more careful about his actions, and try to placate her and regain the people’s favor. But instead…’
The Emperor felt even more disappointment toward his already unsatisfactory son.
‘No wonder Cornelia openly declared she wants the Crown Prince replaced! What a useless fool!’
A sense of futility washed over him. He had given Fritz everything he could possibly need, but the result was he had to clean up his grown son’s messes.
“Tell the Empress and Fritz this: if they dare contact or approach Cornelia without my permission, they will be cast out of this palace!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After the chamberlain left, the Emperor turned to Marquis Philippe and asked softly,
“Do you know who Cornelia is thinking of as the next emperor and why she’s talking about replacing the crown prince?”
“Yes, they say it’s Duke Hauzen.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue and furrowed his brow.
“Tch! If we make that weak-willed and indecisive fool the Emperor, the Empire is sure to fall!”
“But aren’t there also the princes of Alsera?”
“Huh? Are you suggesting I make someone who isn’t even an Empire citizen, an Alseran, the Emperor of the Empire?”
“However, you do hold Princess Reda in high regard, don’t you?”
“Yes, but my sister and nephew are one thing, and it’s strange how they all resemble their slippery father rather than their mother. Tch!”
“Wouldn’t Duke Hauzen be a better choice? He may be emotional, but at least he has the character not to harm the two princes.”
“What nonsense! Duke Hauzen is too weak-willed and lacks backbone; he will definitely become a puppet of the Emperor’s faction! And if that happens…”
The Emperor’s eyes glinted dangerously as he continued.
“The nobles of the Emperor’s faction will incite him to eliminate my children, who are a future threat.”
Marquis Philippe let out a deep sigh.
“In the end, there’s no suitable candidate.”
At that moment, an image of an ideal ruler who was strong, wise, and assertive came to the Emperor’s mind.
However, he could not bring himself to utter that name because that person’s weakness was so fatal.
‘Moreover, that child has no power… so Duke Hauzen is indeed a realistic choice.’
After a brief moment of bitterness, the Emperor spoke to Marquis Philippe.
“I think I need some time to ponder this alone. Marquis, you should go home and rest.”
“Understood. Just in case, be sure to check the candles before you sleep.”
The knight who had stood by him and served him since his youth, like the chamberlain, was someone the Emperor trusted the most.
The Emperor chuckled softly and spoke.
“My friend, you don’t need to worry; I will take care of myself, so just go ahead and leave.”
As Marquis Philippe exited the office, the Emperor finally let out a painful cough he had been holding back.
‘Clearing the candles has helped, but I’m already beyond repair. Recovery is impossible now.’
He felt anxious.
He didn’t have much time left, yet he had to determine the fate of the Empire.
The Emperor then thought of Cornelia and murmured with a bitter smile.
“Cornelia, if that child had been a boy… I wouldn’t have to deal with such worries. It’s unfortunate that I’m forced to support the inadequate Fritz.”
Just as he was wearing that bitter expression, a voice suddenly interrupted.
“Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”
Startled by the unexpected voice, the Emperor turned with his decorative sword drawn.
‘Who dares to…!’
As he confirmed the identity of the intruder, the Emperor’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Duke Blant.”
His son-in-law, whom he detested so much, was taking off the hood attached to his cloak, revealing his handsome face.
“Oh, I’m sorry for startling you.”
The Emperor spoke coldly.
“You still lack manners.”
Erich slightly bowed his head and began to speak.
“I had no choice. It would be problematic if our meeting were to become known.”
This was why the Emperor disliked him.
Putting aside their opposing factions and the fact that he always contradicted the Emperor’s wishes, Erich’s attitude and gaze were reminiscent of an assassin ready to strike, capable of slitting his throat and escaping unscathed.
“Then why did you come to see me?”
In response to the Emperor’s straightforward question, Erich dodged the issue instead of addressing it directly.
“I noticed your cough is quite severe. Your lungs seem to be significantly damaged.”
At those words, the Emperor’s veins bulged as he replied,
“Don’t speak so impertinently, you whelp! I could still have you executed for attempted regicide, but I’m sparing your life for the sake of my daughter.”
Erich’s eyes darkened at that.
“I see you still think of her as your daughter. I thought you wouldn’t care about her being sold to a lowly human like me.”
In response, the Emperor pressed his sword against Erich’s neck.
“Do you truly wish to die? You’re provoking me like this is quite brazen.”
Despite the blade at his throat, Erich stood motionless.
As if that mere weapon posed no threat at all.
‘This arrogant bastard!’
In that moment, as the Emperor tightened his grip on the sword, Erich grasped the sword blade with his bare hand, wrapping his aura around it.
Crack!
As the sword shattered, Erich spoke.
“If Fritz becomes Emperor, the Empire will end up like this broken sword.”
“How dare you speak of the Empire’s fate!”
“Yes, regardless of factions, I too have fought for the Empire with my life on the line.”
The undeniable truth made the Emperor bite his lip before glaring at Erich.
“So what is it that you want? Are you here to push forward some other royal to please the noble faction because Fritz is unqualified?”
If he dared to speak nonsense, the Emperor thought he would simply label him an assassin for breaking in to kill him.
Just then, Erich replied,
“To answer your question, Your Majesty, you already know who is suitable to be Emperor. Even if you keep denying it.”
“What? What nonsense are you spouting… Are you perhaps scheming to make Cornelia the Empress… Cough!”
“If that’s what she desires, then that’s what will happen.”
As the Emperor met Erich’s piercing blue eyes, he felt a crushing pressure, as if something enormous was weighing him down.
‘Was it not me who showed mercy… but that guy?’
At that moment, Erich opened his mouth again.
“The choice of the next Emperor is up to you, Your Majesty. I have a different matter to discuss.”
