After the Wicked Wife Leaves

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Translated by: Alina

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Cornelia took a sip of her tea before speaking.

 

“Your Majesty, the flavor of this tea is excellent. Is it made from young leaves?”

 

The Emperor replied as he set down his teacup.

 

“Princess, I didn’t summon you here to critique tea.”

 

“Oh, I unknowingly made a mistake because the tea flavor was so good.”

 

Cornelia sighed softly.

 

“Your Majesty must have been disappointed because I haven’t been in touch.”

 

“To be honest, I was somewhat disappointed. But I’m glad you finally reached out.”

 

Though it was empty praise, Cornelia still accepted it happily.

 

“Thank you for saying so. Actually, I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for me to reach out, considering my lack of manners. Your Majesty probably already knows, but I was once in love with Duke Blant.”

 

The Emperor expressed his doubts upon hearing Cornelia’s words.

 

“Was once in love? Does that mean you no longer love him now?”

 

“Yes, now I understand. No matter how hard I try, I cannot become the wife of Duke Blant.”

 

The Emperor’s brow furrowed.

 

That statement sounded like an insult to the princess.

 

Although she had foolishly volunteered to enter the Blant family, she was still of royal blood.

 

“What do you mean? Are you daring to suggest that Blant has disregarded you?”

 

The Emperor’s somewhat angry tone surprised Cornelia. 

 

Soon, she nodded slowly.

 

“Yes, for the past 5 years, I have been treated worse than a guest.”

 

“Worse than a guest?”

 

“Yes, I even wondered if those below me considered me as Medaline von Arzen rather than myself; such was my feeling.”

 

The Emperor’s brow furrowed further. Then a sharp question came from him.

 

“Did Arzen and Duchess Blant have an affair?”

 

The Schwanhild Empire, where Emperor Siegfried and Empress Odette’s relationship had been particularly good, adopted a strict monogamous system and strictly prohibited extramarital affairs by law.

 

If they had committed adultery with the princess involved, the Emperor would have a justification to intervene directly and punish them.

 

However, instead of affirming, Cornelia replied with a bitter smile.

 

“There is currently no clear evidence to accuse them of adultery. What I mean to say is that they are intimate enough to make me uneasy.”

 

Finally understanding Cornelia’s intention, the Emperor raised one corner of his mouth.

 

‘I have tolerated their closeness due to business reasons, but it’s true that Arzen’s lack of boundaries as the Crown Prince’s aide is concerning.’

 

Even if she were to become the future Emperor’s aide, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t harbor other intentions.

 

“Keep an eye on Arzen in the future. But this isn’t a weakness, is it?”

 

In response to the Emperor’s straightforward question, Cornelia nodded slowly.

 

“Of course, I will surely expose his weakness if Your Majesty agrees to my terms.”

 

“How dare you set conditions for me?”

 

In normal parent-child relationships, such behavior might be tolerated, but in the royal family, such impertinence is not overlooked.

 

For a monarch who must control every situation, being swayed by others implies incompetence.

 

However, despite knowing that his daughter was being led astray, the Emperor felt not discomfort but curiosity rising within him.

 

“Well, it’s probably best to hear what it is first and then make a decision.”

 

“So, what is this condition?”

 

Finally caught!

 

Concealing her desire to laugh, Cornelia calmly spoke.

 

“I plan to leave the Blant estate soon.”

 

The Emperor’s face, which had been indifferent until now, showed bewilderment.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

But Cornelia continued without hesitation.

 

“At that time, I would like Your Majesty to hide me from Duke Blant.”

 

The Emperor’s eyes widened.

 

‘She plans to leave the Duke’s residence and wants me to hide her?’

 

Gradually, the Emperor’s face twisted.

 

‘Is she daring to manipulate me now?’

 

Currently, the Blant estate is not under the control of the royal family but rather acts independently.

 

However, if Cornelia were to disappear without explanation?

 

Certainly, the Blant estate would hold the royal family responsible for the princess’s actions.

 

‘And what if, by some chance, he finds out that I, her father, was involved in her disappearance?’

 

The Blant estate would use that as an excuse to protest against the royal family and incite the nobles.

 

The Emperor looked at his daughter, who spoke without thinking.

 

‘Foolish girl, you seemed more noble-minded when you were younger.’

 

But to expect so much from a daughter who is not even the apparent heir is rather ambitious.

 

Therefore, the Emperor explained to his daughter calmly.

 

“If I were to agree to this condition, it might become a weakness for me. If you leave the estate, the blame will squarely fall on me.”

 

Then, with a tinge of sarcasm, he urged his daughter.

 

“Why not create evidence of adultery and use divorce as leverage to pressure him?”

 

Cornelia shook her head.

 

“No, that’s too risky. As I said, there is not enough evidence, and their reputation in society is very favorable.”

 

As the Emperor nodded in agreement, Cornelia continued.

 

“If you agree to my condition, I can certainly create Blant’s weaknesses.”

 

“Even I tried to find Blant’s weaknesses, but all attempts failed. Are you saying you can do what I couldn’t?”

 

Then, after hesitating for a moment, Cornelia spoke up.

 

“I’m pregnant with his child.”

 

At that moment, the Emperor showed a hint of amusement on his face.

 

Now that he understood his daughter’s intentions, he chuckled.

 

‘Certainly, if Cornelia has the fool’s child, the situation changes.’

 

Currently, the entire Blant family supports the head of the family, Erich.

 

Even if a threat arose for Erich, having the same person from the same lineage succeed him in the estate would surely cause friction with the royal family.

 

However, if Cornelia, the rightful wife, safely bore a child, that child would undoubtedly become the first heir.

 

In other words, using Cornelia’s child could turn the Blant family into a loyal royal faction.

 

‘But there’s one problem.’

 

With a smile erased from his face, the Emperor turned to his daughter once again.

 

“How do you plan to escape Blant’s surveillance? Just today, I know there were Blant knights following you.”

 

“Yes, it won’t be easy. But I have a plan that can succeed if Your Majesty helps me.”

 

‘As expected.’

 

Although she was verbally requesting assistance, in the end, she was using her father for her own purposes.

 

However, that cunning demeanor wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

 

‘She really takes after me.’

 

For a moment, a hint of regret flickered in the Emperor’s purple eyes.

 

‘If only she were a son…’

 

But soon, the Emperor’s gaze turned sharp as he looked at Cornelia.

 

‘But that’s pointless.’

 

After all, a daughter is merely a tool to strengthen the family.

 

The same applied to the royal family.

 

Moreover, if necessary, she must be sacrificed, so there is no need to show affection.

 

The Emperor spoke with an indifferent expression.

 

“What do you need me to do?”

 

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After hearing the Emperor’s words, I thought to myself, ‘As expected, it’s coming to this.’

 

The Emperor wanted to suppress the Blant family, who had gained support from the people and nobles, to strengthen their weakened authority after the war with the northern barbarians, the Krithans.

 

If he knew that the successor of Blant was in my womb, it was clear how he would act.

 

“He will try to get hold of this child. It could be a means to control the Blant family.”

 

If I had tried to hide the child’s existence and escape, the Emperor would have forcefully taken the child into his hands.

 

‘In that case, it’s better to use the Emperor.’

 

I first revealed that I was a troublemaker in the Blant family and made it seem like I held some resentment towards them.

 

Then, I disclosed the existence of my child to the Emperor. This way, he would protect my child even if Erich tried to harm us, aiming to use my child to take over the Blant duchy.

 

Confident that my apparent animosity towards Erich would lead him to cooperate with me, I planned to use my child to control the Blant family when the time came.

 

As expected, seeing the Emperor move according to my thoughts, I couldn’t help but smirk.

 

‘Now I can stay hidden and protected as long as the Emperor is alive.’

 

Since childhood, I have learned to make good use of what I have. It was proving to be very helpful even now.

 

Having already planned how to use the Emperor, I spoke without hesitation, “First, I would like you to influence public opinion.”

 

“Public opinion? What specific rumors are you planning to create?”

 

I carefully presented part of my plan to the Emperor in a way that he would find acceptable.

 

“So, I…”

 

Upon hearing this, the Emperor smiled as if pleased.

 

“Indeed, if that happens, it will be difficult for him to avoid responsibility. Excellent.”

 

At the praise, a hint of a smug smile unknowingly crept onto my lips.

 

‘Me, excellent?’

 

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Hey readers! If you spot any errors in the translation, feel free to reach out to me on Discord or simply drop a comment below. Thanks a bunch! -Sienna

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𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝑲𝒐-𝒇𝒊