117. The Turned Situation

Nora, who had become noticeably more refined and beautiful, walked toward Prince Alphonse with a tense expression.

The nobles turned to look at her as if enchanted, drawn by the unmistakable scent of imperial blood emanating from her.

Prince Alphonse extended his hand toward her.

Nora, who had been stiff with tension, seemed to gain confidence at the sight of Alphonse’s outstretched hand. With a resolute step, she approached and took his hand firmly.

Now standing proudly with Nora by his side, Alphonse glanced at the Emperor and the gathered nobles, his expression brimming with satisfaction.

“This may not be the most appropriate setting, but I believe it is best to announce this as soon as possible. I ask for your understanding in breaking protocol.”

Alphonse then turned to the Emperor and Empress, bowing respectfully.

Nora, standing beside him, awkwardly followed suit.

Turning back to face the nobles, Alphonse boldly declared,

“This woman is a noble-born of the imperial bloodline, one of the rarest and most esteemed. And I intend to take her as my future consort.”

His shocking announcement sent a ripple of shock and murmurs through the hall.

Even the Emperor hesitated to immediately reject Alphonse’s claim.

That alone showed just how significant and powerful the imperial bloodline was.

In the midst of the chaos, a noble from the Empress’s faction managed to raise his voice.

“Are you certain that this woman is truly of imperial blood?”

Alphonse smirked, tilting his head slightly.

“Count Bermond, are you having trouble breathing? Surely you have all sensed it. The scent of imperial blood is unmistakable—those who share it would recognize it best.”

With that, Alphonse turned his gaze to Johannes and the other bloodline nobles from the Empress’s faction.

None of them spoke. The faint but distinct hormonal fragrance that indicated imperial lineage was undeniable, and they could not refute it. Instead, they lowered their heads in silence.

Seeing their reaction, the concubine faction nobles grew more confident and began rising one by one.

“For generations, the emperors of Raphelios have taken women of the imperial bloodline as their consorts. For such a woman to appear before Prince Alphonse at this crucial time—this may well be divine providence!”

Another noble quickly chimed in.

“An imperial-blooded woman has not appeared in over a century. If she were to become Prince Alphonse’s consort, Raphelios would surely enter another era of prosperity.”

“Prince Aaron is still too young for marriage, and even younger to govern the empire. Please, consider the future of the empire and make a wise decision.”

These were the very same nobles who would have sharpened their blades if an imperial-blooded woman had appeared on the Empress’s side.

Now, with one of their own holding the trump card, they were utterly elated.

However, their words were effective—the gathered nobles were visibly shaken.

As uncertainty spread among them, the Emperor stroked his beard, deep in thought.

“I will hear more on the matter of Prince Alphonse and this woman at a later time. For now… let us proceed with the final formality of today’s Blessing Ceremony and settle our opinions on Prince Aaron’s enthronement.”

The final formality referred to the customary vote following the blessings—an official but usually symbolic practice, where nobles would confirm their support for the Crown Prince’s enthronement.

Under normal circumstances, this vote was merely a formality, as nearly all nobles typically voted in favor of the enthronement.

However, today was different.

It was clear that the usual outcome could no longer be taken for granted.

“If anyone opposes Prince Aaron’s enthronement, you may raise your hand now.”

At the Emperor’s words, the hall fell into silence.

Then, slowly, hands began to rise among the nobles—one after another.

If the opposition exceeded half of those present, the enthronement date would be annulled, and a new noble assembly would be held to debate the succession again.

Roselia swallowed dryly as she scanned the room, watching as hesitant nobles suddenly raised their hands in unison.

Even at a glance, it was clearly a majority.

Beside her, Johannes’s expression twisted in frustration.

At that moment, the Emperor, surveying the room, exhaled heavily and spoke.

“I understand your stance. The date of the Crown Prince’s enthronement ceremony will be postponed. We shall convene again soon to discuss this matter further.”

With that, the Emperor turned and left, signaling the end of the gathering. The Empress’s faction nobles stirred anxiously.

Nora’s sudden appearance had shifted the tides—not only had the concubine faction’s nobles opposed Aaron, but even those who had remained neutral now raised their hands in opposition.

As the Emperor exited the hall, the Empress, who had barely been holding herself together, suddenly collapsed in a faint.

“Your Majesty!”

A shocked Prince Aaron and Johannes rushed to her side.

Roselia watched the chaotic scene unfold, torn by indecision.

Had all of this happened simply because an imperial-blooded woman had appeared on the concubine faction’s side…?

If she were to reveal her own identity—as the true noble descendant of House Euciliod—would that turn the situation around?

As she clenched her fists, lost in thought, a shadow fell over her.

Looking up instinctively, Roselia found Klaus standing before her, blocking her view.

She stared at him blankly.

He gazed down at her with an unwavering, resolute expression, as if he had read her mind.

“Not now. There are too many of them waiting for a chance to strike.”

At Klaus’s warning, Roselia turned her gaze toward Prince Alphonse.

The nobles surrounding him were fawning over Nora, greeting her with enthusiasm.

Among them was Grand Duke Rubelio.

Klaus was right.

To them, Nora was nothing more than a chess piece—a temporary tool to be used and discarded.

Even if the Empress’s faction retaliated and took Nora from them, it wouldn’t be a major loss.

They only needed her until the moment Prince Alphonse was crowned Crown Prince.

After that, it wouldn’t matter if Nora lived or died.

In fact, once she was no longer useful, they would likely eliminate her to remove any unpredictable variables.

But Roselia was different.

If her identity were to be revealed, every arrow from the concubine faction would turn toward her.

House Euciliod would take a devastating hit, and the Empress’s faction would stagger under the weight of the attack.

And if something happened to her, Johannes would be completely destroyed, left beyond recovery.

Roselia clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

As if shielding her from sight, Klaus remained standing firmly in front of her, his cold gaze locked on Grand Duke Rubelio.

“Aaron’s enthronement hasn’t been completely overturned yet. There’s still time.”

Roselia followed his gaze to Grand Duke Rubelio, who was engaged in conversation with Prince Alphonse.

Noticing both Roselia and Klaus staring at him, Rubelio smirked.

He knew.

He knew that Roselia couldn’t afford to reveal her identity right now.

In fact, he was counting on it.

If she were to expose herself, it would make her the primary target of the concubine faction—which was precisely what he wanted.

Seeing Rubelio’s composed, arrogant smirk, Roselia clenched her fists even tighter.

Just then, Johannes hurriedly approached, his expression tense.

“Antonio.”

“How is the Empress? Is she alright?”

At Roselia’s urgent question, Johannes’s expression darkened.

“She seems to have fainted from shock. Her health isn’t in danger, so there’s no need to worry.”

Glancing toward the cluster of Empress’s faction nobles, Johannes sighed.

“I have to stay behind and discuss today’s events with the others.”

To the Empress’s faction, Roselia was still an outsider—a guest from Rugbeljet who happened to be close to House Euciliod.

Because of that, she couldn’t participate in their internal discussions.

Johannes glanced at Klaus, who was standing next to Roselia, his expression clearly displeased as he spoke.

“I’d rather not send Antonio back alone. Could you escort him to the estate?”

He didn’t like Klaus, but given the current chaos, Klaus was the only one who fully understood their situation. He had no choice but to make the request.

At Johannes’s stiff request, Klaus wordlessly nodded.

“I will.”

He answered as if he had been expecting it, which made Johannes’s face twist in displeasure again, though only for a brief moment.

“Marquess Euciliod!”

A noble urgently called out for Johannes. With a sigh, he turned away.

Roselia hesitated as she watched him leave, then, unable to hold back, called out to him.

“Marquess.”

Johannes turned back with a puzzled expression, and Roselia fidgeted before speaking.

“If you ever need my help, please let me know.”

The moment she said it, Johannes’s expression darkened.

He knew exactly what she meant.

And his answer came at the same time as another voice.

“That is absolutely not an option.”

“No.”

Both Johannes and Klaus spoke simultaneously, then turned to glance at each other before firmly looking back at Roselia.

“Antonio’s identity can only be revealed once the imperial court has stabilized and House Euciliod has secured its position. Until then, it is absolutely out of the question.”

“I agree with the Marquess on this.”

For once, the two men seemed perfectly in sync, which left Roselia stunned.

“I was just saying it as a possibility… but fine, I understand. Now, both of you, relax your expressions.”

Only after her words did Johannes ease his stern expression, turning to Klaus for a final word.

“Then, I leave the Viscount in your care until he reaches the estate.”

“Understood.”

With that, Johannes turned away, and Roselia watched him go with a heavy heart.

Klaus, who had been watching her in silence, finally turned on his heel.

“I’d rather not get on the Marquess’s bad side, so let’s go.”

Roselia blinked in surprise at his words and hurried after him.

“Since when do you care about what the Marquess thinks?”

Klaus glanced down at her briefly before replying offhandedly.

“Since I found out he’s your real brother.”

His blunt words caught Roselia completely off guard.

She froze for a moment, watching his back as he walked ahead, her face flushing red without her even realizing it.

TL/N: I got no clue what the hell they on about but well….

 

 

 

 

 

 

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