Peridot slowly stirred the water, making the prince’s image disappear.
The chalice can do two things, both of which are useful abilities for the offensively inclined and the scheming types.
The first was the ‘live’ image of a ‘living’ person whom the basin’s owner wished to see. However, this worked only if the owner had met the person directly. Despite several detailed conditions, this feature was very advantageous if considered conversely.
Peridot was not a child crying for her mother, who had died, or her grandfather, who had been good to her. The first thing Peridot saw after she learned how to use the chalice was the current Emperor.
Where he is, who he’s talking to, what he’s doing. His every move. She could see every move of the emperor as if he were in the palm of her hand. What weapon could be more terrifying than this if it fell into the hands of an assassin or a traitor? It would feel as if the entire world were in one’s grasp.
However, Peridot was neither rash nor reckless. It was a great pity that the Emperor had to be seen with such a disagreeable bitch, but so be it. What mattered now was that the stupid prince had arrived with flowers. Flowers that were already dead and unplantable yet considered the most romantic and ideal.
It was a completely incomprehensible idea to Peridot, but what was important to her was not the dead flower. If there was one thing in the world she loved, it would be the greenhouse. The foolishness of bringing casually picked flowers to someone who cherished the greenhouse was laughable, though it stemmed from his love for her. Nevertheless, it was important.
The prince had fallen for her. He loved her. Believing he could have what he never dared to covet, he was beaming like a fool.
“Welcome, Your Royal Highness.”
But Peridot hid her disdain, at least in his presence.
“Perry, this is for you.”
“Thank you. Such beautiful flowers.”
“Aren’t they? I suddenly thought you might like flowers. I knew you’d be pleased!”
The prince entered the greenhouse with a triumphant smile, unaware of his folly. Peridot was displeased, fearing that the foolish energy emitted by this foolish person might affect her plants, but Peridot skillfully hid her expression.
Now it was time to use Chalice’s second ability. To do that, she had to cunningly persuade the prince. Like a carnivorous plant that attracts bees with its sweet scent, Peridot prepared a cup of tea and set it down in front of him.
“I wonder if you’ve given my proposal any thought.”
“Oh, that. Uhmm…”
Peridot didn’t want to waste time, so she got straight to the point.
The prince, Verty, scratched his cheek as he sat in front of the steaming hot chamomile tea. Peridot’s irritation at the slightly troubled look on the fool’s face grew, and she set her teacup down with a clatter. Then Verty flinched and hastily provided an excuse.
“Ah, no matter how, there is no way I will be able to surpass my sister and become the emperor. That’s impossible.”
“It’s impossible, huh … .”
“It won’t work. She knows everything. She probably already knows everything you said; she just pretends not to because she cares about you and me.”
The prince was truly weak. Some people call it loveliness. Difficult and taxing duties were left to his sister, the princess, while Prince Verty was advised to just stay comfortable. The subjects whispered like that and put pressure on him.
The princess handles everything. The prince should not even dream of such disloyal thoughts. Just stay put. Eat well, wear fine clothes, and just enjoy life. Smile at parties, spend money lavishly. Occasionally, if the mood strikes, do some charity or attend auctions. Change your jewelry daily, and buy swords you won’t use.
Just one thing. Don’t resist. Don’t rebel.
“Do they say you’re less capable than the princess?”
Peridot raised her sword and pressed it to the words the prince swallowed and did not say. Verty’s hand trembled as he tried to pick up the teacup. Peridot continued speaking without stopping.
“His Royal Highness is nothing special compared to Her Highness the Princess, so they must have told you to stay still.”
“Perry.”
“Everyone thinks it’s natural for the princess to ascend the throne. Why? Since when? Since childhood?”
“Stop it, Perry. If you say more, I’ll get angry.”
“Then get angry.”
“… … !”
“You should be angry.”
Peridot opened her eyes and looked the prince squarely in the eye, but Verty averted his head slightly. It’s an unconscious way of saying that he can’t accept what Peridot is saying. The only resistance he could muster was a trembling voice that barely escaped his lips.
“I’ll just head back for today. Perry, this kind of talk makes me uncomfortable.”
“Why does it make you uncomfortable? Didn’t you say you love me? Then why won’t you make me the empress?”
“Perry, that’s—.”
“I cannot be satisfied with being a consort. Shouldn’t the empress position befit Crisiona’s status?”
With each word or two, Verty’s head hung lower and lower. He had nothing to say. But even so, his fists clenched tightly.
Anger that could not be expressed. An inferiority complex that is deeply embedded in the soul. The ambition stifled from birth, believing no one in the world was on his side. Become the emperor.
“Honestly, I can’t continue seeing a man with no ambition.”
Peridot drove the nail in. Verty jerked his head up.
“Perry, I want to give you everything, and you know how I feel.”
“So?”
“B-but the position of empress is different. This is treason—”
“Ha!”
Peridot cut him off with a scoff.
“Treason? Since when did Her Royal Highness ascend to the throne? I had no idea.”
“That’s not it—”
“Until one ascends the throne, they are not the emperor. Open your eyes and look far, Your Highness.”
Perhaps if she had been a man, she might have become an orator. Peridot realized she was a good manipulator and a good talker at that. As evidence, the prince’s expression had subtly changed.
Greed. Greed to sit on the throne. Greed to be the main character. Greed to be at the center, conversing with ministers, leading meetings.
In Peridot’s eyes, Prince Verty’s inner thoughts were so clear that she could almost grasp them.
“Now, look here.”
Peridot stood up gracefully and placed her hand on the shoulder of Prince Verty, who was frozen and unable to move. Then she quietly pointed to the chalice placed in the shadows next to the table.
“Take a closer look. What do you see?”
You can now sponsor a chapter by buying me a Kofi! 1 Kofi = 1 extra chapter
