Coddling and coaxing the timid prince had become one of Peridot’s daily tasks. She had grown quite accustomed to it, though it remained irritating.
“If I take charge of preparing for the birthday banquet, everything will be resolved. I’ll subtly redirect the guards’ focus outside and create a gap for us to slip through.”
“Perry… you truly are a genius. I can’t believe such a treasure like you was hidden away.”
The prince stammered as he praised her, his eyes glinting with a dependency typical of someone who knows nothing but to do as he is told. Peridot found it utterly repulsive and responded coldly.
“Your Highness the Prince should be the one to strike down the Princess. Don’t forget that.”
“Uh, oh. Okay.”
“Only if you personally defeat her can you become the next emperor. That’s how you’ll be recognized. By me.”
Verty nodded hesitantly at Peridot’s soft whisper.
“It’s still frightening… but I’ll do my best.”
“You must. Unless you wish for us to perish together.”
“Perry! Why are you saying such scary things? You know that you are the only one for me. The thought of something happening to you makes me shiver.”
As if that would change anything. Even if she were beheaded, there will be nothing Verty can do. It was amusing, really. Peridot almost laughed but restrained herself, responding calmly.
“All you have to do is kill the Princess. Do not forget.”
“…I understand.”
“I will take care of everything else, so don’t worry about it.”
A rebellion is no simple task. If you are determined to become emperor, you must eliminate not only the most prominent candidates but also your father and relatives. To ensure no future repercussions, you must kill everyone, from the elderly to infants. Including the Archduke of Schweiden’s family, who were also an obstacle.
‘This opportunity came sooner than I expected, but that’s okay.’
She had a means to prevent escape by airship. As long as they were on the ground, there would be no problem; the land is the area of plants after all. In other words, it is a place where Cutie rules. Even escaping inside a building wouldn’t help, and tunneling underground would be akin to signing a death warrant.
Its only weakness is fire, but burning Cutie, who has already grown so large, would be impossible without at least a dragon appearing. Peridot had meticulously prepared for this moment for a very long time—for a very very long time. From the moment she got her hands on Cutie until now.
The anger that built up every time her father, Duke Crisiona, struck her was now enough to fill this mansion. The first thing she’d do upon becoming Empress would be to hang her father upside down on the castle walls for display.
‘Yes, if only that could happen.’
A pale face reflected on the transparent water. Her body was having a hard time holding on, having used the chalice’s power to its limits.
Peridot bit her lip as she remembered Aragorn teaching her how to use this weapon to its limits. a man she had believed dead until he suddenly appeared, shared the chalice’s secrets, and disappeared once more.
‘I should make sure to kill him as well when I move Cutie.’
There should be no room for instability in her reign. It is best to eliminate risk factors. Her eyes look as if they are about to close, but not yet. Thankfully, the taste of blood, bitter as it is, kept her awake.
* * *
The next day, everyone had their own story going on in their own space.
A story was going on in the imperial palace as well.
“Father, go on a trip during my birthday.”
It was tea time for the royal family.
Dioles’s sudden remark came out of nowhere, and it wasn’t a suggestion; it was a notification.
“Hmm? A trip? Are you really suggesting this to me?”
The Emperor narrowed his eyes at his daughter, thinking that the idea of a trip was nice but too sudden. In fact, it looked a bit suspicious. She had always restricted his leisure, so why?
“You can go to Makarten, spend lavishly for a week, and come back.”
Dioles continued speaking calmly. The emperor narrowed his eyes, trying to read her intentions.
“Hmm.”
“I heard a game called ‘Yut’ is incredibly popular in Makarten right now. I’m sure you’d like to go, right?”
“Well, I do want to, but…”
“While you’re gone, it would be a good idea to take all your favorite retainers with you… Call it a paid vacation.”
However, after hearing this, the emperor lost his mirth and became solemn. Dioles glanced at him, implying he should speak his mind.
“As for… pocket money, how much will you give me?”
“I’ll give you enough to last you another week, even if you lose it all.”
“Oh-ho! Well, that sounds good!”
The emperor joyfully slapped his knee and began counting the days with his fingers.
“I can’t wait for your birthday celebration to arived. Ha-ha-ha.”
“You go and have fun.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Then I’ll take my leave now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Dioles stood up to leave. The emperor softly spoke to her retreating figure.
“Diol.”
“Yes, father.”
“Be gentle with him. He’s a foolish and lacking boy.”
There was no subject mentioned, but it was clear who he was referring to.
“He is a fool who doesn’t even have his teeth fully grown yet but opens his mouth without knowing his place. It’s my fault for loosening the leash on him.”
Even a useless child is still a child.
Though he may appear easygoing, the Emperor was a man who had held his throne for many years; he was not one to be underestimated. He was already aware of the disturbing movements writhing among the Terrans. Just as Dioles looked down on the nobles from the palm of her hand.
Dioles chuckled and looked over her shoulder.
“You worry too much. I won’t kill him, so just enjoy your trip.”
“Alright, I’ll do that. With this much allowance, I should at least win big this time! Last time, that king of Tapioren bragged so much about his winnings… it was insufferable.”
As the emperor laughed heartily, Dioles also smiled lightly. Neither showed any sign of unease, despite knowing about the budding rebellion.
The only difference between them is that Dioles was tyrannical, while the Emperor, with age, had become more mild-tempered. But they were both born to be emperors.
They are fearless by nature; they do not know how to bend or prostrate themselves. They have never bowed from the moment they stood on their own two legs.
“Well then, I’ll really be off now.”
“Alright, my daughter. You can also put an extra 10% on my allowance.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Dioles left the emperor’s palace, joking until the end, and headed straight to the princess’s palace garden, where another tea party was being held. As always, there were plenty of beautiful young ladies sitting and chattering there.
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