Chapter 278: Unwanted plan (2)
The existence of the First Princess within the Empire was troublesome.
The Emperor was also well aware of it, and for that reason, he had refrained from letting the First Princess do any important tasks, for fear that she would cause trouble.
‘It’s not just that.’
It was no wonder that he was worried about her as a father.
If I were the Emperor, I wouldn’t be able to leave the First Princess as she was, too.
Right now, it was good to have the Emperor’s protection, but if I were to think about him going back to the arms of the Goddess Benigore, it was pretty obvious as to what would happen afterward.
The Second Princess would probably ascend to the throne, and the First Princess would be disadvantaged somehow.
She may not end up with simple discipline if she were to cause some trouble, just like now.
From a father’s point of view, that may make him feel uneasy. However…
‘But this is ridiculous. Ridiculous.’
If this old man also had a conscience, he would never think that way.
Today, I was worried upon seeing his serious face, but I don’t think he was thinking the same as me.
He would not come up with an unforgivable offer.
My intuition kept ringing with warnings, but the problem was that I couldn’t do anything right now.
I had to somehow stop the line from popping out of his mouth.
“I met her for a moment in the morning.”
“Right… how is she…”
“She is a little psychologically unstable, but… It seemed that she was deeply aware of her own mistakes.”
“I’m glad she thinks so…”
I didn’t want to talk about Charlia anymore.
“Rather than that, I heard that your Majesty had a drink yesterday…”
“I did. And the reason why I called Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung today is that I was thinking about having a drink together. Today, I have something to tell you…”
“It’s not good for your health, Your Majesty.”
“Hohoho. I think the Honorary Bishop really cares about me. Even if you say the same thing as other loyalists, what you say sounds a little different… It’s amazing.”
“Who would think different than wanting Your Majesty to be healthy? Perhaps the reason Your Majesty feels that way is because Your Majesty has more confidence in me.”
“Right. I trust Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung. Yes… Absolutely. That’s why I wanted to say…”
“Haha. In order to repay His Majesty’s trust, I must work really hard.”
My form of distraction was not working. It looked like he had already made up his mind.
‘It may not be what I’m thinking, however.’
The Emperor had different troubles, and perhaps he would say something completely different.
No matter how much of a troublemaker Charlia was, I was a foreigner who was not included in the imperial category.
No matter how I was to think about it, it was a situation where many difficulties were blooming.
As the Emperor quietly raised his hand, some maids popped out and started pouring wine into a glass.
It was a great honor to be able to drink wine together, but I couldn’t figure out why I was so anxious.
Eventually, the Emperor said what he wanted, and I was forced to curse the fact that my prediction was correct.
“I’m just saying this, but… what does Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung think of Charlia?”
‘This psychopathic bastard!’
I thought about how to respond for a moment, but there was nothing I could do except to change the topic once more.
“Contrary to popular evaluation, she is someone who has great qualities. Although she has a fiery temper that can’t hold in her anger, she doesn’t hesitate to push ahead with what she’s planning. She has determination and momentum, and takes responsibility at all costs to the work entrusted to her…”
“No. That’s not what my question meant, Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung.”
“Your Majesty. I’m sorry, but it’s hard to understand exactly… w-why His Majesty is saying that? What kind of rudeness did the First Princess do?”
“No. I didn’t mean that. It would be better to ask a little more clearly. I am now asking …what Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung thinks of my daughter Charlia as a woman.”
The Emperor was indeed a psychopath.
“Uh, what do you mean by that…”
“It… I’m sure you know what I mean.”
‘Shit.’
I don’t know what to think of Charlia as a woman.
‘Honestly, if given the opportunity, I want to throw the Dragon Breath potion in her face’ was in my mouth, but there was no way I could say that.
‘You have to get rid of your shit… why do I have to do that?’
It was only right to start with praise and then reveal the will of rejection.
“I’m not sure how to say this, but… H-Her Majesty’s beauty is as beautiful as a gem. She even has a voice that came down from the sky… and that noble blood always maintains its dignity… so it’s not suitable to foreigners.”
I thought it wasn’t a bad finish, but it seems that the words I told last do not come to this psychopath.
“Hohoho. Right. It’s not wrong that even though the child has a mean side, she looks like her mother and is beautiful as a gem. In fact, when she was young, she was voted the most beautiful girl in the Empire, so where would that beauty go?”
“Ah… Yes…”
“For a long time, marriage proposals came from all over the place. Yes…”
“I see.”
“I was holding Charlia for my selfishness, but now is the time to let her go.”
“Ah… Yes…”
As he stopped right in the part ‘for a long time, marriage proposal has been coming from all over the place,’ there was no need to explain the reason.
There may not have been anyone who the Emperor or Charlia liked, but I bet they all realized what kind of person she was and widened their distance.
They decided that there was more to be lost than gain with having a relationship with the First imperial Princess.
I feel the same, too.
‘What can I get?’
The relationship between the First and Second Princesses was like water and oil.
It didn’t matter if she was a member of the imperial family or whatever. Being associated with the First Princess was no different from making the Second Princess into one’s enemy.
“Actually, I was really disappointed and thought a lot about this incident.”
“Yes…”
“I was unknowingly looking forward to Charlia because of the stories that have been told, but I realized once again after going through this… Governing someone doesn’t suit her.”
“It doesn’t necessarily…”
“I’d love to see her build a family before I die, Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung.”
“I-I’m sure you will.”
“Yes. I should be. So that I… can be relieved. To leave that spoiled brat and leave…”
“P-Please refrain from saying that. Your Majesty will remain healthy and last as a ruler of the Empire for a long time.”
“Hohoho. Thank you. Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung, you already know it, right?”
“… …”
“Everyone must, but the relationship between the first and the second child is not very good. I am indeed worried that the second will do something terrible to her sister after I leave. My father, His Majesty, and I went through that process. Charlotte is clever, but she doesn’t hesitate to use her hand for what is needed. She will probably be the same to her sister.”
‘Fuck…’
“Charlia. That fool is my daughter, too. I want our first to live a safe and peaceful life. If it is someone she likes and follows, she will be able to give up her greed and live happily.”
“I don’t know… w-what you mean, Your Majesty?”
“Hohoho. I thought you were quick to notice, but you’re a little dull in this aspect.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I heard why that child did something terrible to Marlin Young-ae. I also raised my voice when I contained her. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it looks like the kid is thinking about you a lot. It seems that she’s been quiet for you to like her.”
“… …”
“I thought you feel the same when I heard this…”
‘What’s that bullshit again, fuck…’
Of course, I’ve never shown anything like that. Apparently, this crazy woman had spouted a lot of bullshit. It was so ridiculous that I wanted to laugh.
“I also thought about various ways, but after much thought, I was convinced that this was the best option. Yes. Absolutely.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Please take Charlia in.”
‘This bastard!’
Before I could say anything, the Emperor had come to a conclusion.
I clenched my fist tightly. It was understandable enough to come to that conclusion, but honestly, I didn’t think of anything other than running away.
If possible, I would escape the imperial castle by sprinting.
“There is a manor left in the north. It’s hard to say that it’s a good place, but it’s quiet and out of sight.”
I know.
It was incredibly cold, and there was nothing to eat.
Most of the northern provinces within the Empire were like that.
“There may be opposition from the nobles to give a manor to a foreigner, but as it is you, they will surely agree. It wouldn’t be bad to go there with Charlia and live a leisurely life. Charlotte wouldn’t even use her hand to her sister in the periphery. If Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung takes that child, it wouldn’t be too much considering the other foreigners’ gazes.”
“That… Er… So.”
“Don’t worry about being a foreigner. Couldn’t you also say that you are already an imperialist? If you are the Honorary Bishop of the Pope’s side and hold the status of one of the Eight Seats of the Empire, you are well-qualified. Above all else, aren’t I sending my trust to the Honorary Bishop like this? You can ignore the gap in status. Yes. Absolutely.”
‘The gap in status, my ass…’
“Hohoho. Of course, I would like you to keep in mind that there is a little bit of my desire to get a good son-in-law, Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung.”
It seemed that he thought I would happily accept this offer.
This whole situation had gotten out of hand.