Chapter 52: Emperor, Cavellius III (2)
Jerome remained silent and did not respond.
Then the Emperor said firmly:
“The only legitimate heir is Adrian. "I will make sure that boy ascends the throne."
As soon as the name of the First Prince Adrian was mentioned, confusion appeared on Jerome's face, which was not lost on the Emperor, so he asked him sharply:
“Do you think I don’t know the real reason why you refrain from supporting the First Prince?”
Jerome answered with a dark face:
“Your Majesty knows very well that Prince Adrian is weak.”
The Emperor mocked:
“You think it is not suitable because he will not live long? So I am?
“Your Majesty!”
“Say it frankly: I, too, am not fit to be emperor.”
“I didn't mean it!”
The Emperor mocked his strongest knights:
“In the end, you are just a little man who cares more about blood ties than the Empire.”
“I won't deny it.”
Jerome answered directly, and there was silence for a moment, before the Emperor spoke again:
“I don't understand that. That child is not even your blood.”
Words that revealed the Duke's past, and that no one but the Emperor would dare say.
But Jerome made no reply except to lower his head.
“As I expected, you are still a man of passion.”
The Emperor tapped his finger on the railing.
“I know very well that Adrian is not the most suitable for the throne.”
The first prince was clever but not cunning, kind but not cruel.
Most importantly, he was born with an extremely weak body, for which rare herbs and fortifying foods were not useful.
However, he had to become emperor.
“The only person who can restrain Marquis Radcliffe is the Duke's House. And the only prince who bears the blood of a duke is Adrian.”
Marquis Radcliffe has been threatening the authority of the Imperial Family for decades, rivaled only by the House of Crowner.
“Many of the nobles who follow the Duke also support Adrian. He is the only one who can make them rally around him unconditionally.”
Then Jerome remembered his only nephew, with his calm, gentle face that looked like his sister, and his warm, kind personality.
The image of his slight smile made his chest ache.
The Emperor said in a threatening tone:
“However, the only reason you continue to protect him is because of your weakness.”
He took a step closer and said:
“Jerome, do you remember the promise we made?”
“…I have not forgotten him, Your Majesty.” “Even if it costs me my life,” answered Jerome, fixing his gaze on the ground, “I will not allow Marquis Radcliffe to become the real power in this nation.”
"good. We must also ensure that no one who does not have real power ascends to the throne.”
The Emperor put his hand on his shoulder and added:
“The only one worthy of sitting on the throne is the one who can bear the weight of the crown. You understand that, don't you?
Jerome bowed deeply:
“Only Adrian can protect the empire. Only you can protect him.”
The Emperor smiled bitterly:
“How can you say that when I'm still here?”
“I don't have long left. And you know it.”
Jerome's face turned pale: “Your Majesty!”
The Emperor waved his hand indifferently:
“No need to worry. Everyone who cares already knows. Just remember your promise. Inside this palace, you are the only one I trust.”
“…I will never forget.”
Jerome recalled in his mind the ancient oath he had made with Cavellius III, the day when no one recognized his right to inherit the dukedom.
It was the then Emperor who gave him the authority to become the head of the House of Crowner.
“From today, I am your will, and you are my sword.”
That day they were no longer old friends, but became a master and a follower.
The Emperor gifted him with a sword that he honed with vengeance for years.
Although Jerome sometimes blamed the Emperor for this burden, he was the one who chose it.
If he had gone back in time, he would have made the same choice.
Because he too had something to protect.
The Emperor said as he prepared to leave:
“Then keep your rebellion within reason. "I'm leaving now."
Jerome called him:
“Your Majesty.”
“What's the matter?”
“May I have a request?”
"What is it?"
“…I will continue to engage Prince Edwin in training for three months. “I promised.”
The Emperor looked at the face of the Duke, who rarely spoke much.
There was a mysterious determination in his eyes.
The Emperor said, frowning:
“I don't understand. Why all this? Do you think that kid could be a replacement for Adrien? “This is disappointing.”
In the past, he had pinned some hopes on the Third Prince, but they had long since disappeared.
He only sees him as “a weak, shy, helpless boy.”
Jerome answered firmly:
"At least, he could be at Prince Adrian's side."
Emperor Pole More:
“Your insistence is absurd.”
“The more cards we have in our hands, the better.”
“Useless papers only bring headaches.”
“I will make it a useful paper.”
He didn't hold back a word.
The Emperor looked at him disapprovingly, then quickly turned around:
“Okay. Do whatever you want. And I mean it this time.”
Jerome bowed respectfully to the Emperor's back as he left the room.
When the door closed, he raised his head, a look of firm determination on his face.
“Stop.”
I had secretly sneaked into Jerome's office in search of something useful, and then I stumbled upon a misfortune.
Not only did I hear what I didn't want to hear, but I found myself face to face with the Emperor himself.
He said sharply:
“What are you doing here? As far as I know, no maids work in this place.”
I was about to retreat down the stairs after surreptitiously listening to his conversation with the commander, but the Emperor's curiosity was stronger.
Damn...I shouldn't have removed the invisibility spell.
“Why don't you answer?”
I had no choice but to turn around and greet him:
“I salute your majesty. "I am Rachel Brown, governess to His Highness the Third Prince."
The Emperor stared at me intently with narrowed eyes, an unfriendly look scanning me from top to bottom.
“I heard you made a ridiculous request to the Duke.”
I answered him firmly:
“With all due respect, I would never make such a ridiculous request.”
"What?"
He furrowed his eyebrows in dissatisfaction with my response.
“I saw it as my duty to help His Highness Prince Edwin achieve what he desires.”
He looked at me for a long time, then laughed sarcastically:
“To make him get what he wants? And you help him? What great ambitions for a governess!
But strangely enough, he didn't seem completely upset.
“So, you're saying that that kid himself asked to participate in knight training? This is exaggerated...”
“Yes, he said so.”
Of course I was the one who pushed him, but he only half agreed.
I raised my gaze to face the Emperor directly:
“His Highness clearly said he wants to become stronger.”
“Stronger?” He replied with a sarcastic face.
I answered firmly, without looking away from his eyes:
“Yes, he said that with certainty.”
He was silent for a long time as he stared at me from the top of the stairs.
Then he said briefly:
“That too… I didn’t expect it.”
It was an answer as mysterious as his face was mysterious.
I couldn't help myself and opened my mouth:
“Your Majesty, I have a request—”
“That's enough.”
My soul trembled under his cold voice.
He raised his hand and looked at me quizzically:
“Nanny dares to repeat the word ‘request’ twice in the presence of the Emperor… Do you think I am being underestimated just because I granted you your request in the garden?”