Chapter 220
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 220
Carmi’s trembling gaze slowly steadied. Before long, she wore her usual warm smile.
I smiled right back at her.
‘Ah, so that’s how you’re going to play it.’
The head maid’s tiny whisper wouldn’t have reached even the closest guards, but I could hear it perfectly.
All of this was thanks to the grace of Jjapddongbyeol…
‘It’s clear Corico can’t see Jjapddongbyeol. Neither can the High Priests.’
I had moved Jjapddongbyeol right in front of them to eavesdrop on the conversation between the Empress and her head maid, yet no one noticed a thing.
Regardless, I wasn't generous enough to sit idly by while someone tried to snatch my territory.
As if being the Saintess wasn't enough, she wanted to raise Corico’s social status even higher?
I tilted my head at a crooked angle.
Why not just ask me to hand over my entire social standing and all my power within the Grand Duchy while they were at it?
“Grandfather.”
I whispered softly to the man sitting beside me. Grand Duke Asis immediately leaned toward me.
“What is it? Tulia, is your throat alright?”
“I’m fine. I just had a bit of a coughing fit earlier…”
After a small, fake cough, I whispered again.
“Grandfather, you mentioned it before. You said you’d grant me any one wish for my birthday this year.”
My upcoming birthday was particularly special, enough for my grandfather to make such a promise. In the Empire, turning seventeen meant coming of age.
“It seems you’ve found something you want. Tell me.”
“Well, you see…”
* * *
“The precious granddaughter of Frezier has become the Saintess; this is surely a blessing for His Majesty as well. Your Majesty.”
Empress Carmi’s gentle voice echoed through the hall. Her complexion had already softened into a serene expression.
The royals of other nations, who rarely had the chance to see the Empress of the Empire, whispered among themselves, thinking how well the epithet ‘Beauty of the Spring Sunlight’ suited her.
Her docile eyes were full of life, as if she hadn't aged a day.
“If Your Majesty were to personally add a special joy to this divine grace, would that not also be a great service to the citizens of the Brillant Empire?”
“Do you have a suggestion, Empress?”
When Emperor Alexander asked with interest, Empress Carmi smiled.
“Lady Hyacinthia Frezier was of noble birth to begin with.”
Where that girl had lived or what she had done to survive before coming to the Grand Ducal House was of no concern to her.
No one with a functioning brain—let alone Empress Carmi—would ever bring such matters up in an official setting.
“So, how about Your Majesty specially appoints her as the ‘Grand Princess of Frezier’? Wouldn't it be wonderful to make this a double celebration?”
Carmi smiled as she spoke.
‘Grand Princess’ was a title that, much like ‘Grand Duke,’ could only be held by one woman in the Empire at a time.
While it was traditionally inherited by the eldest daughters of the Grand Ducal House, it was a position usually attained only when one reached their late thirties.
The late Grand Princess Hyacinthia had been a very exceptional case, receiving the title before she even turned twenty.
It was a testament to the Grand Duke’s immense affection for her, as well as her own extraordinary abilities.
‘If that little thing, who hasn't even had her coming-of-age ceremony, becomes both the Saintess and the Grand Princess…’
Even if the Emperor’s heart wavered because of the ridiculous claim that she was ‘Olivia’s reincarnation’—no.
Even if that orphan, having tasted power, became desperate to crawl into the Emperor’s bed later on.
‘The Frezier family will do everything in their power to stop it.’
Furthermore…
Empress Carmi lifted her chin and looked toward the Frezier clan sitting on the opposite side.
Sure enough, Tulia Frezier’s expression was grim.
Lisian watched Empress Carmi silently as she wore her satisfied smile.
* * *
Lisian lowered his characteristically clear eyes and let out a silent chuckle.
He was acting a bit differently than usual.
Unlike his usual composed and stoic self, Lisian was, for once, staring at Empress Carmi with his arms crossed.
His glowing blue eyes looked almost chilling.
Carmi, caught up in her triumph, failed to notice Lisian Frezier’s cold contempt.
The Saintess was the symbol of the Temple.
The Grand Princess was the core of the nobility.
In other words, the Empress’s ambition was simple.
She intended to introduce a new lady to the Brillant Empire who possessed a level of power one step higher than Tulia’s.
And she would do so with her own official backing.
The Empress was trying to play an interesting card in the Brillant social circle.
The method was vulgar.
The intention was tacky.
Was this low-brow approach, devoid of any dignity, not exactly what one would expect from a woman who snatched her master’s place through betrayal?
“Lisian?”
A small voice whispered in his ear. Lisian looked up and responded warmly to the sprout-like, light green eyes.
“Yes.”
“You don’t look happy. Is it because of what the Empress said?”
“I was unhappy… but.”
The kaleidoscopic light filtering through the stained glass beautifully tinted Lisian’s silver hair.
“Looking at you… makes me feel better.”
Tulia’s eyes sparkled.
“I knew you were the best, Brother.”
Beside Tulia, whose mood had instantly improved, Leon grumbled and poked her in the side. The two began to bicker quietly.
Lisian maintained a composed smile and straightened his posture.
Tulia loved it when he said things like that. The way she got excited and went ‘Wow!’ made her look like a total child.
Like a little kid happy to receive a favorite gift.
Of course, he didn't let it show. He knew that if his precious younger sister found out he thought of her that way, she would undoubtedly complain.
Lisian, still with his arms crossed, tapped his left arm with his finger.
He was equally kind to everyone and equally indifferent. Lisian’s inner circle was narrow, and he gave his whole heart only to the few people inside it.
There was no room left for this newly appeared cousin and Saintess.
Lisian looked at Hyacinthia, who stood beside the High Priest looking flustered, yet faintly revealing her anticipation for the title of ‘Grand Princess.’
A straight smile, like a sturdy bamboo swaying in a light breeze, lingered on his lips.
It was better for everyone to shatter an unachievable expectation quickly.
Lisian intended to convey his opinion through Leon. Just as he was about to lightly kick Leon’s thigh—
“Your Majesty.”
A dignified voice resonated through the massive hall.
“Frezier cannot grant the Empress’s request.”
Lisian’s foot, which had been moving indiscriminately toward Leon, stopped dead. He instantly returned to his usual composed demeanor as the eldest legitimate grandson of Frezier.
“Grand Duke Frezier?”
Emperor Alexander had been thinking that the Empress’s petition wasn't a bad idea.
The Frezier family, which already possessed so much, had now even produced a Saintess.
Although this wasn't an era where divine power threatened imperial power, the Frezier family—already the Empire’s foremost house—had come to enjoy too much grace.
If he issued an imperial decree to appoint Hyacinthia Frezier as the Grand Princess now, he could demonstrate the Emperor’s authority to the Frezier family while simultaneously strengthening their friendship. It was a truly wise move.
However.
“Before I speak further, High Priest?”
Grand Duke Asis spoke while looking toward the podium.
“My granddaughter Hyacinthia’s name was already decided to be changed to something else by the Council of Elders last night. I ask that you refrain from using the title ‘Saintess Hyacinthia’ any longer.”
“…!”
Nobles rarely changed their names.
Unless they committed a grave sin and were cast out of the family, or suffered a shame so great they couldn't hold their heads up, changing one's name was almost unheard of.
The audience began to buzz.
“I heard she was the flesh and blood of the daughter the Grand Duke cherished so much, but I guess she isn't all that special after all.”
“Who knows? No one in the Empire was allowed to use the name Hyacinthia. Would it be any different for a granddaughter?”
“What’s certain is that the Saintess’s dignity has been severely bruised.”
“Her Majesty the Empress must be displeased as well.”
The nobles had eyes and ears too.
“…”
Just moments ago, the Empress had intended to raise the Saintess as her own confidante by officially supporting her in front of everyone.
But Grand Duke Asis had cut off Empress Carmi’s reach right to her face.
“If you have changed the Saintess’s name, what might it be…?”
The High Priest asked, but Grand Duke Asis raised a hand to cut him off. The Grand Duke was a man who disliked mixing different matters.
“The Empress’s request was indeed exquisite, but this old man, as the Head of Frezier, has already decided on the person to inherit the title of Grand Princess.”
“…”
“Tulia Frezier.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Sparkling light green eyes scanned the shocked nobles with great amusement.
She rose from her seat as naturally as an actress who had prepared only for this climax.
Even Leon Frezier, who had been poking and pestering her until just now, kept his mouth shut and sat with a solemn expression.
Grand Duke Asis Frezier’s voice filled the hall.
“Since things have turned out this way, greet His Majesty the Emperor directly as the Grand Princess.”
“Of course, Grandfather.”
After performing a flawless, perfect greeting, Tulia turned her gaze toward the podium.
“High Priest. You asked for my cousin’s new name earlier, didn't you? Since I personally chose my cousin’s name, I would like to announce it myself to commemorate this historic day. Would that be alright?”
“Ah… Yes. Very well. Lady Tulia… no, Grand Princess. What is the Saintess’s new name?”
This woman, who wore Han Ina’s face and had gained the qualifications of a Saintess through the relic that was Han Ina.
Looking at her, covered in layers of ‘Han Ina,’ Tulia couldn't help but think.
That she was doing all this to take everything away from her.
That thought had now turned from suspicion into certainty. Glancing briefly into the air, I slowly opened my lips.
“It is Corico.”
Corico’s eyes momentarily became as expressionless as a doll’s. It was such a brief moment that the coldness vanished like a lie.
Tulia smiled, thinking she wanted to grab the star hovering above her head and hurl it at that fake star with all her might.
“I took it from the flower Coquelicot. In keeping with the Frezier tradition.”
Name: Corico
Age: Immeasurable
Trait: Wearing your mask.
Reason: To ki… (See more)