Chapter 37: Surely You Aren't Thinking of Making the Ducal Lady the Empress?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 37: Surely You Aren't Thinking of Making the Ducal Lady the Empress?
*
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, that was truly incredible!”
“…….”
Abel shouted, his face flushed with excitement. I nodded a moment later, following his lead.
Once the winner of the duel was decided by the Empress Dowager’s intervention, Dantalion turned around and left the arena without a word.
The stunned spectators finally snapped out of it and erupted into cheers. It was a victory for the Crown Prince, Dantalion.
I had been worried at first because it seemed like he was being pushed back, but it turned out to be a needless concern. Dantalion, who had contracted with Dollens, was truly invincible.
[Master! The scary Sword Master won! I’m going to go get the money!]
We’re rich now!
[Mwahahahaha!]
[Good grief…….]
Desmond, who was obsessed with money, vanished from the doll in an instant. He was likely manipulating someone else to collect the winnings from the bet he’d placed on Dantalion.
On the other hand, Bibi, who had little interest in money, let out a sigh and shook her head. She seemed unable to understand why he was so intent on gaining unnecessary wealth when they already had luxury and fortune within easy reach.
But having my own funds is a different story.
Of course, Duke Winston and Veronica, who both doted on me, would buy me anything I wanted. Whether it was jewels or something expensive.
However, if I ever needed to handle something that would be awkward to ask them for, I’d be in a bind if I didn't have any cash on hand.
If I used money managed by someone else, it would eventually reach the owner's ears. In other words, the money I won today was my personal slush fund.
You can store the money separately in your sub-dimension, right?
[Of course, no problem!]
Good.
Desmond was grinning ear to ear, clearly delighted by the prospect of his sub-dimension being filled with money. I smiled brightly as well, feeling quite pleased.
“Abel, shall we head back now?”
“Ah, yes…….”
“……?”
I asked as I looked at Abel, who was gripping my hand tightly. His face suddenly turned bright red.
Since Abel’s Special Ability allowed him to turn anything he touched invisible, he had been holding my hand since we left the mansion.
I hadn't thought much of it, but it seemed Abel found it quite embarrassing.
Kid, you’re so cute.
With a small chuckle, I followed the crowd and left the Colosseum with Abel.
It’s a bit of a shame we couldn't get rid of Cedric, but…….
I hadn't expected to be able to kill Cedric, the protagonist of the original story, so easily anyway.
From now on, Cedric and the Empress Dowager would likely use every means at their disposal to try and bring down House Winston and the Crown Prince.
However, having read the original novel, I knew exactly how they would move. Although many things had changed from the original plot, their schemes were bound to be more or less the same.
I returned to the mansion with Abel in high spirits.
*
House Winston was in a festive mood.
The Empress Dowager remained silent, and Cedric, who had been deeply wounded, locked the doors of the Marquis Mansion and didn't take a single step outside.
Dantalion, who had gained both the popularity of the citizens and the support of the nobility, set a date for his coronation. The day he would become Emperor was not far off.
“His Highness has promised to agree to your divorce from the Marquis of Lionel as soon as he ascends the throne.”
“That is a relief.”
“……Berry.”
I heard Duke Winston’s serious voice. I was pretending to play in the next room while listening to their conversation through Desmond.
Even just hearing their voices, I could feel the heavy atmosphere. I swallowed hard.
“Do you harbor feelings for His Highness?”
“Father…….”
“I intend to petition His Highness to take an Empress as soon as he is crowned.”
“……!”
As expected of Duke Winston.
He had already seen through Veronica’s heart. I didn't expect him to realize it so quickly, though.
Veronica couldn't bring herself to answer the Duke’s words immediately. I felt a surge of tension and squeezed the teddy bear that Desmond was inhabiting.
[Master, I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe!]
Ah, sorry.
I loosened my grip and waited for Veronica’s response. Soon, her voice drifted over.
“I also believe His Highness should take an Empress as soon as possible.”
“……!”
Veronica……!
Why are you talking as if some other woman should marry Dantalion? That’s not how it’s supposed to be!
I screamed internally, my arms trembling. The Duke, seemingly relieved, continued.
“Yes, that is a relief. For my part, I would prefer you to remain with the family.”
“…….”
“Henrietta is a born businesswoman. I felt guilty asking her to manage the internal affairs of the household. It would be a great help if you could continue to assist with that.”
Henrietta, who hailed from the East—an area famous for trade due to its proximity to the vast ocean—was married to the young Duke, Vincent, but she didn't manage the internal affairs of the household at all.
Rather, it was more accurate to say she couldn't. She was already managing most of House Winston’s business ventures.
“……I am truly happy that I can be of help to the family.”
However, there wasn't a hint of joy in Veronica’s voice.
Hearing her listless tone, I clenched my fists.
Why are you lying, Veronica?
You like Dantalion. So why are you okay with him marrying another woman?
I couldn't understand why Veronica was lying. Was it because it was a remarriage?
But that didn't make sense. Of course, the conservative Empire didn't look kindly upon remarriage. But Veronica was a Winston. There weren't many people who would dare openly criticize a lady of the Ducal House for remarrying.
Besides, Dantalion wouldn't marry anyone else but Veronica. In the original story, Dantalion never took an Empress until the very end.
At that time, as a tyrant, there were almost no vassals who dared advise Dantalion to take an Empress. Anyone who said such a thing would have their head cut off immediately.
Back then, I thought it was just to show what a terrible tyrant Dantalion was, but looking at it now, it was because he couldn't forget his poignant first love. There was no way a man like Dantalion would marry someone else while leaving Veronica behind.
The reason he was helping her divorce Cedric was so he could marry her himself. At this rate, Veronica might just take me and flee back to the Winston territory.
That can’t happen!
Having changed my goals, I couldn't leave the capital until I had brought down the Empress Dowager and the protagonists. And to save Veronica, I absolutely had to make sure she married Dantalion once he became Emperor.
I couldn't just sit still. I had to let Dantalion know the truth somehow.
I jumped up from my seat and balled my hands into fists.
*
“I hereby announce that the ascension of Dantalion Noah Sylvester, the 66th Emperor of the Sylvester Empire, has received full recognition before God.”
The Pope’s gentle voice echoed through the Grand Banquet Hall.
Dantalion’s coronation was carried out quietly and swiftly. The nobles gathered in the hall remained silent.
It was a coronation achieved after a wait that had lasted over seven years. It was conducted with a focus on practicality rather than grandeur. The Empress Dowager did not attend the ceremony, using illness as an excuse.
Though it was a moment he had long anticipated, Dantalion didn't feel a great sense of fulfillment. If anything, it felt as though he had only just reached the starting line.
Yes, this was truly just the beginning.
As soon as the coronation ended, Dantalion stopped by his office. His aide, Joshua, was waiting for him.
“You should enjoy the banquet, Your Highness. No, Your Majesty.”
“Do you have the documents requested by Duke Winston?”
“Ah, yes.”
Joshua nodded. Dantalion spoke quickly, not hiding his urgency.
“Process them immediately.”
“Ah…… yes.”
Joshua replied with a reluctant expression.
The request from House Winston was for the Imperial Family to grant permission for the Ducal Lady, Veronica, to divorce the Marquis of Lionel.
Since their marriage had been ordered by the Imperial Family in the first place, it was only natural that the divorce required Imperial consent. And now, the master of the Imperial Family was the Emperor, Dantalion.
Joshua felt a sense of unease. To say he was just looking out for a childhood friend, this was excessive interest. To rush a divorce immediately after his own coronation.
Of course, Veronica Winston was a perfect candidate for Empress. She was from House Winston, after all. Among the families he could take as in-laws, they would be the most helpful to Dantalion.
The problem was that Veronica had been married to the Marquis of Lionel, a member of the Empress Dowager’s faction. Most of the nobles currently following Dantalion were those who had remained neutral or were from conservative families that had served the previous and the one before the previous Emperors.
They would certainly not trust Veronica, who had been married to the Marquis of Lionel. There was no need to throw a seed of discord among the Imperialist nobles who were finally starting to unite.
Dantalion should know that better than anyone. Joshua watched him with worried eyes before asking.
“Your Majesty.”
“Hmm?”
“Surely you aren't thinking of making the Ducal Lady the Empress, are you?”
“…….”
At Joshua’s direct question, Dantalion stared at him intently.
Meeting those glowing blue eyes, Joshua swallowed hard in tension.