Chapter 30
There were rumors spreading that the imperial treasury had been filled to the brim with the massive fines imposed on the nobles after half the young heirs of noble families in the imperial capital were arrested.
A few days later, Rianus was finally able to visit, as his house arrest had been lifted.
“You’re here? Did you get the gift I sent?”
Rianus, as handsome as ever, smiled brightly, but he looked slightly thinner, likely from the stress he had endured.
Kartia’s eyebrows twitched for a moment, but she held back.
“Have you been well, Princess?”
As expected of the well-mannered Rianus, he brought an armful of desserts, which made Kartia smile happily.
“Yes. It’s been a while.”
While Kartia eagerly opened the gifts, Rianus asked cautiously.
“By the way, did you say something to my father?”
“Why? What did the marquis say?”
“Nothing bad. It’s just that after he received your letter, he laughed and said, ‘I can’t win against Her Highness.’ And then, my house arrest was lifted early.”
The Marquis, known for being strict like Duke Ivia, had initially refused to lift the punishment, stating that while Rianus’s intentions were right, his way of handling things lacked wisdom.
Angry, Kartia had sent a letter filled with fury, and the very next day—today—Rianus was able to visit.
“I told him that Rianus did the right thing by standing up to those who insulted the royal family. But if he continues to be punished, the marquis himself might be seen as siding with those offenders.”
Rianus looked conflicted, unsure whether to be happy or not. Eventually, he seemed to give up pondering it and changed the topic.
“Thank you for the gift.”
“Of course. It suits you well.”
Kartia had sent Rianus a necklace and some crafts.
Since she had regifted presents she had received, there weren’t many suitable for a boy—just a few daggers. The rest were extravagant accessories, not useful to Rianus.
She selected the least flashy necklace with a silver chain—something a man could wear without it looking odd—and a few decorative pieces for his room.
“My mother saw the gifts and said Your Highness has impeccable taste.”
Rianus seemed to really like the necklace, touching it often.
The gemstone hanging from the silver chain was identified as emerald by an appraiser.
It wasn’t particularly rare, but the meaning behind it made Kartia choose it for Rianus without hesitation.
“Emeralds are said to bring happiness and good fortune.”
“Yes. My mother said the same. She said it was a wonderful gift.”
Rianus smiled shyly, saying he liked it even more because of that.
The emeralds sparkled in his half-moon-shaped eyes, and Kartia smiled in satisfaction.
“Oh, and my father said he’ll be sending a betrothal letter to His Majesty soon. Once permission is granted, I believe talks about the engagement will proceed.”
“Oh? That’s a bit late.”
She understood that the marquis had delayed things on purpose, but at this point, it wasn’t something that could be avoided.
For Rianus to argue with someone over the princess being insulted—the rumors must have spread, suggesting there was something going on.
Especially after what had happened at the party.
“Hmmm. But the timing’s not good.”
“Pardon?”
Kartia thought hard for a moment, then picked up the calendar from her desk. She pointed to a specific date, pondered longer, then suddenly flipped the calendar shut and shook her head.
“Not now. Tell him to delay it.”
“Why?”
Rianus didn’t understand and worried that Kartia might be upset because the engagement letter was delayed too long.
“This is advice for Tristan. A bomb is about to go off in the palace, and my father is going to lose his mind.”
Kartia patted Rianus on the shoulder and opened the dessert boxes, saying they should eat.
Once Rianus confirmed that she wasn’t upset over the delay, he figured she must have a good reason for saying so and began eating desserts with her.
***
Kartia stared intently at the calendar.
It was definitely supposed to be around this time, but the recent incident had made things uncertain.
Since the Emperor himself had stepped in to arrest the noble children, it might have seemed like he cherished Kartia.
So perhaps the explosion she expected wouldn’t come.
“Tsk. This incident is a turning point.”
Aside from the death of the Empress and the sudden fall of six noble families, the Emperor hadn’t arbitrarily punished nobles.
But after that, three incidents would lead people to call him a mad tyrant. Even Tristan, who had trusted and supported him despite many disagreements, would turn away and join the rebels.
The original novel began the year Kartia turned 18, when the second and third incidents occurred in rapid succession. Those were only briefly described, but this first one was crucial.
It was this event that made the Emperor begin to hate the nobility and descend into madness, which led to the second and third incidents.
So handling this one well was the key to preventing everything else.
This most important incident was—
“Princess—!”
Fabia burst into the princess’s palace, pale as a ghost.
So it’s finally started.
Kartia calmly rose from her seat.
“What’s going on?”
Though she asked casually, her tone was lower than usual, which Fabia didn’t notice.
“Well, um…! I mean, I don’t even know if I should tell you this…!”
Fabia stomped her feet in frustration, tugging at her hair.
Whatever it was, it must be shocking.
“The nobles are gathering en masse, and a special session has been convened!”
A special session could only be held when over a third of the nobles agreed. Once the votes were enough, all nobles received summons to attend.
It was technically just a meeting, but when held for critical issues, it was often a formal way to present opinions to the Emperor. A show of united noble will.
“And according to the palace maids…”
Fabia hesitated, unsure if she should share the rest.
Kartia didn’t know Fabia was even friendly with the palace maids. Perhaps it was due to all her time spent going in and out of the office recently.
“Well…!”
After a long inner struggle, Fabia finally spoke.
“The agenda is… the coronation of a new empress for the succession…!”
Kartia let out a small chuckle.
How admirable, trying to crown someone from their own families as the new Empress while openly dismissing the unworthy princess.
It happened in every lifetime, so of course, it was happening again.
That’s why she’d played the role of an unfit heir on purpose. The only thing that worried her was whether the drama with Rianus and Kaian might throw things off—but no.
“Has the meeting started yet?”
“Not yet. Nobles staying in the capital are arriving one by one. They’re still gathering.”
Kartia almost laughed again.
Had they already forgotten what happened just a year ago?
Of course not. The nobles were just foolishly trusting the Emperor.
The Empress’s assassination had been a major crime, which led to the extermination of six noble houses. But after his coronation, the Emperor had never punished anyone without cause—even if his methods were harsh.
So they believed it would be fine. That recommending a new Empress wasn’t wrong. That it was for the future of the empire.
“You arrived at the perfect time. If not for you, I might’ve walked into something much worse.”
Kartia started walking.
“W-Where are you going?”
“Where else? I have to hear this nonsense for myself. They want to make me a stepmother, after all.”
Fabia gulped at Kartia’s elegantly curved smile.
***
The grand council hall buzzed with hushed tension.
The gathered nobles wore a mix of expressions.
Those who had proposed and supported the session wore firm faces, hiding their selfish motives behind claims of duty to the empire.
Others, however, couldn’t hide their displeasure with the situation.
Led by the Duke of Ivia—the guardian of the royal family—were the pro-imperial faction, along with some nobles like the Marquis of Tristan who, though traditionally aligned with the noble faction, believed this was wrong.
Some nobles looked anxious and troubled, the memory of last year’s events still fresh.
Just one year—too short for some, but already a long time for others.
“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived—!”
At the knight’s cry, the grand doors slowly opened, revealing the Emperor and the imperial knights.
Hic…
Someone audibly held their breath.
The Emperor’s face, as he slowly raised his head, barely looked human.
His blood-red eyes gleamed with a murderous glint, and his curved lips gave the illusion of a sinister smile.
His expression and gaze were those of a madman—no one would be surprised if he drew his sword and slaughtered someone right then and there.
Even the nobles who had pushed for this agenda began to doubt the wisdom of their choices.
With the Emperor’s entrance, the grand council hall fell so silent, not even a pin drop could be heard.
Thank you for chapter this is Very good