Chapter 19
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace, the Emperor's 60th birthday banquet was nearing its end.
“Lady Valen, it truly feels like it has been a long time since we last met. I am grateful that you personally brought the handkerchief I gave you before.”
“Oh my, what are you saying? Of course I had to bring it. Hoho.”
At first glance, it looked like nothing more than a celebration where countless nobles had gathered to congratulate the Emperor.
In reality, it was completely different.
“Cough, cough...!”
The Emperor sat on the throne, repeatedly coughing.
Everyone looked at him with worried expressions.
“His Majesty is coughing....”
“His condition seems to have worsened even more than before. This is truly serious....”
The banquet hall instantly became restless.
Everyone appeared united in their concern.
But was that really all?
At the exact moment the Emperor coughed, everyone's first glance went toward either Olivia or Frey.
Everything that happened inside the Imperial Palace was closely tied to politics.
The Emperor had still not chosen a successor between the two of them.
If his health was worsening now, it meant the day he would choose his successor was not far away.
“Your Majesty, are you feeling all right? I will immediately order the Imperial Physician to come.”
Frey placed a hand over the right side of his chest and showed an expression filled with worry.
It was completely different from the cold face he had shown Olivia earlier.
“The Crown Prince is correct, Your Majesty...! Please summon the Imperial Physician immediately!”
The Empress beside him quickly joined in, speaking in an urgent voice.
The Emperor remained seated as if nothing was wrong and refused their help.
“Cough, there is no need to cause a disturbance.... This happens all the time.”
It was because every action he took would be interpreted as a political move.
“Was this not what you wanted from the beginning?”
His voice was low and heavy.
Frey and the Empress flinched for a moment, having been hit directly where it hurt.
Frey quickly hid his reaction and answered in a worried tone.
“...What do you mean by that? I merely spoke because I was worried about Your Majesty.”
As expected, the Empress joined him.
Wiping away tears, she agreed with his words.
“That is correct, Your Majesty. How could the Crown Prince possibly hold such impure intentions...?”
Olivia watched their two-faced behavior and thought to herself.
...Disgusting.
That word was also directed at herself.
When the Emperor coughed, she was no different from those hypocrites.
To Olivia, the Emperor was also someone she hated.
Even when her mother died, even on the day of her funeral, the Emperor had never appeared.
...Fine.
I'll completely deny you.
I'll prove that everything you told me back then was wrong.
Rustle.
The Emperor rose from his seat and stood before everyone.
The noisy atmosphere immediately became silent.
“My body is no longer what it once was, so it seems the time has come to choose my successor. Judging by how none of you seem surprised, it appears you have all been waiting for this.”
At his cold smile, the nobles visibly tensed.
The Emperor continued in a calm voice.
“If one wishes to become my successor, then proving one's ability should come first. Wouldn't you agree?”
The Duke, the Empress, and the others all looked confused by the sudden question.
The noble faction had been working behind the scenes for a long time.
Naturally, most of them assumed the next throne would belong to the Crown Prince.
“As all of you know, I do not have much time left. I cannot wait forever, so I intend to give the two of them a fair opportunity. Therefore, at the end of this month, I will decide the next Emperor through a 'duel' between the two.”
Silence spread across the hall.
No one could even breathe comfortably.
The nobles looked at one another with stiff expressions.
“Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider! This will only cause conflict within the Imperial Family!”
The Duke openly opposed the decision.
The Empress immediately followed.
“He is right, Your Majesty! A duel...? Please reconsider this once more...”
As if he had expected their reaction, the Emperor calmly answered.
“Why should it not be allowed? I have repeatedly told them to prove their abilities. What meaning would there be in doing so after I am already dead?”
The Duke desperately hid his panic and tried to persuade the Emperor again.
“Your Majesty, this is not something that should be decided so hastily. First, we should discuss the matter thoroughly among ourselves...”
“What you just said sounds rather strange, Duke. Are you saying that without your permission, I am incapable of making any decision by myself?”
“......!”
If the Duke agreed, it would make it look as though he were using his political power to ignore the Emperor's authority.
Knowing that, the Duke took a step back.
“...Of course not. This servant merely spoke out of concern. If the throne is decided through a duel, would the people truly accept the result so easily?”
“I understand your concern, Duke. If you are worried about disorder, then there is no need.”
“What do you mean...?”
“There is already a precedent. The Ninth Emperor also decided the throne through a duel. And did the Tenth Emperor, who won that duel, not become known as the wise ruler who truly unified the continent?”
“......”
By even bringing up a historical precedent, the Emperor was showing that he had no intention of changing his decision.
“Crown Prince and Princess, listen carefully.”
Under everyone's gaze, Frey and Olivia knelt on one knee before the Emperor.
Frey's face twisted badly as he lowered his head.
“You will each send the subordinates under your command to participate in the duel. The victor will inherit the throne. Do you understand?”
At that same time, a luxurious party was taking place in Fricksen Territory.
The elegant tables lined up outdoors were covered with lavish food.
“Kekeke, that land will soon become mine as well! Just imagining that proud face turning miserable puts me in a good mood.”
A man let out a sly laugh while bringing a wine glass to his nose and elegantly smelling its aroma.
He was Heil Fricksen, Lord of Fricksen.
His eyes were narrow, and his face narrowed toward the bottom, making him resemble a rat.
His sons, Lean and Kyle, looked much the same.
“It's a shame I won't get to see Lord Ahern's proud face collapse. Well, why should I care about someone who will die soon anyway? Kekeke.”
His sons eagerly agreed with every word Heil said.
“Exactly. I also wish I could have seen it myself.”
“Lord Ahern is far too attached to that dying land. In any case, you worked hard, Father.”
Heil could not hide his satisfaction.
A smile kept leaking across his face.
“Once I obtain that land, returning to the central political stage should be easy enough. Khehehe!”
He took a sip of wine.
Then, with a drunken expression, he asked.
“By the way, why is Vens still not here on such a wonderful day?! He should have arrived long ago!”
His sons exchanged glances before beginning to complain one by one.
“Father, that brat's problem was always the blood from his mother's side. To think he cannot even arrive on time on a day like this, tsk.”
“Can lowly blood really be hidden so easily? Please calm your anger and enjoy yourself.”
In reality, the three of them had no ability beyond relying on the territory's gold mining business.
Managing the mines and handling nearly every other task had all been Vens's responsibility.
