Eden, who had not been thinking of leaving her side for several days, went out at the Emperor's call. Cecilia felt as if she had just barely managed to separate a baby from its mother.
“Your face has become much more puffy.”
Madame Monte muttered, looking into Cecilia's face as if she were annoyed.
“It’s okay. If I look good at a time like this, I'm likely to get criticized.”
"Still..."
“When are Abby and her husband coming?”
“They said they’d come after lunch, so shouldn’t they be here soon?”
Madam Monte tilted her head and answered.
“First, could you please give me some tea? I think there will be some time before the two people arrive.”
At Cecilia's request, Madame Monte nodded and left. Soon after, Madame Monte returned with a teapot and cups.
“Thank you. I’ll rest alone for a moment.”
“If you need anything, just call me.”
Cecilia nodded. As soon as Madame Monte left, the room became quiet. Only then did her mind, which had been consciously blocked from thinking due to confusion and despair, begin to work a little.
It was that confusing. The deaths of Aster and Isabella were unexpected and a great shock, but it was also something that had already passed.
“I need to think about the future.”
Cecilia muttered, grabbed the handle of the teacup, and lifted it. The fragrant scent of green apples pierced her nostrils and stimulated her head.
In the end, as in the past, the Crown Prince and his wife died. What will their deaths bring?
“...Competition for the Crown Prince.”
In the past, the Emperor had a competition between Eden and Damon for the Crown Prince position. This was due to the strong claims of the Empress and the Count of Oberon. They argued that both Eden and Damon were legitimate children and that they should be given a fair chance.
'They're right. Damon deserves his rights too.'
The Emperor was reluctant, but Eden accepted the argument. The Emperor presented three challenges in total, and Eden won twice, defeating Damon.
That's how Eden became the Crown Prince.
“...”
Since Aster died without an heir, it was inevitable that there would be competition for the Crown Prince position this time. And if left alone, Eden would become Crown Prince again.
"No."
No one could defeat Eden, who had become the Crown Prince. Although he faced death threats several times, he eventually survived and became the Emperor.
And that was the beginning of the tragedy that Cecilia suffered. Even though she knew it, she couldn't just stand by and watch.
“But Damon..."
There was some hesitation. How would Wyatt fare if Damon became the Crown Prince? Cecilia also knew that Damon was not likely to become Emperor, so it was a natural concern.
But she didn't want to die for the same reason again.
Cecilia slowly closed her eyes and opened them. Under the slanted sunlight past 2 o'clock in the afternoon, shadows stretched gloomily.
“Your Highness, Abby and James have arrived!”
Madame Monte's aforementioned voice broke her thoughts. Cecilia straightened her back quietly.
"Your Highness!"
“Come on in, Abby.”
Abby dressed up nicely, and rushed in. Cecilia patted Abby on the back and exchanged greetings with Diego.
“I’m sorry I left the reception like that. I was really surprised.”
Abby frowned at Cecilia's apology. Then, she spoke at a rapid pace, saying that she was even more surprised by the news that Cecilia had fallen ill after that.
“I can’t tell you how worried I was when His Highness said you were sick again. Look at your complexion, it’s still not looking good.”
Cecilia laughed as she listened to Abby's chattering.
“It’s okay now. How are you? Is there anything else you want to eat? I heard that you get cravings when you’re pregnant.”
“I already wanted to eat the food my mom made.”
Ebi spoke with a sour taste in her mouth.
“You must not have eaten because of me.”
Cecilia clicked her tongue briefly. She already knew that Madame Monte had been by her side while she was sick. She could not have shown her face to Abby.
“Go down now and ask them to do it.”
“It’s okay, Your Highness. I just came to greet you...”
“They say you don’t feel bad if you eat what you want on time. I’ll talk to your husband.”
As Cecilia pushed her back, Abby reluctantly stood up. However, the flushed cheeks showed her anticipation.
“Then I’ll be back soon!”
Abby opened the door and disappeared. As soon as Abby, who had been acting crazy, disappeared, the room became quiet.
“Do you have anything to say?”
Diego asked. He was a perceptive man, then and now.
“The theater needs to be reorganized.”
“What do you mean by reorganization...?”
“I thought, why not try a new form of art that combines theater, dance, and music?”
It was a type of art that had not existed in Wyatt until now. But in a few years, a form of art that combined these three would come to the stage and cause a big stir.
“In the name of Diana.”
Diego thought of a name for an extremist group that no one had ever seen before. Diana was a ghost put forward by Cecilia, the real owner of the group. She never existed in the first place. She only exists on paper.
“Diana is the widow of Weavers.”
“...”
“I know it must have been hard for you, but as a woman, I want to help you out a bit. I’d like to recommend a good composer.”
And now what Cecilia wants is a name out of the shadow of the Lane family. And also, money that doesn't belong to Wyatt.
“I can connect you if you want.”
Diego obediently agreed to the play. He was now in a position where he could not ignore Abby and Madame Monte.
“If we start running the troupe again, the Third Prince or the Empress might contact us.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Take it.”
Cecilia answered immediately.
“There’s something I need your help with.”
And smiled smoothly.
“Your face has become much more puffy.”
Madame Monte muttered, looking into Cecilia's face as if she were annoyed.
“It’s okay. If I look good at a time like this, I'm likely to get criticized.”
"Still..."
“When are Abby and her husband coming?”
“They said they’d come after lunch, so shouldn’t they be here soon?”
Madam Monte tilted her head and answered.
“First, could you please give me some tea? I think there will be some time before the two people arrive.”
At Cecilia's request, Madame Monte nodded and left. Soon after, Madame Monte returned with a teapot and cups.
“Thank you. I’ll rest alone for a moment.”
“If you need anything, just call me.”
Cecilia nodded. As soon as Madame Monte left, the room became quiet. Only then did her mind, which had been consciously blocked from thinking due to confusion and despair, begin to work a little.
It was that confusing. The deaths of Aster and Isabella were unexpected and a great shock, but it was also something that had already passed.
“I need to think about the future.”
Cecilia muttered, grabbed the handle of the teacup, and lifted it. The fragrant scent of green apples pierced her nostrils and stimulated her head.
In the end, as in the past, the Crown Prince and his wife died. What will their deaths bring?
“...Competition for the Crown Prince.”
In the past, the Emperor had a competition between Eden and Damon for the Crown Prince position. This was due to the strong claims of the Empress and the Count of Oberon. They argued that both Eden and Damon were legitimate children and that they should be given a fair chance.
'They're right. Damon deserves his rights too.'
The Emperor was reluctant, but Eden accepted the argument. The Emperor presented three challenges in total, and Eden won twice, defeating Damon.
That's how Eden became the Crown Prince.
“...”
Since Aster died without an heir, it was inevitable that there would be competition for the Crown Prince position this time. And if left alone, Eden would become Crown Prince again.
"No."
No one could defeat Eden, who had become the Crown Prince. Although he faced death threats several times, he eventually survived and became the Emperor.
And that was the beginning of the tragedy that Cecilia suffered. Even though she knew it, she couldn't just stand by and watch.
“But Damon..."
There was some hesitation. How would Wyatt fare if Damon became the Crown Prince? Cecilia also knew that Damon was not likely to become Emperor, so it was a natural concern.
But she didn't want to die for the same reason again.
Cecilia slowly closed her eyes and opened them. Under the slanted sunlight past 2 o'clock in the afternoon, shadows stretched gloomily.
“Your Highness, Abby and James have arrived!”
Madame Monte's aforementioned voice broke her thoughts. Cecilia straightened her back quietly.
"Your Highness!"
“Come on in, Abby.”
Abby dressed up nicely, and rushed in. Cecilia patted Abby on the back and exchanged greetings with Diego.
“I’m sorry I left the reception like that. I was really surprised.”
Abby frowned at Cecilia's apology. Then, she spoke at a rapid pace, saying that she was even more surprised by the news that Cecilia had fallen ill after that.
“I can’t tell you how worried I was when His Highness said you were sick again. Look at your complexion, it’s still not looking good.”
Cecilia laughed as she listened to Abby's chattering.
“It’s okay now. How are you? Is there anything else you want to eat? I heard that you get cravings when you’re pregnant.”
“I already wanted to eat the food my mom made.”
Ebi spoke with a sour taste in her mouth.
“You must not have eaten because of me.”
Cecilia clicked her tongue briefly. She already knew that Madame Monte had been by her side while she was sick. She could not have shown her face to Abby.
“Go down now and ask them to do it.”
“It’s okay, Your Highness. I just came to greet you...”
“They say you don’t feel bad if you eat what you want on time. I’ll talk to your husband.”
As Cecilia pushed her back, Abby reluctantly stood up. However, the flushed cheeks showed her anticipation.
“Then I’ll be back soon!”
Abby opened the door and disappeared. As soon as Abby, who had been acting crazy, disappeared, the room became quiet.
“Do you have anything to say?”
Diego asked. He was a perceptive man, then and now.
“The theater needs to be reorganized.”
“What do you mean by reorganization...?”
“I thought, why not try a new form of art that combines theater, dance, and music?”
It was a type of art that had not existed in Wyatt until now. But in a few years, a form of art that combined these three would come to the stage and cause a big stir.
“In the name of Diana.”
Diego thought of a name for an extremist group that no one had ever seen before. Diana was a ghost put forward by Cecilia, the real owner of the group. She never existed in the first place. She only exists on paper.
“Diana is the widow of Weavers.”
“...”
“I know it must have been hard for you, but as a woman, I want to help you out a bit. I’d like to recommend a good composer.”
And now what Cecilia wants is a name out of the shadow of the Lane family. And also, money that doesn't belong to Wyatt.
“I can connect you if you want.”
Diego obediently agreed to the play. He was now in a position where he could not ignore Abby and Madame Monte.
“If we start running the troupe again, the Third Prince or the Empress might contact us.”
“Then what should we do?”
“Take it.”
Cecilia answered immediately.
“There’s something I need your help with.”
And smiled smoothly.
***
The Emperor summoned Eden and Damon. Eden faced the Emperor with a somewhat rough expression, while Damon faced him with a proud expression.
“You see, I said that I would choose one of you two to be Crown Prince.”
Was he really happy that his older brother died and he got the chance to become the Crown Prince? The Emperor, who still had a deep wound in his heart from losing his beloved son and his wife, was not happy with his attitude.
“We will soon officially announce the competition and disclose its details.”
The Emperor was still convinced that Damon was not the right candidate for the Crown Prince position. If only Eden had not said no to the position, there would have been no point in competing for it.
“There are three main contents of the competition.”
Damon perked up his ears and his eyes sparkled.
“We will be looking at how you solve problems in politics, economy, and society. We will see how broad your perspective is in various fields.”
The Emperor must be able to see and judge with a broad perspective. That was the Emperor's motto.
“The first is whether or not we should maintain diplomatic relations with Benia. I will give you time to prepare your answer.”
Of course, the most important abilities for an Emperor were politics and diplomacy.
“Of course, we have to cut it off!”
Damon shouted at the top of his lungs.
“These are the guys who killed Brother Aster. How can we maintain diplomatic relations?”
It was to preempt the answer. Naturally, it was assumed that Eden would discuss the severance of diplomatic relations.
“Your Majesty, do you believe what Benia says?”
Damon asked the Emperor as if he was asking for his opinion. He seemed confident that the Emperor would agree with him.
“My answer doesn’t matter.”
But the Emperor cut off Damon's words rather coldly. Damon rolled his eyes with an embarrassed expression.
“The important thing is that you are there and are persuading more people.”
“Persuasion?”
Damon, who had only thought about answering to the Emperor and being chosen, asked curiously.
“You, I, and the noble families will attend that event.”
“...”
“You each have to present your opinions and convince them. Naturally, whoever gets more votes will win.”
“You say we have to persuade the nobles?”
Damon asked timidly. It was a topic he didn't particularly like. In Damon's view, the Emperor was the one who gave orders, not the one who persuaded.
“It’s an anonymous vote, and everyone will vote honestly according to their own interests. If you don’t like it, just leave.”
“Oh, no.”
Damon quickly changed his words.
“I will do my best.”
In any case, the fact that the Emperor hadn't promised to give Eden the Crown Prince position was enough of a harvest. Damon believed that if he and Eden were to face off one-on-one, he would have a chance.
“Yes. Go out and see.”
The Emperor waved his hand with a somewhat dry expression. Damon bowed deeply and left.
“I gave Damon a fair chance, just like you wanted.”
The Emperor stared at his second son, who was still sitting in his seat. His expression was as smooth as when he had entered the audience room, but his pale complexion was somehow annoying.
“So take care of your health.”
"Your Majesty."
“If you do something wrong, I don’t think I’ll be able to live in exile.”
He was an Emperor, but he was also a father, and his arms were clearly bent only towards Eden.
“You see, I said that I would choose one of you two to be Crown Prince.”
Was he really happy that his older brother died and he got the chance to become the Crown Prince? The Emperor, who still had a deep wound in his heart from losing his beloved son and his wife, was not happy with his attitude.
“We will soon officially announce the competition and disclose its details.”
The Emperor was still convinced that Damon was not the right candidate for the Crown Prince position. If only Eden had not said no to the position, there would have been no point in competing for it.
“There are three main contents of the competition.”
Damon perked up his ears and his eyes sparkled.
“We will be looking at how you solve problems in politics, economy, and society. We will see how broad your perspective is in various fields.”
The Emperor must be able to see and judge with a broad perspective. That was the Emperor's motto.
“The first is whether or not we should maintain diplomatic relations with Benia. I will give you time to prepare your answer.”
Of course, the most important abilities for an Emperor were politics and diplomacy.
“Of course, we have to cut it off!”
Damon shouted at the top of his lungs.
“These are the guys who killed Brother Aster. How can we maintain diplomatic relations?”
It was to preempt the answer. Naturally, it was assumed that Eden would discuss the severance of diplomatic relations.
“Your Majesty, do you believe what Benia says?”
Damon asked the Emperor as if he was asking for his opinion. He seemed confident that the Emperor would agree with him.
“My answer doesn’t matter.”
But the Emperor cut off Damon's words rather coldly. Damon rolled his eyes with an embarrassed expression.
“The important thing is that you are there and are persuading more people.”
“Persuasion?”
Damon, who had only thought about answering to the Emperor and being chosen, asked curiously.
“You, I, and the noble families will attend that event.”
“...”
“You each have to present your opinions and convince them. Naturally, whoever gets more votes will win.”
“You say we have to persuade the nobles?”
Damon asked timidly. It was a topic he didn't particularly like. In Damon's view, the Emperor was the one who gave orders, not the one who persuaded.
“It’s an anonymous vote, and everyone will vote honestly according to their own interests. If you don’t like it, just leave.”
“Oh, no.”
Damon quickly changed his words.
“I will do my best.”
In any case, the fact that the Emperor hadn't promised to give Eden the Crown Prince position was enough of a harvest. Damon believed that if he and Eden were to face off one-on-one, he would have a chance.
“Yes. Go out and see.”
The Emperor waved his hand with a somewhat dry expression. Damon bowed deeply and left.
“I gave Damon a fair chance, just like you wanted.”
The Emperor stared at his second son, who was still sitting in his seat. His expression was as smooth as when he had entered the audience room, but his pale complexion was somehow annoying.
“So take care of your health.”
"Your Majesty."
“If you do something wrong, I don’t think I’ll be able to live in exile.”
He was an Emperor, but he was also a father, and his arms were clearly bent only towards Eden.
Comments
Post a Comment