She was standing at the head of the 1st Prince's procession.
The guests' eyes were immediately fixed on her.
The First Princess's diamond glittered above her high-raised head.
A dark blue dress and an expressionless face.
It was a look of greater solemnity and weight than usual. It seemed as if she was making a desperate effort not to collapse.
"She's officiating the coronation in place of her comatose husband...?"
"It's a pity, isn't she about to be abandoned by the oracle?"
Whispers rose like waves here and there.
The presence of the First Princess was so strong that it made one forget the Saintess for a moment.
Is it human nature to be more curious about someone's fall than their injury?
The First Princess was from the Valdina royal family and had always known no limits and had been on a roll.
She was the envy of everyone for her background, her power, and even her husband, who cared only for her.
So, while some people were saddened by this sudden tragedy, there were also quite a few who felt secretly relieved.
But the mood soon changed.
Tuduk.
The armrests of the seats where the Valdina officials were sitting, having heard the gossip directed at the First Princess, suddenly broke and fell off.
Before the sound of the explosion could die down, Peleus's cold gaze pierced the crowd like a blade.
In an instant, the surrounding commotion ceased.
People began to keep quiet and watch the situation.
Even in the midst of all this, Jason did not take his eyes off Medea, who had become a spectacle for the crowd.
"There was a loud noise with the Emperor of Valdina visited the palace. They say he tried to take the 1st Princess back to Valdina, but judging by the fact that the Agemas were kicked out without even being able to stay in the palace, it seems that he failed to persuade his sister."
Last night, among the eyes watching the activities of the First Prince's Palace, there was also Jason's.
Jason swallowed a hollow laugh.
'Oh, how can you be so similar?'
Her stubbornness in caring only for her husband, ignoring even her beloved brother's pleas, remained unchanged in this life.
It just sinks into my bones that the object of that boundless affection is Cesare.
'But it's okay, it's good for me that you stay here.'
If Peleus had returned to Valdina with Medea, the great magic he had prepared for today would not even have been able to operate.
If that happens, it will be difficult for Jason to get her back.
Rather than that, it was better to wash away the stain of her own hard-heartedness.
"..."
Jason raised his head. He saw the statue of the goddess before the stained glass window.
He quickly regained his composure, as if nothing had happened, but his heart was pounding.
The time to get her back was now imminent.
***
Kukkung.
The heavy sound of the cathedral's bronze doors closing filled the hall.
The high priest of Katzen, who was presiding over the coronation, ascended the podium wearing Mithra.
However, he was wearing a white robe of unknown origin, not the cream robe that signified his membership in the Holy Land.
Paul frowned.
Wearing the mitre awarded by the Pope but refusing the cream robe is an expression of consciousness that even if the Pope acknowledges it, he will not acknowledge it.
"Hmph."
But he didn't care.
"If Rachel becomes the Empress of Katzen anyway, Katzen will fall into our hands."
So he can deal with that old man with a broken string at any time.
"The coronation ceremony will now begin."
The throne where the Emperor should have been sitting was empty.
His absence was more evident under the pouring stained glass light.
"For the eternal prosperity of the glorious Katzen Empire, I proclaim the name that will inherit the Emperor's glory."
The voice of the Grand Priest Katzen rang out.
"Please swear on behalf of the First Prince, as a proxy for the First Prince's wife."
Rachel watched as Medea went to the altar and swore her oath of duty to the Emperor, and the high priest anointed her head and forehead with holy oil.
Medea's appearance, as she performed the ritual without any disturbance, exuded restrained dignity.
At this very moment, as the Emperor's replacement, Medea stood at the top of everyone here.
"..."
A wrinkle appeared in the front of her dress, and Rachel came to her senses and relaxed her hands.
Behold, there are not two suns in the world.
The moment Medea appears, the light she possesses disappears as if sucked out.
'Only when one dies can the other shine.'
The deceased mother's will was by no means an exaggeration.
Rachel was able to endure the unbearable jealousy she felt.
Because that lofty light will soon fall to the very bottom of the earth.
After the blessing for the Emperor was read, the long-awaited fulfillment of the oracle occurred.
"Ahem! Get out of the way!"
As if it were his turn, Paul stepped forward, muttering something.
And Char!
A second oracle unfolded from his hand.
The words of the oracle were written in large letters that anyone could read.
"The goddess said, 'Cesare, the son of Katzen, marry my faithful daughter Rachel and make peace.'"
His voice rose above the thunderous admonitions of the cathedral.
“This is my will, and whoever disobeys will be judged by his own hand.”
Attendees were able to listen to the contents of the trust once again and reflect on its meaning.
"The First Prince refused and was truly punished, so it was as the oracle had said."
"Still, I'm glad you changed your mind now."
Katzen's high priest continued speaking, suppressing her mutterings towards the First Prince.
"Therefore, Princess Medea, on behalf of His Majesty, will carry out the oracle and perform the ceremony to welcome Saintess Rachel as His Highness's companion."
He turned his head.
"..."
Medea nodded without wavering.
But Rachel could see her hands trembling as she held the plate under her sleeve.
Sarr. Rachel got up and started walking.
The sound of antique robes brushing the red road that covered the floor filled the cathedral.
"I thank you for calling me to this place where I serve the will of the Goddess."
Rachel walked up to the platform where Medea stood and gently bowed her head.
"I am ready to take the oath as the representative of the goddess and the true companion of the First Prince."
Paul smiled happily and led her to the oath-taking stone.
All eyes in the cathedral were focused on her.
Rachel looked down at the Oath Stone.
She could see Medea's name engraved next to Ceaqre's name.
Now that name will disappear, and in its place will be engraved Rachel, her own name.
A cloudy glare reflected in beautiful purple eyes stared defiantly at Medea.
"So, Medea. You thought I'd end up like that? But look at me, I'm here alive to drag you down."
Their eyes met.
"..."
Rachel slowly raised the corners of her mouth.
It was the smile of a winner.
If this hadn't been a coronation, she would have laughed out loud.
‘I won!’
Mom, I finally did it. I did it.
'Can you see it?'
That girl's dying face right now?
That girl's future, her husband, her position—it's all mine. I've taken her fate, completely taken it from her.
Watch the moment those eyes become filled with despair.
It was then.
The corners of Rachel's mouth twitched in joy, and in an instant, they tore.
Kwang!
The huge bronze door burst open.
The impact spread to the marble floor, and a loud noise like something exploding rang out.
"Wh, what is it...!"
People shrugged and turned their heads toward the door.
A bright white light poured in through the broken door.
The outline of the man with his back to the light stood out in everyone's sight.
The flash of light that hurt the eyes made people's vision adjust and slowly revealed the man's face.
The main character of today's coronation was the First Prince.
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