Chapter 149: Decision
Lately, Marquis Erez had been in a hurry. Prince Sigren had returned to the capital from Heilon with the news that he had put the rampaging dragon to sleep. This news created a buzz, and many people regarded him as a hero. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Your Majesty, we have to get rid of him,” Marquis Erez urged when he met the empress. “Prince Sigren’s popularity is increasing day by day. His Majesty is also very pleased. This can’t go on like this. After all, the prince is at the top of the crown—”
“Never say such a thing, Marquis.” The empress’s fury was sharp.
“It is my negligence.”
Even then, Marquis Erez couldn’t shake his unease. “But we need to decide what to do about the prince as soon as possible.” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I know. I’ve been thinking about it, too.”
“An assassin….”
The empress frowned. Prince Sigren had killed the assassin in a very public manner. “We’ve reached our limit with that. We should consider his strength before wasting more manpower.”
They needed to hit him hard. Seeing him alive and thriving was already a headache, and now he had formed a strong relationship with Heilon right under their noses. If he solidified his power by getting engaged to the Heilon heiress, they would be at a serious disadvantage. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Marquis, when do you think a man is most vulnerable and careless?”
Marquis Erez hesitated. “Yes? I’m not sure….”
The empress smiled. “It’s when they’re hugging a woman.”
“Ah.”
“To eliminate them, we need to keep them apart.”
Prince Sigren and Fiona Heilon shared a very close relationship. If they got engaged, they would be a much stronger force. Therefore, they needed to break that bond as soon as possible. Building trust was hard, but breaking it was easy, especially if there was a fresh flower in the garden after a long time. It was truly easy to shake things up.
The empress grinned.
“Find someone—someone very beautiful and captivating. It would be better if she could clean up after the work.”
The marquis quietly bowed his head. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
***
Aria, the first princess of the empire, had recently been appearing frequently at various balls. With no empress or crown prince present, no one made a fuss over her attendance. From the second floor, she looked down with interest at the ballroom on the first floor.
“Is that Sister the lovely Fiona Heilon?”
Fiona Heilon and Prince Sigren had returned to the capital’s society after a period of absence, bringing with them the greatest news the society had ever heard: the slaying of two dragons. As a result, all eyes during this social season were on them.
Kane Erez, who had been abandoned by the prince he had served until recently, responded sadly, “Yes, Your Highness…. You’re here.”
Erez felt sorrowful about having to leave, as the current lord had instructed, and to make matters worse, he found himself captured by his former master at the venue.
Aria turned to him.
“Sir Kane, how do I look today?”
Kane Erez replied mechanically, “Yes, yes. You’re always pretty.”
“Be sincere, at least, can you?”
To Kane, she was just a ‘little girl’ since he had known the princess since her childhood. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“You’re beautiful, Your Highness.”
“That’s right. Wouldn’t you like to have a little sister like me?”
“Not really….”
Kane winced as if he had been hit in the stomach.
“Ack… Sorry… good, it’s the best.”
“Good.”
Kane felt slightly annoyed. He shouldn’t have taught her martial arts. He rubbed his stomach.
“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”
“I have to make a move.”
Aria pointed down with her fingertips at Fiona and Sigren. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“If Brother Sigren rises to the throne, there will be bloodshed if I do something wrong.”
“What? Well, he’s a bit cranky, but he’s not evil.”
“Oh, Sir Kane still doesn’t realize it.”
“What?”
Aria smiled brightly while tilting her head.
“Don’t worry. You’ll soon know what I mean. Isn’t this all for your sake?”
Anyway, Kane didn’t dare pry into the princess’s thoughts. Besides, her dubious attitude hadn’t developed overnight.
“Alright, so… why are you trying to seduce the prince?”
“Brother Enoch is definitely not fit to be emperor, but it would be a bit dangerous if Brother Sigren becomes one.”
Aria gave a greedy smile that was inappropriate for her age. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“So, I’m the only one left. The throne will be mine.”
Kane knew very well that she was greedy for the throne, but he didn’t care much about that fact.
“So, you mean you would try to make him give up his claim to the succession by appealing to the brother-sister friendship?”
“No way. The one I’m flirting with isn’t my brother.”
What?
Kane looked at where Aria’s finger was pointing. It was Lady Fiona Heilon.
“If I make a move on Lady Fiona, the brother who is blinded by love will definitely follow.”
Aria declared proudly, “So, I have to make a move on her.”
Kane gave up. The girl in front of him spoke as if she were discussing a free gift that came with something she had purchased. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Is that even possible?”
“It’s possible. My face is lovely.”
She seemed overly confident. But no one could deny that she was indeed as charming as she described herself. Aria had a sweet and lovely appearance like a fairy. If she acted cute with that face, it was obvious that anyone, regardless of age or gender, would be enchanted by her.
Kane connected the dots. That was why she had asked about being a little sister earlier. She wanted to approach Fiona and fawn over her like a real sister. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Kane didn’t know what to think anymore. He then said, without any enthusiasm, “Hm, I will support you.”
***
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