Chapter 129. Preparation, Part XIV

Translator: Khan

Editor: Aelryinth

And the Marquis, for the time being, you will have to be content with the interest of a little sister-like maternal niece. No one should know that the Marquis is connected to me until Julietta becomes the Empress. The Marquis is a son-in-law of the family of Dudley, and if you dont do anything, you will appear to support Francis. What the Marquis will do for me is to report on the movements of the Duke of Dudley.

Such a report was not difficult. But Christine troubled Roberts thoughts.

Until today he had thought of marrying Christine to Prince Killian for revenge against Francis and the family of Dudley. He also wanted to protect his daughter from the family of Duke Dudley, who would happily sacrifice their only granddaughter for their ambition.

But how did the sisters end up related to this man?

Robert settled his thoughts. It wasnt time to run about in confusion like this, as Julietta had come back to life. He should hurry up and marry off Christine to the right person. He answered at that thought, Yes, Your Highness.

Marquis Anais left the house to return to the theater, and Simone and Maribel were called over by Killian.

Let the Marquise continue to tell stories about the health of the Duke. Who knows about Juliettas work in the family of the Duke?

The maid Vera and the driver Gibson, who went to Bertino with me; the butler of Tilia Territory; Reginas private maid; and a private servant of my brother know everything. Except for my maid and my driver, the rest have served the family of Kielini for generations, so they are not the ones who will betray him.

Are you sure there are no more people who know that in the capital?

Yes, Your Highness. I know the butler of Dublin mansion is reporting to the Duke about me and Julietta, but its only about how we are getting along. My brother wanted the least number of people to know about this. Theres no way that my brother, who even hates me, would have told anyone else in the Territory. He might decide to kill even the butler, the head maid, and the private maids, since they know the secret.

I see. Are Vera and Gibson reliable?

The suspicions of Killian made Simone laugh. They are more affectionate to Julietta than me, who they have served for a long time. They wouldnt hesitate to confront me if some connection was formed between them in this short period of time. So, dont worry.

Killian nodded that he understood.

He didnt doubt what the Marquis said, but it was something that should not be leaked. Thinking that they should also be sworn in before he could get to work in earnest, Killian ordered Simone

What you have to do is to slowly get the family of the Duke into your hands. Send those who can harm you and Julietta, or who will neglect you, out of the mansion. It doesnt matter if theyve served the family of the Duke for generations. Of course, you shouldnt act where the Duke will notice it. But let those who are thought to be loyal to the Duke get sent out. The Marquise must take over the Dublin mansion until I go to see the Duke. Can you do it?

Yes, Your Highness. What cant I do if I dont need to see my brothers countenance anymore? Dont worry.

At the end of the remark, when Marquise Raban stepped away, Killian leaned heavily on the sofa.

Ian, call a meeting in the evening. Call Spencer, too.

Your Highness, please tell me I heard it wrong.

Adam had returned from Vicern at the command of Killian, and was now angry.

I didnt joke, the Count, nor did you hear it wrong.

Julietta is the Empress of the future!? She is an illegitimate child and was a maid of Your Highness.

Killian stared coldly at Adams bitter complaints. Youre a bastard, too, Adam. But no one here is saying anything about your status, and no one is bothered by it. The same is true of Julietta. I think its the stupidest thing in the world to lose a talented person to the clutches of that status. I think youre here by my side because everyone here has agreed with me.

Adam was a child born outside by the Duke of Martin. The infant was brought in from outside five years after the birth of his successor Kane and the Duchesss death. He was immediately adopted as the Dukes foster son, no longer needing permission from the first wife.

As such, Adam was incorporated into aristocratic society, but he could not remove the label of being an illegitimate child who was neither the Dukes successor nor a bastard born with title or land. Adam always felt like an outsider as the days went by. Then he was sent by the Duke of Martin to be a companion to Killian, who was about the same age, and from then on, he became a friend of Prince Killian with Spencer.

Adam was knighted by the Count of Bertino at the age of seventeen. It was Killians decision to give Adam a foothold to fly from.

Adam looked around at those who were sitting with him.

The Marquis of Oswald was a person who he would not be nearly as comfortable as they were now. There was no need to talk about Marquis Rhodius, who was a royal, nor Count Valerian, who was the commander of the Principality of Bertino, and also the captain of the guard of Prince Killian.

But Adam couldnt give up lingering feelings about his lords flawless stature.

Yes, thats right, Your Highness. No one would despise the restriction on birth more than I do. But you are my lord. Is it too much of my desire to wish that a flawless lord would receive a more perfect Queen than anyone else?

Its your greed. Im perfect, and my wife the Queen doesnt have to be perfect.

Oswald nodded unconsciously at Killians arrogant words. Your perfection is more than offsetting all the imperfections around you.

Are you all okay? Am I the only one who opposes it?

Spencer shrugged casually at Adams words. In fact, she will not be a Queen under the label of an illegitimate child, but she will be a Queen with the great status of the princess of Kiellini, who has a backer in Killian. What is important about her birth? If we talk about our status, the ancestors of Killian and I were savages who used to plunder others tribes from time to time.

At Spencers words, Adam looked at Oswald. What about you?

As for me, it doesnt matter. Especially, if it is the beautiful princess and her amazing wit, I wouldnt stop her from being the Empress even if she is a commoner or an illegitimate child of a nobleman. She is the most talented woman in the world. I like someone who is smart and capable. Thats why I swore allegiance to His Highness, and thats why Im so comfortable talking to you, despite you being an illegitimate child.

Only

Oswald winked at Adam, but stressed that he was also an illegitimate child.

What about Charles?

When Spencer asked Count Valerian, he said with his usual stiff manner, I dont think a persons personality is shaped by birth. Rather, Ive heard many times about how mean and cruel people in positions that everyone would envy are.

Charles, a cousin on Killians maternal side, had heard from his father, Count Louis Valerian, about how Killian survived the assassination of the Empress. The incident that Killian went through, even though he was young, had come as a shock.

Charles had decided to become a knight from then on. He decided to become a great knight like his father and protect Killian by his side.

Adam, are you still going to oppose? Killian added, and Adam shook his head in resignation,

Youre so obsessed with the belief that you should make me Emperor. In the past, I didnt want to be an Emperor, so I understood that your hard, inflexible actions might be a result of disappointment. But now its different, as I have decided to become Emperor. That means I will be Emperor, no matter what natural disaster comes to me. I dont really need an Empress perfect from head to toe next to me. Why does it matter if Im perfect? My perfection encompasses everyone around me, so dont worry.

It was an outrageous display of confidence and arrogance, but no one thought about it because it was Killians charisma, which attracted everyone around him like a magnet.