The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Emperor, Cavelius III (2)

“……”

Jerome gave no reply.

Seeing his expression, the Emperor said resolutely, “The only legitimate successor is Adrian. I will make sure that child ascends the throne.”

At the mention of the First Prince Adrian, Jerome swallowed his silence.

The Emperor did not miss that reaction and asked sharply, “Do you think I don’t know the real reason you don’t support the First Prince?”

“…Your Majesty also knows well that Prince Adrian is of frail constitution.”

When Jerome answered with a dark expression, the Emperor scoffed. “He’s not suitable because he won’t live long? Am I not the same, then?”

“Your Majesty!”

“Go ahead and say I’m unfit to be Emperor too.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

The Emperor openly mocked the strongest knight standing before him.

“Hmph, in the end, you’re just a petty man who cares more for blood ties than the Empire.”

“…I won’t deny it.”

At Jerome’s prompt acknowledgment, the Emperor fell silent for a moment.

But it was the Emperor who spoke again.

“I cannot understand it. He’s not even your blood relative.”

A statement that pierced the Duke’s past. Words only the Emperor could say.

But Jerome simply bowed his head without reaction.

“Yes, you’ve always been a man of sentiment.”

Seeing that, the Emperor clicked his tongue.

“Unlike me.”

The Emperor tapped the railing with his finger.

“I know very well that Adrian isn’t exactly a perfect fit for the throne.”

The First Prince was intelligent, but not cunning. Kind, but not ruthless.

Most importantly, he was born with an extremely weak constitution.

No matter how many precious herbs and nourishing foods he was given, his condition never improved.

Even so, Adrian had to become Emperor.

“The only one who can keep the Marquis of Radcliffe in check is the Duke’s house. And the only prince with the Duke’s blood is Adrian.”

The Marquis of Radcliffe had been threatening the Imperial family’s authority for decades.

The only rival force was the House of Duke Crowner.

Jerome was not unaware of this.

“Many nobles who follow the Duke also support Adrian. He is the only one who can make them follow without conditions.”

At the Emperor’s words, Jerome thought of his one and only nephew.

A calm and gentle face resembling his sister.

A kind and warm personality, unlike either of his parents.

As the image of his nephew’s faint smile came to mind, a dull ache tugged at his chest.

“Still, the reason you continue to protect that child is because you’re too soft.”

The Emperor’s voice grew increasingly threatening.

“Jerome, do you remember the promise we made?”

He slowly approached Jerome.

“I helped you reach your current position. And I haven’t forgotten the price I’m owed.”

“…Nor have I, Your Majesty.” Jerome kept his gaze fixed at the tip of his own nose as he continued, “Even if it costs me my life, I will never let the Marquis of Radcliffe become the true power of this nation.”

“Good. And we must also ensure that someone with no real strength does not ascend the throne.”

The Emperor placed a hand on his shoulder. “Only one who can bear the weight of the crown deserves to sit on the throne. You understand that, don’t you?”

Jerome bowed deeply at the Emperor’s words.

“Only Adrian can protect the Empire. And only you can protect Adrian.”

“How can Your Majesty say that when you’re still here?”

“I don’t have much time left. You know that well,” murmured the Emperor bitterly.

Hearing that, Jerome’s face instantly turned pale. “Your Majesty!”

“No need for fuss. Everyone who matters already knows.”

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively, as if weary.

“Just keep your promise. In this Imperial Palace, you are the only one I can trust.”

“…I will remember it.”

Jerome recalled the oath he made long ago with Cavelius III.

Back when no one acknowledged his succession to the ducal title.

The Emperor used his authority to seat Jerome as the head of House Crowner.

“From now on, I am your will. You will be my sword.”

That day, they ceased to be old friends and became master and servant.

The Emperor handed him the blade of vengeance he had honed for years.

At times, Jerome resented the Emperor who had placed such a burden on him.

‘It was my own doing.’

He was the one who had accepted the oath that day.

Even if he could return to that moment, he would make the same choice.

Because he, too, had something to protect.

“So keep your defiance within reason. I’ll be going now.”

“Your Majesty.”

At that moment, Jerome stopped the Emperor once more as he was about to leave the office.

“What is it?”

“May I make one request?”

“What is it?”

“…I will continue to include Prince Edwin in training for the next three months. It is a promise I made.”

Jerome Crowner was not a man who added unnecessary words.

The Emperor stared at the Duke, who had suddenly begun to speak more than usual.

There was a mysterious determination in the Duke’s eyes.

The Emperor seemed to have already grasped what he was thinking.

“…I don’t understand. Why go so far?”

The Emperor, who had turned his gaze to the window at some point, frowned.

The Third Prince, Edwin, was gradually falling behind the group of knights.

Though he looked like a mere dot from afar, it was clear he was struggling.

“Don’t tell me you think that child could even be a substitute for Adrian.”

The Emperor added, frowning, “If so, I’m a bit disappointed. I didn’t expect your judgment to be so poor.”

There had been a time when even the Emperor had held expectations for the Third Prince.

But those expectations had long since shattered.

To the Emperor, the Third Prince was merely ‘a timid, incompetent, and weak twelve-year-old.’

“At the very least, he can be on Prince Adrian’s side.”

At Jerome’s reply, the Emperor furrowed his brows.

“…You persist in your pointless obstinacy.”

“The more cards we have, the better, don’t you think?”

“The more useless cards, the more they only cause headaches.”

“I will make him a useful card.”

He never backed down from a single word.

The Emperor looked at the Duke with displeasure, then quickly turned his head.

“Fine. Do as you please. I mean it this time.”

“Take care.”

Jerome gave a respectful nod to the Emperor’s back without even turning around as he exited the room.

Once the door closed, Jerome raised his head.

There was clearly some resolve etched onto his face.

***

“Stop.”

I had used stealth to sneak into Jerome’s office, hoping to find something useful.

That was the problem. Not only had I learned something I didn’t want to know, but I ended up face-to-face with the Emperor himself.

“What are you doing here? As far as I know, there are no maids working in this residence.”

Having unintentionally overheard the conversation between the Emperor and the Knight Commander from outside the door, I hurriedly tried to descend the stairs.

But the Emperor was quite the curious man.

‘Damn it, I shouldn’t have dispelled the stealth.’

He made sure to call out to me as I was going down the stairs.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

Urged by the Emperor, I had no choice but to turn around.

“You are…”

The Emperor frowned.

“The Third Prince’s nanny.”

I bowed as politely and respectfully as possible. “I greet Your Majesty. I am Rachel Brown, nanny to His Highness the Third Prince.”

Upon hearing my self-introduction, the Emperor narrowed his eyes.

His gaze, not at all friendly, swept over my entire body.

“I heard you made some pointless request to Duke Crowner.”

“…With all due respect, I have never made a pointless request to the Duke.”

“What?”

Did I come off as too insolent?

The Emperor furrowed his brow at my response.

“I simply thought it was my duty to help His Highness Prince Edwin achieve what he desires.”

Hearing my reply, the Emperor stood silent for a while.

Then he let out a scoff as if it were absurd.

“To achieve what he desires? And you’re helping him with that?”

There was a clear sneer on his face.

“Quite the ambition for just a nanny.”

But strangely enough, he didn’t seem all that displeased.

“So, are you saying that child Edwin asked you to include him in knight training? That’s a bit much…”

“Yes, he did.”

Of course, it was me who proposed it, and Edwin just accepted it half against his will.

I dared to look the Emperor directly in the face as I said, “His Highness Prince Edwin clearly said he wanted to become stronger.”

“…Stronger?”

What a ridiculous expression.

I answered firmly, not averting my gaze from the Emperor, “Yes, he definitely said so.”

He stood silent again for a long time.

His gaze, from atop the stairs, bore into my face.

“…That too is unexpected.”

A short and ambiguous reply.

The Emperor’s expression was as ambiguous as his words.

Unable to hold back, I opened my mouth again.

“Your Majesty, I have a request…”

“Enough.”

At that moment, a cold voice struck the crown of my head.

The Emperor raised one hand, glaring at me.

“A mere nanny, daring to utter the word ‘request’ twice in the presence of the Emperor. Do you take me lightly just because I granted your request in the garden?”