The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement-Chapter 78

Chapter 78
Velder listened to the explanation from the Third Apostle and then left the emperor's bedchamber.
If the emperor passed away as things stood, Velder would become the successor to the throne.
However, controversy had arisen recently, and he couldn't help but feel somewhat on edge.
'Things have gotten troublesome. For something like this to happen before I inherit the throne...'
Velder truly found himself in quite a predicament.
The bureaucrats had grown aware of his wrongdoing, and commotion had been brewing about it for some time.
He guessed that those trying to keep him in check would obsessively dig into this matter.
'There must be an informant... Or is it just bad luck?'
It was unlikely that mere commoners would dare to petition the emperor directly.
Only high-ranking bureaucrats, royals, or nobles of high title could face the emperor.
Still, the emperor might have discovered it himself, so he ought not jump to conclusions.
'This will only make things noisier.'
Velder was already envisioning a purge of the opposition. If their faction grew too strong, they would constantly be obstacles to him.
If they tried to discuss the succession by supporting the Second Prince or Third Princess, he was sure they'd have to be removed.
'I'd like to spend freely, but with folks like them around...'
The funds allotted to him by the imperial household were not enough for comfort.
Even if he ascended the throne, he would be watched from all sides.
Thus, he wanted to accumulate assets as a priority and eventually reach his hands into the imperial finances as well.
'The emperor is the ruler of the empire—shouldn't be bound by trivial things like money.'
To free himself from monetary concerns, he needed to own even more.
The richer one is, the more decisively one can spend.
As emperor—as ruler of the empire—he would simply possess whatever he wished and make it his own.
'A restrained sovereign... isn't that laughable? I will never allow myself to become that.'
Even with immense authority and military might, was he supposed to care for the weak one by one?
Wouldn't it be better to simply subjugate them with power and select only the strong?
The imperial population overflowed, with many competing to rise above the rest.
If, as emperor, he properly distinguished them, he could make the Agnes Empire even mightier.
'I will become an emperor whom no one dares defy. That is the very glory of the imperial family.'
* * *
Alter strove to dedicate himself to magic power training as he commuted to and from the society.
But he couldn't shake what Cadeon had told him, nor could he come up with any clear solution. What exactly was the crown prince planning to do, should he ascend to the throne?
'It's too dangerous to marry now. The imperial household surely wouldn't look on that kindly.'
If the emperor were at death's door, a noble should, naturally, pray for his recovery.
That meant behaving with reverence and not displaying indecent conduct.
He couldn't advance any ceremonies; until the results came, all he could do was patiently wait.
'Besides... controversy is brewing around the crown prince.'
On the surface, the crown prince had maintained the image of a dignified and upright royal.
In truth, however, he had colluded with greedy nobles and surreptitiously built slush funds, drawing even more criticism since innocent citizens had suffered.
'It's not an issue that can be overlooked. That's why some are even calling for his dethronement.'
As a series of the crown prince's corrupt acts came to light, senior bureaucrats began to doubt his qualifications as emperor.
Embezzling taxes, cornering essential goods, falsifying records of supplies to the frontiers, abusing policies spearheaded by the imperial household, leaking secrets, and more.
He was connected to an unexpectedly large number of incidents—so much so that even the emperor was infuriated.
'But he can't be dethroned right now. Doesn't the crown prince have to act on behalf of the emperor?'
If the emperor could not carry out his duties, his heir had to step in temporarily.
That gave the crown prince authority over all affairs—and the ability to intervene directly.
No matter how much bureaucrats talked about deposing him, from his standpoint, he could always find a way to hush it up.
'If the emperor were to die now, the crown prince would inherit the throne... But would he really act on such ambitions?'
Duke Illenat was considering the most extreme scenarios. The crown prince, using imperial authority, marrying Brillie.
Yet he would have to shoulder enormous burdens, and neither bureaucrats nor nobles would accept such actions.
'If things worsen, a rebellion could break out.'
Nobles cherished pride and honor; even the emperor had to show them respect.
Should the crown prince force a noble's daughter to marry by coercing a broken engagement, it would essentially be an insult and oppression toward the nobility.
That would serve as cause for open rebellion, rallying the nobles together.
'Since there's still the Second Prince and the Third Princess...'
So long as a direct imperial heir remained, legitimacy of succession would be preserved.
Lateral royals or those of diluted blood could not even hope for the throne.
If a direct heir were not made the successor, however, even the nobles would become divided.
'The Third Princess must have uncovered the crown prince's wrongdoings.'
The Third Princess had yearned for the throne since childhood. Naturally, she held many grievances and had little choice but to oppose the crown prince.
More than anything, having seen a glimpse of the future long ago, she was utterly confident.
'Too much has changed. This will make it much harder to predict...'
Of course, Alter himself had survived until now; naturally, the future would have changed from what was foreseen.
But his own fate was not tied at all to the emperor falling ill at this very moment.
Moreover, the timeline for the Third Princess attempting to dethrone the crown prince had also accelerated, making things even more complicated.
'Normally, the Third Princess would die attempting a rebellion. But if things have changed...'
The process leading to the outcome was already tangled. That meant a changed future would now be given to the Third Princess.
Simultaneously, the crown prince's own fate would inevitably be affected.
'It might get easier if she joins forces with the nobles.'
Given the current situation, the Third Princess and the nobles could unite under a shared goal: Depose the crown prince for abusing his power and enthrone a rightful emperor.
Should a majority of the nobles join the rebellion, not even the crown prince could withstand it.
'That makes timing and method the critical questions.'
In the end, the Third Princess's fate would be tied to rebellion.
The crown prince stood on precarious ground, and the senior bureaucrats and nobles could only adopt a critical stance.
Conflict seemed inevitable, and it was likely that the Third Princess would naturally be drawn into the fray.
'If the Third Princess ascends the throne, the future will change again.'
After wrestling with her thoughts for a while, Alter's expression grew subtle.
The Third Princess could prove better than the crown prince—but she was not an opponent to be underestimated.
Moreover, if the rebellion failed, countless nobles would be massacred.
'Should I be praying that the emperor holds out a little longer...?'
* * *
Vanderas dozed off and woke repeatedly in brief intervals. Although the pain had eased, the illness itself had not abated.
The authority of the emperor, who ruled all things, seemed powerless before death.
'... What a futile life. Did I think I'd been granted immortality?'
Vanderas reflected on his own life and recalled the pending state affairs he had put on hold: the controversy concerning the crown prince, remonstrations from high officials, a large-scale war breaking out in the north, and ominous signs in the eastern territories.
He had left none of it truly resolved—how could he accept the end so readily?
'Still, at least the northern region is said to have been settled—that's a relief.'
Vanderas absentmindedly faced lingering traces of an old friend: a cool, determined knight; a comrade who had stood by him; and the one who had stolen the one he loved.
Had he not truly needed to speak, even briefly, with Zair before their parting?
'I wanted to demand why he made such a mistake. If he was going to lose her so easily, he shouldn't have taken her with him.'
Vanderas still harbored the love he felt and lost deep in his heart. If only she had stayed with him, she might not have died so tragically.
Foolish as he might judge it, he could only become further mired in longing.
'Uriel... Uriel Astille. Where in the world is there another woman as cruel as you...?'
Vanderas chuckled bitterly, picturing her.
Her white hair fell gently, her sapphire eyes shone faintly.
She had a forthright yet obstinate nature—yet was endlessly gentle and compassionate.
She was a woman impossible not to love—and little did he know he would carry such regret even now.
'To think you bore a child who resembles you! Was it all to mock me? Are you not afraid of the emperor's wrath?'
Vanderas was still conscious of Alter Radiant.
The resemblance to Uriel was so pronounced that he could not turn away.
Even so, he felt a sense of relief that the child was his son—making himself seem wretched in his own eyes.
'Even if it were a daughter... she'd still be Zair's child, wouldn't she? In any case, I'm the only one left miserable!'
Although he poured out such laments, Vanderas could not let go of the emotion.
He didn't want to be bound up in whether the child was that of the Grand Duke of the North or not.
For now, all he wanted was to wash away his long-standing regrets.
"... Is there no one outside?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. The chief attendant is waiting."
"Where is Alter Radiant?"
"He has returned to the capital and is staying at the Duke of Illenat's mansion."
"Summon Alter Radiant at once."
"Beg pardon? But, Your Majesty..."
"I said at once. Bring him here."
"... Yes. I will carry out your order."
The chief attendant reluctantly answered and left the bedchamber. Only then did Vanderas, feeling unburdened, catch his breath.
With little time left, he would have to bring things to a close—even if late.
'I must see Uriel before I die. Even if she does not look at me... my heart will not change...'
* * *
Alter, hastily summoned, entered the imperial palace. Night had already fallen, and darkness had swallowed the heavens.
It was a rather odd situation, but he couldn't defy an imperial command.
"... Your Majesty, Alter Radiant has arrived."
"I have business with Alter Radiant. Everyone else, leave."
A feeble voice drifted from beyond the bed. Leaving the chief attendant behind, Alter carefully approached.
The chief attendant and attendants bowed deeply, then withdrew at once.
"I pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor."
Alter instinctively recognized that Vanderas was gravely ill.
His face was not merely pale; all vitality had deserted him.
He looked as if he might draw his final breath at any moment, and Alter could not help but grow anxious.
"Ah... you have come."
Vanderas opened his eyes thinly and looked up at his visitor.
It was certainly Alter Radiant he had summoned—yet her shape appeared before him.
Could it be that she had come back to life, even now?
"Are you really Alter Radiant?"
"Yes. I am."
"..."
Vanderas stared directly at him, but still, it was she who stood there. Even her voice was the same; there was not a hint of doubt about her identity.
The only difference was her hair, now untied, and her formal attire, which was different from usual.
"There is something I must give you. This is a secret decree, and also my final imperial order. You must deliver it yourself to the Grand Duke of the North. Do you understand my words?"
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
The reason her is used in the last few sentences is because Vanderas is seeing Uriel's image overlapping with Alter...
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】