Chapter 319 (2/2)

‘Sorry to give you such a big burden, Marquis. In return for sending the woman I loved to you, I’ve taken you hostage for the imperial family all your life. But I didn’t keep either of you well. I’ve nothing to say to you, Marquis. It’s me who asked you to hand over your daughter to me when I didn’t do anything for you. Sorry, Lady Monique. Please forgive me for leaving words that might be another shackle on your life, while I can’t give you my last gift with pure intention.”

After I murmured to them, I told the Lord Chamberlain, “Next, let in Duke Jena and his successor only.”

“Pardon? But, that’s against imperial customs…”

“Are you going to disobey my last order?”

“Oh, no, Your Majesty.”

“Then, go and tell him. If he makes any fuss over this, tell him I won’t meet him.”

Barely breathing out, I uttered with difficulty. I felt the time allowed for my survival was gradually running out.

When the duke heard my message, he would resent me once again and Lady Jena would fume.

A woman with dark hair who suddenly appeared in the Imperial Palace one day. That woman, who the noble faction thought the world of and the temple supported as the child of God’s prophecy, was inferior to Lady Monique, but fully qualified to be the empress. There was no evidence that she was educated systematically, but it could be easily corrected with proper education. She was good in terms of boldness, social interaction skills, and ability to judge the situation.

However, Lady Jena should not be allowed to be Rublis’ wife under any circumstances. On the day when she revealed her plan for the first time at the big conference, I saw various turbulent emotions in her black eyes. There was deep hatred and obsession in her eyes looking at him.

I couldn’t figure out why she, who had never met him before, had such feelings, but she was too dangerous for him. I couldn’t even imagine what would happen to him if my son took her as his wife. I would not allow her to be his wife even if she was adopted as a pro-emperor member’s foster daughter. As she was adopted as Duke Jena’s daughter, the leader of the noble faction, I could not even think of her as his possible spouse.

Fortunately, Rube had a crush on Monique, not caring about Lady Jena. He didn’t succumb to her seduction despite her enormous efforts.

“I’m honored to see you, the Sun of the empire.”

“Duke Jena.”

“Please go ahead.’

“I’m always grateful to you.”

I breathed roughly as I was gasping for breath. When I saw his eyes full of greed, I felt bitter.

The Jena family was a prestigious family that produced the first empress. At that time, they obviously shared the same political vision with the first emperor. I didn’t know why they became estranged from the imperial family.

Although I exterminated the families of the Kaisil, Heidel, and Laurel, I could not get rid of all the other duke families so I made an exception to the Duke family. I saved the Duke Jena family, given that Monique’s mother was from that family. But the duke’s behavior these days was going too far. I felt bitter because I was afraid that my son might inevitably have blood on his hands.

“I hope you will think again about what is the best for the empire and the people. Otherwise, not only your family, the apple of your eye, but also your power would be at stake. Besides, the empire might go through another political turmoil. So, I hope you can change your course even now, Duke Jena. When I think of the Earl Lanier case, it seems too late for you, but you still have the chance to stop it.”