Yerhan arrived at the conference in a carriage.
Since he was still staying at the Third Prince Palace, it was inconvenient to walk to another palace.
Crayle and Elsid, who were standing in front of the door of the conference hall, bowed lightly and opened the door wide.
Yerhan, who had completely erased his expression, entered the room.
The sound of stomping and imposing steps were clearly heard in many voices.
The words of the nobles seated in the conference room stopped at once.
The nobles all rose from their seats and set a greeting for the royal family.
After confirming the vacant position of the emperor and crown prince, Yerhan tossed his cape behind and walked forward.
At the last meeting, he sat farthest from the emperor, but this time, Yerhan sat in the seat of the crown prince, which was vacant.
It was not intentional. It was because it was a good place to see all the nobles at a glance. But contrary to Yerhan’s idea, the nobles were busy looking at each other.
They speculated among themselves what Yerhan’s intentions were to sit in the crown prince’s seat.
Yerhan sat down and looked around.
Yerhan, who was looking at the nobles, stopped looking at them for a moment. At the end of his gaze was the Duke of Eloa.
He is the father of the empress and maternal grandfather of the crown prince. He was also a person who had been anxious to kill Yerhan, and wary of him.
The Duke of Eloa flinched at the sight. But he still had a gritted jaw.
The empress and the crown prince lost all at once, but there was still something he believed in. The second prince, Zeref, was also the son of the empress and the grandson of the Duke of Eloa.
He remained confident because of the high priority of the throne’s succession.
And conservative nobles sat near the Duke of Eloa, looking at Yerhan.
A cynical look passed through Yerhan’s face, which had been expressionless.
Apparently a few months ago, the Duke of Eloa and the emperor framed Yerhan here. It seemed like yesterday, but things had turned around in a few months.
Not long after Yerhan sat down, the second prince, Zeref, appeared.
Wearing round glasses, he was plain for a royal family.
Although he was not usually invited to such places, he couldn’t be left out today.
The Duke of Eloa looked relieved as soon as he saw Zeref.
The second prince, Zeref, was the only rope that would save Duke Eloa.
The nobles, who had been stirring for a while, paid tribute to him.
He looked around and flinched when his eyes met Yerhan. He looked like a scared little beast.
As everyone sat down, there was a moment of silence in the huge conference room.
It was the emperor who always drew the agenda. However, without the emperor, it had not been decided who would lead the meeting.
Yerhan laughed inwardly at the nobles glancing at each other.
It seemed that he could hear the sound of their heads rolling as to who would stand behind or between Yerhan and the Duke of Eloa.
Yerhan opened his mouth at the silent conference hall.
“We will hold the Crown Prince’s trial in fifteen days.”
At this point, the Duke of Eloa’s face hardened.
The outcome of the trial was obvious without seeing it.
Crown Prince Zigrit had deceived the imperial people so far and would have to pay for bringing the monster into the Imperial Palace.
Now that Yerhan became a big shot, it was hard for him to survive. Even if he survived, Zigrit had no choice but to spend his entire life being deprived of all his titles.
“The trial will cover the rebellion, and those who took part in the Crown Prince’s side will be punished.”
The Duke of Eloa clenched his fist as he listened to Yerhan. And he raised his head stiffly.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince. I believe that it is not reasonable for you to lead the meeting. Shouldn’t we follow the order of succession to the throne?”
He implied, ‘Since there is no emperor to lead the meeting now, shouldn’t Zeref speak in the order of succession to the throne?’
Yerhan glanced at the Duke of Eloa.
He flinched in the cold gaze but didn’t back down.
Yerhan took a piece of paper out of his arms and put it down on the table.
As the white paper was placed on the table, the Duke of Eloa’s eyes widened.
It was briefly written that he would delegate the progress of today’s meeting to Yerhan. And the stamp at the bottom was the emperor’s seal.
“Do you have any complaints?”
“…. ”
The Duke of Eloa closed his mouth.
If the emperor himself handed over power, he should put up with it.
Yerhan looked around at the nobles who were laughing at the Duke of Eloa.
“After the trial, the Crown Prince’s seat will be vacant. One of the royal family members should take over.”
Everyone became quiet when Yerhan spoke in a low voice.
In fact, the crown prince’s seat was not important. Emperor Barmun would not be able to continue the throne in the future, so the crown prince would become no other than the emperor.
It was just a little late for Barmun to give away the throne himself.
“……”
The nobles were now divided into three parts. Conservative nobles who had long supported the Duke of Eloa, liberal reform nobles who sought treason with Yerhan, and neutral nobles who had never stood on either side.
While everyone was busy looking around, one person raised his hand.
“Your Highness, may I speak?”
It was the Marquis of Jurgen. He held the golden strings of the West tight.
Known to him as he was the father of Ibella, who was close to Rosena.
When he started a rebellion this time, he secretly helped from behind.
Yerhan replaced the answer with a nod.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince. Your Highness protected not only the lives of the nobles, but all the imperial people.”
The marquis’ voice was soft, but clear and powerful.
The nobles knew that Marquis Jurgen was neutral, so they expressed interest in what decision he would make.
“So I think you should take over the throne.”
When the Marquis of Jurgen openly supported Yerhan, the Duke of Eloa’s people hardened their faces.
As soon as his words ended, a nobleman who supported Yerhan took over and started speaking.
“That’s what I think. It is only true that the Third Prince, who has inherited the power of divinity, to ascend.”
Even those who remained neutral were shaken by the remarks of the two high-ranking nobles.
However, Yerhan had no expression. He didn’t look very happy with their remarks.
“You must follow the order!”
The Duke of Eloa came right in. Even though he did not receive the right to speak, he was in a hurry to spit out words.
“How can we ignore the order of succession to the throne when the Emperor is still in good condition? In addition, His Highness, the Third Prince’s bloodline…”
The Duke of Eloa, who was raising his voice, quickly stopped speaking. He said what he should have kept inside.
He claimed that Yerhan was an illegitimate child and cannot be the crown prince.
“My bloodline.”
Yerhan muttered to himself. Then he responded with a smile on his face.
“It’s better than the son of a mad woman.”
It was sarcastic that the empress had become a lunatic. The empress’ biological father, the Duke of Eloa, jumped to his feet.
“How could you say that! It’s an insult to Her Majesty!”
The Duke of Eloa retorted, but Yerhan did not apologize.
“Isn’t it the Duke who is rude?”
Yerhan looked coldly at the duke. No one could breathe under the great pressure.
The Duke of Eloa trembled, lost his strength and sat down.
Yerhan, who averted his eyes from the duke, stared at the second prince, Zeref.
Zeref, who had not said a word so far, felt the gaze and raised his head.
Yerhan briefly recalled a conversation he had with Rosena a while ago.
– Rosena, do you want to be the Empress?
– No, I’m not.
Rosena said she didn’t want to be the empress. And everything had to be done at Rosena’s will.
Yerhan said without hesitation.
“I want the second prince to be crowned as crown prince.”
Yerhan’s remarks froze the conference hall.
“Wha, what do you mean…”
Nobles who did not expect Yerhan to make such a decision could not speak properly.
Even the Duke of Eloa and Second Prince Zeref were stunned and hardened. Only Yerhan, who made a remarkable statement, calmly looked at Zeref.
“That’s what I think for now.”
“Your Highness…!”
Those who supported Yerhan urgently called him. But Yerhan remained motionless.
Whatever he heard, Yerhan would not change his mind.
The nobles who were standing on the side of Yerhan, they looked at each other with puzzled faces.
If Yerhan gave up the crown prince position, it was something good for others.
On the contrary, the faces of the Duke of Eloa and his supporters bloomed.
Who knew Yerhan would give up the crown prince seat first.
“Your Highness, Second Prince. Please say yes.”
The Duke of Eloa whispered softly to Zeref. However, he remained motionless and gently closed his eyes.
He opened his mouth for the first time amid the noise around him.
“Third Prince, I understand what you mean.”
Zeref continued calmly.
“But I’ll refuse the offer.”
“Your Highness!”
The Duke of Eloa was surprised and called Zeref in a hurry.
But he continued without even giving the duke a glance.
“It’s too much for me. I’m sure you’ll do a lot better than me.”
His eyes, which people thought were weak, were determined instead of hesitated.
Bewilderment passed on Yerhan’s face when he saw it.
Yerhan knew from past experience that no persuasion would make him fall.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I also thought you’d do a good job.”
In Yerhan’s words, the nobles alternated between the two with dumb expressions.
Up until now, the brothers had often fought over blood because they wanted to seize the throne, but this was the first time that they put it off because they didn’t want to do it.
The nobles shut up for a moment, wondering what was going on.
“Then what would you do, Your Highness?”
Yerhan asked Zeref.
His parents and brother had been cut off by Yerhan. He could always be thrown out of the palace if he didn’t become the crown prince.
But Zeref said calmly, as if he had already thought of everything.
“I will leave the empire, if the Third Prince grants me permission.”
Everyone opened their mouths at Jeref’s remarks.
Leaving the empire meant leaving the imperial family.
“Your Highness, Second Prince… how can you say that!”
On behalf of Duke Eloa, another noble dissuaded him. But their last hope, Zeref, did not give the answer they wanted.
“I’ve already thought about it. I thought of leaving my country for a long time. Although I couldn’t do it because of my wife, Asilia.”
“Then where are you going?”
Everyone sat absentmindedly, only Yerhan asked indifferently.
And Zeref replied calmly.
“I intend to settle in the Kingdom of Rendia. And I’ll take my children with me.”
The face of the Duke of Eloa was as white as death.
There was nothing more for him to rely on if he took even his grandchildren out.
Only the family of the third prince will remain in the imperial family.
“…..”
Yerhan tapped the table with his fingernails.
When Yerhan was silent, the nobles waited nervously for his decision.
And after a long time, Yerhan opened his mouth.
“We can’t help it now that it becomes this. We have no choice but to look for a new crown prince from the relatives’ side.”
“…What?!”
Everyone was startled and asked back. But Yerhan did not reverse and said with a smile.
“Find someone who is competent on your own.”
***
Both Zeref and Yerhan’s declaration that they would give up their right of succession caused a stir.
Those who supported the Duke of Eloa, those who supported Yerhan, and those who stood in neutral were dumbfounded.
It was because they firmly believed either Zeref and Yerhan would succeed to the throne.
The nobles argued about the unprecedented case.
Most nobles insisted that one of the two should be forced to become the crown prince.
The royal family on the side of the indirect lines were not familiar with the Imperial Law, and there was no suitable person.
Those who supported Yerhan from that day on were grumbling.
Because Yerhan said he would rebel, but he had never declared that he would ascend to the throne.
While Yerhan did not budge, the Duke of Eloa and his supporters were busy convincing Zeref. He almost half-threateningly asked why he would kick this great opportunity.
Then, Zeref disappeared. He left the Imperial Palace abruptly with his children.
Upon hearing the news, Duke Eloa grabbed the back of his neck and collapsed.
The duchy’s atmosphere was one of mourning, perhaps because they didn’t expect Zeref to really leave the Imperial Palace.
The duke, who was not very sad even after the empress and crown prince lost power, lost his last card and laid down.
But the duke’s misfortune did not end there.
It was because Duke Eloa was indicted on trial with Zigrit.
His crime was to the extent of building a tomb on paper, so it seemed that this was only Yerhan’s intention
.
Duke Eloa, lying on his bed, was detained until the day of trial, taking on a crime he was not aware of.
And one fine day, the morning in the Third Prince Palace began with Yerhan’s departure.
While Rosena was wounded by a monster and was recuperating, the Third Prince Palace did not allow anyone to enter.
Now that she was almost fully healed, only a few visitors were allowed. Of course, the person Rosena wanted to meet the most was Ibella. However, Ibella was having the busiest time.
As Marchioness Lionel, Rosena’s best friend and closest person, she was distracted in the building of a new foundation for society. Knowing this, even Rosena did not urge Ibella to visit her.
Rosena woke up early in the morning and had tea in the living room.
The newly refurbished Third Prince Palace had become more like a resting place than before.
The luxurious but uncomfortable chairs were removed and a soft sofa and rugs were laid out. The living room was a space for Rosena to drink tea, so she decorated it only according to her taste.
Someone’s voice came into Rosena’s ears as she put down the teacup.
Yerhan arrived at the conference in a carriage.
Since he was still staying at the Third Prince Palace, it was inconvenient to walk to another palace.
Crayle and Elsid, who were standing in front of the door of the conference hall, bowed lightly and opened the door wide.
Yerhan, who had completely erased his expression, entered the room.
The sound of stomping and imposing steps were clearly heard in many voices.
The words of the nobles seated in the conference room stopped at once.
The nobles all rose from their seats and set a greeting for the royal family.
After confirming the vacant position of the emperor and crown prince, Yerhan tossed his cape behind and walked forward.
At the last meeting, he sat farthest from the emperor, but this time, Yerhan sat in the seat of the crown prince, which was vacant.
It was not intentional. It was because it was a good place to see all the nobles at a glance. But contrary to Yerhan’s idea, the nobles were busy looking at each other.
They speculated among themselves what Yerhan’s intentions were to sit in the crown prince’s seat.
Yerhan sat down and looked around.
Yerhan, who was looking at the nobles, stopped looking at them for a moment. At the end of his gaze was the Duke of Eloa.
He is the father of the empress and maternal grandfather of the crown prince. He was also a person who had been anxious to kill Yerhan, and wary of him.
The Duke of Eloa flinched at the sight. But he still had a gritted jaw.
The empress and the crown prince lost all at once, but there was still something he believed in. The second prince, Zeref, was also the son of the empress and the grandson of the Duke of Eloa.
He remained confident because of the high priority of the throne’s succession.
And conservative nobles sat near the Duke of Eloa, looking at Yerhan.
A cynical look passed through Yerhan’s face, which had been expressionless.
Apparently a few months ago, the Duke of Eloa and the emperor framed Yerhan here. It seemed like yesterday, but things had turned around in a few months.
Not long after Yerhan sat down, the second prince, Zeref, appeared.
Wearing round glasses, he was plain for a royal family.
Although he was not usually invited to such places, he couldn’t be left out today.
The Duke of Eloa looked relieved as soon as he saw Zeref.
The second prince, Zeref, was the only rope that would save Duke Eloa.
The nobles, who had been stirring for a while, paid tribute to him.
He looked around and flinched when his eyes met Yerhan. He looked like a scared little beast.
As everyone sat down, there was a moment of silence in the huge conference room.
It was the emperor who always drew the agenda. However, without the emperor, it had not been decided who would lead the meeting.
Yerhan laughed inwardly at the nobles glancing at each other.
It seemed that he could hear the sound of their heads rolling as to who would stand behind or between Yerhan and the Duke of Eloa.
Yerhan opened his mouth at the silent conference hall.
“We will hold the Crown Prince’s trial in fifteen days.”
At this point, the Duke of Eloa’s face hardened.
The outcome of the trial was obvious without seeing it.
Crown Prince Zigrit had deceived the imperial people so far and would have to pay for bringing the monster into the Imperial Palace.
Now that Yerhan became a big shot, it was hard for him to survive. Even if he survived, Zigrit had no choice but to spend his entire life being deprived of all his titles.
“The trial will cover the rebellion, and those who took part in the Crown Prince’s side will be punished.”
The Duke of Eloa clenched his fist as he listened to Yerhan. And he raised his head stiffly.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince. I believe that it is not reasonable for you to lead the meeting. Shouldn’t we follow the order of succession to the throne?”
He implied, ‘Since there is no emperor to lead the meeting now, shouldn’t Zeref speak in the order of succession to the throne?’
Yerhan glanced at the Duke of Eloa.
He flinched in the cold gaze but didn’t back down.
Yerhan took a piece of paper out of his arms and put it down on the table.
As the white paper was placed on the table, the Duke of Eloa’s eyes widened.
It was briefly written that he would delegate the progress of today’s meeting to Yerhan. And the stamp at the bottom was the emperor’s seal.
“Do you have any complaints?”
“…. ”
The Duke of Eloa closed his mouth.
If the emperor himself handed over power, he should put up with it.
Yerhan looked around at the nobles who were laughing at the Duke of Eloa.
“After the trial, the Crown Prince’s seat will be vacant. One of the royal family members should take over.”
Everyone became quiet when Yerhan spoke in a low voice.
In fact, the crown prince’s seat was not important. Emperor Barmun would not be able to continue the throne in the future, so the crown prince would become no other than the emperor.
It was just a little late for Barmun to give away the throne himself.
“……”
The nobles were now divided into three parts. Conservative nobles who had long supported the Duke of Eloa, liberal reform nobles who sought treason with Yerhan, and neutral nobles who had never stood on either side.
While everyone was busy looking around, one person raised his hand.
“Your Highness, may I speak?”
It was the Marquis of Jurgen. He held the golden strings of the West tight.
Known to him as he was the father of Ibella, who was close to Rosena.
When he started a rebellion this time, he secretly helped from behind.
Yerhan replaced the answer with a nod.
“Your Highness, the Third Prince. Your Highness protected not only the lives of the nobles, but all the imperial people.”
The marquis’ voice was soft, but clear and powerful.
The nobles knew that Marquis Jurgen was neutral, so they expressed interest in what decision he would make.
“So I think you should take over the throne.”
When the Marquis of Jurgen openly supported Yerhan, the Duke of Eloa’s people hardened their faces.
As soon as his words ended, a nobleman who supported Yerhan took over and started speaking.
“That’s what I think. It is only true that the Third Prince, who has inherited the power of divinity, to ascend.”
Even those who remained neutral were shaken by the remarks of the two high-ranking nobles.
However, Yerhan had no expression. He didn’t look very happy with their remarks.
“You must follow the order!”
The Duke of Eloa came right in. Even though he did not receive the right to speak, he was in a hurry to spit out words.
“How can we ignore the order of succession to the throne when the Emperor is still in good condition? In addition, His Highness, the Third Prince’s bloodline…”
The Duke of Eloa, who was raising his voice, quickly stopped speaking. He said what he should have kept inside.
He claimed that Yerhan was an illegitimate child and cannot be the crown prince.
“My bloodline.”
Yerhan muttered to himself. Then he responded with a smile on his face.
“It’s better than the son of a mad woman.”
It was sarcastic that the empress had become a lunatic. The empress’ biological father, the Duke of Eloa, jumped to his feet.
“How could you say that! It’s an insult to Her Majesty!”
The Duke of Eloa retorted, but Yerhan did not apologize.
“Isn’t it the Duke who is rude?”
Yerhan looked coldly at the duke. No one could breathe under the great pressure.
The Duke of Eloa trembled, lost his strength and sat down.
Yerhan, who averted his eyes from the duke, stared at the second prince, Zeref.
Zeref, who had not said a word so far, felt the gaze and raised his head.
Yerhan briefly recalled a conversation he had with Rosena a while ago.
– Rosena, do you want to be the Empress?
– No, I’m not.
Rosena said she didn’t want to be the empress. And everything had to be done at Rosena’s will.
Yerhan said without hesitation.
“I want the second prince to be crowned as crown prince.”
Yerhan’s remarks froze the conference hall.
“Wha, what do you mean…”
Nobles who did not expect Yerhan to make such a decision could not speak properly.
Even the Duke of Eloa and Second Prince Zeref were stunned and hardened. Only Yerhan, who made a remarkable statement, calmly looked at Zeref.
“That’s what I think for now.”
“Your Highness…!”
Those who supported Yerhan urgently called him. But Yerhan remained motionless.
Whatever he heard, Yerhan would not change his mind.
The nobles who were standing on the side of Yerhan, they looked at each other with puzzled faces.
If Yerhan gave up the crown prince position, it was something good for others.
On the contrary, the faces of the Duke of Eloa and his supporters bloomed.
Who knew Yerhan would give up the crown prince seat first.
“Your Highness, Second Prince. Please say yes.”
The Duke of Eloa whispered softly to Zeref. However, he remained motionless and gently closed his eyes.
He opened his mouth for the first time amid the noise around him.
“Third Prince, I understand what you mean.”
Zeref continued calmly.
“But I’ll refuse the offer.”
“Your Highness!”
The Duke of Eloa was surprised and called Zeref in a hurry.
But he continued without even giving the duke a glance.
“It’s too much for me. I’m sure you’ll do a lot better than me.”
His eyes, which people thought were weak, were determined instead of hesitated.
Bewilderment passed on Yerhan’s face when he saw it.
Yerhan knew from past experience that no persuasion would make him fall.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I also thought you’d do a good job.”
In Yerhan’s words, the nobles alternated between the two with dumb expressions.
Up until now, the brothers had often fought over blood because they wanted to seize the throne, but this was the first time that they put it off because they didn’t want to do it.
The nobles shut up for a moment, wondering what was going on.
“Then what would you do, Your Highness?”
Yerhan asked Zeref.
His parents and brother had been cut off by Yerhan. He could always be thrown out of the palace if he didn’t become the crown prince.
But Zeref said calmly, as if he had already thought of everything.
“I will leave the empire, if the Third Prince grants me permission.”
Everyone opened their mouths at Jeref’s remarks.
Leaving the empire meant leaving the imperial family.
“Your Highness, Second Prince… how can you say that!”
On behalf of Duke Eloa, another noble dissuaded him. But their last hope, Zeref, did not give the answer they wanted.
“I’ve already thought about it. I thought of leaving my country for a long time. Although I couldn’t do it because of my wife, Asilia.”
“Then where are you going?”
Everyone sat absentmindedly, only Yerhan asked indifferently.
And Zeref replied calmly.
“I intend to settle in the Kingdom of Rendia. And I’ll take my children with me.”
The face of the Duke of Eloa was as white as death.
There was nothing more for him to rely on if he took even his grandchildren out.
Only the family of the third prince will remain in the imperial family.
“…..”
Yerhan tapped the table with his fingernails.
When Yerhan was silent, the nobles waited nervously for his decision.
And after a long time, Yerhan opened his mouth.
“We can’t help it now that it becomes this. We have no choice but to look for a new crown prince from the relatives’ side.”
“…What?!”
Everyone was startled and asked back. But Yerhan did not reverse and said with a smile.
“Find someone who is competent on your own.”
***
Both Zeref and Yerhan’s declaration that they would give up their right of succession caused a stir.
Those who supported the Duke of Eloa, those who supported Yerhan, and those who stood in neutral were dumbfounded.
It was because they firmly believed either Zeref and Yerhan would succeed to the throne.
The nobles argued about the unprecedented case.
Most nobles insisted that one of the two should be forced to become the crown prince.
The royal family on the side of the indirect lines were not familiar with the Imperial Law, and there was no suitable person.
Those who supported Yerhan from that day on were grumbling.
Because Yerhan said he would rebel, but he had never declared that he would ascend to the throne.
While Yerhan did not budge, the Duke of Eloa and his supporters were busy convincing Zeref. He almost half-threateningly asked why he would kick this great opportunity.
Then, Zeref disappeared. He left the Imperial Palace abruptly with his children.
Upon hearing the news, Duke Eloa grabbed the back of his neck and collapsed.
The duchy’s atmosphere was one of mourning, perhaps because they didn’t expect Zeref to really leave the Imperial Palace.
The duke, who was not very sad even after the empress and crown prince lost power, lost his last card and laid down.
But the duke’s misfortune did not end there.
It was because Duke Eloa was indicted on trial with Zigrit.
His crime was to the extent of building a tomb on paper, so it seemed that this was only Yerhan’s intention
.
Duke Eloa, lying on his bed, was detained until the day of trial, taking on a crime he was not aware of.
And one fine day, the morning in the Third Prince Palace began with Yerhan’s departure.
While Rosena was wounded by a monster and was recuperating, the Third Prince Palace did not allow anyone to enter.
Now that she was almost fully healed, only a few visitors were allowed. Of course, the person Rosena wanted to meet the most was Ibella. However, Ibella was having the busiest time.
As Marchioness Lionel, Rosena’s best friend and closest person, she was distracted in the building of a new foundation for society. Knowing this, even Rosena did not urge Ibella to visit her.
Rosena woke up early in the morning and had tea in the living room.
The newly refurbished Third Prince Palace had become more like a resting place than before.
The luxurious but uncomfortable chairs were removed and a soft sofa and rugs were laid out. The living room was a space for Rosena to drink tea, so she decorated it only according to her taste.
Someone’s voice came into Rosena’s ears as she put down the teacup.
