It was Franz's incompetence and the Empress's luxury that caused the rebellion in the first place.
At first, I thought about correcting Franz's behavior because he is still my brother.
But after visiting the palace, I quickly abandoned that idea.
“That idiot is beyond repair.”
He grew up ignoring me.
Even if I tried to correct his behavior by using his weaknesses as leverage, it would be in vain.
He would probably make fun of me, call me an arrogant crow, and try to meddle in my affairs.
Unlike the Empress, who would agree to anything Franz said, the Emperor is a distinguished man.
Moreover, he is a perfectionist who cannot bear for anyone to spoil what he has achieved.
“That's why he tried to teach Franz directly.”
But that plan went horribly wrong when he fell ill, and after his death, Franz was crowned emperor and began to indulge in pleasure and luxury.
“Yes, the Emperor’s plan was a failure from the beginning.”
So the solution was obvious.
To eliminate the corrupt branch, Franz, and ensure the survival of this accursed empire, it was necessary to groom a capable successor to the throne to reduce the possibility of rebellion.
For this reason, it wouldn't hurt to start laying the foundations slowly from now.
For example, there were rumors that the Crown Prince established unauthorized mines in the north, allowing barbarians to roam freely on the northern border.
She told Sardin to tell the Emperor to spread rumors to get Eric out of the way, but they weren't rumors in the first place.
Barbarians were already roaming freely on the northern frontier.
The reason this fact has not been revealed until now is that Franz ordered any mention of unauthorized mines to be strictly concealed.
“Wouldn’t revealing this lead to more than just a rebuke from the Emperor?”
In the first place, even if mines are discovered on the border, mining in them is prohibited.
This is because it could be considered a border violation, and the area could become a secret border crossing corridor.
But Franz, being the greedy man he was, couldn't ignore the fact that there was a mine on the Empire's borderland.
He insisted on mining there to line his pockets.
When the barbarian problem arose and the unauthorized mines were exposed, Franz placed all the blame on his subordinate.
The subordinate committed suicide after being threatened by Franz, but the barbarians had already learned the terrain and paths of the north and began infiltrating in earnest.
At that time, it was Eric who suppressed the barbarians.
I brought the timeline forward by about one year.
So Franz won't be able to pass the blame on to anyone else.
Once Erik goes north, everything will be revealed, and Franz will be in a difficult situation with no way out.
At this point, all I need is to push the Emperor a little.
Not only would he be disappointed in Franz, but his trust in his son, whom he considered a successor, would slowly diminish.
“After that, I will take my time to think about who would be best for the throne.”
For a moment, she glanced out the window, then frowned.
I saw Eric talking with his subordinate, Zenon.
“I didn’t expect that annoying subordinate to be with him.”
As I was about to close the curtains, I stopped.
By the way, I still haven't handled the xenon properly.
Despite Sardin's attempts to investigate, Zenon either sensed something or did not leave the house at all.
Yeah, it doesn't matter now that he's here.
It didn't matter who Zeno was subordinate to.
Anyway, as long as the letter he showed bearing the Brant family crest was authentic, it was clear that Eric was on their side.
“So I will never forgive you, even if...”
[Please, don't hate my father so much.]
Even if my child said that, I couldn't help but hate him.
Yes, maybe one day, with time, I will forget you, but not now.
Every time I saw his smug face, memories of my unrequited love and mistakes came back to me.
Foolishly chasing him, torturing him, longing for an unattainable love.
He tortured women who approached him, regardless of their status, out of jealousy.
However, despite his disdain for me, he never divorced me.
Perhaps it was to prevent angering my father, the Emperor, who supported our union.
"Yes, I must have been just a bitch to you.
That's probably why you didn't want to have a child with me either."
She stared at him with a cold look.
The hatred I felt for him overwhelmed me.
Then she closed the curtains and said her final goodbyes.
“Goodbye, Eric.
I will now disappear from your life forever.”
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Meanwhile, Eric was reviewing arrangements for his departure to the north.
“Your Highness, everything is ready for your departure at six o’clock tomorrow morning.”
Eric nodded in confirmation.
"concept."
With this response, Eric instinctively raised his head.
His gaze wandered to the couple's room on the second floor, which he shared with Cornelia.
The curtains are closed.
I won't be able to see her for a while after I leave...
At that moment, an intense desire arose in Eric's mind.
He wanted to see Cornelia's face.
Eric let out a sarcastic laugh.
Being foolishly influenced by such dreams...
Over the past few days, a blond boy claiming to be his and Cornelia's son has appeared in his dreams.
Weirdly, every time he saw the baby, he felt tender emotions and ended up hugging him, which was completely ridiculous.
[Dad, can't you stay with mom and me?
Please, don't regret it.]
Eric smiled bitterly.
Yes, dreams are just dreams.
The child in Cornelia's womb was not his.
Therefore, the dream was just an optimistic fantasy that he made up himself.
So, there is nothing to regret.
Despite this thought, Cornelia's words echoed in his mind.
The more he thought about it, the more he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but he felt angry.
I have nothing to do with that.
Why…
Eric's gaze was fixed on the window, which glowed faintly in the darkness.
At that moment, someone approached him.
“Your Highness, your assistant says he needs to discuss something with you.”
He looked at the window and thought.
“Yes, let's talk when I get back.”
Then Eric turned to the servant.
“Okay, I'll go to the office.”
Eric shifted his steps, seeming reluctant to leave.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
Early in the morning, the grande dame of Brandt said goodbye to Eric.
“My son, please come back safe.”
Her compassionate but sad actions subtly affected the nobles and knights from other houses who came to offer their support.
“The eldest lady of Brant seems to cherish her son very much.”
At this reply, the eldest lady swallowed sarcastically, then stared at Eric, who looked at her coldly without replying.
You insolent bastard.
But instead of getting angry at his behavior, she couldn't help but laugh.
I wonder.
Will you still be this arrogant when you come back?
Then I spoke.
“Don't worry and go on your way.
I will take charge of your wife and take good care of her.”
Her words, which she would not have said under normal circumstances, made Eric feel anxious.
What are you planning?
Since he would be away for a long time, Eric gave orders to his knights, not just Janet, just in case.
Make it clear: protect the Duchess at all costs.
After taking comprehensive precautions, Eric felt reassured about Cornelia's safety.
However, amidst these thoughts, Eric could not shake his constant feeling of anxiety.
In the end, he hugged the eldest lady lightly and whispered in her ear.
“You'd better not entertain foolish thoughts.
If anyone dares to harm her, I won't hesitate to take action.”
For a moment, the eldest lady cringed at the sternness of his voice.
“Then I'm leaving.
Mom.”
As everyone moved away, the eldest lady took a closer look at her son's fake, broad back.
Shall I not touch your woman?
I laughed internally.
Yes, I won't touch your woman, you say.
But…
Her blue eyes wandered to Cornelia's rooms.
You didn't tell me not to touch your unborn child, did you?
But there was one problem...
It's not time for that to happen yet.
The eldest lady hesitated for a moment, then laughed again.
Well, since she'll soon be under my watch, I'll just wait a bit.