Chapter 98

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Chloe Selvius. Unlike most royals who don’t have middle names, she was uniquely permitted to have one as a territorial noble alongside the Emperor. Despite her bold moves, the nobles didn’t oppose her tenure over the territory, not only because of her skills but also due to the tremendous progress that the land had achieved in just a few years.

Even those who disliked her had to recognize her administrative talents; her abilities were exceptional. However, the fact that she was a woman and a second child, not to mention her blatant disinterest in the throne, merely served to diminish her influence.

But Meyer knew better. The woman in front of him was like an eagle hiding her claws, a dormant power lounging in the sunlight. She wasn’t eager to plunge into the mud and chaos, choosing instead to remain still. Even while hiding, somehow, whenever she revealed her abilities, she always achieved success, which was daunting.

In reality, Meyer’s qualities weren’t so bad either. In terms of monarchial traits, the only flaw he had was indecisiveness. His legitimacy as the firstborn was unquestionable, and he was attentive to his ministers’ opinions, making him the closest to the Crown Prince.

Still, at times, Meyer thought about how easily his position could be taken if Chloe revealed her true intentions. While it was somewhat delusional, whenever he caught a glimpse of her keen intellect, those thoughts felt alarmingly plausible. For now, Chloe seemed not to be contemplating his position at all.

“So, about the throne… you do know what that means, right?”

“Of course, brother. When have I ever told you something nonsensical?”

Meyer broke out in a cold sweat at Chloe’s bright smile and quietly took a sip of his tea. It was simply to cool the burning inside him. Watching him, Chloe, still smiling, softly spoke up.

“I’ll support you.”

“Cough, hack! Cough, cough!”

Meyer barely swallowed the tea that he had nearly choked on due to the sudden bombshell announcement. The cough only sent shockwaves through him. Chloe watched him with a light smile as he coughed for a good minute before gathering himself.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I don’t believe my brother is stupid enough to misunderstand such a simple statement. If that’s the case, maybe you should give up on support.”

“Let me rephrase. What are you really thinking?”

“…Now that I’m saying I will give up my right to the throne, I guess this isn’t much of an issue, right?”

Chloe closed her eyes for a moment in thought. Then she quietly spoke.

“For supporting me, my brother just needs to promise one thing. To allow same-sex marriage in the Empire.”

“…What?”

“I don’t think you didn’t hear that.”

Right. He heard it, but the problem was that the words didn’t seem to come from his beloved sister. Meyer, who was still reeling from the shocks he was receiving one after another, suddenly recalled the maid he had seen that day. No, wasn’t she now Count Alrein? She was the one who had seemed particularly close to Chloe, who had never managed to make a single friend. He remembered wondering if Chloe could really get along so well with a commoner.

However, from that scene, other memories also surfaced. His sister’s gaze, which was particularly fixed on that maid’s face, was softer than the looks she gave others. And that smile she wore now—it seemed genuine, not merely a facade… It looked like the face of someone in love.

Had he overlooked it because it was someone of the same gender? No. What Meyer really dismissed was his certainty that his sister could never have such a face. He had assumed it was just acting or perhaps a misinterpretation. But that shouldn’t have been the case—not if he wanted to lessen the shock he was feeling now.

“…Is that maid the one?”

“She’s a Countess now, but technically, she meets the criteria, doesn’t she?”

“Is there really no chance of that emotion being just a summer night’s dream?”

“You’re worrying too much, brother. Were we ever that close?”

With a small sigh at his sister’s fake smile, Meyer leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes briefly. Given the chaos of the situation, he had no other choice. It wasn’t until ten minutes later that he finally spoke.

“Alright. I’ll stake my honor on it…. I’d be willing to do that much.”

“Congratulations. The throne shall now be yours, brother.”

What an incredibly arrogant thing to say. But Meyer understood. Had he refused, the woman in front of him would have climbed the throne, disregarding any ‘inconvenience.’ And she would indeed become the Empire’s first monarch to allow same-sex marriage. With a small sigh, Meyer quietly added,

“I won’t speak of this anywhere else.”

“Oh my, what were we even talking about?”

“….”

Chloe lifted her teacup, smiling brightly. Seeing her like this, Meyer couldn’t help but smile ruefully as he set his cup down.

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Dun dun, dun dun, the rhythm of the dance makes the feet light. Before my eyes, golden hair is neatly tied, swaying alluringly. A glance back reveals a beautiful silver-haired woman looking at us with a slightly furrowed brow.

“Your stare is burning.”

“Mainly from the young lady’s gaze, I reckon.”

“Hmm. From Lilian’s perspective, it must feel like something was stolen from her. Can’t blame her?”

As Yulia said this with a gentle smile, she boldly stepped forward. Having never danced before, I could only follow her tempo as needed. The only saving grace was that I had decent athletic ability.

“By the way, Catherine dances well too.”

“I’m just barely keeping up. But Yulia, you seem like you’ve never danced before either, yet you do quite well.”

“How many times do you think I’ve regressed? Of course, I can dance.”

“…About that regression business. How much longer will it continue?”

“Hmm, I wonder?”

Even while discussing regression, Yulia looked quite at ease. Hearing her words felt as if she had already regressed dozens of times, but how could someone be so relaxed about it? I thought about this while watching Yulia. Perhaps sensing the worry on my face, she giggled and spoke.

“Don’t worry. Just a few days ago, the God himself told me my tether was cut.”

“…The God? Personally?”

“Yep. The God who never responded across countless regressions finally spoke to me.”

Though she sounded cynical, there was a deep reverence for God embedded in her words. It was quintessentially Yulia to never doubt the existence of God even after all those regressions. With a few final twirls, the music ended as she stopped, and I barely managed to hold onto her waist, letting out a small sigh as I gazed down at her. I almost thought I was going to lose her.

“Ha ha. That was fun.”

“Me too.”

The truth was, dancing with Yulia happened simply because the Emperor had suggested that the two pivotal figures of the ongoing war should take center stage. Normally, Crown Prince Jeron would have danced with either me or Yulia, but he was completely head over heels for Lin now, leaving us with no choice. Meyer? He already had a fiancée, so it wasn’t like he could pair me or the Saint with him.

So, Yulia and I ended up as partners on the dance floor, much to Lilian’s discontent.

“…This is cheating.”

“We’re not even dating, though.”

“Still.”

As we returned to our seats, Lilian started fussing with my hair again. I responded vaguely to her complaints as no one else approached us. I wouldn’t blame anyone, of course; if I were them, I probably wouldn’t approach either with Lilian by my side.

“Am I going to be eaten or something?”

“You do look like you’re ready to eat someone, regardless of gender.”

“Of course Catherine is attractive to everyone. If they’re not an old geezer, they’re all my competition.”

“…Sigh.”

To make matters worse, my efforts not to partner up with Lilian were in vain since the nobles now saw me as siding with the House of Marquis of Portus. Nobles from the opposing faction eyed me with disdain. Getting entangled in the nobles’ political quarrels would only tire me out. I thought to myself as I downed my champagne.

I might as well drink. It’s not like I have anything else going for me. Swallowing a sigh inwardly, I savored the champagne as the party headed towards its climax.

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