The emperor had never publicly announced the two as “candidates for the crown prince.”
Isaac and Chelsea considered each other as rivals, but as long as the emperor kept his mouth shut, it was a meaningless fight.
However, the fact that the emperor now sought to find the owner of the “heirloom passed down for generations to the emperor” between the two of them meant…
‘It’s an opportunity I can’t miss.’
There were numerous trials that they considered as tests.
But at this moment, it was as if the scores of the two were reset to 0.
What happened until now was not important.
What mattered was what the emperor was about to say now. That would be the real test to determine the next emperor.
The one who solved this test would become the emperor.
Chelsea and Isaac glanced at each other before swallowing dry saliva.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, the emperor smiled.
‘Yes. It should be at least this much.’
Only by setting the stage to this extent would desperation arise.
The desperation to somehow resolve this matter.
And using that desperation, he had to somehow overcome the current situation.
If either of them could resolve this crisis, he would unhesitatingly appoint them as his successor and declare them as the next emperor.
“You two are the candidates I am considering to pass the throne to in the future.”
“It is an honor, Father.”
“…It is an honor!”
As the emperor drove the point home again, the two replied simultaneously.
Seeing their eyes filled with desire, the emperor continued in a dignified voice.
“So it’s about time you learned about the secret of the imperial family.”
The secret of the imperial family?
Chelsea inwardly repeated the phrase that naturally aroused curiosity.
However, Isaac’s reaction was different.
He widened his eyes for a moment, then slightly furrowed his brows.
He seemed unable to hide his perplexity.
‘Could it be that Isaac already knows?’
Chelsea’s guess was not wrong.
“Could it be that you’re going to talk about that?”
Isaac, who was fidgeting with his hands on his knees, slipped a question to the emperor.
The emperor glanced at him and lightly nodded.
Isaac then moved his lips as if wanting to protest, and glared at Chelsea’s side with resentful eyes.
‘…Right. It means Isaac already knows this story.’
The story that she barely got to hear only after being acknowledged as a legitimate successor by Father, that pathetic bastard had heard it long ago.
Crunch.
Chelsea bit the inside of her cheek without showing it on the outside.
She was furious.
The fact that while she had barely reached this position by shedding blood and sweat, that stupid and incompetent bastard was being recognized by Father without doing anything.
But, thinking differently…
‘It means we’re on equal footing now.’
The fact that Father decided to tell her this story meant that he had decided to view the two equally.
Thinking that way, she felt refreshed.
What mattered was not the past, but the present and the future.
The emperor, who examined the two in turn with a solemn expression, slowly opened his mouth.
The secret that followed was more shocking than expected.
Chelsea momentarily forgot to breathe and stared at the imperial family’s heirloom on the table.
‘…Then, that is…’
She tried hard to hold on to her mind that was about to go blank.
No matter what story she heard, she had to act with composure.
Moreover, when Father’s mood seemed this unpleasant, she shouldn’t show any reaction that would unnecessarily irritate him.
“By the way, Father. You don’t look well. Is there a problem related to the imperial family’s heirloom?”
At the quick-witted Chelsea’s question, the emperor sighed without hiding it.
“Yes. There’s been a problem for quite a while.”
There was a hint of irritation in the answer spoken with a furrowed brow.
The emperor picked up the heirloom he had placed on the table.
“Look at this.”
At the emperor’s command, the gazes of the two simultaneously turned to the heirloom.
They could guess what he meant to show them without being told.
The moisture condensed on the opaque ore inside the glass bottle.
‘If it’s an object that has been passed down for a long time, there shouldn’t be any moisture.’
Moreover, even if she associated the secret of the imperial family she had just heard with that heirloom, she could roughly guess what the “problem” Father was trying to say.
However, the tactless Isaac unnecessarily asked what the problem was, displeasing the emperor.
“I’m talking about this dew condensed inside. This shouldn’t exist originally.”
The emperor clicked his tongue noticeably, closed his eyes while pressing his throbbing temple.
“Things have gone terribly wrong. So, you two will have to put in some effort for the imperial family.”
His slowly opened eyes were as sharp as a well-sharpened sword.
Or rather, ominous.
“I think we’ll have to separate the Duke and Duchess Richter.”
“…What do you mean?”
Unlike the surprised Isaac, Chelsea swallowed inwardly.
Because she had expected this.
She had long guessed what Father wanted them to do.
Chelsea calmly asked back.
“Are you saying we should make them divorce?”
“I don’t care how. Whether you make them divorce, or.”
The emperor, who took his hand off his temple, spoke with a heartless gaze.
“Make them be separated by death.”
Not long after, the emperor sent both of them out.
Along with the words to each devise a method and report back.
“What should we do about this? I’m quite confident this time.”
As soon as they left the room, Isaac sneered.
Chelsea glanced at him and smirked.
“Yeah. You’re always overflowing with confidence. The problem is you’re only overflowing with confidence.”
“Haha. Let’s see how long you can keep acting so arrogantly. When I become the emperor, I’ll behead you and hang your head on the castle walls.”
“Oh my. Your dreams are always so grandiose, that’s why none of them come true. Why don’t you try dreaming a bit more humbly? Like, eating three meals a day without fail. Something like that.”
As always, the winner of the verbal fight was Chelsea.
Listening to the sound of Isaac grinding his teeth, Chelsea leisurely turned her back.
However, her expression was dark.
‘This could really be more advantageous for Isaac.’
The words Father had added before leaving the room were lingering in her mind.
She thought he was saying in a refined way not to be picky about the means and methods.
And, a few days later.
Chelsea sought out the emperor.
“Right. Are you doing well with the homework I gave you?”
Meeting eyes flickering with anticipation, Chelsea smiled brightly as always.
“Of course, Father.”
“Hoho. Good. I have high expectations for you. Now, tell me what you have in mind.”
At the emperor’s urging, Chelsea began with a smiling face.
“How about this method?”
After a long explanation, the emperor showed a pondering expression for a moment.
Chelsea pretended to be calm, but she felt like her insides were burning up.
Suddenly, she remembered the story the attendant had told her.
She hoped that the plan she had devised would please him more than Isaac’s.
“Ha, hahaha!”
The emperor, who had been silently contemplating for a while, suddenly burst into a hearty laughter.
“Yes. It’s not a bad method. I knew you would come up with a good plan, Chelsea.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“Haha. Moreover, you and Joshua have a very deep bond. As a father, I couldn’t be happier.”
“It’s all thanks to your care, Father.”
“I’m grateful for you saying that. Then, you will be in full charge of executing the plan you devised. If you need my help, feel free to tell me.”
“…Yes, Father. I will make sure to succeed and show you.”
Only after showing honeyed words and soulless smiles until the end did Chelsea leave the room.
As soon as the door closed, the smile disappeared and only coldness lingered on her face.
“Why do you have that expression, sister?”
Joshua, who discovered Chelsea standing still with clenched fists, casually spoke to her.
Chelsea looked at Joshua with a blank face.
“Joshua.”
“Did Father say something unpleasant to you?”
Something unpleasant?
No. I was the one who said unpleasant things.
“Joshua. I’m really glad that you’re not my rival.”
“Pardon? What do you mean…”
“I really cherish you. Sincerely. So.”
Yes. So.
“You should be grateful to me, you bastard.”
After blurting out the harsh words, Chelsea turned her back and walked away.
Huh?
Left alone after being suddenly cursed at, Joshua blankly stared at Chelsea’s receding back.
“…It seems something really happened.”
For his sister, who always maintained her composure, to show such an appearance.
Surely, this must also be related to the succession competition.
“It’s going to be noisy again.”
Of course, it would be a matter that had nothing to do with him, not even a speck.
…He really thought so back then.
Not knowing that it was the beginning of a storm that would shake up his life.
______
In This Life, I Won’t Be Foolish To Lose You Again (Female-dominant)
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
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