Long Live the Emperor, Minus Me (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 73

With the Hunting Festival—and the engagement announcement to be held at the Huyaje ceremony right before it—drawing near, I was already being treated as the Grand Duke’s fiancée within the imperial palace.

Being included in the ongoing dinners between the imperial couple and the Grand Duke was part of this treatment.

“Did you rank highest again this time, brother?”

It was customary not to conduct official business during dinner hours.

To me, it was incomprehensible why they’d waste such precious time. Though, since I intended to simply play along and enjoy myself this life, it hardly mattered.

“What ranking?”

Thus, I casually joined in the imperial family’s idle chatter while enjoying my meal.

“Oh, there’s always betting going on behind the scenes during the Hunting Festival—on who’ll catch the most game, the largest game, or the most dangerous game.”

“Huh?”

Betting during a state event? And judging by the Grand Duke’s words, many even placed wagers on the Emperor himself. I couldn’t fathom when exactly the crime of imperial disrespect was ever enforced in this country.

From what I observed, perhaps because imperial authority was so absolute, this royal family tended to be rather lenient toward ambitious nobles.

Count Chase was a prime example. In the Zhen Empire, openly running betting operations like this would’ve been unthinkable.

Then again… come to think of it, perhaps His Majesty would’ve actually enjoyed it. Though he held the title of Emperor, he surprisingly showed little interest in asserting his authority.

Thinking this, a sudden headache washed over me, and I blurred my vision by gazing into the distance—a method that often helped ease my pain.

“Ahahaha! Was that too shocking a topic for a refined palace-raised princess?”

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