Picked Up a Beast, Turns Out He's an Emperor (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 69

Once again, news of what had happened inside the imperial palace spread throughout the capital’s every corner—and indeed across the entire empire—within less than half a day.

The official announcement abolishing the Empress Selection Contest had not yet been made.

Though the imperial court had issued no formal declaration naming which candidate had been chosen as Empress, there was not a single soul who did not know her name.

In the palace’s assembly halls, outdoor corridors, offices, gardens, and even training grounds, people gathered in small groups, utterly absorbed in animated chatter.

Of course, the topic was the contest’s cancellation and the woman who would soon ascend to the Empress’s throne.

“They say the selection committee earnestly pleaded with His Majesty, arguing it would be meaningless to continue the contest any further.”

“Frankly, isn’t that perfectly reasonable? Lady Arabella has already won twice; everyone believes she’d likely win the remaining rounds too, so why waste more time?”

“That’s true. Even though another noblewoman won the still-life painting contest, that event wasn’t particularly difficult. People who attended the exhibition all agreed her skill was merely average, and her winning piece was utterly unremarkable. Everyone knows the events Lady Arabella won were the most challenging!”

“That’s why the other candidates supposedly withdrew en masse. Those who lived with her in the secondary palace understand best just how exceptional Lady Arabella truly is. Realizing they had no chance of victory, they chose to concede early.”

“I heard not only the selection committee but also members of the imperial family and elder nobles unanimously agreed to terminate the contest, claiming there’s simply no candidate capable of surpassing Lady Arabella.”

“Apparently, they’d long been petitioning His Majesty to abolish the contest, but His Majesty politely declined until now, fearing people might misinterpret his intentions.”

“They say Lady Arabella opposed the cancellation, insisting two victories weren’t enough to satisfy her ambitions. She must be fiercely competitive.”

“His Majesty truly brought in an extraordinary Empress candidate. How immensely talented must she be to cause the termination of an Empress Selection Contest that has endured for hundreds of years?”

“But from now on, we must all watch our words carefully. She’s no longer merely a candidate—she’s the Empress-designate. Ho, ho.”

“Oh dear—I nearly made a serious mistake. You’re absolutely right, madam. From now on, we must refer to her not as ‘Lady’ but as ‘Empress-designate.’ Ha, ha.”

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