Predatory Marriage - chapter-156
Chapter 156 – Unexpected Death (1)
Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan
The Princess of Estia had been kidnapped by the barbarian King.
The misfortunes of such an important person were the kind of gossip
society enjoyed most. Everyone was talking about the Princess, and the
barbarians, and Byun Gyeongbaek, who had lost his bride.
They talked about how humiliating the beautiful Princess’s treatment
must have been among the vulgar barbarians, every rumor more shameful
than the last. The chaos in the royal palace worsened every day.
“If things continue like this, the country really will be ruined,â€
Count Valtein sighed. Finance Minister Laurent, sitting opposite, echoed
his sigh, and Countess Melissa sipped her tea in silence.
The three people closest to the Princess had gathered at her former
palace for tea after losing their master. Though it had been a long time
since they met, the atmosphere was sober. Everything was in turmoil.
The day of the kidnapping, Crown Prince Blain had immediately begun
pursuit with the royal knights. But the disorganized and frenzied pursuit
had only resulted in losing a considerable number of knights when they
were attacked by night.
Byun Gyeongbaek was enraged, having lost his future wife, and lashed out
at the royal family. They had had to return the dowry he had paid for the
Princess, and were just relieved that he had not asked for compensation
money. He swore never to leave the barbarians in peace.
Surprisingly, however, he had agreed that if the Princess was retrieved
from the barbarians, he would still marry her. It was shocking,
considering she had surely lost her v!rginity by now. People praised him
for his generosity, but those who knew the Princess knew he was only
doing it for himself.
Countess Melissa set down her teacup.
“Honestly, I would like the Princess to stay with the Kurkans,†she
said firmly.
“Madam…!†Count Valtein stared at her in surprise.
“Despite the rudeness of the Kurkans, they have been good to the
Princess,†she said firmly. “Besides, if the Princess were to return
to Estia…â€
Her voice faded to a sad murmur.
“It will only carry a greater burden than she had before.â€
“……â€
None of them could argue with her words. For a time, the three sat in
bleak silence.
The political mechanisms of the royal family were barely functioning, and
it seemed they could come to a halt any time. Byun Gyeongbaek was causing
trouble among the nobles, increasing the pressure on the royal family
every day.
It seemed that the royal house would inevitably collapse. Without the
efforts of the Princess, it was only the matter of time. Finance Minister
Laurent shook his head.
“But I don’t know what the Queen is thinking,†he said suddenly.
All of them knew her cunning and her obsessive love for her son. The only
thing on her mind was the day the Crown Prince would ascend the throne.
But it was strange that she stood by while the country was collapsing.
And the Prince, renowned for his bad temper, had done nothing after the
failed pursuit of the Princess.
They all had done nothing, as if they had other plans.
“Actually, I think the Queen has been behaving oddly. Did you know that
all the flowers in the garden of the Queen’s Palace have wilted…â€
Countess Melissa frowned at his words and lowered her eyes thoughtfully.
“Come to think of it, lately there are many new servants in the royal
palace,†she said. “I heard the Queen chose them, but no one knows
where they came from. They have no courtesy.â€
The new people had upended the hierarchy in the royal palace. It was all
the servants and ladies-in-waiting were talking about. Listening, Count
Valtein tapped his finger on the table anxiously.
“This is still an unsubstantiated rumor,†he began abruptly. He
looked at them both. “It is said that the Queen is letting Tomari into
the palace…â€
Both of their eyes widened as they thought what this meant, but there was
a sudden noise outside and the door burst open. A red-faced
lady-in-waiting was shouting breathlessly.
“His Majesty…!â€
All three rose from their chairs at the same time, sharing the same
dread, the same terrible suspicion. The lady’s voice trembled.
“His Majesty…is dead.â€
The King had died unexpectedly and suddenly.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
