Chapter 123: Chapter 122

“But you don’t have to kill the emperor, do you?”

“No, I must kill him. Most of the nobles don’t think he’s suitable to be the emperor, but some supporters of the emperor will do whatever he wants because they have already become his running dog.”

“Nonetheless…”

“How can you conclude that those who were unhappy about dethroning the emperor would not threaten Duke Kling and you? You shouldn’t give them any chance to strike back. It is right to deny them all the possibilities without any hope.”

Ober spoke to her in a way that stopped her from questioning or disagreeing with what he said. Changing the topic quickly right after what he said was also his trick to fog her judgment.

“So, Marie, please try to detect his weakness from now on and let me know.”

His hand, much bigger than hers, squeezed in between her slender fingers. Even though she was wearing lace gloves, her fingers hurt when his fingers were squeezed in. It was as if a snake was slowly squeezing its prey with its tail.

“As for his weakness…”

“Well, break down his wariness by using means and methods. Make him lose judgment so he can reveal his secrets and tricks voluntarily, and make sure he won’t feel betrayed even when you stab him in the chest. Make sure he won’t resent you even if you poison his tea and push him off a steep cliff.”

Marianne bit her lip so as not to burst into laughter.

Actually he was exactly doing what he wanted her to act like against Eckart as the stupidest and most beautiful woman.

How would she feel someday if she recalled what had happened today? Wouldn’t he blame himself just like he whispered to her?

“I’m the only one you can trust. Do not believe anyone who you regard as close to you or anyone who seems close to you. Even your mother and father.”

Marianne stared at his ashen eyes reflecting numerous hidden intentions.

He was half right and half wrong. At this moment, she didn’t believe anyone fully, including herself.

“If that’s the case…You won’t betray me, right?”

Marianne asked him in her own interests without any hope and despair. She did not feel guilty or angst while deceiving someone.

She continued, “Are you going to love me without leaving forever?”

She once believed his sweet promises, but she threw them away in her previous life. Sometimes she missed the days when she was thrilled to see him, but she didn’t want to go back to those days or change the reality.

Nonetheless, if there was one thing that she coveted…

She wanted to ask someone else the question sincerely.

“Of course, I will.”

But it was Ober who answered her question.

“If I correct everything, I will make you my empress. I promise.”

“… Ober.”

“No other woman has driven me as crazy as you. I will cut the emperor’s neck for you. I want you so badly. Please do not doubt me. I will never leave you.”

Marianne nodded silently. She didn’t want to show any exaggerated reaction, nor did she have any energy to do so because he was telling her a white lie. If anyone asked her how she felt being duped by somebody, however, she felt like she could explain it for three days and three nights.

“Can I make another confession to you?” Ober said.

While she agonized over his white lie, he tried to touch her mind with sweet talk.

“The first time I saw you, I knew that you were the only light in my life!”

“…”

“Only you, Marie. I knew that only you were the goddess who would save me from this wrong world…”

Ober wrapped her cheeks, whispering to her with wistful eyes. She did not want to kiss him. It was not a big deal to kiss him, and in fact, she felt it was so sweet to kiss him in her previous life. But now she just hated him. She just wanted to slap him on the cheek and run away.

But she couldn’t retreat anymore in order to deceive him. His suspicion would kill her. She had to put up with everything until she obtained decisive evidence.

Marianne barely closed her eyes, trying not to bite her teeth.

Right at that moment, someone threw the door open even without knocking.

***

Earl Lonstat’s mansion was an ordinary manor.

Although his family was not one of the most famous and time-honored ones in the empire, it boasted of its own prestige and influence like other comparable noble families.

His family was not the so-called pure-blooded noblemen as recorded from the first page of the history of the empire, but as earl, Lonstat made his name known in the capital’s social circles.

So, strictly speaking, his family could not be treated as a declining family.

The ancestor of the family, Tiery von Lonstat, was originally a servant working in the royal library. As he had a position to work in the imperial family rather than an ordinary noble family, he was quite successful among the commoners. Fortunately, he was so lucky as to move up in his social status as he found favor in the eyes of Emperor Kremer V.

Kremer V was an emperor who was generous to his servants. To give it a finer name, he was kind to his subordinates, and strictly speaking, he was easily swayed by his private feelings.

He greatly cared for his servant Tiery who was very subservient. By the time the emperor replaced him with another subservient servant, Tiery changed his fate as a commoner completely.

While one does not consider a small drop very much, an ant must use all its energy to move it. Tiery knew that he was like an ant, and he did his best to make a single drop of water for the emperor.

Eventually, he climbed into the ranks of the noblemen before one generation passed. Whatever contribution he made, the most common noble title given to a commoner was baronet, the semi-noble class. But Tiery was exceptionally given the title of baron. As someone whose only strength was smartness, Tiery earning the title of baron was recorded as one of the most memorable events in the history of noble title award records of the empire.

Tiery, namely the first baronet Lonstat, bought a mansion and made family genealogy like other noble families. He ordered a wagon and elegant robes to fit his new status as a nobleman, and formally hired a lieutenant to manage his small estate.

And he made a plausible family motto.

<Faithfulness is strength; loyalty is honor.>

It was a good and common motto. The words used were noble and loyal to the imperial family, so the motto was suitable enough to show off to the outside.

However, there was another practical motto that had been handed down to his family members, which Tiery asked his children never to forget before he died.

<A moment’s disgrace brings about everlasting power.>

Indeed, it accurately revealed the purpose of life.

In any case, his descendants stuck to it and handed it down to generations.

They lined up behind the powerful rather than a shameful honor.

As a result, they got the title of baron during Kremer VIII’s reign and finally earl in Frei III. During the current emperor’s reign, the Lonstat family formed ties with Duke Hubble and Marquis Chester who had allegedly absolute power.

Earl Lonstat was the one who deeply kept the family motto to heart. He repeatedly stressed to his son, who was to succeed his title, and his beloved daughter about various lessons of the family motto.

“Roxy, you are a precious daughter who will open prospects for your father. You’re going to be the most precious person in the world.”

“Our family does not have any useless children. Roxy, you are smart unlike the other daughters of noble families, aren’t you? So, don’t let me down. Got it?”

“Roxy, history is written by the winner. Don’t rub a duke, marquis or marquise the wrong way.

If you become the empress, they will fall down at your feet. Don’t forget that a moment’s disgrace will earn you eternal power.”

“As things have gotten up to this point, try to get the marquis or the emperor on your side. That’s why you have to use your good looks. The mirror is not for the purpose of your makeup. Aren’t you ashamed of your ancestors?”

Who said human greed had no end? Lonstat blatantly forced surrender and sacrifice on his daughter. He did not hide his huge greed. Rather, he wanted his children to agree and follow him.

What mattered to him was not “temporary shame,” but “eternal power.”

He led a life based on that motto, and taught it to his children all his life. So, he took it for granted that his daughter would think so too.

Roxanne felt uncomfortable with her father’s expectations. But on the other hand, she wanted to be recognized as a good daughter. Earl Lonstat bought whatever she wanted, and whispered in her ear that she was the most beautiful and valuable daughter in the world.

Although he had a reason for showing such favor, his praise and concern for her served as the surest and greatest love in Roxanne’s world.