CH 96

Even though it was too late, the emperor held out hope that Michael could show his power.

Although it is highly improbable, Phil’s situation would have been significantly worse off if that had taken place. It was possible for Michael, whose mother was the daughter of a marquis, to lose his position as crown prince.

‘If that happens, not only will my status as a member of the imperial family be in jeopardy, but so will my life!’

When there was so much going on, Phil finally saw that he was holding grudges against everyone and everything. He had survived this far because of his ancestors and his position as the next crown prince.

Some people, like the Minister of Finance, tried to hit Phil after his daughter committed suicide, but others would probably pretend to bow their heads and look for an opportunity to get revenge on him.

If Phil was plotting a revolt, he had to be careful.

Phil reflected on his situation, in which he was no longer incarcerated but was nevertheless subject to surveillance. The Emperor asked him to learn to work for Michael and increased the period of time from three months to a full year.

But Phil was well aware that working under Michael’s tutelage wouldn’t just involve learning about state affairs.

It was obvious that Michael was somehow trying to get information about Phil’s faction and work his way up through that group in order to claim his person as his own.

‘That sly guy.’

Even if it were only a year, he feared that the circumstance would have significantly shifted after that year had passed. It would have been preferable to take action prior to all of his forces becoming completely dispersed.

‘But now my servants are refusing to follow me. Although the Duke of Cardian was fatally wounded, the situation is the same as turning his back on the Duke of Cardian……’

Cardian again. What the cursed monster will do, but I have to look at his face!

‘If I had made that bitch mine at the time, I would have been in a position to negotiate with the Duke of Cardian….”

Phil clenched his teeth at the thought of losing Celia Cardian.

They say the fish they missed looked big but were even more upset because they were prey they had missed right before their eyes. Furthermore, given that he had been struck in the head with a candlestick, it seemed that he would be unsatisfied even if he beat and rolled her as much as he wanted.

― Your Highness.

Hearing something whispering in his arms, Phil quickly drew the attention of the attendant next to him and explained that he needed to use the restroom.

It was difficult even if he tried to communicate with his aides because Michael’s attendant was closely watching him. He would continue to look suspiciously at everything.

Just as Phil was entering the restroom, he reached into his chest and pulled out a crystal ball that he used for communication. This was one of the few communication tools that had been specially processed, but using the majority of communication tools was difficult for people who were not wizards.

“What’s going on?”

―Your Highness, I contacted you because I want to share some interesting information with you.

Joel, Phil’s closest aide, was the one who broke the bad news to Phil. He had sent an errand boy with Edna, and when he returned, he brought with him some unexpected information from the boy.

It could have been dismissed as bullshit news, but if it was true, it was a great story, and he couldn’t ignore it.

“Penina powder? Is that for real?”

―Although the news came from the Duke of Cardian’s residence, it is difficult to determine the authenticity of the information……

It wasn’t merely another herb; rather, it was a Penina Powder, which made it a lot easier for Giel or Amelia to consume. After feeding them that way, getting them to use their abilities was difficult.

Giel was hesitant to use her abilities because there was an after-effect when he used them, and the emperor ordered Amelia not to use them until he granted her permission.

Phil could tell the information was accurate. In point of fact, he believed the Duchess of Cardian had taken away his powers by feeding him Penina Powder.

‘Penina Powder! Did I lose my power as a result of eating that?’

Phil was still hiding the fact that he had lost his powers. Even though he was his closest friend, he couldn’t believe it, so he kept his mouth shut.

“Penina powder is not poisonous! So it won’t even be detected.”

―Yes, but……

“First and foremost, you need to get into the food and start feeding it! Because it won’t harm their bodies in any way, it doesn’t make a difference whether it’s Giel or Amelia!”

Phil was still concealing the fact that he had lost his abilities. He couldn’t believe it, even though he was his closest friend, so he shut his mouth.

✦ ✦ ✦

‘Penina powder?’

Phil wrongly believed that he was able to communicate in a quiet bathroom without being overheard, but it turned out that the bathroom had been patched.

Michael’s entourage was eavesdropping on the information whenever Phil went to the bathroom and communicated with his entourage, Joel, and was reporting it back to Michael.

There were many instances in which it was trivial, but the information that was provided this time was strange.

‘I can’t believe he got rid of that damn power with just Penina powder.’

If it’s true, it’s unfortunate he didn’t find out sooner. Had he done so, he would have swiftly ascended to the position of the crown prince by feeding the Penina powder to Phil, Giel, and Amelia.

The damn power was the reason why the Emperor had delayed giving Michael the position until now.

“How can you claim Your Majesty’s power as your own when you’re only feeding it to them?”

Michael made one more inquiry, but his aides were unable to provide an answer. Michael reluctantly chose someone to act as his confidante.

“You should have known that!”

Penina powder out of kind of flowers. 

It would be considered symbolic to use the powder of the flower, which is called the flower of the clergy and connects the lives of the poor, in order to take away someone’s powers.

It gave off a nuance as if a god was gracious and took away the emperor’s ability.

Contrary to the propaganda that the imperial family is receiving God’s blessing.

‘You’re so cheeky……!’

But he was looking for useful information. He still didn’t fully believe it, but nothing could be better than stealing the Emperor’s ability and making it his own.

‘I’ll have to deprive the emperor of his power.’

According to that information, Giel or Amelia’s abilities could be taken away. But Michael wanted the best.

Their abilities were unique, but they were insignificant.

At least the emperor was the only one who had a power that could be called an ‘ability’. In addition, the ability of the emperor, known as “purification” is what gives him control over the Duke of Cardian.

“Because Phil is already on the move……Even if you feed it to the emperor, it will be to your advantage to pin the blame on Phil.”

“Are you going to put it to the test on the Emperor?”

“Didn’t he say he could take away his powers if you fed him that powder?” If I have to take away power, I’ll take the emperor’s.”

It was only natural that he would one day become Emperor. His entourage exchanged nervous glances as they looked at Michael, whose eyes were excitedly bright.

It was intended to touch the emperor. It means they shouldn’t leave any seeds of future trouble.

Michael gave them a mocking look before giving them the order to assemble a banquet for the emperor.

✦ ✦ ✦

It wasn’t until winter was complete that the invitation came from the imperial family. It was expected, but Leonis gritted his teeth at it.

Celia would have been shocked if she had heard the news.

Nevertheless, the emperor invited the Duke and Duchess of Cardian. the Emperor decided to extend an invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Cardian. Once more, the Marquis of Montague was the one who the emperor decided to hold as a hostage.

It was made for the Marquis of Montague to help him prepare for the imperial banquet hosted by the second empress. It was unknown how he drew Ramona, who had been locked up at the marquis’ residence under the guise of Celia’s marriage.

Celia suspected that Ramona’s family was involved.

It is said that the first Empress was recuperating in a modest mansion in the countryside after suffering a miscarriage and that the third Empress passed away after receiving a shock from Phil.

Therefore, it was only natural that the opportunity should once again fall to the second empress.

Because Vivian, the first princess, was the second lead who lost points to the emperor as a result of being poisoned, the second empress appeared to prepare for this banquet with all of her might.

Ramona seemed to have been appointed head of the banquet.

It was Ramona who was once asked by the imperial princes to be a lady-in-waiting. Ramona had declined every proposal presented to her, convinced that none of them would lead to her becoming the empress dowager.

Celia frowned as she read Ramona’s letter, which arrived alongside the imperial invitation. It stated that she would suffer a loss of face if her daughter Celia did not attend the banquet because they had prepared it.

Her feelings for Ramona were hurt, but more than that, she resented the imperial family for using her in their schemes.

“Starting with this banquet, everything will change.”

Leonis hugged Celia and whispered to comfort her. Going up to the capital this time will change everything, of course, and the empire will change.

The Marquis of Montague and his wife cannot be held as hostages. As soon as they started working on the plan, they had already prepared to bring the Marquis of Montague and his wife to the Duchy of Cardian, even if it meant using force.

“I know. I will not back down either.”

This was something that Celia said as she rested her head on Leonis’s chest. The dice were cast. The only question was who would wear the emperor’s crown.