Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

Chapter 129 “Your Majesty has decided to abdicate?”“Yes, he has. He expects to make it official before the month is out.”“I apologize.”“You have nothing to apologize for, his Majesty has brought it upon himself.”Grand Duchess Crawford’s answer made me laugh awkwardly.This is what the result of arguing with the Grand Duchess would be like.‘The Duke’s wife is also Hastings. Isn’t it?’It was, frankly, ridiculous. It’s not a family surname, and it’s not likely that a surname bestowed by a medal would be passed down to a wife.The authority of Grand Duchess Crawford, my brazenness, and the mood of the moment had me swayed.‘It’s all self-inflicted.’If we go over the facts of the Emperor revealed at the general meeting of the aristocrats one by one, it is said that it is fortunate that the abdication ended, so the Emperor probably has nothing to say.“If Your Majesty had not made the decision to abdicate, even the Crown Prince would have been in danger, so it was a wise decision.”“……”“He has done more than even I, his sister, could not cover it.”Grand Duchess Crawford coldly criticized his younger brother.Helios and I already knew this, but those who did not know what the Emperor had done were shocked.In particular, the biggest problem was the tricks in the hunting grounds.It was something that could not be overlooked even if it was normal, but the problem became even bigger because the whole empire was suffering from monsters.Public opinion spiraled out of control as the Emperor was criticized for not only allowing the monster to grow unchecked, but also for using them.The Emperor dismissed it as a coincidence, but the evidence was clear, and crucially, the head of the Imperial Knights had been commissioned to carry out the mission.“Does that mean Crown Prince Frederick will ascend to the throne?”“I guess so. I don’t know if he’ll do well.”“If the Grand Duchess helps him, he will do well.”Helios, who entered the drawing room, spoke in my place.“Helios.”It was a face I haven’t seen in a week.Helios, who had returned from being held captive in the Imperial Palace for the duration of the General Assembly of the Nobility, sat down with a tired expression on his face.“Even so, I was going to visit you, but were you here?”“If I’m in the mansion, there should be a lot of people coming. I came here looking for a quiet place.”“Good job.”A quiet sigh escaped the end of the calm words. The Grand Duchess, who was holding a teacup, clicked her tongue.“I heard your injuries were severe, and your face is quite disfigured.”“It’s because I haven’t been sleeping. I’ll feel better after a few days of rest.”“But what if you do something worse? His Highness, Grand Duke, died early after saying he was fine, so don’t take my word lightly and start taking care of yourself.”“Yes.”You’ve said everything I want to say.Helios calmly replied to the worried word.“What will you do with the Marquis of Melks?”“Since it is impossible to punish the dead, it has been said that the title should be removed and the body left in the field as an example.”“I thought he was a reluctant one to begin with.”The Grand Duchess lowered the teacup to a clattering sound and raised her voice.“A magic trick that takes away the body, how can a person do such a thing.”The Grand Duchess’ gaze turned to my neck. I smiled awkwardly, fiddling with the wound on my neck.It was not something I wanted to tell them, but to prove that Helios killed Marquis Melks in self-defense, I had no choice but to reveal the atrocities of the Marquis and Charlet Melks.Because it was so unrealistic, there were more people who did not believe it even after seeing the evidence, but Sirius’s testimony, having seen the scene three years ago, was enough to cover it. Furthermore.“When was Anthony Eaton’s execution date set?”“I think it will be right after the Crown Prince’s coronation.”“Please take care of it until the end so that there is no disruption to work.”“Yes.”Evidence that Anthony Eaton also practiced witchcraft was discovered during the search for the Marquis’ mansion.It was done when children were sacrificed in a magical stone mine, and although it was different from the magic used by the Marquis Melks, it was equally dangerous, so the death penalty could not be avoided.‘The fact that he was executed so soon after his coronation suggests that he took Prince Frederick’s position into account.’It would have been better for Prince Frederick to order the execution himself to remove any unrest and establish his authority, as he would continue to be a nuisance as long as Anthony Eaton was alive.“But what about Your Majesty when Prince Frederick ascends to the throne?”“He has decided to go to Moonfield’s private palace with Her Majesty the Empress.”“He’s not staying in the capital?”“When Your Majesty is in the capital, it’s like having two Emperors.”Helios said that Your Majesty had decided to leave the capital because of Prince Frederick’s position.“Will the Crown Prince be able to carry out government affairs alone?”“That’s why he’s asking the Grand Duchess to be his regent until he comes of age.”“Ah.”It seemed clear to me now what the ultimate purpose of all this commotion was.The plan was to overthrow the Emperor, who lacked the qualities of a monarch, and stabilize the empire by placing the Grand Duchess Crawford in charge of the regency, thereby striking a balance between the Emperor and the nobility.“If the Grand Duchess helps him, I have no worries.”“Why should I worry, I know what I’m doing.”“That’s what you say, but I know you’ve been preparing.”“I can’t say anything like everyone else. As soon as the coronation is over, I plan to appoint the Duke as administrator.”Helios opened his mouth with a smile on the face of the Grand Duchess.“Thank you for the word, but after the coronation, we plan to go back to the estate.”“Leaving the capital in this chaotic state? What do you mean?”“It is me who is in charge of this work. If I take on a public office, I will be told that I worked because I was greedy for the position.”“I know the Duke’s innocence, who cares what anyone says? And since when did the Duke pay attention to the eyes of others?”“I do not want to burden the Grand Duchess, and…”Helios paused for a moment and looked at me. I smiled softly and he placed his hand on my belly that was hidden under my clothes.“I think it will be better for this child to have a comfortable life.”“… Child?”Grand Duchess Crawford asked, narrowing her brows. I nodded shyly.“It’s been about five months.”“Oh my god.”The Grand Duchess, who let out a sigh as if she had never thought of it, suddenly turned her head toward Helios.“So you’re telling me that someone with a child has been through such a terrible thing?”“Yes? Ah, that’s….”“What an indifferent husband you are! How dangerous is the first pregnancy! To bring someone who has a hard time just lying down to the capital.”“Gra-Grand Duchess. Helios didn’t even know because I announced my pregnancy so late….”“If you don’t tell him then you’re the same! If you have a child, you have to talk right away! Did you come all the way to the Imperial Palace knowing what was going to happen?”Sparks flew at me, too.It was a harsh rebuke, but I knew she was thinking of me, so I spoke calmly.“I believed that the Grand Duchess would protect me.”“I can’t speak.”Grand Duchess Crawford rolled her eyes. Still, as if she understood the situation, she no longer caught Helios.“Did you see a doctor?”“Yes. The baby is very healthy.”“Don’t worry too much and be careful in everything. Take good care of the Duchess. After all, when a man is strong, his wife and children are also safe.”“I will keep that in mind.”The Grand Duchess, who had strongly instructed Helios, got up and said that she would be going. As she was about to go out, the Grand Duchess suddenly stopped and said:“Even if a child is born, always remember that Escal is the heir to the Anthemion family. This is advice for you and your family.”“I will keep that in mind.” ***** On the day of the conclusion of the General Assembly of the Nobility, the Emperor officially announced his abdication. As if on cue, the Noble House began preparations for the coronation of the new Emperor.The coronation ceremony was held in the Grand Hall on the first day of the new month. There are still many areas suffering from monsters, and the preparation period is short, so the coronation ceremony was simple.As soon as the coronation ceremony was over, the Emperor and Empress backed down from their position and left for Moonfield with the princesses.The first task of the new Emperor was to accurately understand the situation of the territories damaged by monsters and to distribute the funds, but Grand Duchess Crawford pressed Sirius to the imperial palace with the excuse that they needed a monster expert.“I don’t know what the relationship between knowing about monsters and the distribution aid is.”Sirius, whom I met after the coronation, grumbled like that, but it doesn’t seem to work, given the news that he has been appointed as a special aide to Grand Duchess Crawford.Meanwhile, I was busy getting ready to leave the capital.Time flew by as I responded to congratulations from the ladies who heard the news of my pregnancy, packed my belongings for the estate, and searched for a doctor to help me deliver the baby.“You’re not going to call on me this time, are you?”“I’m afraid not, Viscount Espenser.”Before leaving the capital, Viscount Espenser, who had come to Escal’s last class, grumbled in a low voice.“In my mind, I would like to take the Viscount to the estate, but I have a separate request for the Viscount.”“… What else are you going to ask for?”Viscount Espenser looked at me anxiously. I smiled softly and held out the documents I had prepared in advance.He raised his eyebrows.“What is this?”“The right to run the Dillua Academy.”“Why are you giving this to me?”“I need you to take charge of Dillua Academy until I return to the capital.”“Yes?”“As you know, Grand Duchess Crawford has become the regent, and I will have a baby sooner or later, so I can’t take care of the Academy. So I asked the Viscount.”The Viscount looked down at the documents and said with a frown.“There must be plenty of qualified people besides me.”“Who? Someone who has been in education as long as you have, and has an excellent academic background, please recommend it.”“…….”Viscount Espenser sighed.He has a strong pride as well as his skills, so it would be difficult to recommend someone superior to him. Of course, there is no such person.“There’s no one better suited to the job, is there?”“… I will run it as I please.”“Please do so.”I smiled brightly.