The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 365



365 – The Crown Prince on Desmond’s Carriage

Before the noble meeting.

The Crown Prince had persuaded the Emperor.

-This is the last chance to catch Desmond.

They said it was an opportunity to bring down a family that could pressure the imperial family in the empire.

– Considering all the things Desmond has done to the imperial family and the pressure he has exerted, this is an opportunity we must seize. You know it too, Father. How much pressure the royal family has been under from Desmond since the previous emperor’s reign…!

– …

– They are a family that should not hold power. They are rebels trying to grasp the emperor at their whim.

– But it’s too much to take down Desmond now. Although the forces following Desmond have dwindled, Desmond is still Desmond. Besides, Desmond is an indispensable existence in the empire.

– There are many families that can replace Desmond.

– Is that Wolfgang?

The emperor knew all about the crown prince’s actions. He had given him freedom like a sheep released into a pasture, but he was a person who cared about the safety of the empire more than anyone else.

The crown prince, angry at the fact that there were eyes watching him, clenched his fist and looked at the emperor.

– Yes, that’s right.

From noble mtl dot com

– Is Wolfgang your sword?

– …Yes.

The emperor let out a deep sigh and questioned the crown prince.

– You do know how important Desmond is to this empire, right?

– …

– The existence of the great wizard. Just this alone makes it difficult for other countries to easily invade. It not only reduces defense costs but also maintains the peace of the empire.

– The empire’s national power is not weak.

– Don’t think that talents like the knight commander exist only in the empire.

– …

– Besides, Desmond’s butler doesn’t seem to be ordinary either, so it’s better not to touch Desmond now.

– …A mere commoner cannot threaten the empire.

– …

The eyes of the crown prince, who saw the truth.

And the eyes of the emperor, who distinguished the same truth, glared at each other.

Both knew.

That no matter what lies were told, they would not work.

The emperor, with languid eyes, spoke to the crown prince.

– Have you ever thought about why I didn’t bring down Desmond when the princess used black magic?

– …

– It’s because Desmond is indispensable to the empire. If Desmond were to be emptied, there would surely be nobles who would take that place.

– There is no family that keeps the line as well as Desmond. Yes, if we bring down Desmond now, the administration of the empire will certainly be easier. Honestly, it would be easier to run the government with Desmond’s influence diminished.

– …So you mean to correct it now. If Desmond, who is expanding his power, turns his fangs in the wrong direction, it could threaten the next imperial power!

– Crown Prince, do you trust Wolfgang?

– …I trust him.

– …Alright, then let me ask you just one thing. Why are you so obsessed with Desmond?

– …I want to do my own politics.

The emperor, who was proud that the crown prince, who always tried to avoid the weight of the crown, began to look at the crown properly, closed his eyes tightly and listened to the prince’s stubbornness.

It was the first time the crown prince was involved in state affairs, and it was the first request he made to him.

– I will deal with Desmond.

– It won’t be easy.

– …I have an idea.

– If you plan to eliminate the head of the Desmond family, abandon it. If it goes wrong, the entire royal family will be in danger.

– …Understood.

The emperor listened to his son’s stubbornness.

This choice might bring disaster to the empire, but even this choice was a problem that the next king had to bear.

Thus, the crown prince.

– Eek!!! Father’s chocolate is all gone.

– Chocolate…! Bring the chocolate!

– Miss! Didn’t I tell you to eat it sparingly!

– Eek?

He was on his way to the west with Desmond.

The atmosphere of Desmond heading to the west was lively. It was so noisy and cheerful that he wondered if it was the Desmond he knew.

In the royal family, Desmond was a tyrant itself.

– Raising the tax rate on magic stones is an open attack on Desmond, isn’t it?

– …

– While you generously overlook the tax rates on other nobles’ businesses, I think it is unfair to burden Desmond, who is processing magic stones.

– ‘The emperor’s word is law….’

– Is the national treasury running dry?

– ‘The emperor’s word is also the law of the nobles.’

I had heard that the 2nd Prince’s personal expenses were high… Instead, Desmond requested a detailed investigation into this matter.

It was hard to believe that Desmond, with such a peaceful demeanor, was going to subdue a fierce beast.

I thought we would depart in a heavy atmosphere, and I expected him to show a determined expression, vowing to avenge the Emperor’s unjust words. But instead of worrying about the beast, the Desmond family was only concerned about chocolate, which left the Crown Prince quite bewildered.

Moreover.

“Profit?”

“…”

“Father. Why is she in the same carriage?”

It was hard to believe that Desmond Olivia was here.

I had heard that she was expelled from the family for using black magic, but it was unbelievable that she was participating in the journey to the west as if nothing had happened.

Olivia, with a piece of chocolate in her mouth, stared at the Crown Prince and spoke.

“Does the Emperor have no money?”

She insulted the royal family as she spoke.

“The Emperor is not your friend… Use honorifics, Princess.”

“Eek?”

“…”

“Father, what should we do with this poor girl? She seems like a beggar.”

The Crown Prince almost lost his mind at the words of the princess, who had nothing to lose. He had never heard such words in his life.

‘…I should have brought my own carriage.’

The carriage heading west was operated by two families. Originally, the royal family had prepared a separate carriage, but a sacrifice was needed to confirm Desmond’s atmosphere.

-I will go as an informant.

-No, you can’t…!

-Am I not the only one who can ride in Desmond’s carriage? And I was curious too.

Accompanying the western schedule might have been a good thing. Seeing Desmond’s downfall with his own eyes, and when something unfortunate happened, his words would be more credible than the Marquis’s.

In hindsight, it was a good thing, but…

“Hey.”

“…”

“Hey!”

“…”

“Ricardo, is he deaf?”

The Crown Prince, who was insulted more than he had expected, could not close his mouth due to the boiling anger.

“Hey…!”

The Crown Prince let out a hollow laugh and swept his hair back at the informal speech without honorifics.

“Haha… It seems Desmond hasn’t learned manners towards the royal family.”

“What?”

“The words you, a princess, are spitting out might bring about a bloody storm.”

“It’s fine. I’ve already lost everything, nothing more to lose.”

“That…!”

“Your father took everything away.”

“…?”

“What! Why are you looking at me like that.”

“Is Desmond always this arrogant?”

“This…! You brat!”

The Crown Prince, who was glaring at Olivia’s gesture as she sincerely tried to punch him, looked at a man who was covering his mouth.

‘Ricardo.’

He seemed to know that this situation was troublesome, and the sight of him covering his mouth with his hand and rolling his eyes was quite amusing.

‘Yes… This is the gap in status between you and me. A gap that someone like you can never bridge.’

The Crown Prince wanted to possess Yuria.

Although he hadn’t yet felt a great interest in her as a lover, he was intrigued to learn more about her. To do so, he had to deal with Ricardo.

Every time he met Yuria, the Crown Prince felt uncomfortable whenever Ricardo was mentioned, and he laughed as he watched Ricardo’s shoulders tremble.

‘I don’t know if it was a good idea not to bring a knight.’

If he had brought a knight, he wouldn’t have been able to ride in Desmond’s carriage, nor would he have seen Ricardo’s flustered appearance.

‘Interesting.’

“Ah… Miss… But he’s still the Crown Prince… You should…”

“Listen, Ricardo. Their father stole our money.”

“Please… Stop.”

“Ugh!!! Father!!! I don’t like this guy!!!”

“Hahahahaha!!!”

‘Laughing?’

The Crown Prince clenched his fist as he watched Ricardo burst into laughter.

“What are you doing right now?”

“Yes?”

“How dare you insult the imperial family in front of the Crown Prince of the Empire…?”

“Yes?”

“When we return to the capital, I will definitely report this matter.”

“Yes.”

“…”

Ricardo looked at the Crown Prince with a calm expression.

“Please tell His Majesty. Tell him that Desmond did this and that, and it made me feel bad, so please scold him.”

“Are you insulting me to the end?”

“Because I’m not alone today.”

Ricardo shrugged as he looked at the lady who was glaring at the Crown Prince as if she would kill him.

“Ugh!!! Let go!!! I’ll hit you just once!”

Ricardo muttered to himself in a low voice, ‘There’s no one as reliable as the lady when we’re on the same side,’ as he looked out the window.

“Wow… The sea is so beautiful.”

“Where?!”

“Over there.”

“What? I can’t see it.”

“I mean your heart is as wide as the sea.”

“Eek?!”

The Crown Prince clenched his fists as he watched Ricardo and Olivia having fun together. He vowed to wipe the smiles off their faces.

At the same time, Ricardo had the same thought.

‘How should I play with them?’

It was the imperial family that crossed the ‘line.’

He was looking forward to it.

He was looking forward to seeing the Crown Prince, who would be caught with a huge weakness, in trouble. He was looking forward to seeing him fall from the power that always seemed lofty and eternal.

“Ah, Your Highness.”

“Shut up.”

“What happens if a member of the imperial family is involved with a slave?”

The Crown Prince remained silent for a long time, then sighed deeply and answered the question.

“…All rights of the imperial family would be immediately revoked.”

“Is that so? Then what happens if it is related to black magic?”

“The royal family is not as weak as Desmond.”

“Is that so?”

“This will be interesting.”

“What did you say…!”

Olivia grabbed the crown prince’s hair.

“Father!!! This b*stard is picking on me!”

The lady disliked the crown prince.