Chapter 46
The bigger problem, however, lay not in the deed itself, but in Edin’s reason for wanting to execute Seiren. The Emperor, who had until now turned a blind eye to the banishment or execution of Nyxna brought to the palace, might no longer tolerate such actions. If that were the case, Raz’s past deeds could no longer escape punishment. Above all, Raz had no intention of letting Lysei live.
If Seiren were allowed to die now, it would undoubtedly create further complications in disposing of Lysei. Raz had intended to live out her days as the Empress of the Empire, bearing the Emperor’s children, his sole wife and mistress of the imperial household. But it was Edin who had first turned his back on her.
So, she had decided to cast aside the Emperor, who had shamed her, and become the sun of the Empire herself, living the best life in the highest position. She had no intention of leaving any obstacles in the path of her plans. Lysei, who had shared Edin’s rut, was a troublesome impediment that needed to be removed. If she condoned the Emperor’s execution of Seiren now, wouldn’t she be giving Edin the very means to execute her later for killing Lysei?
A Nyxna was the Emperor’s property. No one in the Empire, regardless of their station, could harm the Emperor’s property. That was the law of the Empire. Despite this, the Emperor had never commented on the treatment of the Nyxna, which allowed Raz to deal with them as she pleased. This freedom from interference needed to continue.
“Mercy, Your Majesty.”
“What is the meaning of this? Do you think I would kill the Empress?”
“Seiren is like a sister* to me. Everything she did, she did for me. The responsibility is mine.”
*T/N: Just realized Seiren is a woman, there was no mention of it on the raws before. I’ll fix it later, sorry!
“…Rise, Empress.”
Edin growled lowly.
Raz slowly rose and looked at Edin. Despite the indelible shame he had inflicted upon her, his face still made her heart race. There was a time when she had been overjoyed at the prospect of becoming his consort, ignorant of the fact that he would never truly be hers.
“What must I do to save her?”
“You dare ask me to spare one who laid hands on what belongs to the Emperor?”
“That is why I make this plea.”
“You desire the life of one who…”
“The exclusive northern trade routes!” Raz interrupted Edin. “I will relinquish the exclusive northern trade routes.”
“….”
Edin’s eyes widened slightly at Raz’s words.
Just as Zerga had predicted.
The minerals mined in the monster-infested northern lands were a valuable energy source, traded at exorbitant prices within the Empire. The Beneretti family’s control of the northern trade routes was tied to the death of Edin’s mother. The trade routes had been a gift from the previous Emperor to Edin. However, when Edin’s mother’s life was threatened, she had given them to Marquis Beneretti and fled alone. She had foolishly prioritized her own life, failing to realize she would lose both the trade routes and her life. Marquis Beneretti had amassed a vast fortune thanks to the northern trade routes given to him by Edin’s mother. His wealth surpassed even that of the Imperial family, attracting numerous nobles to his side.
“You would exchange the northern trade routes for the life of a mere guard, Empress?”
“I said she is like a sister to me. Her life is of utmost importance to me.”
Of course, it was important. If Edin pardoned Seiren now, he would be obligated to overlook similar transgressions in the future. If she were to be caught disposing of LyseI again, Edin wouldn’t be able to punish her, not after this.
At Raz’s words, Edin finally turned. As he walked back towards the Imperial Palace, he addressed Raz.
“I expect the Marquis to deliver the trade routes to me personally.”
***
Marquis Beneretti stormed into the Empress’s chambers, furious. How could she exchange the northern trade routes for the life of Seiren? He shouldn’t have entrusted the routes to his daughter in the first place. He had given them to Raz to make her aware of his power, to make her acknowledge him, given the Emperor’s disregard for his daughter. Yet, his foolish daughter had bartered them away for the life of a mere guard.
“Don’t worry, Father. I will reclaim the trade routes when I become Empress. Focus your efforts on locating and contacting the leader of the heretics.”
“…Don’t concern yourself with that, Your Imperial Majesty. I’ve heard that he had given Rose Palace to the Nyxna who shared the Emperor’s rut.”
“….”
“I cannot fathom His Majesty’s intentions. Rumors are circulating that the Nyxna might be carrying his child. If this continues…”
“Don’t worry about that either, Father. I will deal with that Nyxna before I ascend to the throne.”
Raz’s eyes gleamed sharply.
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