Ch.257Chapter 257 – Not the Imperial Princess!

Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong.

The gazes of these two lovers of Pathos were fixed on a woman who was conversing with the man they both loved.

Karen Lucien Dekatro Gelebrio Aurelios, the First Imperial Princess of the Gelebrio Empire.

Her platinum blonde hair and golden eyes exuded an aura that drew people in and overwhelmed them.

However, Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong were not the type to be dominated by Karen’s status or aura, so normally her influence on them should have been minimal.

Yet now, both women were keenly sensitive to Karen’s facial expressions, tone of voice, and the gestures she used in conversation.

Generally, a powerful person becomes wary of another only when that person has enough power to pose a threat, or when they clearly display hostility.

And in terms of personal strength, Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong were unmatched in this world—supreme masters of magic and martial arts respectively.

For these two to be cautious of Princess Karen? It was obvious this wasn’t because the princess was stronger than them.

So why were they so vigilant around Princess Karen?

It was simply wariness about a new woman entering Pathos’s life.

For Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong, Pathos was the first man they had ever recognized as a romantic interest in their lives.

Everyone knows that first love memories last the longest, as does the pain of separation.

Even ordinary people feel immense sadness when parting from their first love.

How much more so for these two women, for whom Pathos was their first love? Had they ever experienced proper romance before?

At least they had managed to resolve their conflict by acknowledging each other and establishing a clear hierarchy, knowing that if they fought over Pathos, he too would be caught in the aftermath.

But what about others?

Were they the only ones yearning for Pathos’s affection?

Eterna Lumio Sol, the Holy Maiden of the Sun Order and Chief Inquisitor.

She had openly expressed her romantic interest in Pathos and was actively appealing to him.

Of course, she was currently very busy with Order business, tracking down demon cult followers in other countries, which prevented her from visiting Pathos.

But even so, she regularly sent letters through the Order, making it clear that her affection for Pathos had not diminished in the slightest.

Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong were willing to accept Eterna as a third wife.

After all, she had expressed her feelings before they had, and more importantly, if Pathos and Eterna were to be together, the powerful Sun Order would likely become a strong backing for him.

Besides Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong, the Chancellor and the Emperor, along with countless others who had received Pathos’s help, were his fervent supporters. But human affairs are unpredictable.

So Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong thought the Sun Order would be sufficient as another support base for Pathos.

Of course, all this would only be possible if Pathos accepted Eterna as his third wife.

No matter how much the two encouraged it, if Pathos had no intention of taking a third wife?

Then Eterna would simply be left chasing after something she couldn’t catch.

However, Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong, who closely observed Pathos, had noticed that he did have some feelings for Eterna.

That’s why they were patiently supporting the development of their relationship without rushing things.

‘But the princess is out of the question.’

‘One wrong move and he could get caught up in the succession struggle and suffer greatly.’

The two women were concerned about the imperial family, including Princess Karen, approaching Pathos.

What they wanted was for Pathos to live happily, not to suffer by getting entangled in succession disputes.

The fight for imperial succession only ends when one person remains to inherit the throne, along with their supporting factions.

But Dekatro IV, who had established an absolute monarchy, was still in good health.

Originally, he had appeared older than his years due to hair loss affecting his self-esteem and confidence, but after receiving Pathos’s help to overcome his baldness, he had regained his confidence and strengthened his body enough to lead the country for another 50 years.

This had left the imperial princes and princesses wondering if they should abandon their succession ambitions.

They feared the Emperor’s wrath if they started fighting amongst themselves now.

Regina, who knew all too well what had happened before Dekatro IV ascended to the throne, didn’t want Pathos to get involved in the imperial court’s power struggles.

Cheon Hyeryeong likewise couldn’t understand the imperial family’s desire to draw others to their side for a position that, by her standards, was hardly worth the trouble.

She had grown up in the Heavenly Demon Sect, where strength was law and the guiding principle.

She understood that the Emperor’s position was one of authority over others, but questioned whether such a position was truly necessary.

In the Heavenly Demon Sect, the strongest person who inherited the Heavenly Demon Arts became the Heavenly Demon and leader.

So for Cheon Hyeryeong, the imperial throne wasn’t particularly appealing.

If Pathos wanted it, she would gladly usurp it for him, but Pathos had no such desire.

In any case, both women had their reasons for not wanting Pathos to become further entangled with the imperial family.

It was fortunate that the current Emperor and his Chancellor were on friendly terms with Pathos…

But if a succession war broke out, how much trouble would arise as each faction tried to draw Pathos to their side?

If he became involved with one of the princesses, the opposing factions would likely try to assassinate him.

‘Better to leave well enough alone than to scratch until it festers.’

This was why the two women were wary of Karen showing interest in Pathos.

Unless she renounced her position as princess and gave up her claim to succession, the risk was too great.

The one fortunate thing was that Princess Karen had not yet clearly recognized the nature of her feelings toward Pathos.

If the day came when she clearly understood her emotions, Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong’s situation would become even more complicated.

“This princess has prepared two gifts for Marquis Severio. However, to avoid burdening you on your return journey, I shall have them sent to the Academy.”

“I would be most grateful for that consideration.”

“Since you’ve come all this way, I hope you enjoy the banquet before returning.”

As Pathos finished his conversation with Princess Karen and returned to them, Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong’s expressions seemed to relax a little.

“What were you talking about?”

“She said she prepared gifts, but I didn’t hear what they were.”

“Will you accept gifts from the princess?”

“Even if I have to return them later, I should accept them first. Otherwise, I could be arrested for insulting the imperial family.”

Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong could only hope that Princess Karen’s gifts wouldn’t lead to Pathos being charged with insulting the imperial family.

Thinking that getting involved with the imperial family always led to trouble, Regina spoke first.

“Pathos. I hope you won’t get any more involved with the imperial family than you already are.”

“Why not?”

“If you were to become involved with the princess, you would inevitably be drawn into the succession struggle.”

Regina was saying she didn’t want to lose the precious daily life with him that she had struggled so hard to obtain.

Cheon Hyeryeong likewise said, “If this one were to intervene, that person would win all battles, so for the sake of fairness, this one should not participate in succession battles.”

After hearing all this, Pathos…

“It’s fine. The princess is beautiful, but she’s not my type.”

He confided his true feelings to the two women, out of the princess’s earshot.

“If the princess were at least as big as Eterna, then maybe…”

‘So he likes them big.’

‘So he likes them big.’

Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong breathed sighs of relief at Pathos’s answer.

However, Karen had also overheard Pathos’s comment.

‘He likes them big…? So mine need to be bigger than they are now?’

Karen looked down at the two large mounds attached to her chest.

Then she compared them to what Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong had…

‘This is the first time mine have looked so, so small by comparison!’

For the first time in her life, the princess thought her own were small, and made a resolution.

‘I must find and consume the legendary Manyuhwan.’

Of course, Karen still didn’t fully understand her own feelings or why she was having such thoughts.