Ch.297Chapter 297 – Everyone Has a Plausible Plan

The information about the Imperial Princess, given by the person from the Black Feather, is written on this paper.

Judging by the slightly rough texture rather than the smoothness typical of parchment, it seems they’ve given me a copy rather than the original.

Well, whether it’s an original or a copy doesn’t matter as long as it contains the information I need.

I closed the door and confirmed that no one was around.

‘No one’s here.’

Even though this is my private room, I still need to look around once to prepare for any unexpected situations.

If someone had entered my room, they would become cautious just by my looking around.

I sat down and carefully removed the wax seal to unfold the rolled-up paper.

As I removed the wax seal attached to the edge, the rolled paper spread out neatly.

Inside this, there is information about Imperial Princess Karen.

Even if it doesn’t contain all the information about her, it has the essential details that I, who knows little about her, need right now.

‘I’ll study this information until the Imperial Princess’s lady-in-waiting contacts me.’

When I meet the Imperial Princess, I’ll completely eliminate any favorable impression she might have of me.

It’s time to thoroughly prepare for the ridiculously named “Operation Destroy the Imperial Princess’s Favor.”

‘Know your enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.’

Reflecting on the ancient sage’s words that if you know your opponent and yourself, you won’t be in danger even after fighting a hundred battles, I waited for contact from Imperial Princess Karen.

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The Imperial Palace of Aurelios has several annexes attached to it, built for the Emperor’s direct family members to live in.

Among these annexes, there were two particularly large ones, given to the Crown Prince and the person next in line for succession.

The second largest annex was where the First Imperial Princess, Karen, resided.

“Maria. Are there any events this month that I need to attend personally?”

“I humbly report, Your Highness, that there appear to be none currently scheduled.”

“I see.”

Karen was quite pleased with Maria’s answer. Most events were usually attended by her brother Takitar anyway.

Above all, Karen had lost interest in the position of Emperor.

Her desire to become Emperor had been to quell the chaos resulting from the vacancy in the successor position due to Takitar’s death.

But what about now?

The cursed sword that caused Takitar’s death has disappeared, and the demon cult that had been plotting with it is gradually fading away.

Moreover, everyone from all religious orders was praising the Marquis of the Gelebrio Empire as the primary contributor to the destruction of the demon god.

Naturally, public perception of the various religious orders and the Gelebrio Empire had improved tremendously.

Finally, although Takitar might seem a bit frivolous, his abilities were more than sufficient as the next Emperor.

So from Karen’s perspective, she had to ask the fundamental question of whether she needed to ascend to the throne of Emperor, a position that would require her to work while sacrificing both her mind and body.

Karen’s brilliant mind soon provided an answer, which was “no.”

‘Why should I struggle to take a position that only brings hardship?’

Engage in bloody competition with siblings to ascend to the Emperor’s throne, and even assassinate opponents to eliminate future troubles?

She had gone so far as to turn back time to regain her loved ones and this peaceful daily life, so why would she fight for a position that no longer held much value to her?

She had never even considered it.

In that sense, the appearance of the man named Pathos held great significance for Karen.

“Your Imperial Highness, if I may speak boldly…”

“If it’s bold, then don’t say it. Maria, I can tell at a glance that your bold words are about Marquis Severio, aren’t they?”

“Well, yes…”

Karen’s lady-in-waiting, Maria, was showing with her entire body that she did not approve of Pathos Severio.

Karen was curious about why her long-serving attendant was displaying such an attitude.

“Maria. Why do you show such dislike for my choice?”

“Your Imperial Highness, Marquis Pathos Severio is certainly a man of outstanding ability who has accomplished many great deeds.”

“Yes. There’s no one more suitable for me than such a man. Where else in this world could you find someone who has achieved so much at such a young age?”

“However, he already has two women to whom he has promised his future. For Your Imperial Highness to approach such a man, isn’t it like the Imperial Family bowing its head to him?”

Karen seemed to understand what Maria was trying to say.

In summary, she was dissatisfied with the idea of becoming a secondary wife rather than the primary one.

“Maria. I understand your concern. But you’re mistaken.”

“Pardon?”

“When did I ever say I would enter as his secondary wife or concubine?”

“Ah…”

Only after hearing Karen’s point did Maria realize what she had been misunderstanding.

She had unconsciously assumed that Karen would become Pathos’s secondary wife, and this was revealed in her question.

“I have no intention of entering as a secondary wife. I will fight proudly and claim the position of his primary wife.”

“But Your Imperial Highness!”

“Enough! This is my choice. Do you have the right to question it?”

“…”

Maria could only remain silent at Karen’s words.

As a lady-in-waiting, she could offer advice, but ultimately it was Karen’s choice to make, not Maria’s to dictate.

“Maria. I have made this decision after careful consideration. So please go and convey my decision to him.”

“Yes, Your Imperial Highness.”

“I apologize for raising my voice. However, I have no intention of changing a decision once I’ve made it.”

“I understand. I only wish for Your Imperial Highness’s happiness.”

With those final words, Maria left Karen’s room.

Watching Maria close the door and leave, Karen shook her head.

Although Maria was her loyal lady-in-waiting, this was not a matter for Maria to decide.

How dare a lady-in-waiting interfere in matters between a man and a woman? Moreover, a man of Marquis Pathos Severio’s standing could marry into the imperial family without raising any eyebrows.

If a mere baron were to marry an imperial princess, it would cause an uproar, but a marquis would pose no problem.

Among the five noble ranks, excluding the few dukes, the position of marquis was the highest rank an individual could achieve without belonging to any political faction.

‘I should find a good match for Maria later.’

Come to think of it, Karen had heard that Maria, who was also of marriageable age, had been rejecting marriage proposals with the excuse of not finding a good man.

But this was because she believed it would disrupt the hierarchy if she married before her superior, or something along those lines?

Anyway, for Maria’s sake as well, Karen was determined to succeed with Pathos.

However, there was one concern…

“What if Marquis Severio is too intimidated by my status and finds it difficult to approach me?”

That was about Pathos’s attitude toward her.

Although Pathos had obtained noble status as an ability user and earned his title through merit, it had been less than two years.

Because of this, he still seemed to find it difficult to approach her.

Just at the recent banquet, hadn’t he found it challenging to interact with her?

Even when she had changed her manner of speech to show some familiarity, it had created a very awkward atmosphere.

‘I wonder how he will treat me?’

Karen had some expectations of Pathos.

If he treated her as an imperial princess, she would be somewhat disappointed. A husband of an imperial princess needed to show boldness and spirit.

But if he treated her not as an imperial princess but as a woman named Karen, without reservation?

Then she would be very satisfied.

This would mean he possessed the boldness, courage, and spirit necessary to become the husband of an imperial princess.

‘Well, if not, I can always “educate” him to become a man suitable for an imperial princess, can’t I?’

If all else failed, she could directly “educate” him to become the man she wanted.

Karen had already thought this far ahead.

Of course, his other women were a concern, but couldn’t that be resolved through proper agreement among the women?

‘Giving up my position as imperial princess should be kept as a last resort.’

Karen smiled as she thought of Pathos.

She was looking forward to the day she would meet him.

‘Wait for me, my hero.’