I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 109
“I heard you placed the Crown Prince in the throne room. Isn’t it too soon, given Your Majesty’s robust health?”
“I, cough, cough!”
The Emperor coughed violently, his frail body shaking, as a maid hurried to his side to assist him.
‘Progressing faster than I thought. Maybe I should have told them to slow down?’
Durante decided he needed to meet with the doctor again after the audience. As he pondered this, a hoarse voice pierced the silence.
“Given my condition, I can’t just leave the throne room empty. He might be inadequate, but he is the Crown Prince for now.”
“That’s …”
Durante trailed off, glancing around as the servants quietly withdrew from the bedroom.
Once alone with the Emperor, Durante continued.
“It’s a pity. The lord of Renato would have been a better match than the Crown Prince.”
“I heard that boy’s been unwell too, cough! I wonder if he’s improved.”
“It seems his recovery is slow due to lack of proper care. It’s almost the third anniversary of the Grand Duchess’s death, isn’t it?”
“What of it?”
“My daughter Julia has been waiting for the Grand Duke. She says she’d die rather than marry anyone else. My heart breaks as a father…”
Feigning a tear, Durante moved to the matter at hand.
“Please issue an imperial decree. If Your Majesty declares the marriage between Julia and the Grand Duke, he won’t be able to ignore it.”
“Later. We can do that after Ricardo recovers.”
“But Your Majesty.”
The Emperor shifted uncomfortably, changing the subject.
“My health has been deteriorating. I need to change doctors.”
“The imperial doctor is the most skilled in the empire. Would changing him really make a difference? However, about the decree…”
Clang!
As Durante pressed for the decree again, a water glass flew across the room, shattering on the marble floor.
Durante stared in shock at the broken glass just a foot away from him. The Emperor shouted while panting angrily.
“I’m talking about my illness! And you want to discuss decrees?”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
Durante swallowed the curses rising to his throat and knelt, clenching his fists in frustration.
‘Selfish bastard.’
The Emperor was raised in luxury and was always catered to since birth. But his self-centeredness was excessive, even considering his background. At the academy, if he wasn’t the center of attention, he would quickly lose his temper, driving away all his friends.
This is why Durante was his only friend. Durante had to suppress his own irritation and bow deeply.
“I made a mistake out of fatherly concern. If it is Your Majesty’s will to change doctors, then it must be done, for the Emperor’s word is law.”
“…What about Adalberto’s doctor?”
“He’s quite competent. If necessary, I’ll have him transferred to the palace immediately.”
“Do that.”
The Emperor’s tone softened.
“When I see improvement, I’ll issue the decree. It’s no trouble at all for a friend. And we should ensure that Ricardo and Julia are properly united.”
“Your thoughts are always profound, Your Majesty.”
Durante bowed deeply, feigning emotion. The Emperor, seeming pleased, cleared his throat and dismissed Durante. Durante meekly exited the room.
As soon as he was in the corridor, Durante’s expression changed as he scolded a servant.
“Why isn’t the carriage ready? Can’t you move quicker?”
“My apologies!”
Knowing their master was in a foul mood, the servant hurried down the corridor. Durante watched the servant’s back with a disdainful click of his tongue.
‘There’s no need to meet the doctor. Just let nature take its course, and he’ll be gone in a month.’
Durante strolled leisurely, hands clasped behind his back.
Pleasing the temperamental Emperor was something he never got used to. His pride made it difficult to suppress his irritation.
But this charade wouldn’t last much longer.
Once he announces the marriage of the Grand Duke and Julia at next week’s founding celebration, the Emperor’s usefulness will end.
Durante glanced around the imperial corridor as if he already owned it.
Then, across the corridor, he locked eyes with a young noble approaching. The blonde noble recognized Durante and approached with a bright smile.
“Count Adalberto! What a surprise to see you here. You must have been attending to His Majesty?”
“I had to come, for he summoned me. And what brings you here, Viscount Michele?”
“I was just visiting the Crown Prince.”
“Is that so?”
Michele’s response made Durante narrowed his eyes. He pulled Michele into a corner of the corridor and lowered his voice.
“So, how did it go?”
“You were right, Count. The Crown Prince showed no interest in our Michele Company. When I mentioned the lily sales rights, he only told me to consult with you. He even refused the gold coins I offered.”
“Indeed.”
Durante smiled smugly. Since he held the exclusive sales rights for lilies, there was no error in Valerio’s words.
But the world doesn’t always operate on principle alone.
Michele had hoped that by offering a bribe, the Crown Prince would wield his authority in their favor.
However, the Crown Prince was not one to be swayed by bribes. Michele being turned down was all part of Durante’s calculations.
“The Crown Prince is a stickler for the rules. It’s disheartening to think of such a man leading the empire.”
Durante spoke as if lamenting, then whispered,
“I’ll share some of the lilies marketed by the Adalberto Company with the Michele Company. I’ll only take a small fee for the arrangement.”
“Really?”
Michele’s eyes widened at the sweet enticement.
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon:
For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our discord server~!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
