Chapter 366

After causing a storm of shock, Joshua exited the council chamber, but a woman called out to him gently.

Wait!

Joshua came to a halt.

Did you not see me or are you pretending you didnt see me? Im telling you now that Ill be pretty hurt if its the latter, the woman said.

Joshua chuckled and turned, setting eyes on a beautiful woman with cat-like eyes and impressively red hair.

Charles. Joshua grinned.

And? Charles narrowed her eyes at him.

Its the former. I didnt know you would be there.

Charles shrugged lightly. Im leading one of the Five Ducal Families, more or less, you know?

His Grace is?

Charles cut him off. Did you know I ended up on a wild goose chase because of you? I put all that effort into making my merchant group stronger, but you ended the war on your own. Who could have expected the war would finish like this?

I didnt, Joshua said.

No one else on the continent would end a war like you. Charles shook her head.

Joshua was the one who shrugged this time.

But are you serious? Charles asked.

Serious about what?

Becoming the emperor.

Joshuas silence was enough of an answer for Charles.

Oh my god. She covered her mouth with her hands in shock. Youre serious. Wow, my friend is an emperor

Joshua raised his hand to stop her. Nothing has been decided yet.

But the Joshua Ive seen until now always made it happen if he put his mind to it, Charles giggled.

Joshua tilted his head. Is that a compliment?

Well, Im not badmouthing you.

Joshua smiled faintly and changed the topic, avoiding that line of conversation for the moment.

How about you? he asked.

Huh?

The rumors spread all over the continent. Kiser ben Britten openly asked you to marry him, but he only ended up embarrassing himself. You didnt know Kiser would end up like this at the time, right? Joshua asked.

Charless face darkened. You mean

From both a personal and objective perspective, I thought that you and he would be a good match. Although hes in bad shape right now, Kiser is the first in line for the throne.

Charles looked away. Hes not my type.

Youre young, but youre in a position where you lead numerous people. So you cant really think about your preferences.

Charless jaw dropped. Youre going to spare him.

Thats strange. Joshua tilted his head. You talk like I should kill him

Isnt it a given since youre going to become the emperor? she asked, disbelievingly. You know what happens to the princes who lost in a war of succession, dont you?

Well, I dont believe in destiny, at least.

Youre romantic. Charles frowned slightly. Of course, unlike Kaizen, Kiser isnt the type of person to backstab, but people change. If you dont eliminate the possibility of trouble beforehand, itll turn into a problem and be your problem forever. Do you understand me?

It doesnt matter, Joshua replied.

What?

No matter who comes for the throne, Im certain that Ill be able to keep it.

Charles instantly shut her mouth.

Besides, stagnant water is bound to rot, and power left unchecked becomes corrupted. I dont think my people will be the exception, Joshua calmly continued.

Your confidence is really Charles shook her head in disbelief. Well, good. I guess that way is more interesting.

Joshua wasnt sure what Charles meant.

Charles grinned. I told you. Do you know how disappointed I was? I made a fine sword that would last for history, but the war ended before I got to swing it. Its really unfair, so Im going to swing this sword anyway. Wouldnt it be a good sword to stabilize our war-torn country and beat up some bad guys?

Joshua chuckled. Are you okay with that? Itll be better to use it for your family instead of this country.

Didnt someone say it before? There cant be a noble family without a country. Anyhow Charles put her hands on her hips. ...keep talking. Is that what you really think?

She got a confused look from Joshua.

You know, the part about being a good match, Charles continued with a slightly reddened face.

Ah, you mean Kisers marriage proposal?

Why are you asking me again when you already know what I mean? Her voice was already high but it rose even higher. Answer me.

Well Joshua slowly said. Charles hung onto every word. I think I meant it?

At that moment, Charless heart sank.

I really didnt think it was going to happen, but how can you be that dense? she mumbled.

What do you mean?

Forget it. Come to think of it Charles beamed, grumpy but mischievous. Technically, arent you better husband material? Youre going to become the emperor. An-and an empresss family would become much stronger, naturally

Charles trailed off as her embarrassment caught up to her. Joshua grinned back mischievously.

Wh-why are you looking at me like that?

No reason. Joshua turned away.

Its just that older women arent my type, he teased.

* * *

Joshua didnt leave the imperial palace right away because he had to drop by somewhere.

The sunny outskirts of the palace were blanketed with flowers in full bloom, even making the thick walls smell like flowers.

The magnificent Flower Palace, Joshua mumbled quietly, glancing behind him.

Ever since he had left the main palace, where the emperor lived, over a hundred of the Auxiliary Battalions knights had been shadowing Joshua. They quietly returned his gaze.

You know youre being overprotective, right? Joshua chuckled.

You cant stop us, Cazes firmly asserted.

Am I so weak that I need over a hundred guards?

His Majesty Marcus was a Master and one of the five strongest people in the empire.

But he still got attacked, so I should stay still?

Its not only for your safety but also for your prestige. Even a baron is accompanied by at least three guards

Alright, stop it, Cazes Joshua raised his hand, signaling him to stop. You became quite a nagger while I was away.

That finally silenced Cazes.

Captain, he said as he took a step back. He gestured for the other knights to do the same.

Joshua tilted his head at him.

I dont know if you heard this Cazes pondered for a moment, but he shook his head.No, youll find out soon.

Joshua didnt know why Cazes was acting like thatyet.

Hmm? I admit that I was too careless until now. As soon as I returned, you never left me alone. Seems to me that youve been waiting for this moment, Joshua said.

Ranger jumped in: Its nothing new, Captain. Everyone in the battalion knows that Cazes nags more than our wives.

Well, youre right.

Cazes is sometimes scarier than my wife watching me when I change my underpants at home!

Hahahahahahaha!

The knights immediately burst into laughter, but Cazes was still serious. Even if you declare that youll usurp the throne, we would have followed youeven if it cost us our lives.

The air turned serious. The knights stopped laughing as if theyd never laughed in the first place.

Joshua smiled faintly and nudged Cazess shoulder. I appreciate it.

Youre welcome

And Im sorry. I never said this, but Im genuinely and always grateful to everyone here.

Ranger scowled like hed spotted a cockroach. Gosh, what is going on?

I got goosebumps.

Ah. I cant take this.

Nevertheless, the Auxiliary Battalions knights kept smiling.

* * *

As soon as Joshua finally stepped into the Magnificent Flower Palace, he froze.

Welcome.

Why? Joshua mumbled.

Ive been waiting for you.

Despite the welcome, Joshuas expression remained grim.

Is that why Cazes said such a thing?

In front of Joshua was a woman lying down on her bed. It seemed that the sickly princess didnt even have the strength to sit up on her own because her ladies-in-waiting had to help her up.ALL new hapters n nv()lbin(.)com

She was the noblest woman in the Empire. Her name was

Sersiarin, werent you cured? Joshua asked.

Sersiarin smiled bitterly. I guess this is my destiny.

That damned destiny Joshua quietly gritted his teeth.

He didnt even have to examine Sersiarins state closely because he could clearly sense the state of her vital force.

He knew, without a doubt, that she was dying.

Dont blame yourself. Its not your fault. Besides, you put in more effort than anyone else to save me. No Im sorry. I shouldnt talk like this. My tongue slipped because Im not used to it yet either

Sersiarin slowly opened her golden eyes.

You

Go. Youre in a hurry, arent you?

Sersiarins Eyes of Truth were shining.

Joshua gazed deeply into her eyes for a moment before he turned away. His anger with himself threatened to overflow. He was a fool to think that he had enough power and for thinking that he knew everything.

Ill be back soon.

Im glad to hear that, but itll take at least several days to travel to the Agnus Duchy and return, even if you ride a horse

One day is enough, Joshua firmly stated.

Is that so?

Joshuas eyes turned cold as he looked at her. He had a week before the ruler of the empire was decided, and he had no time to take a break.

I need to retrieve something, so wait for a moment, he told her.

Sersiarin beamed. Her smile was so bright that it was hard to think that she was dying.

Yes, Ill wait, she said, delighted. Bring the red spear youre so famous for. And

Her golden eyes met Joshuas.

...I, Sersiarin ben Britten, support you, Your Majesty, the great emperor of Avalon.

Chapter end