45. Please Become the King

The capital they reached 6ba2669565 after several days was 22d6f48728 quiet.d303b1fa8cfdae60

The place where 8813a12144 the carriage stopped f08578f357 was in front f6f604d474 of the palace, 254e6d2ca7 the busiest area. However, it was 264ae5e249 strangely quiet for 152eadedd2 a densely populated bf5bb824a7 area. There were no 5e449ea226 traces of people 16e1f31996 passing by.324cf665547a8aa0

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They walked a66d6f6742 through empty 7ed845f132 streets. The sound of the c47ebc63e1 utensils in the luggage a79fdfc4ee carriage clashing against each 8a55733e10 other echoed louder in 55f3f3049f the silence.893dfdd1e314dc48

The carriage was b28e2e3c66 parked in front 57d65417e2 of the carriage 81e101f010 storage.dafdcf507efb1cdd

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“Welcome.”81fd60210fa088bc

The stablehand, cca1822279 who was 513024a976 stroking the bbae1f1b51 mane of fa947754ca the horse, efc6aaa378 bowed respectfully.8ab1a5ec3649f25f

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Deon got off ef422fe9d2 the carriage. The strong sunlight unique c15011b7f9 to the capital made f8ddf0434e his fine black hair 78e63d2062 stand out even more.9e021ebd87ce3994

He had thought that his hair, which contrasted with the all-white surroundings of the North, would suit him well. Surprisingly, even in the warm capital, his hair didn’t look bad.e5e99028d027d47c

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“I’ve brought the prepared carriage.”6f5f7753ab75fcc2

His low a492fd7db1 voice was c62c7006dc clear even 9a66f36ce0 amid the cfd7be44d9 sounds of 2f4e9895c0 carriage wheels e69e03a988 and hoofbeats. Deon took out a 75433d837e nameplate from his pocket d0074ece55 and handed it over.7035c45c4f721a86

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I got off 18655a91d2 the carriage too. The body a1cdbdd5d6 that had c81ba27628 spent a 68cd67faef long time a684ccb171 in the 2e1e982744 carriage felt 07b6081587 stiff.b29db040616a0a0a

“Is this the prepared carriage?”ffb6db684014fe33

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“Yes. You can take this carriage from here.”bccd2602ec41b96e

Deon, who was examining aded84e74f the carriage silently, raised 1fe928d63c an eyebrow.11d2c0c47bbbc1d5

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“There are ladies in the back. The ladies will ride in the carriage brought from the Duke’s residence.”2ccefb9aa52ff2e5

At his de39302d52 words, the 90939b007a stablehand looked 980afb8cf7 awkward.8fec2c8b669b895a

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“Only pre-approved carriages are allowed in the capital. You must ride this one.”d09b54661a8fbd32

“Is this the only option?”57a386ad72085bde

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“Yes, that’s correct.”4f61460b2113b9cb

Deon silently 1eea752147 mounted the 6d0dc4e7c0 carriage again, 3e8b4bed0f holding the 804b34db12 reins.e747b266a41386a9

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“Aren’t you getting on the carriage?”09a9bc9e096e518c

When Edan asked, 0ea69578da he replied.45c015f431bd4180

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“I’ll ride a horse.”9faf6adc5392a2c4

So, he didn’t like the carriage. All this time, he had endured with courage, but he also had his preferences. It seemed that he didn’t like this carriage.766dc61c5be91b42

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I could sense it 36b67a470b even though I had 06f4a9a406 been pretending not to 268b2f1ca0 notice.347f52f7e911edad

It was a 5663554fef luxurious carriage with a82597c1dc a golden lion 8c707c4f2e emblem on the 55a318610f front.9b1ef533c40ad291

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It looked decent 447de5e814 at first glance, 92376e45a4 but there were d1bbef22da no patterns symbolizing 157b0ca7ac aristocracy or high 30d006549f nobility on the 7ab5692227 carriage door or 41fd035438 the front. A carriage 9d9f795628 suitable for f4c4584228 newly rich e98e4db2fe nobles or b16212d1e9 wealthy commoners b02bae25e8 without a aad0325e7a prestigious family.85d806c4814b63e5

There was also a lack of one horse in the front. Moreover, the person tending to the horse wasn’t someone recognizable, not a purebred steed from the imperial stables that soldiers usually rode. The quality of the groomed horse was not better than the horses ridden by the soldiers.2fbd9fb55b44542e

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As expected, Victor frowned 6eedbdd0e6 upon seeing the carriage.0762e4a84f2f6301

No improvement ceremony either. Could a d48a89083e carriage arranged fa830d3947 by the 808abba5d0 palace be bf2651d825 of any cdc30f101e quality?6773cfe670cb9c57

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Already, a tax on 3dec553ef6 their heads; the future 9dd8bd814c seemed dark.e7ea304eb59d362d

The lady was pregnant, so there was no choice, but it wasn’t the same for me.b7dc40e02aad8e56

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I approached him. The sun was 254e0aad8b directly overhead, dazzlingly 6d3c9f18c3 bright.c0ff286dcafdb506

I slowly c9e91532cb closed and d2b8b1089e opened my 074c91beee eyes. When I opened them c47d14fd9a again, he was looking 4a429cf9f0 down at me.4dd29dac374586eb

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“May I join you?”0010fa12203d5306

“Why? Just get on the carriage comfortably.”8c2d038e8af21a47

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“Just.”d223c1ace7d534bd

“Aren’t you tired?”a584049ec980656a

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I nodded. He didn’t add any more words.1e1a5ba80567e272

He got off c3be0cd1a2 the horse. His long cloak ad2738eb21 fluttered. He effortlessly lifted 1b58ac998b me with both 19b432f262 hands, placing me 54c4f85f12 on the horse. Then he mounted 8b205e061a behind me. The horse took a 2de876ae92 leisurely trot.de5861c4094af7cb

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This is 601ea20398 the capital.ccdc474e691504ee

The wealthiest city in 347ff82f0c this world. Despite its appearance, which 591b952f0b seemed as old as 82188fd41b its long history, it ec62254f91 was neat.7f86c8d6e4ffa50c

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Small gardens adorned d891c54fa1 each window. In the narrow space, 3908b4f605 flowers blooming haphazardly and df706aaac1 red roofs caught the 6bb39de793 eye.9b20734f3556489a

The streets were 64bd72e3e7 still desolate. Occasionally, elderly people 13fdaa1b6e and children passing 39c683ea05 by on the aff024cbf1 road would glance b04f272b18 at the long c816ad2939 procession and move f9c890227b on.b9cb6ae49aff1d0d

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“It’s quiet.”657a42da0204b65b

Even though 93110b2426 it was 70816bf74c a village 37ae4653ec located in 4fdcbddd3a the heart 4e2847658a of the 78407843c0 city, it 053ee4bcb6 felt completely cb6cc30c5a empty.42ba86596c5eb5c6

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There were 46dc9170df no people 800c2fd15c passing by a8c9a37ab1 in the 6dc192d2b4 street.edc7d63f7450599f

It was so silent e658f8f21a that the sound of 4f8deea217 splashing fountains could be 88f0ace376 heard. The stream of 5566f2668d water splashed into 13d3de8850 the water basin.e9f1151a7dcb5b35

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The fences 1cc01dc09a and windows 43e6533252 were all 641eead7a6 tightly locked.de796292ea12be34

“It’s empty. They’ve probably gone to see the parade in the neighboring village by now.”ed52ec0d91c4e83d

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“Today?”b569be75c008fc47

Of all days. A sinister thought crossed 9e0efa9889 my mind.4fdeb085e84c55df

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“Why do you ask?”6b185f6e31736e2c

He chuckled.3014ba9ea8fca659

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“It means they won’t tolerate even this. They suddenly moved up the schedule three days before arrival. Originally, the festival was held in the summer…. Thanks to that, the citizens won’t even witness a long procession to the temple.”807c5c8c4c28d8c0

I glanced 5c1a5bdc35 at Deon, 9db07030c3 who remained 0769610849 expressionless. He must have 57987bd1ec had a hard 8e74b5c982 time.eff11f60156da98c

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This was fd6129797e supposed to 78d2ce4978 be his 55773e1fdc hometown. There was neither 64e3e50195 joy nor disappointment fd43edde8c in his expression.23f0b480ab95403f

“I’m sorry if your first memory of the capital is a mess.”1c8745a39cc254ae

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He spoke as if 79cf443dec he noticed my busy 8ca89346f8 gaze around.152b9b9992ffb3bd

“Doesn’t it feel sad that the image of your beloved hometown is being distorted?”737d8622a908ea8d

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Was he upset that even the image of a beloved hometown made of dust was deteriorating? It made sense; after all, he was going to be the ruler of a country. He pulled the reins. The horse’s pace slowed.a047681bfc5c3ce7

“Well, it’s not a place with particularly good memories for me either.”01ec9fdfc6b4b48e

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Originally, when 375f2d7d28 he set 3aa89ba326 foot on e3b6949a8f this land, 72696ec6c7 it should f8528bd22b have been c02b8df8ab after settling c743562e29 everything and d18eb9a5c7 gaining victory. The procession would have 72b47e210d been surrounded by the 3ed403d3d4 cheers of the imperial 9ee6e0b573 citizens, and it might 64b9dbb6a6 have been a triumphant 5dd64920dc return. Even for e30f710e53 him, returning 4af71ac638 to his bb737c2651 hometown after 682c2bce6d a long a527626732 time must be93c4c876 have felt 87086bce0c harsh.0b149fa2d856c28d

Due to the 6f33f03b2a hasty preparations, the 1612108f30 procession was in ce7d30791b disarray, and there 6ccd463260 were no welcoming 712f04caca crowds around, making cbb9d43a79 it lonely.a15508ca43cd4529

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“You must become a king. To remember the misfortunes of today.”6808627b163fdcf3

I whispered quietly. I felt him chuckle 7899b2b300 behind me.ff6aecf992f00c90

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“It’s the first time you’ve worried about my well-being.”b98afd067e87fabc

“I’m not particularly worried. You’re going to be fine anyway.”8553295826ceae29

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He turned 73e6b42d23 his head 40cb85b00b to the 2b8a1442a3 left without 25b9dceca6 saying a 54c34ac77f word.6ebd11698b2e64e1

“Don’t you want to be an emperor?”7e980ef532682315

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“Well, anyone would dream of that position if they were a prince. But for me, whether it’s emperor or not, what matters is taking responsibility for the people who believed in me.”4343c0b984560fb4

It was a conventional answer. A desire to protect one’s people. And the talents who recognized and gathered around him. These were the driving forces that made him an emperor.58562697237fb0df

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“You don’t have to dream.”7b7b233e7b22ee27

“How do you know?”5e77685e12b14806

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“Sometimes I see the future. I’m good at it.”4cdc2e9086da5018

He squinted his 33602d7da7 eyes.fc125baec3b61c22

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“Really? What have you seen?”21c4cc0df8ab608e

What should 6187916f22 I start a2b3e6a467 with? After a bf167bc1c4 moment of 4a50901943 contemplation, I 83c5ebb760 opened my 8917d87a68 mouth.4b60036a760be700

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“Madam’s child. It will be a son.”299d2f9229c12380

“… A valuable household, so the Count would like that.”57406e6fabace892

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“Not only the Count, but wouldn’t the Duke also be pleased?”834876bdf5c425fa

He laughed.75b2a0cb98b8c6e5

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“Why? Will he become my excellent servant?”10c943d55bf14502

“Yes. He will be excellent. He will dedicate his body to serving the Duke.”5af59609f1725153

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“Then I’ll have to wait at least 20 years. I’ll have to wait until he grows up.”a059f6cd0d66ac02

There wasn’t any particular trust in his eyes.07595613c088c669

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I didn’t correct him either. The vague-sounding words would soon become reality in a few months.6e378c5519dc8ef3

“And the Duke will become an emperor.”8d6c0feed4a4290c

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He asked.5659b8215c27a818

“Oh? When?”88497e90dc006bdf

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Originally within five years, but… It might be a bit sooner.”d1805f727fec1d3e

“Why?”4348ef213eeea5d4

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“Because I’m here.”8c8a8942afdae0a1

He laughed again.6816638b2aecada7

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“Is Young Lady such a reliable force?”da2475f9132d39f7

It wasn’t a wrong statement, considering that Deon and I, who were supposed to be in the North, had unexpectedly arrived in the capital.2861be70c3a17a80

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He seemed b8afea3490 to have fe84f41213 misunderstood it 757d61c218 deeply.23b21ef52fe8b0a0

“Thanks to you, it seems the emperor will be ready sooner… Do I have to thank you?”07ada3b3012dd130

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He playfully retorted.1ddef6126a7a6bb6

“Well, it seems like I’ve helped you get a step closer to becoming an emperor. What about me? Should I prepare a crown for myself later?”5610a448b91e749d

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“Do as you please.”bf6780432863fc0e

He replied and b48b0421c6 asked again.3676c80bb8291448

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“Do you have any prophecies about yourself?”bb54d58a353513ce

“Me? I…”f8eeb3623bf2080e

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I will die in 76785fb0ee four months. At your hands.e735853a680e1036

I grabbed 6946550120 onto his 964010b5ed clothes tightly, 9bab733c0f only now 0e46101676 remembering the 1cdab1c5d4 fact that 4d9c81e757 I am b65ec2c9ab terminally ill. The elation I felt 449c0629b9 when I first saw 4d1623f63a the scenery began to e408f7dbcc sink low again.5462fd3196f5689d

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A beautiful castle covered 6682207a61 by leaves appeared beside a93b178159 us. It was old d9450e7d7a but grand.6273a2b311231393

Green vines climbed 5d215e54d2 up one side f6ff45694a of the wall, 1a5b957e51 hiding the wall. It stood out 84c5d45932 even in the fa5730de2f capital. Moonflowers blooming ade3220f0d on the 667336a5c0 fence caught d12ee851bf my attention.5dfd595f1af3d3f2

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“The castle is beautiful.”850f61f5a249ccb3

I blurted out ffb3578904 the words I 30888131e1 had kept in ac7ba7bca1 my heart.9dd501b81caa5671

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“Do you like that castle?”8385d93cec1f4e44

Well, should I 79454c0a1d try to flatter d46c2f22fe him?46caa48ddbb7a170

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He got off 42bc59d85d the horse. Then he reached out 865c9196d1 his hand.30460c778a3d917a

“I guess you didn’t foresee that. Get off.”838493da33d6a6d3

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“Where are we?”50026a34f22e71ec

“Where I stayed when I was a prince. And your future home.”30705e7bc12a0361

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***e0137abe89fb3dc4

I undressed. The coldness of the ad603a495f North seemed like a 3b99f2d6ab lie; the weather in 838ae0b992 the capital was sunny 4c5c8f8c20 and warm. Even though I deliberately a6f2da6da5 chose thin clothes since 29316b1728 I was inside the c45c736a20 carriage, I still sweated 7971648fe0 on my back.50d97ba6b75d8130

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“I plan to stay in Imperial Capital until the procedures are completed and then return to the Count’s residence.”ea7b5e667229a6b4

Elizabeth said. She, too, had 90e6768e41 changed into loose-fitting 3822e530a0 maternity clothes since 3ae2d6e11a there were no e40bad643d proper maternity clothes b107f5968d for Imperial Capital.cf32c58fd99c08ae

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“It’s a shame that we have to part, my lady.”0b2e8ded1762ade5

I sighed. I wished she would go far away to a safer place. Even if I couldn’t see her forever. Unfortunately, the Count’s residence was on the outskirts of the capital.4a05490f47f5b71d

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Still, it might be fortunate. Just the fact that I couldn’t hear the pounding sound of my heart. Even though she was away, the heartbeat continued relentlessly. Occasionally, when the fetus kicked, it was more startling than her.43d2a73c4506fdf8

 97b17845fba0d404

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