Chapter 191: Side Story 47

Fortunately, Jeremiah had Sylvia.

As a noblewoman who had lived her entire life in the capital, Sylvia had many connections. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to make use of her before cutting Count Jertho off completely. Jeremiah felt no guilt about that. Count Jertho was merely paying the price for what he had done. And Sylvia…

‘That woman’s only trying to use me too, anyway.’

There wasn’t even a hint of affection between Sylvia and Jeremiah. Those snake-like eyes that raked over Jeremiah without a trace of emotion, they were exactly like Count Jertho’s.

“Sylvia.”

Jeremiah smiled calmly.

Sylvia glanced at him and blushed. Many of her peers had entered political marriages, and among them, her match was easily the best.

Some were paired with men 17 years older, others with husbands who had children from previous marriages, and a few with men who looked like toads. Political marriages were all like that, but Sylvia was different. Her future husband, Jeremiah, was handsome, wealthy, and young.

For the first time, Sylvia was grateful to have been born into the Jertho bloodline. Honestly, if it weren’t for Count Jertho, she wouldn’t be in this position at all. It could’ve been handed to Princess Julia instead. But Julia was plainer than Sylvia, had worse taste, and most critically, was poor.

Even so, Julia had always sat ahead of Sylvia simply because she was a princess. Sylvia had long wanted to trample that haughty girl beneath her feet. And finally, the opportunity had come. Once Sylvia became Empress, no one would outrank her.

That alone made Jeremiah a man worth having.

After taking one last assessing glance at Jeremiah, Sylvia spoke.

“Yes, Jeremiah.”

“I have a favor to ask.”

Jeremiah spoke gently.

“My closest friend just got married recently, as you know.”

Ah, that.

“You mean the Young Lord?”

“Yes.”

Jena had thrown such a fit about that. The Jertho mansion had practically turned into a sea of tears. She’d locked herself in her room, sobbing and wailing that she was too embarrassed to show her face in public.

Well, serves her right. Sylvia pouted.

“So, the Young Lord wants to prepare a gift for his wife. Since Alexa doesn’t have any friends in the capital, he asked me to arrange a tea party. Could you help?”

Sylvia nodded enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming.

Alexa was the one who had defeated Jena. And if Sylvia could bring someone like Alexa into her circle? All of Sylvia’s friends were loyal to her. They would surely be a great help in taming Alexa. If things went well, even Thersion would eventually fall into Sylvia’s hands.

There was no reason to refuse.

“I’ve actually been wanting to get closer to Lady Alexa, so this is perfect timing!”

Besides, from what she could tell, the knight named Terrun seemed close with Alexa too. Apparently, they’d grown up together.

“That’s good to hear. Alexa will be pleased as well.”

“Before that, I do have something to ask.”

Sylvia leaned in toward Jeremiah. There were some things she needed to clarify before their marriage. Sylvia had every intention of becoming the mistress of the Imperial Castle. And to do that, she had to clear away a few obstacles.

“How long is Thersion staying in the castle? Will tey still be here even after we’re married?”

“No, they won’t.”

Jeremiah shook his head lightly.

“They’ll be leaving as soon as the townhouse repairs are complete.”

“Oh-ho.”

That was wonderful news. Sylvia nodded with a satisfied expression.

“In that case, just one more thing. How long will Her Highness the Queen remain in the palace?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Jeremiah’s gaze chilled for a moment before regaining its warmth. Fortunately, Sylvia didn’t notice a thing.

“Well, Her Highness did abandon you in the past, didn’t she? I was just wondering if there’s any need for the two of you to keep living under the same roof when it’s clearly uncomfortable.”

Sylvia flashed a bright smile. The Queen was a source of unease in many ways. Sylvia hated the idea of someone ranking above her. And if, by some chance, Jeremiah ever reconciled with the Queen? He might even decide to make his mother Empress Dowager.

Sylvia wanted no part of such a situation. Her power had to be absolute. No one could be allowed to threaten it.

“How about sending the Queen away to recuperate somewhere?”

“Haha…”

Jeremiah let out a soft chuckle. Sylvia took it as a positive sign. But then, he drew a cold line.

“You don’t need to worry about that, Sylvia. I’ll handle it.”

“Ah… still, Her Highness…”

“Sylvia,” Jeremiah cut her off, “There’s no need for you to concern yourself. I promise.”

“Well, if you say so. Anyway, I’ll stop now since it seems you’ve understood.”

Sylvia spoke haughtily, her cheeks flushed bright red. She was embarrassed that Jeremiah had rejected her suggestion, but he’d at least said there was nothing to worry about. 

With a sulky expression, Sylvia puffed out her cheeks. Her mother had always told her to make sure she held the upper hand in any romantic relationship.

Sylvia snuck a glance at Jeremiah.

Had she gone too far?

“Ahem. Jeremiah, what would you like for dinner today? And tomorrow, why don’t you take me along to the official event?”

“I’m afraid not. Ysildus will be accompanying me. We can go together at the next official function.”

Sylvia bit her lip.

He’s taking Ysildus? Why bring a friend to something like that? Shouldn’t it be your fiancée or wife? Seriously, how irritating.

Throwing Thersion out of the palace really had been the right call. Sylvia struggled to hide her displeasure.

* * *

There was no mercy in Count Jertho’s blade.

“What do you think you’re doing, Count Jertho?!”

He stormed the estate of Viscount Greenlanden with the city guards in tow. And as he watched others being dragged away, he couldn’t help but shudder because that could very well have been him.

‘I was right to prepare in advance.’

He had to win Jeremiah’s trust and favor through this. Jeremiah might already be suspicious and might even know who had sent the poison. Someone had to take the fall. With that in mind, Count Jertho swung his sword yet again.

“Count Jertho! If you continue like this, you too–!”

“Silence! You dare speak, traitor who sought to harm His Highness? Take them away at once!”

“Yes, Count Jertho!”

Maybe it was for the best that this task had fallen to him. At least this way, he could cut out all those whose words displeased him. With his hands clasped behind his back, Count Jertho walked out of the ravaged estate. This purge was nearing its end.

Soon, Prince Jeremiah would ascend the throne safely. And Count Jertho would survive yet another upheaval.

* * *

“Count Jertho’s tearing through everything.”

Ysildus spoke with evident satisfaction. Of course the grand finale had to be left to Count Jertho.

Preparations for the coronation were well underway. Violeta, having spent considerable time in the capital, had mastered the local administrative system. She was now coordinating with the temple to organize the coronation ceremony.

“Seriously.”

Jeremiah clicked his tongue.

“To anyone else, he’d look like a loyal retainer. Oh right, wasn’t the tea party tomorrow?”

“That’s right.”

Ysildus nodded. He sincerely hoped Alexa would have a good time. They had even sent gifts to those invited.

It was a kind of warning. If anyone dared mistreat Alexa, they wouldn’t get away with it.

Moreover, most of Sylvia’s friends came from families closely tied to Count Jertho, so the guest list had been significantly trimmed. Those families were already frightened, terrified that they might be next. They were probably desperate to make a good impression on Alexa.

“Sylvia’s expression should be interesting to watch. She seems to have big dreams.”

Jeremiah clicked his tongue once again.