The Archduke’s Flower is in Jeopardy - Chapter 144



Only Krnovel

Episode 144 The news you’ve been waiting for
2024.02.15.

　
A long beam of lively sunlight streamed into the window.

Outside the window, it was full of the energy of spring that had returned, but inside the emperor’s throne room, it was completely frozen, as if we were still on the threshold of winter.

“Hmm… … !”

The sound of someone clearing their throat was particularly loud. The surroundings were so quiet that I thought I could hear the ministers rolling their eyes. In an atmosphere that felt like war was in the air, everyone was busy keeping an eye on just one person.

“Come on, let’s start the discussion right away.”

Shade, the new prime minister of the imperial family, spoke first. As he was quick-witted, he evoked a tense atmosphere and quickly presented the agenda to the Cabinet meeting.

“This is a matter regarding the final draft of the establishment of the Imperial Diet.”

Several months have passed since the establishment of the Imperial Council was declared at the last coronation ceremony. Meanwhile, the power struggle between the imperial family, which wanted to establish this, and the nobles, who opposed it, continued. Today, the final bill was finally scheduled to be voted on.

After a long period of internal dispute, the final draft was reached, but the face of the person who ratified it was frozen.

“at last… … “You made it to today.”

The emperor’s menacing gaze fell on the faces of the ministers, accompanied by a voice full of blatant irritation.

“If it weren’t for the Empress’s words that the opinions of the ministers should be sufficiently collected… … “They wouldn’t have dragged this agenda forward until today.”

In order to meet his sharp, knife-like eyes, all the ministers were busy avoiding eye contact by turning their heads.

“Even at this very moment, when the Empress is giving birth.”

“… … !”

The ministers widened their eyes in surprise at the news from the Empress. Looking at those ministers, Caeron’s frown deepened even further. I couldn’t suppress my anger at the fact that I had to look at the faces of those disgusting ministers instead of Eidel.

‘Idel… … .’

At the same time, thinking of Eidel, who was going through labor pains, Caeron’s eyes became filled with sadness and impatience.

Thanks to the imperial laws that were changed as soon as he became emperor, Caeron was able to fall asleep with Eidel in his arms every day.

However, Idel, whose full moon was recently approaching, had difficulty sleeping due to difficulty breathing. It was like that last night, when he was hugging her from behind and gently comforting her as she tried to fall asleep.

– Ugh… … .

– Idel?

He immediately opened his eyes at the sound of a small moan. Seeing Idel in pain, he jumped up from his seat and called the imperial doctor. The imperial palace doctor hurriedly rushed to see Eidel’s condition and made a diagnosis.

– It looks like labor pains have started. I need to prepare for delivery right away.

From that dark early morning, a delivery room was set up in the Empress’s bedroom. The courtiers began to move busily to prepare for her birth.

Caeron also sat by her bed, holding Idel’s hand and examining her face until daybreak. Idel, who opened her eyes with difficulty in her pain, slowly opened her mouth to Caeron.

– today… … It’s the day the Cabinet meeting is held, right? I’m fine… … Come back… … .

– What are you talking about? That kind of meeting… … !

Before she could finish her statement that he was no more important than her, Idel nodded her head and snuggled into his waist.

– i know. your heart… … . still… … You promised.

Idel’s face was pitiful, with cold sweat forming on her forehead, but her light green eyes sparkled with a firm light.

– When our child is born… … To show you a new empire.

Eidel already knew that a cabinet meeting would be held in a moment to vote on the final plan to establish the Imperial Assembly. Because it was something she had been waiting for for the past few months.

– Come on… … . Because I’ll be waiting… … Please bring me good news.

If there was no emperor who would make the final decision on ratification, everything would be in vain, so she had no choice but to push Caeron’s back like this.

– … … okay. I’ll be back soon.

Knowing Eidel’s earnest heart, Caeron eventually left the empress’ palace and attended the cabinet meeting. Caeron, who had taken her unwanted steps, had been on edge ever since he entered her throne room.

If it weren’t for Idell, who emphasized the importance of gathering her opinions, she would have finished the job a long time ago. He regretted that he had taken care of the ministers’ circumstances, which did not suit his temperament, and that he had dragged the agenda slowly until now.

Uh, stop, end, mine.

The ministers, who had been under silent pressure from the emperor from the beginning of the meeting, were finally able to find out. Why did the emperor look at them so harshly today as if they were enemies blocking their way?

The emperor had been patient and continued the discussion by accepting their opposing opinions, but in the face of the empress’s serious remarks, he seemed to have no intention of doing so anymore.

“Those of you who agree to pass the final plan to establish the Imperial Assembly, please raise your hands.”

As soon as Shade finished speaking, the officials raised their hands. If you hesitate here and waste even a minute… … He would have to bear the full wrath of the ruthless emperor who seemed to annihilate his enemies.

“The bill to establish the Imperial Diet has been finally passed. I request His Majesty the Emperor’s approval.”

In the end, when the bill passed unanimously, Shade immediately requested the emperor’s ratification.

“I agree. “The Prime Minister will finish the remaining meetings on his own.”

As soon as he answered, Caeron immediately stood up from his seat. Watching him leave the audience room without even looking back, Shade slightly shook his head with an embarrassed smile and skillfully continued the rest of the meeting.

* * *

Caeron’s steps from the throne room to the empress’ palace were faster than usual. If it weren’t for the manners and laws that were ingrained in him from birth, he would have probably run away. That was how anxious he was.

I don’t know why… … I was anxious the whole time.

Of course, it wasn’t the first time he felt anxious. As Idel’s due date approached, he also learned about the unknown details of the woman’s childbirth.

The more I felt, the more worried I became rather than relieved. This was because a sentence mentioning the dangers of her unusual childbirth caught my eye. Not long ago, while reading a book about her childbirth, he closed the book with a serious expression and called out to Marlene.

– Marlene.

– Yes, Your Majesty.

– How was my mother?

– What do you mean?

– I mean childbirth. Was she okay during childbirth?

It was a question that his mother, Empress Meriel, had never been interested in, even when she was alive. Marlene, who was momentarily surprised to see Caeron for the first time, soon offered her comfort with her warm smile.

-Giving birth is difficult. However, if it is because of Her Majesty, you do not need to worry too much. Because you are a person with a strong spirit. You will definitely give birth healthy.

Caeron nodded his head, but there was still a hint of anxiety in his eyes. She also knows that Idel is a strong-willed woman despite her appearance… … She was worried whether her delicate body would be able to withstand the pain of childbirth.

– Gregory.

– Yes, Your Majesty.

– If you get any news while guarding this place, come running straight to me.

As he left Aedel, who was beginning to experience labor pains, and headed to the throne room where the Council of Ministers was being held, Caeron left her chamberlain, Gregory, in the empress’ palace and asked for her peace.

– All right.

There was no special news from Gregory, who answered with a determined face, until the meeting ended. This was proof that childbirth was still in progress.

It was then.

“your majesty… … !”

Gregory, who was running hurriedly at the end of the corridor leading to the empress’ palace, spotted him and shouted. Caeron, reading the emotions revealed on Gregory’s face, stopped for a moment. As soon as I saw Gregory’s expression, which was completely calm, a chill seeped into his whole body.

“your majesty! Her Majesty the Empress… … !”

“Why is the Empress… … ?”

“They say she lost consciousness during childbirth…” she said. … !”

Upon hearing the news, Caeron clenched his fists as if his heart was constricting. It would have been a serious problem if she continued to faint during childbirth. Both the mother and the child who could not get out could be in danger.

Caeron’s face hardened and all color disappeared as he was familiar with the emergency situations mentioned in the book about his childbirth.

“Your Majesty… … !”

There was no such thing as respect. He ran frantically with the sole thought of getting to Eidel, and quickly arrived at the empress’ bedroom.

When Caeron entered the room with rough steps and tried to head straight to the bed where Eidel was lying, the courtiers blocked his path with embarrassed faces.

“I’m asking you, Prince Hwang…” … Labor has begun. According to imperial law, you cannot come near until it is finished.”

According to imperial law, once the empress’ labor began in earnest, the emperor had to wait at a certain distance. It was against the law for the emperor to personally observe the birth. Caeron, too, had to stop in his tracks, unable to step towards the bed hidden by his drapery.

“Your Majesty the Empress! “Open your eyes!”

“You need to come to your senses!”

From inside the curtain, the voices of Marlene and the Imperial Palace Doctor were heard urgently calling for Eidel.

“Move!”

Caeron lost patience with that voice and shouted in a boiling voice like an angry animal. When he lost his temper and approached the bed, the courtiers, including Gregory, rushed over and grabbed his body.

“your majesty! “You can’t do this!”

Right in front of the curtain, he called Eidel’s name.

“Idel! Wake!”

The courtiers who stood by the emperor’s mournful cry all sighed with sorrowful faces.

“I bring you the news you’ve been waiting for! So please open your eyes!”

　
However, despite Caeron’s earnest voice, Eidel, who had lost consciousness, was still unable to open her eyes. She seemed to be in a deep sleep, and her closed eyelids were fluttering as if she was seeing something in her eyes.

.
.
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Eidel was walking alone on a forest path covered with thick trees.

‘This place… … .’

It was a fairy forest.

As she walked naturally along the path that led before her, she arrived at the center of the forest without fail. An old cabin built on a wide flower field caught her eye.

As I approached the hut, I could faintly hear the voice of an old woman talking to someone through the open door.

“Elder… … ?”

As I entered the hut, I saw an old woman sitting in an armchair. The old woman was looking at the little child sitting on her lap and telling his story.

I couldn’t see the child’s face facing the old woman, but judging from her small body and her back, she seemed to be about four or five years old.

“… … That’s how the two met through a special scent that was only imprinted on each other. “According to the fairy’s prophecy, the descendants of Fluer and the descendants of Jupiter became destined to be together.”

The story the old woman told her child was somewhat familiar.

“A woman who grew up persecuted due to the misunderstanding that she was the only member of the Fleur family born without scent… … “A man born with such arrogant blood that he is called the incarnation of the first emperor Jupiter.”

It was the story of Eidel herself and Caeron.