# 384
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384
Magritte walked around the palace at a fast pace.
Even though she was in a hurry, her appearance was still elegant and undisturbed.
But there was concern on her face. It’s a familiar kind of worry to her.
I had heard that Michael, who had been lying in a hospital bed for several days feeling unwell, was up and eating.
Because Michael wanted to rest well, Magritte had not seen him for the past few days.
It was only today that I came running after hearing that he had woken up from his hospital bed.
“Tell Michael that I have come.”
After speaking to the maid, Marguerite immediately entered Michael’s residence.
Light was pouring in from the window. His blond hair glistened as if caught in the sunlight, but his complexion was as pale as lead.
Michael was sitting at the table drinking tea. I heard that you finished a light meal.
He rolled his eyes and smiled like an angel.
“Is your mother here?”
Marguerite, somewhat relieved, sat down opposite him and leaned forward.
“Michael, are you feeling okay?”
“Yes, I can’t just lie down forever.”
Marguerite stretched out his hand and affectionately touched the back of Michael’s hand. My body, which still had a slight fever, felt slightly hot.
Michael looked up at her with a haggard face.
A feeling of sorrow and sadness welled up in Magritte’s heart.
Compassion is often overwhelming. It was a difficult feeling to ignore or escape.
Because of this, Magritte was often aware of Michael’s wrongdoings, but was unable to blame him. It was the same this time too.
On the contrary, seeing Michael’s pain made me feel resentful towards my husband.
‘Michael was also very shocked by the Archduke’s disposition.’
In the aftermath of the attempted assassination of the Crown Prince, Michael was unable to leave Rinosa for a while.
As if that were not enough, the Archduke ordered him to stay in the royal castle of Latona for a month and restricted the number of people entering Michael’s residence.
The Archduke’s orders were absolute.
At first, Michael seemed to obey him obediently.
However, he found out later that the marriage talk he heard from Charlotte was only in name.
Also, the fact that the Archduke sent the commander of the Black Wings to Charlotte and the two of them met the Emperor together with the Archduke’s message.
‘It gave Charlotte an opportunity to present herself before the emperor of the empire. ‘My father himself!’
My teeth were ground apart. Michael also had such opportunities a few times.
However, that opportunity was created by him each time, not an opportunity that the Archduke gave him obediently.
As soon as Michael found out, he collapsed and fell ill.
On this side, their hands and feet are tied, but on the other side, isn’t the imperial family choosing Charlotte in their place?
Even if their influence is not absolute, it will serve as a justification.
Reason for the Grand Duke of Linosa to choose Charlotte as his successor.
A fierce and ugly feeling clawed at Michael’s insides.
For a while he was enveloped in darkness. If he were a wizard, he would have willingly dabbled in black magic. It was desperate and ferocious.
No matter what thoughts he had, his body felt like a sheet of paper.
If you try to write in rough handwriting, it will be torn.
By the time I finally recovered and woke up, several days had passed.
Nervousness, anger, and all similar emotions still lingered within him, but his heart was calm.
I just hope it doesn’t get any more hectic.
Michael decided to give up on what had already happened and look for a new way, as he had done so far.
From the beginning, neither the Archduke nor the Commander of the Black Wings were on his side, and the imperial family would side with the winner.
Marguerite calmly opened his mouth.
“It must be frustrating to be confined to Latona.”
“It seems like your father has already decided whose hand he will give.”
Michael laughed weakly.
“I was foolish. Even one mistake can lead to collapse. “I should have known I wasn’t allowed to do that…”
“No. “His Majesty the Archduke has not officially given Charlotte the role of envoy.”
“But you can’t deny that this is a biased opportunity for her.”
“Michael…”
Magritte’s face was filled with sadness. But she soon hardened her expression as if she had made up her mind.
“I was also the one who supported preventing the temple from being closed, so if I had to ask, I am also responsible.”
For that reason, Magritte also encouraged Michael to go to the empire.
Prince Rinosa did not blame her for that matter. The Grand Duke was strict with his children who inherited Linosa. Because it wasn’t like that for Magritte.
After listening to Michael’s words, I felt that this was unfair. Marguerite stood up.
“I will go see His Majesty the Grand Duke. If you mean to reflect on yourself, I will tell you that you have already reflected sufficiently. “Don’t worry too much.”
She also had the same talent as Michael for getting what she wanted. Michael let her move.
Rattling. The door closed and Michael was left alone again. He was certain that his pension would be released.
A hearty laugh flowed out.
“At least my mother is on my side.”
But it wasn’t enough. The mother is not a very influential person in Rinosa.
Her influence only extended to the royal family of Latona and the Grand Duke of Linosa.
And in the latter case, Magritte also did not try to move the Archduke well.
She mostly just quietly carried out her duties as the Grand Duchess. Except for the matter of Michael.
favoritism. It is true that Michael has enjoyed it exclusively from birth until now.
Also, Charlotte never complained about it.
‘Charlotte did not make an excuse that it put her at a disadvantage.’
Michael twisted his eyes. A belated feeling of defeat spread through my heart.
It was a feeling that sometimes made him sick.
But Charlotte could. Because she had what Michael did not have.
Talent as a prosecutor. With that one thing, many things were advantageous and resolved.
It is unknown whether Michael has talent as a prosecutor or not. Because he couldn’t even hold and swing a sword properly.
When one of the qualities of a monarch that is considered important in Rinosa is completely empty, is it even possible to replace it with something else?
Michael always felt a wall in that area. An absolute and solid wall rising high into the sky.
‘What is Charlotte thinking?’
It becomes unknown. As if a stone that was believed to be in the right place suddenly moved out of its place.
I feel like I’m missing something.
Until now, she had been conscious of Michael and had moved carefully so as not to put him on guard.
It seemed like he gave up his greed for the position of Grand Duke, but that wasn’t the case.
Michael didn’t know what she would do after leaving the academy or what she would do in the empire. Something was unusual.
Was he just waiting until he graduated from the academy and returned to Rinosa?
If he had met her, he would have been able to read more by looking at her face, but over the years, Charlotte had become more and more mysterious to him.
How much she would have changed during the time we couldn’t face each other. How will you grow?
It is clear that we cannot remain silent like this.
Michael will inform her as clearly as ever.
If you don’t have the confidence to kill me, go against your mother, and ascend to the throne, then choose to meekly step down.
Because Michael had the confidence to do so.
An eerie light flashed through his blue eyes, contrasting with his angelic face.
He hasn’t lost yet.
Michael would be able to give up only at the moment when his own death was at stake.
*
It was only ten days after Charlotte faced the emperor that the largest comprehensive martial arts competition in history, co-hosted by the imperial family and Rinosa, was announced.
This means that the decision was made without much disagreement due to the strong will of the emperor.
The relationship between the empire and the temple was already worsening.
The temple also breathed a sigh of relief.
While this grand event is being prepared and unfolding, the emperor’s attention will be focused elsewhere. It was hoped that the blade aimed at the temple would become somewhat dull.
The scale of this martial arts event was nothing compared to the annual martial arts festival held in Basor.
First of all, it was like that from the beginning. The winner was given the title of count.
This is an opportunity to become a hereditary noble rather than a knight. Even in the Empire!
Linosa provided prize money. Five million marks to the winner. Neither the title nor the prize money are limited opportunities for the winner.
The title and amount of prize money varied depending on the ranking, but if you were at least in the top five, you could take home a decent reward.
“With that one shot, I can pay off all my debt and escape from here?”
Asuka’s eyes lit up when she saw the announced prize money.
“Are you confident that you can beat Helmut?”
Asuka’s mouth fell shut at Xian’s command.
Even before the details were announced, Asuka had already been urging Archduke Farnese to participate in the martial arts competition.
As Archduke Farnese’s successor, it would be a good opportunity to show off your skills as the head of the swordsmanship department at Greta Academy, so it would be natural for you to agree, but the Archduke postponed his answer, saying he would just watch what you do and think about it.
It was frustrating for Asuka.
Xian immediately understood the Grand Duke’s intentions.
“You mean, making sure you listen well is more important than fighting. “They said they would watch what you do and think about it.”
“No, that’s enough. How much longer do you expect me to listen to you? “I’ve been attending classes, social events, and everything else.”
Asuka proudly straightened her shoulders. Now, he can comfortably wear fancy formal attire studded with jewels and lace.
Of course, just because you are a member of the royal family does not mean you have to wear extravagant clothes. This was done by Grand Duchess Farnese, who wanted to play with dolls with her son.
Asuka suddenly pointed out one fact.
“Oh, but wasn’t it a sword fighting competition? What is a comprehensive martial arts club? It’s not even a martial arts festival. “What’s the difference?”
It was someone other than Xian who answered that question.
