Chapter 62

Rumours were spreading that if the crown prince died, Ancia would be a princess and her new husband would be the emperor.

The children of the nobility were impatient and try to sway Ancia.

Ironically, they believed at the same time that the crown prince’s curse will be lifted.

Despite the fierce competition, Frank was confident.

“It’s not that hard to win the heart of a girl who long for affection. It’s a relief that she’s pretty. I can finally say goodbye to that ugly westin girl!”

Frank was about to marry the daughter of Marquis Westin.

The duke of cassil chose this marriage after much consideration.

Frank was dissatisfied with her appearance but their wealth is one of the best in the empire and their influence was also immense.

It was impossible to break the marriage because the wedding date was already set.

Richard hold back his irritation by looking at his half brother, who was not aware of the reality.

But it was an advantage for Richard.

Frank was addicted to gambling, alcohol and drugs. It was Richard’s duty to restrain him. He took advantage of that and made Frank drunk as he took him to the ball.

The emperor and duke cassil were not present at thay time. The duke of cassil call Tenstheon out to protest about him visiting the crown prince’s palace.

“How dare you disobey me! Did you ever get a proper education being the fallen count’s daughter?”

As Richard expected, Frank began to make problems.

His original personality is already bad but when he became drunk, he became a bastard.

After Frank revealed his true nature in front of everyone, Richard would save Ancia and win her favor.

Everything was going according to plan.

“That’s enough.”

Richard was about to intervene but someone unexpectedly intervene before him. Tenstheon appeared.

And the emperor knocks out Frank with a few words.

Richard was shocked for a while but he felt that it wasn’t a bad development.

Although he missed the opportunity to gain Ancia’s favor, he was able to eliminate Frank from the candidate list.

Although he made a controversial remark, he might only be expelled from the family.

But the duke of cassil suddenly appeared.

“Your Majesty, stop!”

There was one more fool besides Frank.

It was Arnold Cassil.

He ridiculed the crown prince, imperial family and defended his son’s remark, which could be counted as a treason.

It was not enough, so he even yelled at the emperor.

I know the duke of cassil cared about cassil. But that’s just plain stupid,

Tenstheon didn’t miss this opportunity.

“You must apologize to him, no matter what you say!”

Richard realized that he had no eye for people.

So far he thought Frank Cassil was the dumbest human being in the empire.

But Arnold was even more dumber than him.

“Your excellency, this is no time to worry about that. You guys are now accused of treason.”

“Treason? What treason!”

The duke of cassil was competely unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

“But the emperor…”

“What about the emperor! What if he’s angry! My Frank didn’t say anything wrong. The monster is cursed and won’t live very long.”

Tenstheon is a very cautious person.

Frank and the duke were put into prison weren’t simply because they harassed the crown princess.

Of course, their remarks are controversial, but that alone couldn’t be charged with treason.

Compared to the sin committed, this kind of punishment is too excessive. There was no way the emperor didn’t know about this.

Still, Tenstheon said they plotted treason. Richard was able to guess Tenstheon’s intention.

“The emperor declared a war on us. We have to come up with the solution.”

The emperor is trying to bring out the duke’s past sins.

They planted spies in the palace, criticized the emperor, crown prince, crown princess and promoted a public opinion that mocks the crown prince.

Furthermore, Arnold Cassil has plotted the assasination of Tenstheon in the past.

When Blake was cursed, the duke of cassil dreamed of killing Tenstheon and becoming the emperor.

But, Tenstheon quickly notices the situation and Arnold was forced to give up the plan.

Besides that, there were many other things they do that hasn’t been revealed.

Even though Richard warned them, the duke remained calm.

“They didn’t have any evidence anyway. Aren’t you responsible for getting rid of it?”

Arnold Cassil entrusted Richard with everything.

“No, but there’s a very important witness left right?”

Tenstheon locked Duke Cassil in the west prison of the imperial palace. Frank Cassil was sent to an underground east prison in the imperial palave.

The place where Frank is in, was a place where prisoners are usually punished, there were manu torture tools and the facility is poor.

Richard tried to meet Frank, but he couldn’t bribe the knight there.

The fact that Drank was locked up in such place will made him go crazy and spill everything. Understanding what Richard meant, the duke of cassil were furious.

“Frank won’t betray us!”

“Maybe he already betrayed us, he easily betray people for his own gain. Just put every blame on him.”

The duke of cassil slapped him on the cheek.

“You wicked bastard! What are you saying! You must have wanted to take Frank’s place.”

“It’s not like that, I only made the offer to protect you.”

Richard meant it. He was planning to get rid of Frank anyway since the duke is more important.

He hated the duke and his family but he needed their power. He wanted everything the duke of cassil had.

“Frank is the child that will become the future emperor! He’s very precious! Just wait and see! The nobles are bound to take my side anyway. Even if Tenstheon’s influence is strong, he doesn’t have any heir. By now, the appeal for my justice would already be piled up! Marquis Westin would also help his son in law.”

His daughter is disgraced, and you believed marquis westin will help you?

“Just get out of here! What a disgrace! I will never forgive Tenstheon and I’ll make him pay!”

“Your Excellency, calm down. You have to blame Frank for your own good.”

Richard persuaded him once again.

Arnold hit him again.

“You ungrateful bastard! If Frank’s in a crisis you should’ve helped him! Have you forgotten why I took you in? It is to help Frank! You’re fed thanks to Frank, you need to repay him!”

“…”

“Release me and Frank today. Otherwise I’ll expel you from the family!”

Richard left the prison without replying.

***

Did he think I’ll follow his demand? What’s the use when the cassils are about to be gone.

He returned home with a burning anger. Tenstheon is now holding the cassils a hostage. With the fall of the duke’s family, Richard wouldn’t be able to become the emperor and the cassils will lost its strength and position.

‘So, let’s kill Tenstheon.’