Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

Chapter 99 “I thought you were in the Imperial Palace… How did you get here?”Returning to his mansion after attending Duke Anthemion’s medal ceremony and attending to some business, Count Turner was taken aback by Helios’ visit before he could undress.Helios, who was led into the drawing room, politely asked for his understanding.“There is something I want to ask the Count, so I came without sending a letter.”Count Turner squinted at the medal hanging from Helios’ left chest and swallowed dry.The fact that he did not take off his medal even though he had changed into a different outfit from at the award ceremony meant that there was a question related to him.“Sit down.”Count Turner, who had given Helios a seat, sat on the sofa and pulled the string.Soon the maid came into the drawing room with a teacup.Even though it was the residence of the chief judge of the imperial family, the drawing room, teacup, and even the maid’s attire were unpretentious.Helios took his eyes off the teacup and asked.“Aren’t you experiencing strange things these days?”“No, since the last midnight commotion, it has been quiet.”Count Turner paused for a moment before answering.‘You’re a clever man.’It’s unclear if it’s intentional or not, but he takes the initiative by reminding him of the favor he’s done for him.Count Turner, coughed, and repeated the story.“The award ceremony went well. Your Majesty seems to have great trust in the Duke as well as the Duke’s spirit.”“It’s just embarrassing to waste time on useless events.”“Your Majesty is so satisfied, how can you call it a useless event?”Count Turner laughed softly.Helios looked into his face without saying a word.Count Turner was an elite who rose from a civilian judge to the imperial chief judge in just seven years.If you look at his abilities, he is one of the most popular figures in the Empire, so he had to give up the thought of making up his mind too hastily.“I don’t know why your Majesty puts such an irrational number.”“…….”“Isn’t the Royal Hastings Order a medal that can be easily issued?”“Since the founding of the Empire, it has been awarded to only two people. One was the ambassador of the founding of the Empire together with the first Emperor, and the other was a legendary knight who killed 500 monsters during the Second Demon Slaying, so you’ll be the third.”“They were both of the royal family, and even Sir Lawrence was posthumous.”“The Duke is right.”Count Turner nodded. Helios frowned and asked.“Why didn’t you stop it?”“Who am I to dissuade His Majesty from what he has decided?”“Precedent dictates that you could have.”“As the Duke knows, Your Majesty does not believe in nobles, so what do you want to hear?”Count Turner, drenched in tea, continued.“Ever since the Duke of Eton was ousted, His Majesty has been plagued with the uneasy feeling that he could be dethroned at any moment.”“…….”“So he is overly obsessed with those who want to help His Majesty. Just as you are Duke.”Helios smiled bitterly.If Count Turner noticed it, everyone else would know.“I don’t know why Your Majesty is like this. My family is more important than this country and my family is more important than the imperial family.”“So the Duke will be the most reliable. You doy covet greater power.”“Now it seems that it was the Count’s words, not His Majesty.”“… We don’t know how far His Majesty will go, so we have no choice but to trust the Duke.”Count Turner said with a blank expression on his face.If the Emperor is looking for a loyal advisor, then Count Turner is more suitable than Helios.But what the Emperor wants is an ally who will support him with money and power, and that is the root of all his problems.“I heard that Your Majesty wants to give the position of Marquis Melks.”“Marquis Melks?”Count Turner nodded at Helios’ response.“I know that the estate that was bestowed on the Duke is close to the Marquis of Melks.”“It would be half a day’s journey by carriage.”“Your Majesty wanted the Duke and Marquis to be friendly.”“… … He is asking for impossible things.”“If you make the impossible possible, your evaluation will be higher.”Before the death of Charlet Melks and the revenge of the Marquis Melks, the Marquis were also a family of considerable wealth and power.So it was only natural that the Emperor, who was looking for a replacement family after the disintegration of the Duke of Eaton, had the Marquis of Melks in mind.However, the problem was that there was a deep emotional gap between the Dukes of Anthemion and the Marquis of Melks.The Emperor, who did not want to miss both families, seemed to think that they could reconcile if he intervened.Helios opened his mouth with a gritty feeling.“Your Majesty asked the Count if there was any problem in granting Escal the estate.”“You’re right.”“Why did you say it was fine?”A piercing gaze turned to the Count. Count Turner met the gaze for a moment, and a thin smile played at the corners of his lips, then wiped it away.“I thought the Duke would be the best if Your Majesty gave power to just one person.”“Thank you for being kind to me, but what if I have a black heart?”“If the Duke lives up to His Majesty’s expectations, there is nothing I can do about it, but doesn’t the Duke at least have a sense of hiding his greed?”Unsurprisingly, Count Turner was unstoppable, as he was not known for his gentleness and prudence.“If it were any other person, Your Majesty would have accepted the wedding proposal right away. The Duke’s rejection of the offer may have resulted in Your Majesty’s confidence.”“I have no intention of binding my child to the Imperial family.”“Whatever the Duke’s will is, Your Majesty will somehow promote the marriage.”Helios let out a shaky sigh.Like herself, Lenia would never accept marriage talks with the imperial family.“If I refuse to accept it, not even one of my own, he should find an alternative.”“My wife has been looking at the Honor Society for a long time, and she says there are no children who can be son-in-law.”“Doesn’t the Marquis of Kensington, the handmaiden of His Majesty, have a son, and the Count also has a son?”“My child is not the bridegroom in Your Majesty’s eyes. His family is not good, and his abilities are not outstanding.”“Does the Count think that I should accept His Majesty’s offer?”Helios asked bluntly.Count Turner looked down for a moment, then listened.“It doesn’t matter what the Duke decides, as long as we can stop His Majesty.”‘Stop Your Majesty?’It was an absurd word. Helios tilted his head as if asking for an explanation, and Count Turner let out a short sigh.“I heard something strange from the security forces investigating the monster’s disturbance.”“……”“So did Count Tilburn. He couldn’t guess the path of the movement to say that it was a monster that was kicked out of their packs.”“I heard that someone may have intentionally released a monster to harm His Majesty.”When Helios pretended he didn’t know, Count Turner spoke up.“Does the Duke seem to know the identity of that ‘someone’?”“It has nothing to do with me.”“I am not trying to say that the Duke is an accomplice. I just hope that Your Majesty won’t do anything unreasonable any more.”However, as long as Prince Frederick’s position is unstable, the Emperor will continue to try to make a dangerous move in the future.Helios, aware of Count Turner’s intentions, rubbed his face. It was a demand that was too heavy for him, no matter how much he himself.“Your Majesty is a wise man, and he will realize this soon enough.”“If he doesn’t, the Duke will have to stop him.”“… You are speaking dangerously.”“If we go on like this, the Empire will be shaken. If the Duke does not step in, no one can correct it.”“As I said before, my family is more important than my country. I cannot risk the lives of my family for the sake of the Empire.”Helios spoke firmly and stood up.Count Turner hurriedly shouted behind his back.“This is also for the Duke’s sake, too.”“…….”“If the Duke goes against His Majesty’s will, do you think His Majesty will leave the Duke alone?”Helios slowly turned his head.Count Turner continued, looking at the medal on his chest.“The Royal Hastings Order has immunity.”“…….”“As long as it’s not treason.”Helios’s eyes sunk deeply.