After leaving the bedroom, Cedric ordered the maids and palace physicians to attend to Anita immediately. He then summoned Dian to a nearby room.

“Bring Dian.”

Dian had not been at Cedric’s side recently. He was currently solely responsible for Anita’s protection. This was due to a special command from Cedric, and Dian had successfully thwarted various plots against Anita from multiple fronts.

“A great blessing has come upon the nation: the Crown Princess is pregnant with the future of Laxion.”

Shortly after publicly declaring his half-brother and his mother guilty of treason, Cedric officially announced Anita’s pregnancy. As expected, attempts to poison Anita immediately followed.

“This is already the third time. Although all the evidence points to the traitors who caused the civil unrest, it is clearly fabricated.”

The evidence had consistently been linked to the traitors who had fled the Imperial Palace. Those apprehended either committed s*icide while carrying letters exchanged with the former Empress or her factions, or confessed that they had acted under their instruction.

However, the truth was that this was the work of those coveting the position of next empress. Cedric wanted to punish the factions that had dared to target his wife and child immediately, but he was exercising patience.

The time was extremely sensitive, right before his ascension to the throne. Furthermore, although victory was certain, there were still factions within the country that could be considered his political rivals. If he were to arrest and expose them now, they would merely regenerate after being severed. Cedric was merely postponing their condemnation until after his enthronement.

“I greet Your Highness.”

Cedric frowned as he contemplated how to purge those who sought to harm his wife and bloodline. Dian, having been summoned, knelt before him.

Cedric nodded, ordering him to rise. He then commended his subordinate for carrying out his assignments so diligently.

“Four days ago, a palace attendant reportedly attempted to poison a cup by hiding poison under their fingernail while cleaning it. Your subordinates discovered it.”

“…”

“Dian, entrusting the safety of the Crown Princess to you was definitely an excellent choice. Although it is difficult now due to conflicting schedules, I will reward your service once the situation is resolved.”

“You give me too much credit. I merely did what needed to be done.”

Despite Cedric’s praise, Dian stood there deferentially. Cedric tilted his head slightly and propped his chin on his hand as he examined Dian, then continued.

“No, I must give you a proper reward. The matter you wanted has been postponed because of this.”

The matter he desired. At those words, a minuscule crack appeared in Dian’s expression. Cedric noticed it and stared intently at Dian, as if trying to read his thoughts. Then, narrowing his eyes, he slowly raised his head.

“Don’t worry too much. When Princess Callithea ascends the throne, I want you to remain there as Laxion’s representative. I have already appointed a suitable regent, so they won’t be able to go against your wishes.”

“…”

“You may tear apart those who harmed your sister however you wish.”

Dian was originally supposed to have moved to Fallen Calithea by now, carrying out Cedric’s orders while simultaneously executing the personal matter he hald long wished for. However, the former emperor’s sudden death and his lord’s change of heart regarding Hardyde altered the plan significantly. Moreover, Dian himself…

“Your face is clouded. The opportunity to find your enemy has arrived, yet you don’t seem particularly pleased.”

Cedric’s eyes flashed as he saw something in Dian’s expression. As he murmured softly, Dian slightly parted his lips as if to speak. However, no words ultimately left his mouth. After an uncomfortable silence, Cedric was the first to look away.

“Well, we can talk about that later. The reason I summoned you today, Dian, is the coronation.”

“…..”

As you know, the entire Imperial Palace will be in an uproar on the day of the coronation. There will undoubtedly be those who seek to exploit that.”

The coronation was fast approaching. It would be the day that Cedric himself became Emperor, yet his focus was entirely on Anita. All kinds of people would gather, and the palace would undoubtedly descend into chaos. Wicked individuals always targeted such opportunities, days when there were many people and attention was focused elsewhere. Thus, Cedric had summoned Dian to entrust him with Anita’s safety.

“Protect the Crown Princess thoroughly. The palace physician said that even the slightest impact must be guarded against.”

“I shall obey your command.”

“Good. I have faith because it is you.”

In reality, Cedric did not want to entrust Anita’s safety to Dian. The reason was unclear, but he felt somehow reluctant. Furthermore, he was dissatisfied with his subordinate’s subtle protective attitude towards his wife during a previous incident.

His guard knight was standing beside his wife. Come to think of it, his knight was quite popular with women, perhaps because of his handsome appearance. Cedric had even heard of a few noblewomen who were secretly pining for him.

His feeling of displeasure grew. Yet Dian was one of the few subordinates Cedric trusted, regardless of what anyone said. He was an impeccable worker, and Cedric had never doubted his loyalty. Nevertheless, there was nothing he could do about the unpleasant feeling that grew with each passing day since ordering Dian to guard his wife.

“… You may leave now.”

Finding it difficult to conceal his expression any longer, Cedric turned his head and ordered Dian to leave. Dian bowed deeply to his lord in perfect courtesy and withdrew.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

As Dian left, Gislin tentatively entered. He was extremely nervous and wanted to ask Cedric something on behalf of his colleagues.

“What is the role of a retainer? Even if it results in the Lord’s displeasure, is it not their duty to speak up?”

Originally, he had not intended to step forward until his lord spoke first. However, Dian’s recent sharp remark towards the hesitant aides had been the deciding factor. With the coronation fast approaching, the aides ultimately decided by lottery to raise the matter with Cedric.

“What is it?”

“I have something to discuss regarding the coronation.”

Cedric nodded for him to continue. Standing before his lord, Gislin hesitated for a moment. Although his lord’s expression appeared impassive, as it often did, Gislin, who had remained by his side for some time, sensed that something was amiss. He realized that his lord was not in a good mood.

“The Crown Princess’s non-attendance at the coronation has been decided, but…”

Gislin opened his mouth, cursing his bad luck. At the mention of Anita, Cedric’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Regarding the Crown Princess’s future position on that day, it would be appropriate to make a public statement…”

“..…”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Gislin’s voice trembled at the sight of the furrowed brow. Normally, Cedric would have reprimanded a subordinate for such behavior. Instead, he simply nodded.

“Continue.”

“If you are to sit on the righteous and glorious throne, you must also bestow a suitable position upon the Crown Princess, your rightful spouse. You should also make it clear that the Empress will have her own coronation later. Otherwise, there will be much talk.”

“….”

“We plan to cite health concerns as the reason for her non-attendance, but even that is bound to cause misunderstandings in the current situation. It will also affect the Imperial Grandchild who will soon be born. Therefore, I believe it would be appropriate for the Crown Princess to briefly take her place, if possible.”

Contrary to his expectations, as his lord showed no sign of displeasure, Gislin became calmer. He spoke his mind without reservation, then nervously glanced at his liege.

“Is that your opinion? What do the others say?”

“As you may have noticed, Your Highness, there has been a lot of whispering among your supporters. However, more than half of the aides you personally appointed agree with me.”

A quiet rift was beginning to form among Cedric’s supporters, centered on Anita. Duke Colbert and his nobles were openly questioning whether the deposed Princess of Callithea still deserved to be called royalty. They subtly urged Cedric to strip her of her title altogether. Had Anita not been pregnant, they would probably have asked him directly. After all, they had orchestrated all of the repeated attempts on her life.

However, there was another faction within Cedric’s ranks comprising advisors, young officials, and influential scholars. Following the late emperor’s confession that Gerard was illegitimate, the clerics of Asteria and the remaining supporters of the former empress recognized Cedric’s lawful claim to the throne. Using that same reasoning, they insisted that Anita, as his lawful crown princess, must become empress.

However, this group, largely composed of aides, young bureaucrats and scholars had never seen eye to eye with the aristocratic bloc led by Duke Colbert, who sought to preserve and expand noble privileges. Their alliance had been one of necessity, united only under a common sovereign and a shared enemy. Now that their enemy had disappeared, however, the pretense of unity began to crumble. Soon, each faction would turn its sights on the other.

Meanwhile, the Asterian clergy and those who had betrayed the late Empress opposed Colbert’s calls for their severe punishment, driven only by the need for survival. Tensions were growing increasingly violent beneath the surface, and it was clear that a clash focusing on Anita herself was approaching.

Cedric had long foreseen cracks forming among his supporters. Yet, unlike his previous vision, fate had taken a turn: Anita had survived and was carrying his child. This unforeseen truth had already begun to warp the course of everything he had planned.

“Your Highness, I, your humble subject, am foolish and must ask.”

With his lord offering no comment either way, Gislin broke the silence and spoke cautiously. He was not particularly worried about Anita, nor did he pity the Imperial Grandchild growing inside her. He simply did not want to lose his dominant position to Duke Colbert and his faction just yet.

Therefore, if his lord intended to abandon the Crown Princess as originally planned, it would be wise to formulate a new plan quickly. He asked Cedric.

“Do you intend to place someone else beside Your Highness?”