Chapter 1049: Voting (1)

Isabella was wiping Seira’s face with a cloth when a maid approached her, looking pale.

"C-Concubine Isabella, I have important news."

Isabella paused and turned to the maid, then gave a slight nod.

"Tell me."

"The ministers are asking you to come to the throne room. They say there’s something important to discuss."

Isabella raised her eyebrows slightly. She wanted to ask more, but decided against it.

"I see. Thank you for letting me know."

The maid bowed before turning and leaving.

The room fell silent once more.

Isabella looked at Seira, who was still unconscious, then muttered, "What do they want to talk about?"

...

In the throne room, the ministers stood around with worried looks on their faces. Armand was among them.

As one of the oldest ministers, he was highly respected by his colleagues.

At that moment, they were all bombarding him with questions.

"Minister Armand, what should we do? The government can’t function without a leader!"

"I have a suitable candidate. How about having Prince Adalen take the throne temporarily?"

"Are you crazy!? That’s just asking for more trouble!"

Their questions soon led to a heated argument.

Armand raised his hand.

"Stop. This is no time for arguing."

Hearing this, the ministers dared not continue their debate.

"We must work together to address this issue. Don’t let your egos and self-interest take precedence, or it will only lead to even greater destruction."

His words managed to curb the ministers’ growing greed.

Armand shook his head in frustration.

He hadn’t expected the relatively young and inexperienced ministers to be so greedy, though he couldn’t really blame them.

After all, a minister’s position was rather precarious.

They had little choice but to support one of the candidates for the throne if they wanted to maintain—or even advance—their status.

"Some of the senior ministers are away, so I’ll be leading this discussion. Understood?"

The young ministers nodded in unison.

Shortly afterward, the concubines began arriving one by one. Melinda came first, followed by Clarisse, and finally Isabella.

Armand and the other ministers clasped their hands together and bowed to them.

"What’s going on? Why did you summon me in the middle of the day?" Clarisse asked irritably.

Armand was already used to her attitude. He smiled and explained, "We called you here to discuss an important matter. It concerns the throne."

Hearing this, the annoyed expression on Clarisse’s face instantly brightened.

"Oh? Don’t tell me you want to appoint someone to replace Seira?"

Armand nodded.

"That’s right. Her Majesty Seira has also fallen ill, leaving the throne vacant. We can’t let this situation drag on for too long, or the people will begin to panic."

"Hahaha!"

Clarisse burst out laughing.

"Then why bother calling me and the others?"

She tossed her hair to the side.

"Isn’t it obvious? My son, Adalen Lorian, is the one entitled to the throne! Just give it to him, and everything will be settled, won’t it?"

Isabella’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. She glanced coldly at Clarisse but said nothing.

Even Melinda, who usually seemed apathetic, smiled dismissively.

Clarisse didn’t notice their reactions. Even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared.

Armand shook his head again.

"Unfortunately, that’s not possible."

Clarisse stopped laughing, and her expression turned cold.

"What do you mean? Are you saying my son isn’t worthy?"

Armand fell silent, unsure how to explain.

"It’s not that your son isn’t worthy, Clarisse. But if Adalen takes the throne, even as acting ruler, it’s bound to cause discontent among the nobility. Are you ready to deal with the consequences?"

Isabella’s casual remark made Clarisse tense up.

She turned to Isabella and met her calm gaze.

"Your reasoning makes no sense," she said coldly.

"No, it makes perfect sense. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Minister Armand."

Isabella glanced at him with a smile.

"That’s right, isn’t it?"

Armand: "..."

He was glad that Isabella had backed him up. However, he hadn’t expected her to simply throw the complicated issue right back at him.

Armand let out a long sigh before giving a slight nod.

"That’s true. I’m sorry, Concubine Clarisse, but Prince Adalen cannot be allowed to take the throne."

Clarisse’s face flushed with anger. Her fists clenched tightly, as if she wanted to strike Armand right then and there.

"In that case, who is worthy of temporarily occupying the throne?"

Armand turned to look at Melinda, Clarisse, and Isabella.

"According to imperial law, the vacant throne must be filled by the queen. However, Queen Vanessa is currently in the southern region, and given the situation there, it’s impossible to recall her. That’s why we’ll appoint one of the concubines as the temporary leader."

His explanation took all three of them by surprise.

"One of us will become the leader?"

Clarisse’s heart pounded as she imagined herself sitting at the highest position in the empire.

Her breath quickened with excitement.

Although she wanted her son to become the next emperor, that didn’t mean she had no desire to claim the throne herself.

Ruling an empire had always been her dream.

She had once hoped her father would give her the throne of the Valtanir Empire. Unfortunately, the Singularity of Light had chosen her older brother instead.

Her father had also told her that she was unfit to rule because she was reckless and foolish.

She had been furious back then. That was why she wanted Adalen to ascend to the throne.

Through him, she could prove that she wasn’t some foolish woman who couldn’t do anything.

And now, that chance had finally arrived. The sheer joy she felt made her body tremble.

"I’m sorry, but I won’t be participating."

Melinda’s voice startled Armand and the others.

"W-Why, Concubine Melinda?" Armand asked in surprise.

Melinda shook her head slightly.

"Ever since Zarak died, I haven’t wanted to get involved in any administrative affairs. I just want to spend my time relaxing and living peacefully."

Seeing her expressionless face, Armand clicked his tongue in disappointment. Of the three, he actually preferred Melinda.

After all, she was the daughter of Belfor, a legend in the empire.

Although Belfor had ultimately been punished and exiled for his crimes, there was no denying his abilities.

As his daughter, Melinda’s abilities were likely just as remarkable as his.

Managing the empire would be no difficult task for her.

"I understand."

Armand didn’t press the matter any further.

"Then that leaves only Concubines Clarisse and Isabella," he muttered.

"Even though I’m not participating, may I still cast my vote?"

Melinda’s words surprised Armand and the others.

Armand nodded.

"Of course, my lady."

Melinda glanced at Clarisse, whose face radiated hope, before turning toward Isabella.

Their gazes met, and Melinda pointed at her.

"I choose Isabella as the acting ruler."