Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Duke James, Count Henson, and the other liberals looked at each other and saw objection in each other's eyes. While Natasha had been in Holm, she was still too young to have a political view. Also, it was an unchangeable fact that her teacher Beliel, 'G.o.d's Glory,' was a member of the Grand Cardinals. According to sources, she had been raised by the Church since six. She was a devout believer, only slightly better than Gordon as a candidate.
"According to bloodline, Natasha, Countess of Violet, is the heir only next to His Highness. She is a radiant knight and a devout believer. So, she is the most reasonable heir to the throne." Rex looked rather tough.
Duke Russell stood and said while shaking his quill pen. "President Rex, we are both aware of it, but why are we discussing other candidates? Because Her Highness Meredith, Countess Natasha's mother, automatically abandoned her right to the throne when she became a sorcerer. That is to say; her children are no longer ent.i.tled to it."
Count Henson and Viscount Harrison looked at each other with a bitter smile, in that they had to offer objections using sorcerers as an excuse when they were inclined to the Congress of Magic.
Duke Solomon said solemnly, "If the logic stands, David will not be ent.i.tled to the throne, either. A n.o.ble's right comes from their bloodline. Unless it is deprived according to the law, they will always enjoy it. What Countess Natasha activated is the purest bloodline of the Sword of Truth. Her right of inheritance comes directly from His Majesty."
Rex seemed more or less relieved. Duke Solomon seemed able to live with that. So, he went on, "I discussed candidates in the meeting just now, instead of asking Princess Natasha to inherit the throne directly, because she is now the only heir of Duchy Violet. According to Entry Three, Clause Five of the inheritance law, if the inheritor has the rights to other countries and families and such rights cannot be combined, their position will be lowered by one level on the hierarchy, which makes her on the same level as David and Gordon."
Duchy Violet played an important role in the Church's defense in the northwest. The Church would never give it to Holm.
"Since the previous two candidates are not unanimously approved, it is definitely not a problem to propose Princess Natasha." He began to call Natasha princess, acknowledging her position in the royal family.
"Duke James, Count Russell, do you have any objections? If not, we will have a vote." Rex looked at the few leaders of the liberals.
Duke James and the rest of them were caught unprepared. They had thought that the conservatives would ignore Natasha as they did. After all, everybody knew the relation between Meredith and Hathaway. She was an excellent sorcerer herself. Who could have seen this coming?
Gender? No, females' right of inheritance was specified in the law.
Strength? Worse. As a genius who became a radiant knight in her twenties and who was likely to become legendary, she was more distinguished than any of them.
Too close to the Church? Won't work. Other than being a pious believer, Natasha did not have any behavior to be criticized. She had never flattered the Church by jeopardizing the interests of the n.o.bles of Duchy Violet.
As for her suppression of the Congress of Magic on the surface and her ban on magic recorders and phones, such things could not be discussed openly. They could not publicize that they were cooperating with sorcerers, in which case Rex might change his att.i.tude and ask Sard to come in and purge the n.o.bles who had been corrupted by sorcerers. Those things could be done but never be talked about.
For a moment, the liberals couldn't find a good excuse.
Duke Solomon, on the other hand, cleaned his black cape and asked, "President Rex, I heard a rumor about Princess Natasha, and I hope you can explain it. It is said that she and Lucien Evans, the Fallen Angel, are a couple deeply in love with each other. Will she betray the n.o.bles, indulge the Congress of Magic, and infuriate the Church because of that?"
After Louise came to Holm, Lucien's ident.i.ty was no longer a secret. Every n.o.ble knew that he was that great musician. After he made it to the top twenty of the Cleansing List, the history of the great musician had been dug out, too.
Hearing Duke Solomon's question, James suddenly breathed heavily. If that were the case, it would not be unacceptable that Natasha became the queen.
Rex replied unhurriedly, "Regarding that, I learned the answer from His Excellency Saint Sard, who was the Grand Cardinal of the parish of Violet and knew everything. Princess Natasha is attracted to females. Lucien Evans is just an excuse and a disguise for her. They are not as close as rumors have it to be. Also, the princess is a very devout believer. Sylvia, her partner in the past, was killed by her without any hesitation after she learned that Sylvia was a magic apprentice."
"What?"
"Was the most beautiful musician killed because of that?"
"No wonder 'Ode To Sylvia' was rewarded with a manor by Princess Natasha."
It was the first time that the n.o.bles heard the gossip, which was from Grand Cardinal Sard, who couldn't have lied about such things. They immediately whispered to each other.
Count Henson now found it impossible to accept Natasha as the queen. He coughed and said, "h.o.m.os.e.xual love is in violation of the Lord's tutelage. Also, there will be no offspring. Such an inheritance will be meaningless."
"That's just the idea of some preachers. The Lord only taught us not to be obsessed with l.u.s.t. As for the offspring, I believe we can make it clear to Princess when we invite her to inherit the throne that she must give birth to a child as soon as possible. As for her relations.h.i.+p with her spouse in private, that's not our concern. I believe that it is not a great compromise for her. If she doesn't accept it, we will discuss other candidates." Rex looked at the members of the Parliament of n.o.bles. "If there are no other questions, let's vote."
Duke Solomon, one of the leaders of the conservatives, raised his hand first. He was not as extreme as Rex and preferred a candidate that was acceptable for the Church, the parliament, and the n.o.bles in case of a great conflict within the country, which would only result in the decline of Holm. In such a case, even the winning n.o.bles would not earn much. Natasha was undoubtedly a suitable candidate.
Duke Solomon's father was 'Night Walker' Winston. His influence on the conservatives was as great as Rex's. Many people followed him to raise their hands, and so did the n.o.bles who supported Rex. Soon, two-thirds of the partic.i.p.ants had raised their hands. Duke James and Duke Russell, on the other hand, were gloomy and prepared to use the dukes' veto right.
Suddenly, Viscount Harrison thought of something. He wrote on a piece of paper, before he pa.s.sed it on to Duke James in secret.
Knowing that he was scared that the gold knights such as Duke Rex could overhear them, Duke James did not blame his redundant move. Instead, he opened the paper that read, "Princess Natasha is closer to Her Excellency Hathaway than we imagine."
Duke James had a complicated look on his face. After discussing with Duke Russell, he suddenly raised his hand, which was quite a shock for most of the liberals. But they still chose to believe in him and followed his lead.
Rex put on a smile. "Very good. The Parliament of n.o.bles has unanimously pa.s.sed the motion that Natasha Violet, Countess of Violet, is to be invited to Holm to inherit the throne."
He knocked the mallet gable and declared, "This meeting is now concluded."
Watching the conservatives leave, Duke James said to Viscount Harrison solemnly, "I hope you're right."
"We can only take our chances. Rex seemed well prepared. I'll report the result to the Highest Council. They will decide whether or not a.s.sa.s.sination is necessary." Viscount Harrison left in a hurry.
In a secret chamber inside the Nekso Palace, Rex spoke to two seniors respectfully, "Your Excellency Saint Sard, Your Excellency Kritonia, Natasha has achieved the right to the throne as per your instruction."
"Very good." Sard smiled peacefully, his dangling eyelids blocking his dirty eyeb.a.l.l.s.
On the 35th floor of the magic tower in Allyn, in the meeting room of the Highest Council, one of the twenty-four chairs was gone.
"We discussed the problem before. I don't think it's the best choice to let Beliel's student be the queen of Holm. I suggest we eliminate her in advance." Said Vicente, the Lord of the Undead, coldly, without looking at Hathaway at all."
Vicente, who was well prepared, proved his innocence in Congus' incident, and provided sufficient evidence that Congus' students were unaware of DemiG.o.d-lich's actions, protecting them from being punished.
Several members of the Highest Council nodded, agreeing that Natasha and Gordon should be killed to ensure David's right to the throne.
Hathaway looked at them, coldly, "This is the Hoffenberg family's business. Whoever meddles with it will be my sworn enemy. Also, I believe that Natasha will be a just queen who will not be biased towards the Church."
Due to her lack of eloquence, she simply threated her enemy.
"But how many people support you? Vicente challenged Hathaway.
Davey, the Innovator, said lightheartedly, "I believe in Hathaway's judgment."
"What's wrong with you?" Without a sign, the Lord of Storm began to roar, "Kill Natasha and Gordon? Are you planning to terrify all the n.o.bles in Holm, Brianne, Colette, and Calais? Sard will smile in his dreams! The n.o.bles will be completely inclined to him! Seven legendary knights in four countries, plus the Grand Cardinals in their parishes, that will be twelve legendary warriors, two of whom are level-three! It's enough to suffocate us!"
The other members of the Highest Council couldn't help but s.h.i.+ft their heads under the roar, but most of them secretly agreed with him. While Fernando was short-tempered, unamiable and even slightly freakish, he had always considered the development of the Congress.
"Fernando, what's your opinion?" Douglas asked in a smile. He was least influenced by the roar.
Fernando looked around with his red eyes, and most members did not dare to look back at him. "At the very least, Natasha is not a bad choice."
"Not a bad choice. Yes, I agree with that." Douglas was more willing to trust Hathaway and Fernando.
Vicente meant to object, but his influence was diminished by the DemiG.o.d-lich's incident. His allies were unwilling to support him at such a moment. Therefore, the Highest Council reached a conclusion very soon. Natasha would not be stopped, but her tendencies would be observed so that she could be destroyed or controlled when necessary.
After he returned to his library from the meeting room, Fernando saw Lucien who was wearing a black, double-breasted tuxedo pacing back and forth.
"Master, what's the situation?" Sensing that his teacher came in, Lucien hurried to ask.
Fernando chuckled. "Natasha will not be stopped from inheriting the throne, but it's mostly up to herself. Violet is far away from Holm, and she still has her father to take care of."
Then, he said solemnly, "Lucien, this is the best I can do for you. It depends on yourself whether or not you can trick a queen into your bed."
Lucien smiled in embarra.s.sment, "It's very difficult. Natasha likes girls."
"That's indeed a problem…" Fernando thought for a moment. Then, his eyes s.h.i.+ned. He opened the s.p.a.ce gate to the demiplane, leaving Lucien in the library in confusion.
A moment later, Fernando walked back with a belt with beautiful stripes. He gloated, "It's still there. This is my most remarkable achievement in alchemy when I was young. Lucien, put it on, and you and Natasha will be a loving couple soon enough."
"What's this?" Lucien found it odd and did not dare to take it over.
Fernando grimaced and raised the belt, "A gender-transitioning belt, of course. You will become a real girl after you put it on. Natasha is close to you enough. The only obstacle between you should be gender."
Lucien did not see his face, but he guessed that it must be filled with anger and awkwardness. "Master, this is my boundaries. Please don't joke about it."
"How boring. You are unwilling to sacrifice anything for love." Fernando shook his head exaggeratedly, teasing his student.
Lucien looked back at him expressionlessly, "That's not important. The important thing is, why did you build a gender-transitioning belt when you were young, master?"
Fernando's smile was immediately frozen. Then he glared, "Somebody asked me to build it for him."
"Tsk…" Lucien shook his head, not convinced at all. "There are wrong names, but no wrong nicknames. No wonder they all call you a freak."
"What's that att.i.tude? Life is all about trying. Lucien, I'm very worried about your life status. A man who hasn't tried anything is pathetic." Fernando sniffed and drove Lucien out.
