Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

Chapter 89 Helios rode horseback with the Emperor into the hunting grounds.The hunting ground, which had not been touched by humans for a while, was overgrown with weeds.Tsk, the Emperor clicked his tongue in disapproval.“It’s been a while since I’ve been here and it was in bad shape.”“Isn’t this proof that Your Majesty has been concentrating on government affairs?”Helios spoke lightly, and the Emperor’s face immediately frowned.“The previous Emperor has reminded me many times to remember that the busier the hunting grounds, the poorer the people’s lives.”“You are right.”“That’s why I’ve never been able to go hunting, even if I wanted to.”The Emperor smiled and continued.“In fact, I’m out today because Lord Grenier has been nagging me about being overworked and told me to go hunting.”“Did you expect to see me in the Imperial Palace?”“There are too many ears to hear in the Imperial Palace.”With those words, the Emperor strode away from the knights guarding him, kicking them in the back of the head.Helios followed slowly. Once they were in the center of the dense forest, the Emperor spoke.“I heard Count Turner posted a report, did you see it?”It was just as Helios had suspected and he tried to hide his agitation.“Yes, I saw it.”“How was it?”“It won’t be a big problem.”In response to the blunt answer, the Emperor pulled the reins and stopped the horse.“Then there may be a small problem.”“……”The rustle, the sound of stepping on the grass was particularly annoying. Helios stopped his words and looked at the Emperor.Even if he is indecisive, the Emperor is the Emperor. He opened his mouth frankly.“There are those who are concerned that the Prince has always been close to the Duke of Eaton.”The Emperor frowned as if he knew that.“The Duke of Eaton is Fred’s uncle. Isn’t it unfair to criticize him for his friendship with his uncle?”“If the Prince was a nobleman, it wouldn’t have mattered. However, he will rise to the throne in the future, so please consider your concerns.”“And the Duke too?”The Emperor asked directly. Helios bit his lip and released it.Even now, Harriet Tuffman is set to take revenge on the Duke of Eaton, but if Prince Frederick ascends to the throne and releases the Duke of Eaton, it is unknown how the aftermath will come.“I also don’t want tribulation in the Empire.”“Then will you, on behalf of the Duke of Eaton, the Duke and your son be Frederick’s place of recourse in place of Anthony Eaton?”“…… ”Helios’ mouth did not open easily.The Emperor’s demand was blatant and clear.Even if he had no choice but to decide Escal’s future, Lenia wouldn’t want it.Moreover, Lenia was reluctant to even talk about the marriage between Escal and Princess Adela, so he could not answer at will.“If the Duke agrees to do so, I will quietly deal with Anthony Eaton.”Helios’ neck moved greatly.At first glance, his words sounded empowering, but in reality, they were a threat that he would suspend Anthony Eaton’s sentence and reinstate him at any time if he did not comply with his demands.And it was true that Anthony Eaton was a burden on the Empire just to be alive.“Your Majesty, this is….”“I’m not saying you have to answer right now, so think about it before the ceremony.”The Emperor, who pretended to be generous and cut off his words, changed the subject.You’ve been bothering me for nothing. How long has it been since the Duke went hunting?”“Seven years, I believe.”“That long?”The Emperor asked as if he was surprised.Helios nodded, figuring it had to be that long, since he hadn’t hunted since he and Lenia were separated by Charlet Melks.“Then the Duke’s skills must have rusted a lot.”“I didn’t hunt, but I faced monsters a few times.”“Animals and monsters are different. Aren’t the monsters bigger than the target?”“Oh, but it’s more dangerous and faster than that.”You’re so confident. Very well, then let’s make a bet on who catches the most prey.”The Emperor smiled broadly.“If the Duke wins, I will grant the Duke’s wish. Instead, if I win, let the Duke do my favor.”“A favor means…….”“It’s no fun to say it up front.”Helios lowered his gaze at the ridiculous offer.Knowing the Emperor’s hunting prowess, he had no reason to refuse.Of course, the hunting of nobles was always a matter of who the knights drove the prey to, but today, the knights of the Duke family also accompanied them, so it would be an equal bet.After completing the calculation, Helios opened his mouth.“It’s not enough, but I will do my best.”“Okay, let’s see.”The Emperor smirked and called to his knights, who had retreated into the distance.“Let the hunt begin.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”The knights who received the instructions were scattered all over the hunting grounds.Helios lowered the bow on his back, held it in his hand, and looked around. Not even the sound of birds was heard, let alone deer and wild boar.‘I don’t see a single one.’Helios, who had been wandering around the hunting grounds for a while, looking for prey, shook his head. Seeing no news from the chasers, he must have gotten the wrong day.“Any luck?”The Emperor, who had gone all the way into the hunting ground, came back with his bare hands and asked.“Not a single rabbit was found.”“So am I. They must have found the wrong hunting ground.”The Emperor muttered angrily. Aside from the bet, it was a rather disappointing expression as he had high expectations for the long-awaited hunting.“Let’s go somewhere else next time. Only when it is so quiet can it be called hunting….”Krr–At that moment, a gloomy howling pierced Helios’ ear. Helios turned his head, feeling goosebumps.It wasn’t long before the roaring of the beast was heard once more.‘This… What kind of beast?’Neither fox nor wolf. The sound of howling from not far away was similar to that of a wild beast, yet unfamiliar.“I think the hunters have found a good one.”For fear of losing his prey, the Emperor drove his horse toward the bush where the sound was heard.Helios hurriedly ran to his side.“Your Majesty, just a minute—”“It’s my prey, so look something else, Duke.”The Emperor spoke lightly and hung the arrow on the bowstring. The cry of the beast was getting closer and closer.‘What?’The sound of running through the bushes was too loud and harsh to be a mere beast. The moment he drew his sword with an unusual feeling.“Graaa!”A monster the size of a house ran at a frightening speed.The Emperor’s arrow, which was accidentally shot, passed past the monster’s shoulder. The wound was thick enough to be scratched, but it was enough to stimulate the monster.Excited, the monster rushed towards the Emperor, spilling blue fluid.“Your Majesty!”Helios couldn’t even draw his sword and blocked the Emperor’s face with his bare body.“Ugh!”The monster’s claws ripped Helios’ back without mercy.“Duke Anthemion!” ***** Crash!It was about an hour after Helios entered the hunting grounds when the teacup with a broken handle hit the floor and shattered.I looked down at the broken teacup handle and opened my mouth in dismay.“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”“It’s okay. You’re not hurt?”“Yes.”The maid cleared the broken glass and brought a new teacup.I took a sip of tea, calming my pounding heart.This is not good and I need to get back soon.The last time I lost Escal was at a hunting ground, so I didn’t feel very good.‘Where’s Escal?’I looked around looking for Escal.My heart was relieved only after seeing Escal running around the grass with the two Princesses not far away.There are also knights, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.“It’s nice to see.”The Empress, who followed my gaze and looked at the children, suddenly opened her mouth.“Children look best when they’re on their own, don’t they?”“Yes.”I don’t know for sure now, but when I’m with Tiaris, they look good.Perhaps not noticing the shaky answer, the Empress narrowed her eyes.“I was worried because the Princess was too precocious, but now that they’re with Escalium, I feel reassured because they’re the same age.”It was difficult to say yes or no, and I just smiled.“Oh, wasn’t the young master Escalium birthday around this time? As far as I know, I heard that it was very difficult for a mother to give birth to a child when it was hot.”“Ah… It’s the second week of next month.”“My memory is correct.”The Empress smiled brightly.“Then, are you planning a birthday party?”“No. I’m just planning to spend the birthday with our family in a small way…”“You can’t do that.”The Empress firmly shook her head and gave serious advice as if she did not know what I was doing.“For young master Escalium sake, make it grand. It’s good for the Duchess too.”“Ah… I see what you mean.”Just as it was at Helios’ birthday banquet, Escal’s birthday also should be held in a grand way to solidify his position.It would be great if the Empress, who had chosen Escal as the partner of Princess Adela, would be announced as the heir to the Duke of Anthemion on his birthday.… Then what about Baron Hazel and Tiaris?If Baron Hazel knew about the plot of the Emperor and Empress, he wouldn’t just stay still.I had a hard time opening my mouth, having been pondering over and over again.“It’s probably not for me to decide on my own, so it’s better to discuss it with Helios….”At that moment, a bloody soldier ran out of the hunting ground.“th-that a monster has appeared!”