Bad News

Time passed. It had been almost three days since Nash was declared sick and needed to rest. During that time, Quinn had been unable to focus on all her work because she was busy worrying about all the possibilities that would happen if she were to be ousted from the position of the main heir. If that were to happen, then it was certain that the emperor's throne would fall to Ronan, and Quinn couldn't let that happen.

I must find a way for me to win father's favor. That way, it will be easier for me to ascend to the main throne and become empress. Especially with Father's current condition, and my position still considered weak, it would be more difficult for me if I couldn't win his favor. Father's condition is deteriorating, and that means the throne is in an unsafe condition. And so am I, if I don't move quickly. The throne might actually fall to Ronan. This country will fall into ruin if Ronan reigns as the next emperor.

Knock! Knock!

The sound of a door knock interrupted her thoughts. Quinn shifted her focus towards the direction of the sound. Meanwhile, Marinka, realizing this, quickly opened the door to see who had just knocked.

As the door opened, Marinka could see a female servant now standing in front of Quinn's office door. "I've come here to deliver a message to the young lady," said the woman, who had just arrived.

"What do you want to convey to the young lady? Let me deliver it to her," Marinka said.

"The noble emperor requests that the young lady come to his chamber. His Majesty says there is something he needs to convey to the young lady and His Highness the prince," the woman explained.

Quinn, who had been sitting in her chair the whole time, could only observe with a puzzled expression. She was curious about who was trying to meet her at this hour. It was unusual for anyone to visit her office other than servants bringing snacks and tea. But this wasn't the time for snacks or tea.

"Alright, I will convey it. You may now go," Marinka said. The woman nodded and turned, leaving Quinn's workspace. Once she was gone, Marinka promptly closed the door again.

"What's going on, Marinka?" asked Quinn.

"The noble emperor wishes to meet you, in his chamber, my lady. He mentioned that there is something important he needs to convey to you and His Highness the Prince," Marinka explained.

Quinn fell silent upon hearing Marinka's words. Various questions immediately crossed her mind. What could my father want to convey? Is it possible that he wants to announce that he has decided to hand over all his responsibilities to Ronan? If that turns out to be true, then I really need to be prepared. I have to start planning to gain his trust as soon as possible.

Quinn is truly anxious about what her father will convey to her, especially since Nash has requested that she and Ronan come to his chamber.

"Young lady?" Marinka instantly interrupts her thoughts. Quinn quickly shifts her focus to the woman and, shortly after, stands up.

"We're going now!" Quinn says, rising from her seat. Marinka nods slowly, then follows Quinn from behind. Accompanying her to meet Nash, who suddenly wants to meet with Quinn and Ronan.

*

"Prince, His Majesty the Emperor wishes to meet with you in his chamber," says a servant sent to inform Ronan in his room.

"I will go there immediately," Ronan responds calmly. The man who delivered the information then leaves his room. Shortly after, Ronan gets up from his seat.

Everything is going smoothly so far. I just need to make sure my father really gives me the imperial duties, and wait until the day comes. After that, I will truly become the next emperor. Ronan smiled with his hands clenched tightly. He was really looking forward to the process, for which he had been waiting for so long.

"I've already managed to get rid of one of my biggest obstacles. Next, I only need to remove one more barrier, and the imperial throne will be completely empty. At that time, I will come and occupy it." There was so much ambition rising within him. Ronan really wanted to get the title of the next emperor, and make the government within his grasp.

"But I can't calm down yet. After all, Quinn could still be my obstacle. She'll definitely be more cautious this time. Especially since what Alexa did to her really broke her. I should prepare myself for any unexpected attacks from her. After all, Quinn isn't the kind of person who would just stay quiet after what happened to her. She will definitely have a plan for revenge," Ronan muttered softly. Of course, what he had done so far was already very pleasing to him. But his actions were just a small plan that wouldn't even be able to actually make the throne completely empty.

However, the obstacle he had to face was not only Nash, and the people who would oppose his ascension to the throne, but also Quinn, who was the main heir of the empress' bloodline. She would be the biggest obstacle that could thwart his plans to ascend the throne.

*

Creak!

The door to his room opened slowly. Quinn stepped in almost simultaneously with Ronan. In his room, Nash was already sitting on the sofa, with Danial standing beside him. The man who was his aide was always faithfully accompanying him. Nash had been waiting for their arrival since earlier because there was something important that he had to tell his two children. An important matter that he could no longer delay.

"Father called both of us?" Ronan asks as they arrive. Nash nods while looking at Ronan and Quinn, who have just arrived.

"Sit down. There's something I want to discuss with both of you." Quinn and Ronan then approach the vacant sofas. They are positioned directly across from Nash's occupied sofa.

"And, Danial, step out. I want to discuss this with my two children."

"Very well, Your Majesty." Danial bows before stepping out of Nash's chamber, leaving the three of them to talk privately. Danial has no intention of eavesdropping on their conversation. He ensures to close the door tightly, preventing anyone from overhearing their discussion.

"I don't want any pleasantries. Let's get straight to the point," Nash says once they are alone in the room. His expression is serious, and both Quinn and Ronan can sense that what Nash is about to convey is indeed very significant. The fact that he even asked his aide to wait outside emphasizes the gravity of the matter.

"I called you both here because there's something I need to tell you regarding the empire. Due to my current condition, I find myself unable to handle the governance. I've been contemplating this throughout yesterday, and I've decided to follow the advice given by Quinn and Dr. Otto. I've decided to take a break, starting now. Therefore, I want to entrust all my duties to Ronan for the time being."

Nash shifts his attention to Ronan, looking at him with full trust. Ronan can only smile upon hearing his father's words. It's something that brings him immense happiness. He didn't expect that what he desired would unfold so smoothly.

Ronan thinks that after Nash entrusts all the responsibilities to him, it signifies that he is one step closer to the imperial throne.

"WHAT?" Quinn widens her eyes upon hearing Nash's statement. She truly couldn't believe what her father just said. Unconsciously, she even shouts in shock. "You want to hand over your duties to be handled by Ronan?" Quinn repeats, trying to make sure she didn't mishear.

"Yes." Nash nods confidently, leaving Quinn once again silent and speechless. It feels hard to believe. What she feared has truly come to pass. "Ronan, are you willing?" Nash asks.

"Of course, Father. If you ask for it, I'm willing to handle all your duties and take care of the imperial tasks." Ronan makes a strong effort to remain calm, even though in his heart, he feels an overwhelming sense of joy, almost wanting to shout.

At the same time, he also wants to appear composed in front of Quinn, who is angry and unwilling to accept Nash's decision. The woman clearly can't hide her frustration. She even dares to give Ronan a sharp look, as if saying that she truly disagrees and does not accept the emperor's decision.

"And for you, Quinn, I called you here because I want you to work together with Ronan. You must support each other so that the tasks you handle can be managed effectively." Nash shifts his focus back to Quinn, who has been silent with a disagreeable expression. "That's all I wanted to convey. You may go back, and I hope you can work together harmoniously."

*

"This is serious! This cannot be allowed. What I feared has truly happened." Quinn is extremely anxious. Her heart is pounding after meeting Nash in his chamber. After the conversation with Nash, Quinn immediately goes to her room, hoping to find a way to calm down. The woman now paces restlessly, her continuous movement making Marinka dizzy from watching her.

"What should I do now? Father has made his decision, and Ronan has been appointed to handle his duties temporarily. That means Ronan is one step closer to the throne. Doesn't that mean I have to be more cautious?" Quinn's monologues.

"My lady, you must stay calm. Hasn't His Majesty the Emperor only handed over his duties temporarily? Hasn't he also not determined the next successor yet?" Marinka tries to reassure Quinn. She knows well that Quinn strongly dislikes all of this happening. But if Quinn panics like this, Marinka believes the woman won't be able to find a solution to her problem.

"Even if it's only temporary, but if I let my guard down even for a moment, everything I fear could happen. Therefore, I can't afford to be complacent at all. I have to remain vigilant. Especially now that Father is not in good health, and Ronan is truly close to achieving his goal. If I let my guard down even a bit, the consequences for the empire could be fatal."

Quinn looks at Marinka with a frustrated expression. Numerous fears surround her, and various negative thoughts immediately occupy her mind.

Thud!

Quinn hits her vanity table quite hard, causing the items on it to vibrate. "I have to do something to protect the imperial throne and keep it away from Ronan. It's the only way for me to feel more at ease."

Marinka remains silent and wordless. She gazes closely at the woman with the corn-red hair. I truly feel sorry for the young lady. If not for her promise to the first prince, she would never have been so ambitious. If not for her promise, she surely wouldn't feel pressured and live in constant fear like this.

***