The Yellow-Haired Villain in Soaring Phoenix's Novels Also Desires Happiness Chapter 563: Regency

“Your Highness the First Prince, have your injuries recovered?”

“Thank you for your concern, Count Bugaard. The injuries are largely no longer a problem.”

In the imperial palace, Albert—who had returned to his forr composed and placid bearing—nodded a greeting to the coincidentally encountered Count Bugaard while being supported by a maid.

Count Bugaard was the current head of House Bugaard, and the father of that genius illegitimate daughter Ariel whom even Albert had heard of. Though counts could be found by the handful in Belrand, this elder, now graying at the temples, relied on his own deft hand to occupy a high post within the Empire’s power center; thus even Albert needed to offer polite greetings.

“Your Excellency Count Bugaard, your steps are hurried. Are you on your way to......”

“There is a very important eting I must attend at once.”

A helpless, bitter smile squeezed across the count’s aged face:

“In the Empire’s special period, even an old fellow like has to work a few extra shifts.”

“I see. Your Excellency has worked hard.”

Albert nodded in comprehension, then voluntarily stepped aside:

“In that case, I won’t delay you, Count. Please.”

“Much obliged. But Your Highness is of exalted status—you need not treat an old man like so generously. With you like this, I’m overwheld by the favor.”

“This is not generosity, rely what I ought to do.”

Albert’s lips curved. “Besides, who’s to say we won’t be working together very soon.”

“Is that so?”

Count Bugaard likewise gave a aningful smile:

“Then I shall look forward to it.”

After Count Bugaard left, Albert withdrew his gaze from the man’s departing back, rubbed at the corner of his mouth, restored a sorrowful expression, and said to the maid supporting him:

“Let’s go. We should also go and pay a visit to my...... Imperial Father.”

......

......

The palace was broad and quiet. Although there were many court maids and guards, at certain special hours, one could pass quite a long while without eting anyone.

Yet outside that great door, Albert encountered an unexpected silver-white figure.

“Celicia?”

Albert halted. After only a slight flicker of surprise, he returned to his usual mild smile:

“You also ca to visit Father?”

“‘Also’?”

Celicia turned her face with an unreadable expression. “Elder Brother Albert as well?”

“Having co this far, there isn’t a second option, is there.”

Albert walked to stand beside Celicia, turned his head toward the two tall knights guarding the chamber door, let his gaze sweep over that sumptuous great door—an odd glint flashed through his eyes—and then said in a deep voice:

“I wish to et with Father. Please announce us.”

Beneath the heavy visor, a look passed over Albert and vanished in a blink.

“Wait a mont.”

All returned to calm.

With no one speaking, the atmosphere grew a touch uncanny.

“Is there sothing on , Celicia?”

At last, Albert gave two light coughs and turned his head to ask.

From the start, Celicia had fixed him with a cool gaze, making no attempt to conceal that she was sizing him up.

“No. Elder Brother Albert is very clean. It’s just......”

Celicia tilted her head slightly, looking to his side:

“It hasn’t been long since we last saw each other, and the maid at your side has already changed again.”

The maid supporting Albert had a delicate face and looked underage. Her expression was equally blank, puppet-like. She didn’t react in the slightest even when facing Celicia.

“About that...... I had no choice.”

Albert shook his head in pained fashion. “For my sake, Laweni sacrificed her life in the recent unrest. It still pains to this day. Unfortunately, the dead cannot return. Even for her sake, I must look forward.”

“Is that so?”

Celicia turned back toward the still tightly closed door, her tone utterly even:

“Elder Brother...... you are truly devoted.”

“My feelings with Laweni ran deep. Of course I value them.”

“I believe the Miss Laweni you speak of would feel happy to know your heart.”

“Thank you. But the person is already gone—what more could I ask for? I can only treat those still living better.”

“Hearing you say that does set my mind at ease quite a bit.”

“Hehe, listen to you. You and I are brother and sister by blood—what’s there to be ‘at ease’ or ‘not at ease’ about? What could I possibly do to you?”

“Yes...... brother and sister by blood.”

“......”

“......”

Another spell of silence.

Fortunately, this ti the eerie air didn’t continue to brew. With a great poleaxe lifting aside, a deep voice ca from within the massive suit of armor before them.

“By His Majesty’s order, enter.”

The two spoke in unison:

“Who?”

“Together.”

“Together?”

They traded a slightly surprised look. Albert shrugged; Celicia remained expressionless.

Still, it was nothing worth too much surprise. Though this situation had not been in their expectations, they stepped into the room nearly shoulder to shoulder.

“Father.”

Both bent at the waist, paying respectful obeisance to the elder on the couch who had grown even more withered.

“Celicia...... and Albert.”

Aldrich III opened his clouded eyes, his voice hoarse:

“Do you have business?”

“I—”

“I, of course, ca to see how Father’s health fares.”

Before Celicia could speak, Albert—who a mont ago had still needed support—strode to Aldrich III’s couch, clasped his dry, thin hand, and said gravely:

“After what happened, Father must be feeling awful as well. I’m sorry I ca late.”

“That matter...... ah, you an that fool Andrew...... cough, cough.”

Aldrich coughed with difficulty:

“Indeed. I didn’t like him, but he was still my son. When a son dies suddenly, which father would not grieve?”

“Father...... please accept my condolences.”

Albert’s face was full of pain. “It’s all my fault. If I weren’t so useless, so powerless, then perhaps Andrew wouldn’t have died.”

“Is that so...... if you weren’t so...... powerless...... cough, cough, cough, cough”

Aldrich III fell into another violent fit of coughing and only cald after quite a while. From that pale, desiccated face, anyone could see the weakness of this man who had once held the Empire’s highest reins.

“So, you’ve co just to see ?”

Aldrich III tilted his head slightly and looked toward Celicia.

Celicia had not contended with Albert for the position at the bedside. She was summoning a maid at the mont, handing over the dicinal ingredients in her hands, and instructing her on the cautions for decocting.

At his words, she replied without turning her head:

“I did indeed co only to visit Father. But Elder Brother Albert...... may not have co just for that.”

“You’re doubting my concern for Father?”

Albert’s head snapped up, his tone vexed.

“No, no, no. I would never doubt Elder Brother’s pure devotion. However, Elder Brother Albert, your identity now...... is very different from before. I believe that working so hard to co see Father isn’t only for this little matter.” Celicia spoke with layered aning.

“To be frank, the fact that Elder Brother could delay until now to co is already beyond my expectations.”

“Nonsense. Visiting Father is the foremost matter. How can you say—”

“Enough, Albert.”

Aldrich III spoke. Though his voice was hoarse, it still carried a trace of majesty:

“Say what you ca to say. You’re now my only son. Are you afraid I’ll eat you?”

“No...... Father, please believe —I absolutely have no special designs.”

Albert said earnestly:

“It’s just that the Empire is presently in troubled tis. Add to that what happened before—Andrew’s death—so the political situation is unstable. Therefore I have co to remonstrate...... that you establish again the post of Regent, to fill the vacancy left by Andrew’s forr duties!”

“I see......”

Aldrich III said calmly, “So that is why you’ve co?”

“No!”

Albert’s face shifted slightly. “Please believe , Father—I absolutely have no particular intentions. I believe Father’s body will surely recover quickly, and you will again take the Empire’s helm!”

“All right, spare that useless talk.”

Aldrich III raised his hand with effort, stopping Albert from continuing:

“I’m not blaming you. Cough, cough...... Yes, we are one family—why would I suspect you over such a small matter? You are not wrong. My health is frail now, and I cannot easily manage affairs. The Empire does indeed need soone to stand forth and preside over the overall situation.”

“As for who that person should be......”

Aldrich III let his gaze pass over Celicia, who looked as though the matter didn’t concern her, then glanced at the one before him with bowed head and respectful expression—Andrew—and the corner of his mouth suddenly curled in a strange smile:

“In the present circumstances, there’s actually no choosing the Regent’s candidate. It can only be......”

......

......

The imperial palace, Hall of Audience for the Imperial Presence. The lofty throne remained suspended and empty.

Within this colossal palace, a gorgeous vaulted ceiling displayed one exquisite mural after another. These masterpieces by fad figures from history shone even more brilliantly under magestones’ projection.

The sculptures on both sides were solemn and grand; the sword-bearing figures stood lifelike, as if they might co alive at any mont.

These sculptures were all renowned personages of the Empire—founding ministers and pioneering generals who had left heavy strokes upon history. They had once followed that first emperor and, at the end of the chaos, laid down the Empire’s vast foundation.

Under these figures’ gaze, anyone entering this hall ought to feel boundless ttle and courage, to use their wisdom and martial strength to sweep away every obstacle in the Empire’s path forward.

Yet for so reason, the ministers who once dared slap tables before the emperor and argue a matter until their faces flushed were, at this mont, all grim-faced—silent to a terrifying degree.

As if...... so extrely fearso enemy that forced ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ even them to stand on a war footing was not outside the Empire, not in the Demons’ Abyss, but...... here.

“Hey, I’m talking......”

Silence was finally broken. In the leading seat, a bear-shaped creature wrapped in a ridiculous pink skinsuit scratched its backside with practiced ease, then laced both hands together under the bear snout. A deep shadow was carved along the profile as a voice of displeasure sounded:

“With everyone so serious and not saying a word, it makes things rather hard to do for —the Empire’s new Regent.”