The Scum Emperor's Redemption System - Chapter 139

Chapter 139: Rumors (1)
The grand halls of the Morrigan estate were cloaked in an oppressive silence as Esmeralda paced into her father’s study. The room was suffused with the scent of aged leather and cigars, the walls lined with books that Gander Morrigan rarely read.

He stood by the window, his silhouette imposing against the evening light.

“Esmeralda,” Gander said without turning, his voice sharp. “Have you heard the rumors?”

She crossed her arms, already bracing for his tirade. “Yes, Father. I’ve heard.”

His face twisted as he spun around, his voice rising. “That woman is insatiable! Taking servants under her wing, taking them as her lovers, and the fact that she took fourteen wives—she’s becoming uncontrollable! The Sceptre Council is losing its grip on her!”

Esmeralda smirked, leaning lazily against a chair. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Father. I have control over her.”

Gander’s scowl deepened. “Control? Is that why she’s making decisions without your knowledge? Why you’re constantly chasing after her whims?”

The woman’s smirk faltered, but before she could respond, he sighed and rubbed his temples, his voice dropping to a cold, calm tone that sent shivers down her spine. “It’s okay, Esmeralda. I tried to kill the baby inside her, but it was unsuccessful.”

The air froze. Esmeralda’s eyes widened, and she stumbled back a step. “You… what?”

Gander waved dismissively. “I had no choice. That child is a threat. Everyone knows Argider has been bedding more than just you. Who’s to say it’s even yours?”

“But what if it is?” Esmeralda snapped, her voice shaking with fury.

“Then the Council will make sure it is YOU.” His emphasis was chilling. “You’ll claim the child, and through you, the Valtirium bloodline will finally solidify our hold. The Sceptre Council will have absolute power.”

“Why are you so obsessed with placing me beside her? I’m not your pawn!”

Gander’s hand lashed out before she could react, the slap stinging her cheek. “You are my daughter! You exist to secure this family’s legacy!”

Esmeralda stumbled back, her cheek red and her heart pounding. Then, like a puzzle piece falling into place, clarity struck her. She straightened, her lips curling into a bitter smile. “I see it now. You’re not protecting me—you’re using me. Using me and the Valtirium name to control Argider. To control everything.”

Before Gander could retort, Esmeralda turned and stormed out, her thoughts a whirlwind of betrayal and fury.

Back at the palace, Argider slumped in her chair, a hand pressed to her aching stomach.

Pregnancy symptoms were one thing, but the sheer exhaustion of her duties compounded by the demands of her wives had left her feeling utterly drained. Maeve hovered nearby, her face etched with worry.

“Your Majesty, you need to rest,” Maeve said softly, setting down a cup of herbal tea.

“Rest? Maeve, do you know what my ‘rest’ looks like? Attending a different wife every evening and pretending I’m not ready to collapse. And now this—” She gestured vaguely at her stomach. “—little rascal is making me nauseous every other minute.”

“Should I scold the little rascal for troubling you, Your Majesty?”

Argider snorted, her laughter easing some of the tension. “Go ahead, Maeve. Maybe they’ll listen to you more than they listen to me.”

Maeve crouched beside her, pretending to lecture Argider’s stomach. “Listen here, young one. Your mother is very busy being the most powerful woman in the empire, so stop giving her trouble!”

Argider couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I’m serious!” Maeve said, feigning indignation. “Do you know how hard it is to keep you upright some days? Honestly, Your Majesty, you’re a handful.”

That elicited an eye roll from the emperor, but they smiled anyway. “You’re too good to me, Maeve.”

After ensuring Argider was comfortable, Maeve excused herself and headed toward the maids’ quarters.

The halls were quiet, the afternoon light streaming through the tall windows. She hummed softly to herself, feeling lighter after the brief moment of levity with the Emperor.

But her light mood was short-lived. Just as she rounded a corner, three maids stepped into her path. They didn’t even try to hide their hostility, their eyes narrowing as they closed in.

“Oh, look who it is,” one of them sneered. “The Emperor’s new favorite.”

Maeve froze, her heart pounding. “Excuse me,” she said quietly, trying to step around them.

But one of the maids deliberately bumped into her shoulder, sending her stumbling. “Oops,” the maid said with a mock gasp. “So clumsy. No wonder you caught Her Majesty’s eye.”

The other two laughed, and Maeve found herself laughing nervously too, though her hands trembled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, come on,” another maid said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Everyone knows you’re a homewrecker. Lady Esmeralda must be fuming.”

Maeve’s face turned red. “That’s not true! I would never—”

Although, before she could finish, the third maid leaned in, smirking. “You think you’re special, don’t you? Just because you make her laugh?”

“I don’t think I’m special,” she said softly. “But I do think you’re being very unkind.”

The maids exchanged surprised glances, momentarily thrown off by Maeve’s unexpected boldness.

As Maeve picked herself up, brushing off her skirts, she sighed. “A homewrecker, huh? Guess I’m moving up in the world.” She muttered the words to herself, trying to mask her hurt with humor.

The tense atmosphere in the maids’ corridor was shattered by the sudden, ominous sound of Agnes’s boots echoing on the polished marble floor. The other maids instinctively stiffened, their heads snapping to attention. Agnes, Argider’s sharp-tongued lady-in-waiting, was a terrifying figure to most of the palace staff, known for her wit as much as her no-nonsense demeanor.

The three maids who had ganged up on Maeve glanced at each other nervously. Their confidence from moments ago was rapidly dissipating.

“Good afternoon,” Agnes said coolly, her sharp eyes scanning the gathered maids. “Why is there a cluster of staff here instead of work being done? Are we hosting a tea party, perhaps?”

The three troublemakers immediately pointed at Maeve, who stood awkwardly to the side, still brushing off her skirt.

“It’s her, Lady Agnes!” one of them blurted out, her voice shrill. “She’s been—uh—causing disturbances. A real troublemaker, that one.”

“Troublemaker, is it?” Agnes arched an eyebrow and turned her gaze to Maeve, who tried her best not to wilt under the scrutiny. “And how, pray tell, has she caused this so-called disturbance?”

“She’s seducing the Emperor!” another maid chimed in, her voice almost triumphant. “Everyone knows she’s a—a succubus! Just look at her!”

Maeve’s face turned beet red, and she opened her mouth to protest, but Agnes raised a hand to silence her.

“A succubus, you say?” Agnes’s lips curled into a dangerous smile. “How fascinating. I suppose you have evidence of her supernatural powers? Did she enchant you into this fine display of idiocy?”

The third maid stammered, “W-well, no, but—”

“But you thought accusing her of being a mythical creature was the best defense for your behavior?” Agnes interrupted, her tone as sharp as a blade. “How original. Perhaps next you’ll tell me she’s a dragon in disguise.”

The maids exchanged panicked glances, realizing too late that they’d chosen the wrong target.

“She’s been cozying up to Her Majesty! It’s improper!” one maid said, doubling down despite the clear warning signs in Agnes’s gaze.

Agnes clapped her hands mockingly. “Oh, well done! Cozying up to Her Majesty—how scandalous. I suppose we should all maintain an icy, unapproachable demeanor when serving the Emperor. How lucky we are to have your brilliant insight.”

The gathered maids, who had been watching in silence, snickered at the biting sarcasm, emboldened by Agnes’s verbal takedown.

“You don’t understand!” one maid snapped, her temper flaring. “She’s just a nobody! A clumsy, lowborn—”

Agnes stepped forward, her presence suddenly intimidating. “Finish that sentence. I dare you.”

The maid faltered, but in her desperation to save face, she shoved Maeve. The clumsy maid stumbled, catching herself on the wall.

“Oh, so we’re resorting to physical assault now?” Agnes said, her tone deadly calm. “What’s next, a duel? Shall I fetch swords for you three?”

The insulted maid turned red and lunged forward, but Agnes sidestepped with ease. A scuffle broke out, and while Agnes was more than capable of holding her own, one maid swung her hand back in a wild attempt to strike her.

Before the slap could connect, a firm hand caught the maid’s wrist.

The entire corridor fell silent.

Standing behind the maid was none other than Fialova Aurelius, the Empress’s fifth wife. Her striking presence was impossible to miss: short-cropped silver hair, sharp violet eyes, and an aura of authority that made even seasoned knights tremble.

“Is there a problem here?” Fialova’s voice was calm, but the weight of her words carried an unspoken threat.

The maids immediately panicked, stumbling over their apologies. “N-no, Lady Fialova! We were just—um—”

“Just what?” Fialova tilted her head, her grip still firm on the maid’s wrist. “Starting fights in the palace corridors? Insulting Her Majesty’s chosen servants?”

Agnes crossed her arms, watching with a smirk as the once-confident maids quaked in their shoes.

“I suggest you apologize to Lady Maeve,” Fialova said, her tone like steel. “Now.”

The maids scrambled to comply, bowing deeply to Maeve, who looked both stunned and uncomfortable.

Fialova released the maid’s wrist and turned to Agnes with a knowing smile. “Handling palace drama again, I see?”

Agnes shrugged. “You know me, Lady Fialova. Someone has to.”