Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 35

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 35
Rumors about the Princess from Lebovni had already spread from mouth to mouth throughout the capital’s nobility—impossible for any aristocrat not to know.
And for good reason. For years, the Emperor had been surrounded by only one woman: Soleia Elad. Then, suddenly, he abducted a foreign princess. Weeks ago, no less. That alone would have been shocking enough, but…
Yet the Princess never showed her face within the Imperial Palace. When nobles who sought an audience asked oblique questions, the Emperor remained silent, so naturally the whispers grew louder and louder.
Most critically, the Emperor had forbidden Soleia Elad from entering the Imperial Palace. The moment this fact became known, the rumors exploded.
The rumors split into two camps. The first claimed the Emperor was truly showing Lebovni his power by locking the Princess away in an underground dungeon.
But judging by Auredhian Belgot’s temperament and the testimonies of those who claimed to have glimpsed the Princess in the Imperial Palace, that rumor lacked credibility.
Then came the second theory: the Emperor had brought back a bride he truly fancied from Lebovni.
Hejario spoke with firm conviction.
“I absolutely support it. I don’t know what the Princess of Lebovni is like, but anything is better than that serpent of a woman…”
“I share the sentiment, actually. I’ve held my tongue because His Majesty hasn’t said anything, but…”
Clarisse trailed off carefully.
Soleia Elad—the legitimate daughter of the Elad Marquis Family and the second-most powerful figure in the Magic Tower. Nearly everyone knew she actively courted the Emperor. Yet few among the noble women believed Soleia Elad and Auredhian Belgot would actually proceed to marriage.
Soleia Elad was famous throughout high society as a nine-tailed fox of a woman. Beautiful, powerful, cunning—a sorceress with a talent for enchanting anyone she desired, regardless of gender, and manipulating them to her whims.
Before she set her sights on the Emperor, Soleia Elad had reigned as the flower of high society, notorious for spreading countless romantic rumors and scandals.
Clarisse Aiven murmured softly.
“Lately, her mood seems rather sour.”
“That woman must be seething. She worked so hard to eliminate every woman near His Majesty, and now an unexpected rival has appeared.”
Hejario snorted derisively. She had lost her fiancé to Soleia five years ago.
“If she weren’t destined to become the next Master of the Magic Tower, His Majesty wouldn’t be so lenient with her.”
“Hejario, mind your words. There are many ears listening.”
Clarisse gently cut her off.
Soleia Elad was a woman who could enchant even other women without them realizing it. I couldn’t fathom what method she used to draw people in, but in a place like this, caution was wise.
“But in any case…”
All eyes followed the departing silhouette of the Princess as she walked away with the Vice-Abbot.
Seeing her hood pulled low and the drawstring tied firmly, there was only one impression to be had.
“How utterly adorable.”
With a princess so innocent and cute, it made perfect sense why the Emperor would keep her confined within the Imperial Palace. Clarisse’s face broke into a radiant smile.
“Could spring finally be coming to the quiet Imperial Palace?”
What a welcome thought. Many in Believers’ Square likely shared this sentiment—though of course, the principals themselves had no inkling of such rumors.
* * *
Diego led me to a room on the upper floor of the Temple.
“I intended to show you to the Believers’ Room, but there are more people than expected. If you don’t mind, please come in. It’s a study I use.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Even as we climbed the stairs, I felt the persistent weight of countless stares. I quickly bowed and slipped into the room.
It was a neat, modest space. A window, a desk, bookshelves on either side, and a tea table with a small sofa in the center—the room was perfectly appointed.
“Please, sit. Shall I prepare some tea?”
“I’d be grateful.”
I untied the drawstring of my hood as I settled onto the sofa, and finding the cord loose, I shrugged off the robe as well. The white dress beneath cascaded across the sofa with a soft rustle.
“It seems you’ve come from somewhere.”
“Yes. His Majesty and I came out for a brief tour of the Capital, but something unexpected happened….”
“His Majesty accompanied you in person?”
Diego Schmart paused mid-reach into the cabinet for tea leaves, his expression betraying mild surprise. I laughed awkwardly.
“Well, things just unfolded that way.”
“I see.”
The soft sound of Diego Schmart pouring tea reached my ears.
I let every muscle in my body go slack as I sank into the sofa. Only when I finally had somewhere comfortable to rest did the tension drain from me with a quiet exhale.
The cup clinked softly as Diego Schmart set it on the table and continued speaking.
“When His Majesty contacted me directly, I thought something grave had occurred. I’m relieved you’re both unharmed.”
“Actually, nothing happened at all. His Majesty must have had something on his mind.”
“I see.”
The robe I’d carelessly tossed beside me was being folded with meticulous care by Diego Schmart’s hands. Truly a considerate priest! I quickly reached for the teacup.
As I took a sip of the steaming tea, a delicate mint fragrance bloomed across my palate. Ah, exquisite.
Diego Schmart settled into the seat across from me with his cup, smiling warmly.
“His Majesty seems to hold the Princess in very high regard.”
“Pfft.”
He’d lobbed that remark like a grenade while smiling. I nearly spilled the scalding tea all over my dress.
Fortunately, I didn’t overturn the cup, but I choked badly instead. I coughed violently, fumbling for words.
“W-what are you talking about?”
“Well, it’s not so much that anyone said anything in particular. I’ve simply observed things with my own eyes. And I’ve heard certain rumors.”
“Rumors?”
“Yes…. Idle gossip circulating about, you might say.”
Diego Schmart answered evasively. But I wasn’t about to let that slide. I quickly set down my cup and leaned forward intently.
“Is it possible my name is circulating in high society, or something like that?”
“As for high society, I’m not particularly well-informed….”
“If it’s reached Diego Schmart’s ears, then the rumors must be spreading quite widely, don’t you think? Father, don’t try to deflect with vague answers.”
I fixed him with sharp, eager eyes. You’re going to tell me everything you know!
Diego Schmart laughed awkwardly.
“I don’t know all the details, but I do hear fragments from the nobles who come to pray. The rumors about the Princess…seem to involve His Majesty in some way.”
“In a good way or a bad way?”
“That’s something I’m not in a position to judge….”
Oh, come now. I waved my hand dismissively.
“If it’s ‘those two have something going on!’ that’s good. If it’s ‘some strange woman appeared in the Imperial Palace,’ that’s bad. Which is it?”
It wasn’t exactly an appropriate question to pose to a holy priest. But I, Yerenika, wielded my face as a weapon and shamelessness as my shield—I’d been bold even before the Emperor himself! Why should a priest be any different?
Diego Schmart answered reluctantly….
“It leans more toward the former.”
“That’s all I needed to hear. Hehe.”
Before I knew it, my face had broken into a radiant smile. I had no idea who’d started these rumors or what they’d seen, but if I ever met them, I’d give them the biggest kiss of gratitude. This was clearly the world lending me a hand.
I smiled slyly and opened my mouth again.
“So then, Diego Schmart. Do you think I have a chance?”
“Pardon? What possibility are you referring to…?”
Doubt flickered in those gentle golden eyes.
For a moment, I wondered what on earth I was doing dragging this innocent, kindhearted priest into this. Of course, I only thought it—my mouth was already running away with itself.
“The possibility that His Majesty and I might get along well.”
“I beg your pardon?”
The truth was, I was hoping to thoroughly seduce the Emperor of this realm.
I quickly sanitized that thought and converted it into something I could actually say aloud.
“Well, you see, my condition being what it is… I thought it would be better if I could stay close to His Majesty.”
It wasn’t what I intended, but somehow my tone came out pitiful. Diego looked somewhat flustered by my expression and voice.
“Please don’t worry yourself, Princess. If there’s truly no other way, perhaps entering the Temple itself might be an option…?”
“I’m not a priest. I don’t possess even a speck of innate sanctity. I’ve only ever been on the receiving end. A commoner can’t simply exploit the sacred Temple for personal reasons either, can they? Isn’t that right?”
If that were possible, Auredhian would have taken me to the Temple instead of the Imperial Palace long ago.
When I spoke in that dejected voice, the innocent Diego truly looked alarmed now.
“That may be true, but… Princess, if you’re truly struggling, perhaps you might speak to His Majesty about it…?”
“No. Actually, I… I enjoy being by His Majesty’s side.”
Despite the dejected tone of my voice, my lips were already twitching. I barely suppressed my sinister smile and continued.
“So, Diego… would you be willing to help me? To make His Majesty view me favorably?”
“Yes?”
“You know better than anyone how desperately important this is to me. It’s literally a matter of life and death…”
Of course, it wasn’t just my life on the line—Auredhian’s was too.
But I didn’t bother mentioning that fact. When I looked at Diego with pleading eyes, he shifted his gaze back and forth, his face full of bewilderment.
But Diego was, after all, a priest with an honest and steadfast nature. He couldn’t refuse when the unfortunate reached out asking for help.
“…It doesn’t seem like I need to help much, but I’ll do my best, Princess.”
Yes! I suppressed the urge to cry out loudly and smiled broadly instead.
I’d successfully recruited the Vice-Archbishop of Barishard! Though it felt oddly like I’d somehow manipulated this innocent priest, that was probably just my imagination.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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