Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 72

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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 72
“It seems His Majesty didn’t visit today, Princess.”
These days, the one who visited the Temple as frequently as Auredhian Belgot was none other than Clarisse Aiven, the Countess. I faced her across our tea table and offered an awkward smile.
“He was here two days ago, so perhaps he’ll return tomorrow…?”
“My goodness.”
I immediately regretted answering so readily. Her clear, light brown eyes began to sparkle with excessive interest. She murmured with a flushed face.
“I heard he’s quite busy with preparations for the Three-Nation Talks, and yet…”
And yet what…? I was almost afraid to ask for clarification. I simply nibbled at the refreshments and began to avoid her gaze.
These strange meetings with Countess Aiven had begun exactly one week ago—the day after Auredhian Belgot first visited the Temple.
Countess Aiven possessed not only beautiful and refined features but also a gentle and affable temperament. Moreover, she was a devout worshipper who visited the Temple three or four times a week to pray to Raulus. With her excellent conversational skills, she had the ability to engage even strangers in effortless dialogue. After several tea times together, I had grown considerably closer to her.
The Countess set down her teacup and spoke again.
“You’ll naturally be attending the delegation’s welcome ceremony, won’t you, Princess?”
“Oh.”
This was something I hadn’t considered until now. My eyes widened. Attending the delegation’s welcome ceremony? Me?
“Do I really have to…?”
“My goodness, of course. So many people are curious about you—no, wait.”
The Countess paused mid-sentence, cutting herself off. I had a feeling I knew what she was about to say. I sighed and sipped my tea. Somehow, without knowing exactly when it had happened, I had apparently become quite the hot topic in Belgot Capital’s high society.
Well, I was probably the first woman to meet the Emperor on a continuous basis. I thought this absentmindedly, then suddenly felt my face flush with embarrassment. Heavens. The prospect of entering high society became even more terrifying. Dozens of eyes would be fixed upon me. If I stood at the center of all that tremendous attention, my body might melt away the moment I stepped inside.
However, the Countess’s next words forced me to reconsider my previous thoughts.
“I heard that a delegation is coming from Lebovni. Since foreign delegations cannot enter the Temple, wouldn’t you need to attend the welcome ceremony directly?”
“Oh!”
That’s right! My eyes widened. So I would have to attend the welcome ceremony to see my brother-in-law, Fernandis, and Sergei Lebanon. But Auredhian Belgot hadn’t mentioned anything like that…?”
I furrowed my brow slightly and tilted my head.
“I see. His Majesty didn’t mention anything about that, though…”
“Of course. Of course.”
The Countess’s face brightened considerably. She looked extremely pleased for some reason.
“Don’t feel burdened by high society. Most of the nobility are quite favorable toward you, Princess.”
“Really?”
That was at least somewhat reassuring news. The Countess smiled brightly as she spoke.
“Yes. And since His Majesty will be watching over everything from beginning to end, Elad won’t be able to cause you any harm.”
I regarded her anew—she had struck upon exactly what I’d been thinking. Over these past few days of conversation with Clarisse Aiven, I had come to realize that she possessed a rather keen side to her nature. She winked at me warmly.
“Besides, my husband and I will naturally be attending as well. If you come, I’ll be by your side.”
“I… I’m grateful, but…”
I trailed off. Her clear brown eyes sparkled with anticipation, making it difficult to refuse coldly. It was a harmless gesture of goodwill. Yet I couldn’t understand why she was extending such kindness to me.
“I… Countess Aiven.”
Eventually, I carefully opened my mouth. And the moment I began, the Countess made a small dismissive gesture.
“Please call me Clarisse, Princess.”
“C… Clarisse.”
As I awkwardly spoke her name, she laughed brightly. Actually, Clarisse had been smiling warmly throughout our entire conversation. Encouraged by her kind and gentle expression, I asked something I’d been curious about for days.
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
Clarisse Aiven’s eyes widened. I laughed awkwardly and continued.
“No, I mean, from the moment we first met, you’ve been so kind to me…. Ah, but that doesn’t mean it’s burdensome or anything!”
Clarisse Aiven was the very picture of refined and elegant nobility. Every word, gesture, and manner flowed naturally with propriety. Moreover, as a countess, she certainly held no insignificant position. There was truly no reason for a high-ranking Belgot aristocrat to treat me with such kindness.
“I’m, well. When you think about it, I’m actually a hostage…. And I’ll be returning to Lebovni soon anyway.”
“Returning?”
Clarisse Aiven’s voice rose sharply. Her surprise seemed oddly misdirected somehow? I tilted my head in confusion but nodded nonetheless.
“Yes. I’m planning to return with the Lebovni Delegation when they arrive.”
“Ah….”
Clarisse Aiven let out a sigh-like sound. Her expression was deeply regretful.
“I thought you’d stay longer. Are you really leaving so soon?”
“That’s how circumstances have worked out.”
“Did His Majesty permit this?”
“Yes. Probably…?”
Though he hadn’t said so directly, it was already nearly certain. As I nodded again, Clarisse Aiven’s face visibly darkened.
“Then there’s not much time left…. It’s such a sad thing. I had hoped we might grow closer….”
I couldn’t believe that face was capable of artifice or falsehood. Something tickled uncomfortably in my heart.
“From the moment I first saw you from afar, I wanted to grow closer to you. You’re so lovely, and you have such a different air about you compared to the young ladies of Belgot.”
I reflexively flushed at the word “lovely,” then my eyes widened at what followed. Clarisse Aiven continued with a gentle smile.
“Belgot, how should I put it… places perhaps excessive emphasis on propriety and dignity. Of course, as imperial nobility, we must maintain our bearing, but sometimes it feels a bit too rigid and suffocating, if you understand.”
“Ah….”
I thought I understood. Auredhian had often said things felt “suffocating.” Could the cause be connected to this very atmosphere of Belgot that Clarisse Aiven had just described?
Clarisse Aiven’s eyes sparkled as she continued.
“I’ve heard that Lebovni has a much freer and more open atmosphere than Belgot. I can only guess, but it seems like a country that would suit you perfectly.”
“Perhaps that’s just because the kingdom is small.”
I laughed vaguely and waved my hand dismissively. What good would observing propriety and maintaining dignity do in a kingdom the size of a fingernail? But I quickly reconsidered. Certainly, thinking back to the original story, Lebovni was indeed a free-spirited nation. After all, Brizni—the sole daughter of one of the great houses and a princess by birth—had ended up with Alexio, her escort knight.
“Still, compared to Belgot, it does seem to be that way.”
“Exactly. That’s precisely the part that draws me to you.”
Clarisse Aiven laughed warmly.
“I suspect His Majesty was captivated by that very quality as well.”
“Captivated….”
And this time, I turned completely red from my ears down. Heat surged up from the nape of my neck. Oh, hearing this from someone else is really so embarrassing…! I tried to hide my face behind my small teacup and answered carelessly.
“I think he just found it novel. I’ve done so many impolite things…. But seeing how kind he is….”
“My. His Majesty must be quite affectionate.”
Looking at her meaningfully smiling face, I silently swore to myself that if this conversation continued, my face would surely disappear within minutes. Most fortunately, Clarisse Aiven changed the subject. Her subtly smiling face grew slightly clouded.
“And truthfully, Elad has been pursuing His Majesty for quite some time. I’ve begun to think that if this continues, he might actually accept her….”
“Ah. So Elad has been more aggressive than I realized.”
“Yes. The number of young ladies who’ve suffered because of her is beyond counting.”
Clarisse Aiven trailed off. Inwardly, I clicked my tongue. As expected, that woman didn’t bother hiding her ambitions even in high society. A frightening person. I shuddered. Was she so desperate to marry Auredhian? Even if I accepted that it was his divinity she coveted, there was something that didn’t quite add up. I frowned at the thought that suddenly surfaced.
What could one gain by reaching beyond Udeta in a human body…? What would be the point of grasping a power one couldn’t even comprehend? If one crossed beyond Udeta, what would there be to do? What could a human possibly accomplish in that world of gods…?
Questions piled upon questions. Wouldn’t it be more realistic to simply capture Auredhian Belgot and overturn the entire regime that oppressed the Black Mages, or to find some way to ensure that black magic was no longer shunned? Why had he gone to such lengths to reach Udeta, even seducing his own son in the process…?

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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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