Grand Duke, Please Stop Obsessing Over Your Wife! - Chapter 89

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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89.

“What do you think the Prime Minister should do?”

“This might sound crazy, but please listen to what the Prime Minister has to say first. It makes quite a bit of sense.”

The Captain of the Knights added his words.

Just how crazy could it be?

“I believe the former Duchess’s biological father was offered as a sacrifice to the Temple.”

It really was crazy talk. Annelize’s lips tightened.

She never imagined her father’s story would come up.

“Annelize. Are you alright?”

The Duke wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Annelize grasped his firm hand. The tension seemed to ease a little.

“I’m fine. Please continue, Prime Minister.”

“I also heard about the fire of unknown cause that occurred in Solarichen Estate seven years ago. What if similar fires have been happening throughout the Empire for the past twenty years, with similar deaths? What if incidents involving fires that burn without leaving a trace and bodies that disappear without even bone fragments have occurred in multiple places?”

The Prime Minister’s words traced back from the recent incident five months ago to the fire twenty-three years ago.

“The barren land, the withering crops of the Temple. All of this means the Temple is losing its power. No, at least since twenty-three years ago, the god has not been answering them. I believe the priests are secretly kidnapping people to remedy this situation. It’s not strange either. Though it’s a secret the Temple keeps quiet, the Temple of the Sun God committed human sacrifices in the past.”

“That makes sense.”

The Duke, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“When I was at Solarichen Estate, I investigated the warehouse where the fire occurred. While searching for the caster of the flame curse, the Temple came up. If they kidnapped humans to be sacrifices, then used flame curses to burn everything for evidence destruction, whether witnesses or whatever, that would make sense. Yes. They’re probably offering humans as sacrifices.”

She had already heard from the Duke that one of the priests was the curse caster. But she didn’t know the purpose would be this serious.

“For what purpose?”

“Well. Probably Ainan’s second coming. If it’s actually carried out, it’ll become quite troublesome. Just like a thousand years ago.”

A thousand years ago. When the continent was split in half and suffered from endless summer and endless winter.

The Prime Minister made a troubled face.

“If that’s the case… we must stop it at all costs. We don’t have a savior like Lord Anelarion did a thousand years ago to save us.”

The people in the room quietly exchanged glances.

Annelize stepped forward first.

“Since there’s no savior, we must save ourselves. Did you also find out where the people kidnapped as sacrifices are taken?”

“It was difficult because it’s such a closed-off place, but unfortunately or fortunately, we caught a lead thanks to the fact that the Duke and Kukseo are blood brothers. Perhaps because Kukseo has been distracted by other things lately, he didn’t thoroughly destroy the evidence.”

The Captain of the Knights, who witnessed that evidence firsthand, explained as follows:

‘A few days ago, two mercenaries secretly entered the Grand Temple, came out carrying human-sized sacks, and moved them to the Valiem Marquis Mansion.’

“I thought Kukseo would naturally dispose of the mercenaries, but for some reason he imprisoned them. However, since Kukseo’s side is managing them intensively, it’s difficult to interrogate them. We need to wait for an opportunity to disturb his concentration.”

‘An opportunity to disturb Kukseo’s mind.’

Annelize stepped forward.

“Actually, I heard that an anonymous accusation against Kukseo is scheduled to be submitted during tonight’s audience with Her Majesty’s chambers.”

That Ramiere Valiem had fathered an illegitimate child before marrying the Emperor.

And that he killed that illegitimate child and lied in his marriage vows.

‘Everything will be exposed tonight.’

Isaiah had already secured witnesses.

‘Even if Kukseo denies it, it’ll be over once we make him drink the truth potion used when interrogating prisoners.’

“The accusation is so damaging that Her Majesty will place Kukseo under house arrest as soon as she learns of it.”

The Prime Minister looked surprised at how perfectly everything aligned.

He answered with admiration.

“It was truly fortunate to meet Your Grace the Duchess today. This is incredibly reassuring.”

Though it was a sudden meeting, since each had been preparing for a long time, agreement was reached quickly.

“Then once Kukseo’s hands and feet are tied, let’s secure the mercenaries. We’ll discuss the interrogation results when we meet again later.”

“Take your time. Isn’t the Prime Minister also attending tomorrow’s Founding Conference? You’ll be incredibly busy soon.”

The Duke, who had been leaning against her shoulder throughout the conversation, straightened up.

“Are we done talking now?”

He quickly embraced Annelize and stood up from his seat.

The warm gazes of the Prime Minister and Captain of the Knights followed them.

“You’re receiving an abundance of love, Your Grace the Duchess.”

“Those are good times. I had such times too.”

Annelize smiled awkwardly and rested her head against the Duke’s neck.

Before returning to the ballroom, the two decided to take a brief walk.

They needed time to process the Prime Minister’s story. She didn’t have confidence to properly manage her expression in front of people.

Annelize crouched down under the tall tree in the corner of the garden.

The Duke also folded his large body and settled beside her.

‘Father might have been offered as a sacrifice to the Temple…’

But Father wouldn’t have had any particular divine power. He never showed any signs of it.

‘Or did he? How did I get to the warehouse that time? Father definitely said he had hidden a gift in the warehouse…’

It seemed like Father had said something in the warehouse that time too.

The memories of that day wouldn’t surface no matter how hard she tried, as if someone had deliberately locked them away.

‘Why did Father specifically take me to the warehouse that day? Even deliberately separating Anna Rose…’

Annelize clutched her forehead from a sudden migraine.

“You look miserable.”

The Duke carefully cupped her cheek.

“Duke. What happens when someone is offered as a sacrifice? Could they still be alive?”

“Sacrifices devoured by Ainan are torn apart down to their souls. They can’t even reincarnate.”

She sighed.

Whether it was a fire accident or sacrifice kidnapping, the ending was the same.

“I’m glad we held the funeral in advance.”

A shadow fell across her face. The Duke carefully observed Annelize.

“Are you going to cry?”

Instead of answering, Annelize leaned her face against his hand. She felt the Duke’s gentle touch caressing her cheek.

“If you’re going to cry, tell me in advance.”

What strange words.

‘What would you do if I cried?’

The Duke’s gaze was shamelessly directed at Annelize’s lips.

Oh my?

“I won’t ask you to kiss me.”

Annelize glared at the Duke.

“You used to beg me not to cry. Said your heart felt like it was tearing apart. Suddenly telling me to let you know if I’m going to cry? Aren’t you just a complete liar?”

The Duke made excuses with a flustered expression.

“I don’t want to make you cry! It’s different. Of course you’re beautiful even when crying, but I like the feeling of your labored breathing from crying gradually calming down while touching mine.”

He concluded.

“More precisely, I think I like the fact that I’m the one who makes you stop crying.”

Really specific. Annelize shot the Duke a sideways glance.

“You seem like a pervert.”

“What’s a pervert?”

“Someone who obsesses over and dwells on useless details.”

“Hmm. I’m just focusing on you.”

The Duke corrected himself.

“Call me a researcher.”

“…”

I don’t particularly want to.

While having this trivial conversation, her headache had disappeared before she knew it.

Whether it was tears or sadness, when it came to distracting her mind, the Duke’s effectiveness was undeniable.

‘Well, I don’t actually dislike kissing either.’

Annelize poked the Duke’s cheek and asked.

With the intention of teasing him a little more since she was annoyed.

“You do this whenever you get the chance. Am I your first kiss?”

At those words, the Duke tilted his head in confusion.

“It might not be…?”

What?

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