I Seducing the Black-Hearted Duke Wasn't Me - Chapter 46

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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 46
I watched the Grand High Priest, utterly dazed, being escorted away by the Knights Order when the Young High Priest approached Leon.
“I am a man of principle and law. I wish to make clear beforehand that I harbor no particular ill will toward Your Highness.”
……
“However, to violate the sacred Temple Doctrine and fall prey to private sentiment—and worse, to abandon the faith and honor that a High Priest must uphold out of corrupt intent—this I cannot overlook as the Temple’s representative.”
“I see.”
“Therefore, Leon Obsidian, High Priest. In the name of God’s representative, I hereby declare your dismissal effective immediately. Do you have any objection?”
At the Young High Priest’s measured words, Leon’s eyebrow twitched slightly.
He seemed to be enjoying himself, thinking, ‘Impressive, isn’t it?’
Even as he was being declared dishonorably dismissed.
“None. I accept the judgment gladly.”
With that, Leon bowed deeply at the waist.
So formally and gravely that a stranger might have mistaken him for someone genuinely penitent.
He lifted his head and turned to face me, his expression suddenly downcast.
“Erna. What am I going to do?”
……
“I really did just get fired.”
What was he talking about? He’d walked out on his own terms.
“Now you’ll have to support me for the rest of your life.”
I’d never seen Leon’s face look so utterly unburdened.
* * *
[BREAKING NEWS] Grand High Priest Servando Apprehended on the Spot. ‘The Temple Moves by My Will’—Shocking Statement! Embezzlement Discovered!
Good. So good.
The newspapers were reporting every charge against Grand High Priest Servando in detail.
Everyone was either shocked or disappointed to learn the truth about the Temple’s conduct—or both.
[URGENT] Swift Replacement for High Priest Post After Temple’s Loss of Public Trust. ‘Young High Priest Dominiel’ Elected! Youngest Grand High Priest in History!
The masses wondered whether this newly appointed young Grand High Priest could restore the Temple’s honor after his predecessor had left everything in such shambles.
Though concerned, they seemed cautiously hopeful.
“Well then, we’ve sent the corruption-riddled Grand High Priest to prison, and the new Grand High Priest has been appointed without incident.”
But this wasn’t the end. The real main event was still to come.
[The Worst of Gossip Publications, Evening Belle, Issues Official Apology! Public Apology Letter from Notorious Journalist Reka Valeksi!]
[……Furthermore, the Donation Certificate from Marquis Zaherette that was previously released has been confirmed to have been donated after the engagement announcement. Investigation revealed that the donor was not the Marquis himself, but rather the Grand Duke, who made the donation under his fiancée’s name…….]
[In response, Grand Duke Bernstein stated: ‘This is my gratitude, apology, and reflection for the Temple’s long-standing kindness.’]
Huff.
That had been irritating all along. Good riddance.
Why did they have to keep making such baseless trouble for people?
I smirked with satisfaction and pushed aside the gossip publication and newspaper.
All things considered, the operation had been quite fruitful, I thought proudly.
“By the way, Marquis. Where did the Grand Duke go? It seemed like he left quite urgently this morning.”
“The Emperor summoned him. He’s still at the Imperial Palace. It’s probably about this Temple situation.”
The decision regarding Grand High Priest Servando’s punishment had only been made yesterday.
Starting early this morning, an aide had rushed to find Leon and pressed him to enter the palace immediately. He’d complained about it the whole way.
He didn’t want to go. Couldn’t she come with him?
Remembering him sulking uselessly like that, I let out a laugh.
Then I stopped myself and quickly wiped the smile from my lips.
Ah, if I kept letting this happen, it would become a real problem.
But there was nothing I could do—the smile kept slipping through anyway.
* * *
“Take it.”
Orden Imperial Palace.
Inside Emperor Kaiel’s study.
Leon, standing before a massive desk adorned with imposing gilt decoration, furrowed his brow.
His gaze fell upon the glittering golden ornament resting on the dark oak surface.
A lion and an eagle. Surrounded by a sweeping pattern of branching vines.
An elite unit protecting the imperial house of Orden.
At the same time, the sole position capable of commanding even the imperial military by the Emperor’s order.
The Insignia bestowed upon the Commander of the Imperial Knights.
So that was why he’d been summoned at the crack of dawn.
Leon let out a low, contemplative hum and averted his gaze.
“You’ll need to come back. Otherwise, why would I have left the position of Imperial Chief Knights Commander vacant all this time?”
“…….”
“I’m telling you now, don’t even think of refusing, Leon. I’ve never doubted for a moment that you’ll stand beside me.”
So stop wandering and come back to your place, Kaiel said in a voice grown suddenly serious.
Leon, who had stood silent until then, finally spoke.
“Your Majesty…….”
“Call me brother.”
“…….”
“I don’t much like the distance you’re putting between us, even with me.”
“…….”
“I’ve said it many times—you’re the one precious younger brother I have in this world. Don’t build walls even against family like this.”
He spoke of his disappointment, his hurt feelings.
Kaiel threw a childish tantrum, his dry eyes—not a single tear falling—gazing up at his brother.
“Doesn’t Your Majesty find me suspicious?”
“Suspicious of what.”
“It happens all the time, doesn’t it? Brothers fighting over position.”
And yet here you are, giving me—someone positioned where such a thing is more than possible—the power to command the imperial armies.
“Why are you so twisted up about this? What did someone tell you?”
What kind of idiot had filled his brother’s head with nonsense? At the question, Leon’s brow twitched.
That idiot—the one who sat before him now—held a higher priority than his only blood relative.
“Well, to be honest, yes. But don’t worry. Because you don’t really like this position. You’re not interested in it.”
Besides, you hate it because it’s too much trouble, isn’t that right? Kaiel asked, his clear blue eyes fixed on Leon without a shred of doubt.
That was the truth.
An answer so obvious that even the Emperor himself knew it.
“……But then why does our fiancée keep fretting over such pointless concerns?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Just thinking aloud.”
“Anyway, will you do it? Please, you have to. With you beside me, I’ll feel more reassured than ever.”
So please! Kaiel clasped his hands together in earnest entreaty.
After a long moment of deliberation, Leon finally exhaled a deep sigh and picked up the Insignia.
“I’m getting married soon. It would look odd if my husband were unemployed.”
“What’s wrong with being unemployed? You have plenty of money anyway.”
Kaiel asked as if he found the notion absurd.
Unemployed in name, but most nobles without profession or business survived well enough on the income their houses generated.
Leon himself could live comfortably on the title of Grand Duke and the lands he’d received upon leaving the Imperial Palace.
“My future wife is a diligent and virtuous woman, so I doubt she’d approve of someone sitting idle at home.”
“Is that so? Either way, it works out. You’ve made an excellent match. Be sure to pass along my thanks to her.”
Kaiel even clapped his hands as he spoke.
“Of course I’m grateful to you as well. Especially the Temple—my involvement has its limits, but this affair allowed me to cut away the troublesome parts.”
“The new Grand High Priest seems to have a very sharp temperament.”
“That’s all the better. He lacks flexibility, but he doesn’t harbor ulterior motives either.”
Kaiel laughed, pointing to the case of Servando as an example.
“It’s fortunate that Your Majesty approves, but I did nothing. Erna did it all. I was ready to burn the whole thing down.”
“Is that so? Then I owe the Duchess even greater thanks. For holding onto this scatterbrained fool and keeping him from running amok!”
Kaiel cried out, pouring force into his voice.
“Never mind a ministerial position—I’ll hold your engagement celebration in the grandest, most magnificent style!”
“No, that’s unnecessary…….”
“Leon. Think carefully now. You know what they say—until you step into the hall, it’s not decided. I’ll get you in there and announce to everyone that you’re mine, and that’s that. Until then, you’re a free man.”
“……Then perhaps you should put some effort into preparing it.”
At Leon’s immediate withdrawal with no hesitation whatsoever, Kaiel bit the inside of his cheek.
He was afraid he might burst out laughing otherwise.
“Perfect. In fact, Isabel is on her way back to Jedo now, so asking her to oversee the engagement celebration would be ideal.”
“Wait.”
At the abruptly mentioned name, Leon’s reaction was immediate and sharp.
“Why is she being brought up here?”
“Why? She heard about your engagement and said she’d go mad from curiosity. Left right away, they say.”
“…….”
“Surely you’re not uncomfortable? Why that look? You two got along so well when you were children. What’s so great about childhood friends, hm?”
Don’t be that way, Kaiel said, a hint of hurt crossing his features.
“While we’re at it, I should introduce her to the Duchess too. Once you’re engaged—or married—you’ll be seeing each other more often.”
So then, yes?
The Emperor spoke gently, coaxing him, yet Leon’s brow showed no sign of easing.
If anything, it only deepened with unease, furrowing more starkly.

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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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