That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 224
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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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Chapter 224
When did he arrive?
Ferdinand was looking down at me with bright red eyes.
Since he said nothing, I had to find something to talk about as befitting my noble status.
“What brings you here?”
“Is there anywhere in the Grand Temple I cannot go?”
‘I suppose not.’
“Of course not. I was just surprised to see Your Highness so suddenly.”
I felt somewhat troubled. Whatever had happened between Ferdinand and me, all negative matters should be handled in private spaces.
In such a public place, for instance where countless nobles were watching, if our poor relationship was exposed, it would be too damaging to my reputation. It would also impact Baektul Salon.
But would Ferdinand understand my inner thoughts? No, even if he did, would he care?
‘How unpleasant our last meeting was…’
I was briefly considering checking Ferdinand’s affection level when it happened.
“Grand Duchess Frazier.”
It was a title that felt much more distant than when he used to call me ‘Lady Tulia.’
“Would you like to see inside the Temple of Light?”
I didn’t even have a chance to say no. The nobles who had been standing on Coriko’s side all along immediately noticed and spoke up.
“Your Highness. The Grand Duchess must be very curious about the Temple of Light too. In fact, isn’t everyone?”
“That’s right. It’s famous for being beautiful, but the people who’ve actually seen it can be counted on one hand.”
“But unlike Saint Coriko, Grand Duchess Tulia hasn’t received an invitation from the High Priests and can’t enter. We truly feel sorry for her.”
Pity on the surface. Joy underneath.
The attacks directed at me continued endlessly, but Ferdinand showed no reaction and just stared at me intently.
Right.
You said I caused you serious harm. I know that well too…
But Ferdinand!
If you keep staring at me with such cold eyes like I’m your enemy, in front of everyone, what kind of rumors will spread later?!
‘Obviously terrible rumors will spread! Then won’t my Baektul Salon be damaged too? Huh? Have you ever thought that my business’s sales would plummet?’
No matter how angry you are at me!
‘Or maybe that’s what you want, and that’s why you’re glaring at me with such frightening eyes.’
Of course I understand Ferdinand’s feelings, but how many subordinates and farmers depend on me.
As their leader, I absolutely couldn’t just stand by. Just as I was about to change the subject.
“…”
A hand extended toward me. The owner of that hand with long, elegant fingers was…
“Then I’ll invite you.”
It was Ferdinand.
The people around us were more surprised than I was and began murmuring. Ferdinand didn’t urge me to take his hand, but I couldn’t dare refuse it.
For public reasons, I didn’t want to throw Briyang high society a new bone to gossip about for 30 years.
For private reasons, I just…
I just didn’t want to refuse.
The hand I grabbed impulsively felt hard with calluses, unlike how it looked. It was the hand of someone who wielded a sword.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Ferdinand, who had been looking at me, shifted his gaze.
“Right.”
Ferdinand took my hand and strode forward. The priests and Holy Knights guarding the door looked at me with confused expressions for a moment.
“Your Highness? That lady is…”
“Open it. I invited her.”
“Y-yes!”
Could the world change so much just by crossing through one door?
The Temple of Light was truly a beautiful place.
Grapevines were planted here and there throughout the vast back garden, and the clusters of dark-colored grapes hanging down created a rich, pastoral atmosphere just by looking at them.
The air was filled with the sweet, fragrant scent of grapes. Colorful autumn flowers also swayed gently in the cool breeze, making me feel good without realizing it. It was like entering a fairy forest.
‘Is the real thing better than illustrations after all?’
“You seem to like it.”
I had been lost in thought for a moment and remembered Ferdinand a beat too late.
When I turned to look at him, I was slightly startled again. His red eyes were staring at me as if they could pierce through me.
I always felt that if Ferdinand didn’t have that remarkable appearance, he would have been in real trouble.
Those red pupils looked like fresh blood and could be eerie at times.
But even that kind of fear, when combined with his handsome features, just became another element that added raw charm…
I cleared my throat lightly and said.
“It’s truly a beautiful place. Thanks to Your Highness, I’m seeing such a precious sight. Thank you.”
“If you like it, come see it whenever you want.”
“Pardon?”
“Tell them you’re my guest when you enter.”
“…They said even His Majesty the Emperor can’t easily enter this place. Would it be alright for a mere Grand Duchess like me?”
“It’s fine.”
Ferdinand shifted his gaze.
“The Grand Temple looks quite favorably upon the Crown Prince who suffered from divine power disorders.”
“…”
What am I supposed to say when he talks like that?
How nice for you?
How impressive?
Both were tickets to hell.
Indeed, the path of a courtier is so treacherous…
I didn’t answer, or rather, I couldn’t find an appropriate response, so I just looked at the back garden again.
In the center of the garden stood a temple building as beautiful as a work of art, with crystal lamps hanging like beads on a string from the white marble exterior walls.
‘Crystal lamps that don’t go out even at night.’
The mysterious architectural structure that earned the name Temple of Light.
That’s a place I’ve never entered even in the illustrations. Judging by the High Priest standing at the entrance, Coriko must be inside there.
“The Saint seems to be inside there.”
“You know?”
“Of course. That priest is dedicated to serving the Saint.”
‘I thought he wasn’t interested in Coriko.’
No, rather, because of the attitude he showed on the first day of the Saint verification, I had vaguely assumed that Ferdinand held subtle hostility toward Coriko.
I guess I was wrong.
“But why are you staring at that building so intently?”
“I’m just a bit worried about Coriko.”
“Worried?”
Ferdinand’s pupils took on a strange light.
“She’s the Saint.”
“Yes, she’s the Saint.”
“And this is the heart of the temple.”
“…That’s right.”
“So what is there to worry about?”
‘Worry about my safety.’
What kind of scheme is Coriko plotting, what’s her relationship with the fanatics, and whether the High Priests might all be massacred at once – that’s what I’m worried about!
…But I couldn’t say that.
“The High Priests are noble people. I was worried that Coriko might make a mistake, Your Highness.”
“Don’t say such things in front of others.”
Ferdinand took my hand and walked as he spoke.
“It might be distorted in others’ ears to sound like the Grand Duchess is jealous of the Saint.”
“Jealous?”
“Isn’t that right? The nobles standing there earlier wanted to say that you were jealous of the Saint.”
Even that much…
“You knew?”
“It’s common instigation, how could I not know.”
‘Well…’
No matter how much he belittled himself, Ferdinand was the Crown Prince with undeniable legitimacy, so he would be familiar with the rhetoric of Briyang’s high society.
Just as I was thinking that and about to open my mouth to ask if we could perhaps go inside as well.
Swoosh!
Ferdinand suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his embrace.
In an instant, I staggered and fell as if being sucked into his arms, and looked up in surprise.
“…!”
And I almost screamed when I saw what looked like fresh blood, no, actual fresh blood splattered on Ferdinand’s face.
Ferdinand, who had thrown me behind his back, spoke in a cold tone.
“Lady Tulia. Keep your head down.”
* * *
“Kyaaaah!”
“Sa, save me! Huk!”
The young viscount who had been screaming at the sight of the monster before him saw someone’s sword cut the monster in half.
A lifesaver!
When the viscount hurriedly raised his head, he immediately saw jet-black hair like a black lion’s mane.
Though black hair was a relatively common color, the long legs like a hunting dog, broad shoulders, and firmly built muscles, and above all, the remarkably handsome appearance were extremely rare.
“Li, Young Lord Leon Frazier!”
It was Leon Frazier, one of the Grand Ducal House twins!
He indeed possessed tremendous skill, living up to his nickname as one of the finest sword prodigies in Academy history.
Leon, who had already saved nearly dozens of nobles, continued advancing inward.
“Where the hell did these bastards suddenly appear from…”
Leon, muttering curses under his breath, cut down the hundreds of monsters that had emerged from somewhere in the temple one by one.
Just 10 minutes ago, Leon had been peacefully watching the priests clinging to his twin brother.
Then when ladies started approaching him as well, the situation reversed. It was absurd how Lisian just watched with a peaceful face as if it were someone else’s business.
‘Should I just tell the priests to bring 100 bride candidates to introduce to my brother?’
The temple was turned upside down right after that.
With monsters suddenly pouring out, Leon immediately set out to find Tulia first, but she was nowhere to be seen, nearly driving him to his grave.
“Where is Tulia! Where is my younger sibling!”
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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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