The Baby Raising A Devil - Chapter 174
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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 174
The most beloved one is me.
At Johan’s confident words, the other family members’ expressions instantly contorted.
The administrator quietly set down the documents and, after greeting the Duke who pretended not to know anything, left the room.
The administrators and employees followed him out with pale faces.
“What should we do? This is a Level 3 alert.”
“No. Level 2…”
“Wasn’t Level 2 triggered three years ago when the Little One got hurt during divine power training? Compared to that…”
“No. This is about marriage. She might leave Dubbled to live with her husband. Do you think those people are ready to let the Little One go from their embrace? This is Level 2.”
“Ahhh!”
An administrator who rubbed his face dry as if horrified looked at the chief administrator.
“What should we do about this…”
‘This family is insane.’
The chief administrator who let out a sigh reluctantly provided a solution.
“Tell the Little One.”
People’s eyes lit up instantly.
“How wise indeed!”
“Tell her immediately!”
“Yes. Let’s hurry and tell her!”
The chief administrator made a displeased expression seeing the people who had instantly found enlightenment.
* * *
The next day, morning.
In the study, I looked with a cold expression at four men who were sitting with their hands properly placed on their knees, looking at me with dejected faces.
“You summoned the secret agents and soldiers?”
“…”
“…”
Father turned his gaze away, and Henri smiled awkwardly.
“Leblaine, that’s…”
“Shh.”
“Mmm.”
Henri tried to appease me with an affectionate expression, but I glared at them with a stern look.
“Why did you scold my guards?”
“Little one, we didn’t scold them…!”
This time Isaac tried to make excuses, but when I slightly raised my eyebrow, he glumly closed his mouth.
I let out a deep sigh.
I was startled when I woke up in the morning.
People were waiting for me in front of my door with haggard faces. Then they sobbed “Ah, Little One….” and when I heard the story, I was dumbfounded.
“It’s not my marriage, but Cecilia and the Emperor’s. We talked about that yesterday morning too.”
“When the word marriage came out of your mouth, we were so flustered….”
“R-right. Little one. Please speak more clearly next time.”
“Then you’ll call the Secret Agents and mobilize the Entire Army again?”
When I glared at Henri and Isaac, they hung their heads.
“I was also wrong for speaking in a way that caused misunderstanding. But even if I had said I was getting married, calling the Secret Agents and mobilizing the Entire Army was too much.”
The Family Members groaned as if they had nothing to say.
As soon as they made eye contact with me, their eyebrows drooped down, making them look like puppies caught in the rain.
‘Ah, this makes my heart soften.’
As soon as I cleared my throat with a cough, the quick-witted Henri realized the atmosphere had calmed down a bit and quietly approached.
“I won’t do that next time.”
“…Really?”
“Really.”
“It’s a promise. Then I’d like Father to lift the emergency order first.”
“He will. Right?”
When we looked at Father, he quickly nodded and said to North.
“Cancel the Training immediately.”
North couldn’t hold back his laughter and covered his mouth with his hand as he answered “Yes… pfft.”
Father’s gaze became sharp.
“Father.”
“….”
He lowered his eyes again.
‘Hmm, did I get too angry?’
It seemed like it was time to gradually ease up, so I took his hand.
“I don’t want to get married. I’ll live with Father forever!”
With the ultimate ‘Father is the best,’ I could see Father’s expression gradually softening.
“You won’t be angry anymore, right?”
“….”
“Right?”
“…Yes.”
“Then as promised yesterday, you’ll help with Cecilia and the Emperor’s marriage?”
“Yes. Should I go to the Imperial Palace and have a showdown with the Emperor?”
I shook my head at Father’s question.
‘There’s no need for us to make the first move.’
If we move first, he’ll think we’re the ones who are desperate and mistakenly believe he has the upper hand.
“It would be better to let the Emperor move first. It probably won’t take long, right?”
As soon as I finished speaking, the Head Butler entered the Study.
“An imperial summons has come down for Master to enter the palace.”
There it is.
When I lifted the corners of my mouth into a grin, Father, who understood the situation, smiled broadly.
As he was about to leave the study to prepare, I quickly grabbed his sleeve and whispered.
“Please let His Majesty know that we hold the upper hand. And bring back the Valois Duchy.”
“I understand what you mean. But could the matter of a duchy come up in a private audience?”
I answered with a smile instead of words.
* * *
Imperial Palace Audience Chamber.
The Emperor, sitting across from Duke Dubbled, rubbed his armrest with his eyes narrowed to slits.
‘What on earth is that man thinking.’
The Temple had created a fake youngest daughter. The Pope said it was something Augustino had done individually, but how many people would believe those words?
Those who knew Duke Dubbled’s temperament thought he would immediately point his sword toward the Temple, but he made no move. Rather, he maintained silence with a detached attitude.
The Emperor, who didn’t know this was all Leblaine’s plan, couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
“You should formally accuse Augustino.”
“Of what?”
“Do you want to play word games with me? I’m talking about the Temple creating your youngest daughter!”
“Well. Using others might be one thing, but being used isn’t to my taste.”
“What?”
“Is there any need for experts to waste time? Let’s just get to the point simply. Don’t you want to use Dubbled in a tug-of-war with the Temple, Your Majesty?”
Theodore raised his eyebrows and stared at the reddening Emperor.
The Emperor’s intentions were completely transparent.
While he was displeased that the Imperial Family’s acceptance of bribes had been exposed due to the Augustino incident, his eyes must have lit up.
The Emperor had been looking for an opportunity to reduce the Temple’s power. And this incident would be an excellent justification.
The Emperor groaned and lightly raised both hands as if admitting defeat.
“I admit it. I want to bring this incident to a public trial. I want to properly establish the Temple’s corruption there, where the people’s attention is focused.”
For that to happen, Duke Dubbled, as the victim, would have to directly accuse Augustino to the Imperial Palace. Only then could the Emperor act.
Theodore slowly rubbed his chin as if working an abacus.
The Emperor was confident that Duke Dubbled would take his hand.
Who didn’t know about the deep resentment between the Temple and Dubbled?
If he could seek the Emperor’s help, it wouldn’t be bad for Duke Dubbled either.
“I refuse.”
What?
The Emperor’s expression twisted.
“What on earth is your reason!”
“Let me speak clearly. The fight between the Imperial Family and the Temple is Your Majesty’s certain defeat. And Dubbled doesn’t fight losing battles.”
The Emperor’s gaze turned coldly sharp.
“Reckless. How can you be so certain? This is an unprecedented opportunity. Do I look like such a foolish person that I would waste this chance?”
“Do you know where the great nobles are currently gathered?”
“What do you mean.”
Theodore crossed his legs and continued speaking.
“They’re at Duke Marche’s estate. Together with the cardinals from the Papal Court.”
“…!”
“As soon as Your Majesty summoned me, the Pope instructed Duke Marche to control the nobles. Do you know why the nobles are banded together so tightly like this?”
“…It must be because of Andre.”
“Yes, the prince who will surely become emperor has overstepped Your Majesty’s authority.”
“I am still the sun of this Empire!”
“Your Majesty. If I were Duke Marche, I would think like this. Just replace that measly emperor. I have a prince in hand who will make an excellent puppet.”
“Theodore Dubbled!”
The Emperor shouted in rage. When Theodore maintained his calm attitude, the Emperor barely suppressed his anger and asked.
“So what are you suggesting we do.”
“You must eliminate the root cause.”
“Are you telling me to kill my son?”
“Of course not. I’m not that despicable a person.”
“…Then?”
“Divide the power. So that the great nobles split apart. Don’t you have an excellent means in Prince Adrian, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor furrowed his brow.
“Adrian won’t do. Adrian’s maternal grandfather is even more sinister than Duke Marche. As soon as I give Adrian power, he’ll try to stage a rebellion.”
“Then attach a different guardian to him.”
“A different guardian?”
“Someone who won’t rebel against Your Majesty, will raise Prince Adrian excellently, and can keep Empress Yvonne in check.”
“…A new imperial consort.”
A gleam appeared in the Emperor’s eyes.
“Will you help me?”
If he could bring in a new imperial consort, he could completely restructure the current power dynamics.
Among the four ducal houses with Valois fallen, only Dubbled could rival Marche.
He needed Theodore’s help.
“I don’t have any blood relatives who could become imperial consort. Should I at least propose Javelin?”
“What are you saying. Your younger sister would assassinate me to avenge the Empress.”
“I agree.”
“You become the guardian of the new imperial consort. Adopt her into Dubbled, and send her to me as Dubbled’s new imperial consort. I have someone suitable in mind.”
“Who is it?”
“Have you heard of Saint Cecil?”
“If Cecilia’s name comes up, it’s a success, Father!”
Remembering Leblaine’s words, Theodore smiled.
“Then what will Your Majesty give me?”
“I’ll give you Valois Territory. Isn’t that what you’ve wanted so much?”
‘That child saw this far ahead.’
Everything had flowed exactly as his clever daughter intended.
The Emperor showed his intention to concede one step to the Pope, and then issued a new decree for selecting an Imperial Consort.
Empress Yvonne was greatly enraged, but Duke Marche did not move at the Pope’s request.
Because it was clear that if they opposed even the selection decree when the Emperor had already stepped back, he would insist on a public interrogation of Augustino that would damage the shrine’s honor.
The Imperial Palace and the shrine each gained one thing, but lost another.
The Emperor would gain a new Imperial Consort but the public sentiment became chaotic, and the shrine could avoid confirming their corruption but earned Empress Yvonne’s wrath.
Gossipmongers laughed that the war between the shrine and Imperial Palace brought more loss than gain.
But they didn’t know. That there was someone who monopolized the victory. Dubbled was the complete victor of this war.
* * *
Two weeks later.
Cecilia’s preparations for entering the palace proceeded smoothly.
Everyone knew that the Emperor had instructed Dubbled to give his family name to the woman he loved.
‘Because I spread the rumor!’
Henri, a genius at public opinion warfare, added flesh to the rumor I spread and even created the story that ‘since she was from Dubbled’s Knights, the Emperor embraced Cecilia aiming for Duke Dubbled’s patronage.’
So Cecil’s background issue was also resolved.
Empress Yvonne and Marche were displeased, but all their anger was directed at the Emperor who they thought had orchestrated everything.
‘How sweet.’
The Empire’s situation was all flowing exactly as I wanted.
…Except for one problem.
“You… really… are you going to do this…?”
[You do better…]
Deer-shaped Pur and I glared at each other with half-dead faces.
The problem was this. Pur wouldn’t bend his stubbornness. He wouldn’t change his wish, saying he wanted my heart even if he died soon.
It had been over two months since I summoned Pur. Considering that other demons returned within 2-3 weeks, this was an enormously long period.
Thanks to Adrian’s divine power, the first month was fine, but the second month became agonizing.
“I will never give you my heart. Give up.”
[You give up.]
I looked at deer Pur who was fuming then suddenly collapsed and trembling violently.
Since the divine power depletion had reached its limit, it seemed maintaining his form was also painful for Pur.
‘I’ll completely exhaust my divine power in about three or four days.’
Then I’ll die, or in the worst case, go insane.
I sighed and said.
“Let me hear your reason. Why exactly is it my heart?”
[….]
“Pur.”
[…I need your heart to see That Person!]
Pur cried out tearfully. That Person? I felt like I had heard that somewhere before, so as I pondered deeply, I shouted “Ah!”
‘Bune said the same thing.’
He also said the gems were his wish for ‘That Person.’
“Who exactly is That Person?”
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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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