The Circumstances of Being Chosen as the Villainess’s Favorite - Chapter 148

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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 148

Father Pedro fidgeted restlessly and avoided eye contact for no reason.

And then.

“First, my apologies for the late introduction.”

Dietrich offered his greeting in a leisurely manner.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Dietrich von Claudius.”

For a young duke who was said to control half the Empire, his attitude was extremely modest.

“I… I am Pedro. Being a commoner, I have no surname.”

Father Pedro, visibly tense, straightened his posture as he replied.

Dietrich continued speaking calmly.

“You must have many questions, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

“Yes, Lord Claudius.”

“The person who attacked Father Pedro was a mercenary.”

A mercenary?

Father Pedro blinked his eyes blankly.

For him, who had spent his entire life caring for children, mercenaries who took on various dangerous jobs were almost like beings from folklore.

They simply lived in the same world.

He had thought there would be absolutely no reason for their paths to cross.

But why?

“However, we couldn’t find the client. He received the commission secretly and said he didn’t get a proper look at the client’s face.”

“I… Is that so?”

“Yes. We intend to proceed with filing charges against that mercenary.”

Dietrich concluded smoothly.

“Also, if we discover who was behind the attempt on Father Pedro’s life, we will inform you as well.”

“…Thank you.”

Father Pedro expressed his gratitude in a dazed manner.

The situation was flowing so unpredictably that the best he could do was keep his wits about him to follow the conversation.

Just then, Dietrich changed the subject.

“Up to this point, we’re in the realm of facts. From here on, we must enter the realm of speculation and assumptions.”

Speculation, assumptions.

Father Pedro mulled over those two words.

Dietrich continued without hesitation.

“First, I can tell you which group would benefit most if Father Pedro had died.”

Thump.

With a feeling as if his heart had sunk, Father Pedro clenched his molars tightly.

He had a feeling he knew the answer.

“The Imperial Curia.”

“…”

Father Pedro heavily lowered his head.

In truth, he had suspected it too.

He simply hadn’t wanted to believe it.

“You probably didn’t know this, but after Father Pedro filed his complaint, the Imperial Curia contacted the Royal Court.”

“They contacted… the Royal Court?”

“Yes. They said they were thoroughly investigating this matter, so they asked the Royal Court to help ensure that House of Claudius wouldn’t rashly refute and create confusion.”

Dietrich asked calmly.

“Let’s suppose that was all to buy time. What then?”

“Buy… time?”

“Yes. If they framed our family with accusations of creating slush funds, gave hints to the Royal Court to buy time, and during that period Father Pedro lost his life.”

A resolute voice rang out.

“We would only suffer losses. It might even raise more suspicion that we killed you to silence you.”

“That…”

“But the Imperial Curia is different.”

Dietrich looked at Father Pedro with cold eyes.

“The Imperial Curia could escape by explaining that all these accusations were Father Pedro’s personal misconduct.”

“…”

“Not only that, but in the process, the Claudius Charity Foundation would suffer severe damage to its moral standing.”

Father Pedro felt his vision going dark.

It was a priesthood he had devoted his entire life to.

Believe in the goddess and do good deeds.

Care for neighbors in need and the elderly and weak to the extent of your ability.

The Imperial Curia had taught this, and Pedro had strived to live according to those teachings.

He had taken pride in being a member of such an Imperial Curia…

“And regarding the slush fund allegations that Father Pedro presented.”

Toward Father Pedro, whose shoulders trembled faintly with betrayal, Dietrich declared calmly.

“We have never created slush funds.”

It was a calm voice completely devoid of any emotion.

Father Pedro flinched and stiffened his shoulders as if he had been struck by a whip.

“Regarding that matter, I believe this material will make clarification possible.”

Dietrich placed a thick bundle of documents on the table.

“Moreover, the reliability of this material is guaranteed by the Royal Court. It’s material that has been notarized by the Royal Court.”

“…”

“We were simply coordinating the timing of the announcement, considering the relationship between the Royal Court and the Imperial Curia. And today, we received permission for public disclosure.”

Father Pedro stared blankly down at the official seal stamped on the documents.

A golden lion wearing a crown.

It was the Royal Court’s official seal.

At that moment, self-loathing washed over him like a wave.

“I’m truly… truly sorry.”

Father Pedro opened his mouth with a crushed voice.

“I will take responsibility for this matter somehow. So please, at least spare the children at the orphanage…”

“…”

Dietrich quietly observed the old priest with his head deeply bowed.

It was true that House of Claudius had been put in considerable difficulty by Father Pedro’s sudden actions.

However.

‘There was no malicious intent.’

After Father Pedro’s complaint, House of Claudius had also conducted various investigations into the priest.

The result.

‘He was a very honest priest.’

His abilities weren’t bad either.

The fact that he had managed to care for the orphanage children with just the Imperial Curia’s meager support was proof of that.

Incidentally, Roman Orphanage was the orphanage that received the least support among all orphanages under the Imperial Curia.

‘It would be somewhat wasteful to just discard him like this.’

In that case.

“You say you’ll take responsibility somehow.”

Having finished his calculations, Dietrich spoke gently.

“Then may I make a proposal?”

“…A proposal?”

“If you accept this proposal, House of Claudius will not file charges against Father Pedro.”

“Pardon?”

Father Pedro doubted his ears.

“Our proposal is this. The first condition is that you help us announce the truth about this matter.”

“Help… you said?”

“Yes. The rebuttal materials are already prepared.”

Dietrich gestured toward the rebuttal materials with his eyes and continued speaking softly.

“I would like Father Pedro to take on the role of a whistleblower.”

“A whistleblower…”

“Honestly, the current atmosphere isn’t entirely positive toward our House of Claudius.”

While Dietrich maintained a calm expression, Father Pedro couldn’t even lift his face due to guilt.

“No matter how much we present materials certified by the Imperial Court, many people won’t believe them. Instead, they might suspect there was some kind of deal between the Imperial Court and the Ducal House that allowed us to obtain the certification.”

“Th-that’s…”

“That’s why we need Father Pedro to personally refute the Imperial Curia’s materials and proceed with a new accusation, claiming you were pressured by the Imperial Curia and had no choice.”

“Ah.”

Father Pedro looked somewhat bewildered.

Although he had lived his entire life buried in the countryside and was somewhat unfamiliar with public opinion battles,

He still understood what Dietrich was aiming for.

So in other words…

“You want me to personally overturn my own claims, thereby first shaking the Imperial Curia’s credibility and moral authority… Is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s correct.”

Dietrich curved his eyes elegantly.

“In the process, it would be good to also spread the fact that your life was threatened and that our House of Claudius saved your life.”

Well, that was the truth after all.

Father Pedro slowly nodded his head.

“We also plan to hint that if you were to lose your life, it would work out very favorably for the Imperial Curia. Well, we’ll handle that part ourselves, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

His blue eyes gleamed intelligently.

“If you agree to help us proceed with a new accusation, we’ll arrange the news agency as well.”

“B-but, Lord Claudius.”

Father Pedro opened his mouth, not knowing what to do.

“I know I’ve already received great kindness from House of Claudius. You even saved my life.”

Deep anguish settled over his wrinkled face.

“But if I proceed with the accusation… what will happen to the children at our orphanage?”

Father Pedro clenched his fists tightly.

“Our children receive support from the Imperial Curia’s foundation. If I help House of Claudius, the children will be in trouble.”

“Ah, I was actually planning to discuss that matter with you as well.”

Dietrich answered with an almost refreshing attitude.

“The second condition was for Father Pedro to transfer your affiliation to Claudius’s children’s division.”

“I… transfer my affiliation?”

“That’s right. Our foundation needs a dedicated educator like Father Pedro.”

Dietrich smiled brightly.

“If you accept our proposal, we’ll also take in all the children from Roman Orphanage.”

“O-our children too?!”

“Yes. We’ll need to negotiate with the Imperial Curia… but well, it won’t be too difficult.”

A cold aura settled into Dietrich’s smile.

“The Imperial Curia will be too busy dealing with the chaos that’s about to unfold.”

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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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