The Male Lead Is Trying To Tame Me With Money - Chapter 123

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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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123.

“Inquisitors….”

Suddenly, I recalled those people who had confronted me and then backed down in confusion.

Right now, the temple was truly rotten to the core, except for Wesley Morel.

Looking back through history, the temple had always been a group with no proper people except for those so-called ‘Saints.’

Nevertheless, the temple couldn’t be ignored because it was a space people could blindly lean on when life became difficult.

Though they were a group that coveted power and wealth more than anyone, the false reputation of loving and embracing everyone held tremendous power.

The more people relied on the temple, the more each one became their strength.

That’s why those in power couldn’t reject the temple and had to be somewhat mindful of them.

Moreover, temples large and small had been built on most lands.

Despite having such tenacious vitality, this place, Riedern County, was where the temple had never set foot, even though it wasn’t rejected like in Seolkuk.

“I understand there’s still no temple in Riedern County.”

When Casian pointed out this fact, Parker Manager nodded as if in agreement.

“That’s correct. We were also worried that the sudden arrival of inquisitors might cause trouble for the ducal family.”

“…The temple didn’t do anything to the Riarden Ducal Family, did they?”

“Well, they did come to meet the duke… but considering they brought along the Royal Guard so grandly, they returned quite quietly.”

I also nodded quietly at Parker Manager’s words.

Both Casian and I already knew the official reason for the Riarden Ducal Family’s downfall.

“So it was after that when people frequently came saying the taxes were excessive or that they would conduct territorial investigations?”

“That’s right. Even then, the Previous Lord was puzzled. Though it bore the imperial seal, he wondered if it was truly the Emperor’s will.”

Parker Manager shook his head slightly and then spoke.

“Of course, I think you might find it uncomfortable to hear, since it concerns your father, the Emperor.”

“I’m fine with it.”

Casian brushed off those considerate words cheerfully.

He even smiled brightly, which rather puzzled Parker Manager.

‘Well, officially Casian worried about the Emperor and even volunteered for the dragon expedition, that’s how it was reported.’

He probably seemed like quite the filial son from the outside.

Though his true nature was fire.

“Honestly, the people working in Riedern and the Previous Lord didn’t think well of the current Emperor. After promising to protect the young duchess, he produced such results.”

The phrase “such results” didn’t just contain pity for Maribel, who died giving birth to Casian.

It also encompassed resentment toward the emperor who, under the pretext of political considerations, took imperial concubines just three years after marriage.

He even had his first child not with Maribel, but with Scaletti, whom he had taken as a concubine.

Of course, we couldn’t know what the actual circumstances between the two were.

But it was enough for Riedern County, which had allowed Maribel’s marriage despite much opposition and danger, to feel betrayed.

“However, setting aside our feelings, we had no intention of doing anything against the Imperial Court. The Previous Lord said it was unavoidable.”

Parker Manager said that even after Maribel’s death, the Riarden Ducal Family wanted to live quietly as before.

“Except for one thing – he sent several letters to the Emperor saying that denying the young duke’s legitimacy was absolutely unacceptable.”

“Even the temple has declared that I am the Emperor’s legitimate son.”

At Casian’s words, Parker Manager frowned.

“We know that too, but the Emperor said the temple was lying to bind him.”

“Though he acknowledges me as his legitimate son now.”

At Casian’s nonchalant words, Parker Manager looked rather hurt.

I completely understood that feeling.

I often felt hurt whenever he spoke casually about his childhood stories.

“Anyway, whether the temple fabricated it or not, that was truly unacceptable.”

“Why is that?”

Casian asked as if genuinely curious.

It was a known fact that after Maribel became empress, the Riarden Ducal Family neither demanded anything from nor interfered with the Imperial Court.

They had only come to the capital on the wedding day.

Originally, a visit was planned after Casian’s birth, but that too became nothing when Maribel passed away.

“Well, because all the direct descendants of Riedern were like that.”

“All of them?”

“Do you know that the young duchess rejected the Emperor’s courtship several times?”

We knew from seeing the past, but we pretended not to know and stayed silent.

“Because she knew that once decided, it couldn’t be undone. That’s also why the Previous Lord reluctantly gave permission.”

“Couldn’t be undone?”

Casian still looked puzzled as he spoke to the manager.

“Those who carry Riedern blood can only love one person.”

“…What?”

“…Excuse me?”

Following Casian, I also looked at the manager in surprise, saying something foolish.

The manager just smiled gently.

“The Riarden Ducal Family has never had mistresses throughout their long history. Well, I hear it’s different for distant relatives with very diluted blood.”

It was an alien characteristic that made the dragon blood flowing through them feel real.

“Can you imagine yourself loving someone other than the young lady?”

At the sudden question, Casian glanced at me briefly before subtly averting his gaze.

“I wouldn’t know if your relationship was truly for political reasons as initially reported.”

I was the one who choked slightly at the manager’s words.

Casian covered half his face with his hand as if embarrassed and gently patted my back as I coughed.

“Anyway, haven’t you already decided? You probably can’t even think of a future with anyone else.”

Casian made a brief sound and spoke.

“…That’s true.”

I could feel him answering as lightly as possible, as if just going along with it.

Nevertheless, it was my heart that seemed to drop with a thud.

Even though he had removed much of the weight, there was an emotion that came across heavily.

While thinking “surely not, surely not,” I found myself looking at Casian.

Casian pulled me into his arms as if avoiding my gaze.

To Parker Manager, it probably looked like affectionate lovers trying to hide their embarrassment after facing a sudden situation.

“How could people who can’t even think of others have improper relationships with strangers?”

Regardless of our circumstances, the manager spoke in a firm voice as if to say “see?”

“The Previous Lord said he seemed to break out in hives even when escorting other ladies out of courtesy instead of Madame.”

“Hmm….”

Conversely, a troubled sound escaped from Casian.

And I was becoming just as confused in my head.

Had Casian Artez ever easily touched anyone other than me?

He rarely attended social gatherings anyway, and with female knights he only crossed swords….

Wait, didn’t he also rarely receive service from male servants?

He was even famous as the prince who didn’t dance at balls.

I thought we had just become accustomed to physical contact out of necessity when pretending to be married or lovers.

‘…Most importantly, I’m being held by him so naturally right now.’

Casian showed no sign of discomfort.

Rather, being held in his arms made me more conscious of Casian’s heartbeat.

Regardless of my, no our complicated circumstances, Parker Manager continued his story.

“So the young duchess’s infidelity was nonsensical from the start. I really wanted to tell you that part too.”

“…That’s truly, appreciated.”

His tone didn’t sound grateful at all for such an answer.

But Parker Manager seemed to interpret it as mere awkwardness.

Casian released me from his embrace, then ran his hands over his face and hastily changed the subject.

“Um, is there a reason you’re telling me this? Something the Previous Lord, my grandfather, left for me?”

Like someone who wanted to quickly escape to work.

But I was also very much in agreement with his feelings.

I had been going slowly, gradually picking up on the signs, when suddenly it felt like someone had crashed right into me.

Thanks to that, I couldn’t properly shift my thinking.

I wanted to organize things more logically and rationally, but my mind was a complete mess, as if someone had scrambled it.

‘After finishing the conversation with the manager, there was really so much to talk about.’

The priorities I had organized so well seemed to have become as illegible as handwriting written while dozing off.

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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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