Chapter 48
Through Priest Von, Emperor Dylan and Empress Cattleya learned the detailed truth behind the embezzlement case, and they could not help but be deeply shocked.
There had been an incident involving slave traders two years prior, but this time was different. The scandal had broken out within the temple itself, an institution that upheld integrity as one of its greatest virtues. What was worse, it involved a priest colluding with a noble known for his popularity and reputation. The imperial family had to urgently summon their retainers and begin discussions on the matter.
“A theft scandal? Slave traders? How could the temple not have discovered such an appalling matter until now?”
Cattleya’s outraged accusation rang throughout the council chamber. According to what Priest Von reported, the Kenis couple had been embezzling funds for about two years.
That meant that, although they thought the slave traders had been wiped out, the horrifying practice of buying and selling humans had in reality continued for nearly two years. Dylan pressed his forehead with a grave expression.
This case was not just a blow to the temple—it could bring blame upon the imperial family itself.
First, the embezzlement. The funds embezzled by Jamil were none other than donations and contributions—money meant to aid orphans and the poor. One might think that this would be solely the temple’s fault for poor management, but it was not so simple. Naturally, people would also ask: “What was the imperial family doing all this time?”
Caring for the people was a duty of the emperor. Although the imperial family rarely engaged in relief work directly, they regularly provided the temple with budgets for charitable aid.
In short, the temple now stood to be criticized for “negligence,” while the imperial family would be condemned as “irresponsible” for merely sending money and leaving everything to the temple.
And that was not all. The entire empire knew that the imperial family and the temple had once worked together to destroy the slave traders. Yet now, despite such a grand purge, the same evil had surfaced again. Dylan let out a long sigh.
There was no way to avoid criticism completely. The only thing left was to resolve the matter flawlessly, and swiftly.
“We must issue a strong warning to the temple. Since it was a priest who committed this act, all responsibility must fall on the temple—”
“That is enough, Empress.”
Dylan cut her off. He felt that, for now, the accusations pouring from Cattleya and the ministers’ mouths were useless. That could come later, once everything was settled. What mattered most now was how to deal with the crisis.
“Your Majesty—”
Cattleya narrowed her eyes sharply, clearly offended that Dylan had interrupted her.
“I understand that you are shocked, but this is not the time. The priority is to capture the guilty priest Jamil, the Kenis couple, and the slavers. Who has been assigned to lead the search from the temple’s side?”
Count Molly, Dylan’s secretary, answered.
“Sir Arvelche, commander of the Holy Knights, who has just returned.”
“I worry that we may be burdening a newly returned hero too much.”
“The High Priest seems to have assigned Sir Arvelche because of information that the slave traders were in league with black magicians.”
“I see. Very well. I grant permission for his dispatch. Inform the High Priest through Priest Von.”
Count Molly bowed and left the chamber. Discussions on how to calm public sentiment continued for another hour. Afterward, Dylan returned straight to his office, burdened with the increased workload the scandal had brought.
But instead of going to her study, Cattleya followed him into his office. She stood across his desk, her face clearly displeased.
Dylan sighed. Cattleya always displayed her emotions openly whenever something displeased her.
“Your Majesty is far too lenient.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you not think you are too indulgent whenever it comes to matters of the temple?”
“It seems to me, Empress, that you are the one who always responds with undue sensitivity to the temple.”
Dylan was young but astute. From his days as crown prince, he had understood that nothing good would come from making enemies of the temple in an empire that revered the gods. After ascending the throne, he had maintained that stance—keeping a careful distance while fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.
Thus, Dylan knew there was no gain in publicly condemning the temple for this scandal. The best course was to work together to resolve the issue. In any case, the people would naturally cast blame upon the temple without imperial prompting. Dylan was not lenient—he was simply making the wisest choice for the situation.
But Cattleya could not understand this. She bore no goodwill toward the temple. She believed that if the opportunity arose, its power should be shaken and placed firmly under imperial control.
This, to her, was just such an opportunity. She saw the embezzlement as the perfect chance to destroy the temple’s reputation and erode the people’s trust in it. Dylan’s refusal to exploit that chance left her baffled and frustrated. Dylan, in turn, could not accept her way of thinking.
Their argument rose in tone.
Breathing heavily, Cattleya finally turned her gaze toward a white peony placed at the corner of Dylan’s desk. She sneered and spoke slowly, almost savoring each word.
“There are always white peonies in Your Majesty’s office.”
“……”
“Since becoming your wife and the empress of this empire, I have never once seen those peonies wilt. Truly curious, isn’t it?”
For the first time in this exchange, Dylan’s calm expression cracked.
“I have always wondered. Do you maintain such a cordial relationship with the temple truly for peace… or is it because of that woman?”
“Empress!”
Bang! Dylan slammed the desk and rose to his feet. His golden chair clattered loudly against the floor. Silence fell. Cattleya widened her eyes at his sudden outburst, then twisted her face angrily.
“You would do well to refrain from such baseless words. That will be enough. Leave at once.”
Rather than apologize, Dylan issued a cold dismissal.
“Immediately.”
Not long after the search party left for the snow mountains, Baroness Vervel came to visit. Though she had arrived without notice, Charlotte welcomed her warmly. Over time, the baroness had become someone Charlotte felt she could relax around.
As Anna cleared away the cooled teacups and brought fresh ones, the baroness removed her snow-dusted cape.
“It seems someone else was here before me. I hope I’m not intruding.”
“Not at all. They left before you arrived, Baroness, so don’t worry. But what brings you here today?”
“Ah, I had something to give you. Writing ahead to arrange the timing would have been too rushed, so… could you take a look at this?”
From her bosom, the baroness produced a letter. The senders were the Kenis couple.
“They wrote that they would be coming in five days. In fact, they may already be on their way. I only worry a little because the snowstorm cycle overlaps with their arrival.”
Charlotte’s heart thudded heavily. By now she should have been used to it, but still… She forced a smile as she accepted the letter. Yet when she tried to read it, the words barely registered. She would have to calm herself before attempting again.
“I understand. Thank you for bringing it in person. However, I’ll be staying at the lord’s castle for a while.”
“Oh? Is there some problem with the estate?”
“Yes, some issues have come up.”
She could not bring herself to admit that monsters had appeared twice, forcing her to remain there. The baroness would likely faint from shock. Charlotte glossed it over with vague words.
“Do you know where the Kenis couple will be staying?”
“My husband and I discussed it, and we think the best option is for them to stay at our manor.”
“Then I’ll visit the manor on the date mentioned in the letter. I’m relieved—it’s not far from the lord’s castle, so even with the snowstorms, it won’t be difficult to travel.”
“It’s times like this that I feel grateful my husband works as the duke’s secretary.”
The baroness laughed brightly. Naturally, the conversation turned to Aria.
“And Aria…?”
“She fell asleep as soon as we returned from playing in the snow and making a snowman.”
“Oh, how adorable!”
The baroness clapped her hands delightedly, her affection for Aria clear. Seeing her, Charlotte’s forced smile softened into a real one. But the coarse feel of the letter in her hand kept nagging at her, and her expression faltered again.
Soon, she would meet the people who were to become Aria’s true parents. The moment was drawing near when she would no longer be able to think of Aria as her daughter. Her lips smiled, but her eyes dimmed with quiet sorrow.
After their tea time, the baroness checked the rising wind and returned home. Charlotte, too, left the parlor and went straight to Aria’s room, handing the letter to Anna with instructions to put it in the study.
“I’ll hide it somewhere no one will ever find, just in case,” Anna said. Charlotte gave her a faint smile before quietly opening the tightly closed door.
There was Aria, asleep. Charlotte slipped under the blanket beside her.
“Aria.”
At her whisper, Aria stirred, half-opening her eyes before blinking and burrowing into her arms. Charlotte hugged her tightly and murmured the words her father had always said to her:
[Our Charlotte is so lovable that everyone will adore you.]
“Our Aria is so lovable that everyone will adore you.”
When the Kenis couple arrived—if Aria came to love them—Charlotte knew she would never again hold her like this. She buried her face in Aria’s soft hair and embraced her for a long time.
Two days later, Theodore departed to lead the expedition against the slavers and the black magician.
Meanwhile, in Nostrid, news came that Ash had completed his preparations. He made his way to Steria Castle.
