TCBCVF 116

~Chapter 116~

Isaac looked at the priests with an annoyed glare.

‘Damn it.’

The high priests were desperate to win Dietrich’s favor.

And Isaac found the situation extremely unpleasant.

At first, he had been certain that Seraphina would naturally be chosen as the “Brightest Star of November.”

That was why he had given such a huge donation.

The more Seraphina gained attention in society, the more useful she would be as his tool.

But—

‘…Of all people, Duke Claudius had to interfere.’

Because of that, Laritte had stolen all the attention.

Still, Isaac felt uncomfortable openly opposing the Duke.

So, he spoke in a crooked tone.

“Now that I think about it, Duke, you placed a great sum on Lady Ansie’s item, didn’t you?”

Dietrich glanced at Isaac.

Isaac smiled warmly back at him.

“Of course, Lady Ansie is a fine young lady. But for someone to manage a noble house, they need more than kindness and beauty, don’t you agree?”

“……”

In that moment, the smile disappeared completely from Dietrich’s face.

Meeting that blank expression, Isaac’s shoulders stiffened.

He hated himself for shrinking back so instinctively.

That stung his pride.

So instead of stopping, as he normally would have, he added more words.

“Especially for a family as old and noble as House Claudius, the position of its mistress must carry even greater weight.”

“……”

Dietrich stared silently at Isaac.

The sharp silence was like a blade.

Stubbornness rose in Isaac, and he spoke again.

“I only say this for your sake, Duke. Would it not be better to associate with a lady who can truly help your family?”

What he really meant was: Your choice of lady isn’t very impressive.

“High Priest Evans!”

“What nonsense are you spouting!”

The other priests, horrified, hurried to stop Isaac.

At the same time, Dietrich tilted his chin slightly without changing his cold expression.

Since they were of different heights, Dietrich’s eyes were now looking down at Isaac.

‘He’s looking down on me?!’

Isaac burned inside with humiliation.

Then—

“I find myself curious,” Dietrich said in an icy voice.

“When exactly will High Priest Evans learn his place?”

“……”

“……”

The hall grew so silent you could hear a pin drop.

The other priests instantly closed their mouths.

Isaac’s face flushed red with shame.

“What on earth do you mean—!”

He tried to argue, but Dietrich’s voice cut through first.

“Whether you are a priest of the Grand Temple, or the heir of Marquis Evans’s family…”

Dietrich’s cold gaze pierced straight into Isaac’s eyes.

“You have absolutely no rights whatsoever over Claudius.”

Isaac froze.

No rights over Claudius.

The words pierced him like a dagger.

“So when you dare to meddle in matters of Claudius’s mistress…”

Dietrich tilted his head slightly.

“I trust you are not ignorant that such behavior is an insult to Claudius.”

“W-wait a moment—”

“If so, then you’ve been deliberately provoking me, fully aware of it.”

Dietrich’s blue eyes, as cold as a frozen lake, locked onto Isaac.

Facing those eyes, Isaac felt like a mouse cornered by a predator.

Dietrich pressed further.

“Of course, you do plan to take responsibility for such rude behavior, don’t you?”

“……”

Isaac had never expected Dietrich to react so sharply.

His expression twisted uncomfortably, and he bit his lip.

Meanwhile, Dietrich recalled Isaac’s earlier words.

Something about them left a strong, unpleasant feeling.

And then he realized why.

“Tell me, High Priest Evans,” Dietrich asked, his voice sharp.

“Did you also spout such nonsense to Lady Ansie?”

“……”

Isaac kept his mouth tightly shut.

Dietrich read his answer in that silence.

“…Hah.”

The moment he confirmed it, Dietrich’s mind went white with rage.

His blue eyes burned with fire.

‘What should I do with him?’

He clenched his fist so hard it trembled.

The air grew tense, as if he might strike Isaac at any moment.

“D-Duke Claudius!”

“Please, calm yourself!”

The priests quickly rushed to stop him.

Isaac kept his head held high out of pride, but that was all.

Overwhelmed by Dietrich’s aura, he couldn’t even move a finger.

Dietrich closed his eyes tightly, struggling to hold back his fury.

Then—

“…Haa.”

He let out a long sigh and slowly loosened his fist.

Honestly, he wanted nothing more than to crush Isaac with his bare hands.

But—

Laritte is here.

He didn’t want to show her a violent side of himself.

Instead—

“The donation that Claudius promised for this charity party will be withdrawn.”

At his cold words, the priests’ faces drained of color.

“What?!”

“And the charitable works we’ve supported together with the Grand Temple—I’ll have to reconsider those as well.”

“B-but, Duke—!”

“We understand you’re upset, but this is too—”

The priests desperately tried to persuade him.

Dietrich only curled his lips into a chilling smile.

“As for the bid I placed on Donovan’s painting, that donation will remain.”

“Ah…”

“Because Lady Ansie is worth that much.”

With those final words, Dietrich turned and left without hesitation.

“D-Duke!”

“Please wait!”

The priests scrambled to stop him, but he never looked back.

“This… this can’t be…”

They stood frozen, staring blankly at his retreating figure.

Then—

Their pale faces turned toward Isaac.

“High Priest Evans, what on earth have you done?!”

“How could you commit such rudeness?!”

Chaos erupted behind him, but Dietrich’s attention was already far from them.

Because of me, Lady Ansie had to hear such insults.

His expression darkened.

He hated that Laritte had been subjected to those words.

Even more so because it happened due to his involvement.

If he wanted to prevent such things from happening again—

My relationship with Lady Ansie must be made clear.

There were only two paths.

If Laritte truly became his lover, the future Duchess of Claudius—

No one would dare say such things to her.

But if their relationship were settled as “just friends”…

Then Laritte wouldn’t have to suffer insults just for being linked to him.

“……”

The thought made Dietrich’s mood crash.

Friends with Lady Ansie?

There was no way he could ever be satisfied with that.

His feelings had grown far too deep.

The always rational, clear-headed Dietrich was nowhere to be found.

He could no longer control his own heart.

He quickened his pace.

He knew it was sudden, maybe too sudden.

But he couldn’t drag things out any longer.

So now, Dietrich had decided.

…One way or another, he would reach a conclusion.