Chapter 41: Cedric’s Demand
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41: Cedric’s Demand
“…….”
A chilling silence settled over the room. No one dared to speak first.
“Ma-Marianne? Who is that?”
“The daughter of Marquis Lionel?”
“Wait, isn't she the one from before…?”
Then, someone whispered a question, and the murmurs began to swell.
I simply listened in silence. This was bound to happen sooner or later anyway. It was just a bit earlier than I had expected.
‘Is the original story changing because I’m interfering?’
Originally, the revelation that Marianne—the daughter of Cedric and Gloria—was the Saintess was supposed to happen a bit later.
In the original novel, the revelation comes after the tyrant Dantalion begins to wield his absolute power, just as Cedric resolves to stop his tyranny.
It seemed that because I had summoned Dantalion to the capital early to save Veronica, the divine revelation had been moved up accordingly.
‘Or perhaps someone is intentionally interfering.’
God, huh?
The timing was incredibly subtle. It was as if someone had been watching the human situation all along, choosing this exact moment to name Marianne the Saintess.
I muttered to myself inwardly, keeping a close eye on the situation.
[Ugh, those disgusting things.]
[Look at them acting all high and mighty when they’re nothing but puppets for those angels! It’s truly revolting!]
Desmond and Bibi trembled with rage at the sight of the priests.
As expected, they didn't get along with the priests who worshipped gods and angels. I smiled and stroked the gems where Desmond and Bibi resided.
“An illegitimate child as a Saintess? Like father, like daughter, I suppose.”
“…!”
Dantalion let out a short, mocking laugh. The priest’s face flushed with indignation as he shouted.
“This is the holy will of God! No matter if you are His Majesty…!”
“Yes, yes, I hear you. A Saintess has been born.”
Dantalion waved his hand dismissively, looking annoyed. Even though it was a divine revelation, his attitude was utterly irreverent.
“But what does that have to do with me?”
“Pardon?”
“Today is the monumental day of my coronation. Am I supposed to throw a festival just because some seven or eight-year-old girl was chosen as a Saintess?”
“…!”
Dantalion spoke with total indifference, his cold eyes scanning the horrified priest from head to toe.
“Is the Temple planning to challenge the imperial authority now?”
“N-No, that is not it!”
“Then stop making a scene and get out. Unless you intend to enjoy the banquet.”
“Urgh….”
The priest trembled at the blatant dismissal.
Outside, the White Night phenomenon had vanished, and the world was quiet again. Biting his lip, the priest glared at Dantalion.
“You will surely come to regret today’s actions.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Hmph…!”
The priest snorted and spun around, storming out of the banquet hall. The other priests followed him in a frantic swarm.
‘Hmm, the Temple.’
The Temple was the source of the Empress Dowager’s power and her strongest support base.
Naturally, it was a place Dantalion, the Empress Dowager’s enemy, could never be close to. The Temple would surely use this incident to denounce Dantalion now that he had become Emperor.
‘In the original story, their provocations didn't stand a chance.’
Of course, as a tyrant, Dantalion hadn't budged an inch in the face of their provocations.
The problem, however, was the public sentiment of the citizens and the nobles.
Naturally, many citizens followed the Temple. Even among the nobles, there were many devout believers who would harbor resentment toward Dantalion for neglecting the Temple.
Furthermore, in the original story, Dantalion was a tyrant. Toward the end of the novel, riots even broke out to depose him.
‘I shouldn't underestimate the power of the Temple.’
Their most terrifying weapon was their ability to manipulate public opinion. They would likely spread rumors that Dantalion had ignored a divine revelation.
For Dantalion, who had just become Emperor, such rumors could be fatal. It might even allow the Empress Dowager, who had lost her practical power, to regain her momentum.
“Y-Your Majesty. How could you send the priests away like that?”
“He is right. Did you not see the outside turn as bright as day just now?”
“If we do not welcome the Saintess immediately, God may be angered….”
As expected, several nobles muttered about divine punishment, their faces pale with fear.
This was the most terrifying aspect of the Temple—their ability to do anything by exploiting people’s faith.
“Brother….”
“…….”
I looked up to see Veronica, pale and anxious, staring toward Dantalion.
I sighed inwardly. She claimed she wanted to cut ties with him, yet here she was, worrying about him. I shook my head.
‘Saintess Marianne.’
In the original story, the Empress Dowager puts forward Marianne, the daughter of Cedric and Gloria, as the Saintess.
Gloria, who gave birth to her, is then revered as the Holy Mother who bore the Saintess, receiving prestigious treatment from the Temple.
And Cedric, their father and husband, naturally rises to even greater heights.
‘I have to weaken the Temple somehow.’
Fortunately, I knew the original story. I knew what moves the Temple would make next.
If I could interfere with that, Dantalion wouldn't end up being chased from the throne by a riot.
For the sake of both Veronica and myself, the Temple had to be defeated. I made up my mind, my eyes scanning the murmuring nobles.
*
The banquet ended earlier than expected, and I returned to the capital townhouse.
I was lounging around in my room when it happened.
[Master! Someone has come from the Imperial Palace!]
“What?”
I whipped my head around to look at Desmond. However, the teddy bear was already just an empty shell.
[Veronica is meeting with a human from the palace and a lawyer.]
“Oh-ho.”
The divorce was finally moving forward. It was faster than I thought.
A smirk escaped me as I imagined Dantalion must have been hounding his aides. Desmond continued.
[Shall I let you listen, Master?]
“Yeah.”
[Understood!]
Soon, their voices reached my ears.
*
Several people were gathered inside the Duke of Winston’s office.
The Duke, Veronica, and Vincent were looking at a servant who had come from the Imperial Palace.
“The Imperial Family actively supports the divorce between the Lady and the Marquis of Lionel. We have already sent word to the Temple that we are withdrawing our approval of the marriage.”
“I see. Thank you.”
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
The imperial servant handed over the documents and exited the office with a disciplined stride.
The three pairs of eyes then turned toward the lawyer sent by Cedric.
“The thing is… the Marquis is still refusing the divorce.”
“That bastard.”
An agitated Vincent spat out a curse. Veronica looked at the lawyer with calm eyes and spoke.
“Refusing won't change anything. If he continues to be uncommunicative, I will proceed with a trial.”
“Phew….”
The lawyer let out a heavy sigh at the mention of a trial. It was painfully obvious who would win if it went that far.
Since the fault for the divorce lay with Marquis Lionel, even the lawyer felt that a clean break by mutual agreement was the best course of action. Furthermore, the Winston family wasn't even demanding a large portion of his assets, despite having clear grounds to do so, all for the sake of a quick divorce.
However, Marquis Lionel was being completely unreasonable. He simply repeated the same words like a parrot: that he would never agree to a divorce.
“To be honest, I am continuing to try and persuade the Marquis, but… he will not listen to me.”
“That’s your problem. We will proceed according to the law,” Vincent said in an arrogant tone, his chin tilted up. The lawyer broke into a cold sweat, looking flustered.
“There… was actually one single demand from the Marquis.”
“What is it?”
“…….”
Veronica asked with interest, while Vincent and the Duke glared at the lawyer with suspicious eyes. The lawyer held his breath before continuing.
“He said that if you truly want a divorce, the Lady must come to the mansion herself and… persuade him.”
“This piece of shit!”
“Eek…!”
Vincent jumped to his feet in a rage. The startled lawyer gasped.
“Sit down, Vincent.”
“Father, but…!”
“Sit down, now.”
At the Duke’s cold command, Vincent sat back down, struggling to contain his anger. The Duke’s blood-red eyes turned toward the lawyer.
“Tell him to stop talking nonsense.”
“Ye-yes, sir.”
“I suppose I’ll see him in court next.”
Though he spoke calmly, the Duke’s tone was no less harsh than Vincent’s. Unable to meet his expressionless face, the lawyer bowed his head deeply.
“Wait a moment.”
“…?”
Veronica, who had been silent, stopped the lawyer as he was about to leave. After a moment of thought, she spoke.
“Is the Marquis truly willing to agree to the divorce if I go?”
“Veri!”
“Veronica!”
The Duke and Vincent shouted in surprise at her question. Veronica didn't even blink, keeping her eyes fixed on the lawyer.
“At the very least… that is what he said.”
“Then I’ll go.”
As she nodded and spoke, the Duke and Vincent’s expressions darkened. They spoke simultaneously.
“Veronica, that man is bound to lose in court anyway.”
“He’s right. There’s no need for you to meet that bastard.”
Veronica turned her calm gaze toward the two of them.
“I want to be divorced from him as soon as possible.”