Chapter 83: Do I Really Need to Know?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: Do I Really Need to Know?
Who is that?
I watched the two of them with curious eyes. Marianne reached out, looking flustered.
“Luci, are you alright?”
“Yes, yes. Saintess… I’m sorry…”
“You don’t have to apologize. Are you hurt?”
The kind-hearted Marianne checked on the boy with a worried expression.
The boy called Luci was small and frail, though he was taller than Marianne or me. He looked to be about eleven or twelve, but it was possible he was actually older.
On his arms, which were as thin as withered branches, I caught a glimpse of scars that his clothes couldn't hide. I narrowed my eyes at the sight of the marks, which looked like old, cracked skin.
Is he an abused child?
Seeing as Marianne knew him, he seemed to belong to the Temple rather than the Imperial Palace.
Since the benevolent Marianne wouldn't have abused a child, it was clearly the Temple’s doing. It was exactly the kind of murky business the Temple—the same place that created Nathaniel—would be capable of.
“Oh dear, it seems Luciano volunteered to do chores for our Saintess but made a mistake while overexerting himself.”
The Empress Dowager approached the two with a smile. Reaching out, she placed one hand on Marianne’s shoulder and the other on Luciano’s arm. Luciano’s arm flinched.
“Our Saintess has such a beautiful heart to care so much for a page. Come now, others will clean this up, so please stand up.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Marianne nodded and answered softly, still appearing awkward around the Empress Dowager. Luciano simply kept his head bowed low. His bangs were so long that his face was completely hidden.
She probably made him do it on purpose for this exact reason.
Despite having forced a child to carry something far too heavy for him, the Empress Dowager feigned benevolence with a shameless face. Her nonchalance was enough to make me feel nauseous.
“As expected, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is generous toward her subordinates.”
“Look at the Saintess, so worried that the page might be hurt. She’s just like Her Majesty.”
“The Saintess is truly…”
The onlookers whispered amongst themselves. In an instant, the warm atmosphere that had been focused on Veronica and me shifted toward the Empress Dowager.
To use a child for something like this. I looked at the Empress Dowager with pathetic eyes.
“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”
“…!”
Just then, the servant’s loud announcement shook the garden.
It seemed even the Empress Dowager hadn't expected Dantalion to show up, as she momentarily faltered, her eyes widening.
However, regaining her composure as always, she put on a bright face as she watched Dantalion stride toward them.
“Welcome, Leon. I didn't think you’d come, given how busy you are.”
“Even if I’m busy, I must attend a tea time in the Queen’s Garden.”
Dantalion replied indifferently and turned his head. As if he only had eyes for one person, his lips curled upward when he saw Veronica.
“I greet Your Majest—”
“No need for formalities between us. Have you been enjoying yourself?”
“Yes.”
“More than a tea time with just me?”
“That is…”
Dantalion asked mischievously, his voice full of affection. I watched with my mouth agape as Dantalion shamelessly snatched the spotlight away from the Empress Dowager.
He’s a pro. A total pro.
For someone who had spent so much time on the battlefield, Dantalion was surprisingly seasoned in politics. It had been the same in the original story.
Whether it was a natural talent or something else, even when he reigned as a tyrant, he was subtly good at diplomacy. There had been no external friction, and the empire had been prosperous enough for people to live well.
If the citizens hadn't been swayed by the Temple and started a rebellion, Dantalion surely would have been remembered as a good emperor in the original story as well.
History is written by the winners, after all.
To his enemies, the Empress Dowager and the Temple, he must have been a terrifying tyrant, but in reality, Dantalion hadn't committed any crimes in the original work other than pressuring them.
Furthermore, now that Veronica was alive, he had become even softer on the surface and was no longer a tyrant. I watched Dantalion and Veronica being lovey-dovey with a glazed look in my eyes.
“Dia, did you sleep well last night? You didn't wake up startled, did you?”
“Mhm, I slept very well.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, because Dai was protecting me.”
I said, pointing at Desmond, who was lying quietly on his belly at my feet.
We were publicly calling Desmond, who was inhabiting the direwolf, ‘Dai.’ Dantalion chuckled, seemingly finding the childish naming sense amusing.
“I see, that must be reassuring. Just don't play with your friend until too late at night.”
“Okay.”
I nodded obediently as Dantalion alluded to what happened with Nathaniel last night. As if finding me adorable, Dantalion reached out and stroked my hair.
“Leon, these people are the Saintess and her mother…”
“Do I really need to know?”
“…!”
Dantalion asked in a chilling tone as the Empress Dowager tried to introduce Gloria and Marianne.
The surroundings fell silent, as if doused with cold water. Dantalion continued calmly.
“Handle Your Majesty’s guests yourself and send them back. They have nothing to do with me.”
“But…”
“Beri, if they make you uncomfortable, you don't have to meet them. The wedding and the ball will proceed without any issues.”
In this moment, Dantalion looked more reliable than anyone else.
No matter how well Veronica handled things, there was always a lingering sense of frustration due to their social status, but he just forcibly cleared it all away.
He truly was the tyrant from the original story. I nodded inwardly, cheering Dantalion on fervently.
“We can't do that. They are important guests of the Temple.”
Veronica shook her head and gazed calmly at Gloria and Marianne. Gloria flinched as if burned and avoided Veronica’s gaze.
“The imperial wedding will proceed as scheduled, and naturally, we will have the Temple’s cooperation. Isn't that right?”
“Yes, o-of course.”
Though they were busy worshipping her as the Holy Mother, I wasn't sure how much influence the weak-willed Gloria actually had within the Temple.
However, if they were seen treating the Holy Mother poorly in front of others, they would lose the trust of the imperial citizens.
“That’s what they say, Your Majesty. I will coordinate things well, so don't worry.”
“As expected, I can always count on my Beri.”
The chemistry between Dantalion, who handled the 'tough' side, and Veronica, who handled the 'soft' side, was perfect. They truly were a match made in heaven.
I felt like clapping in admiration. But I held it in and pretended to be busy eating cookies.
“…!”
Then, my eyes met Marianne’s, who had been staring blankly at the two of them. Marianne’s purple eyes widened for a moment before narrowing again.
Looking at Dantalion and Veronica with an envious expression, Marianne bit her lip. Then, she suddenly turned an intense gaze toward me.
Why is she looking at me like that?
Perhaps I had acted too friendly at the Winston townhouse, because Marianne seemed to truly believe we could become friends.
My conscience pricked me a little, seeing the child believe it so sincerely. After a moment of thought, I put down my cookie.
“Mom, I want to go look at the garden.”
“Oh, do you?”
The Empress Dowager chimed in.
“You are more than welcome to look around as much as you like.”
It was quite ridiculous to see her acting as if the Queen’s Garden belonged to her.
“Go with Sir Demia.”
“Okay!”
I hopped down and took Demia’s hand. Desmond stood by my side as well. It was the perfect escort.
“Um, may I go as well?”
Marianne, who had been quiet, asked in a small voice. The Empress Dowager nodded as if she had been waiting for this.
“Of course. Sir Noel, you go with them as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was the same paladin I had seen at the townhouse before. However, Marianne shook her head.
“I’ll be fine with just Luci.”
“But Saintess…”
“Please.”
When Marianne spoke pleadingly, Noel glanced at the Empress Dowager. The corner of the Empress Dowager’s mouth twitched slightly.
“Then do so.”
“Thank you.”
Dantalion hesitated for a moment, but he allowed it, thinking Marianne wouldn't harm me. Marianne walked a short distance behind me.
Crunch, crunch.
Only the sound of stepping on grass echoed through the garden. I couldn't help but be mindful of Marianne behind me.
Moreover, I was curious about what kind of story that boy named Luciano had.
Then, the murmuring of demons buzzed in my head.
[That mop-headed brat. Something is suspicious about him.]
[I agree. It’s strange.]
Huh? What is?
By 'mop-head,' they clearly meant Luciano. I listened closely to the demons.
[I wasn't sure until just now, but now that he’s close, I can tell. That brat has been poisoned by Demon’s Poison before!]
Demon’s Poison?
What’s that?
I tilted my head at Desmond’s words.