Chapter 568: Cooperation
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 568: Cooperation
"An apology?"
"That’s right, an apology!"
Wei’er clapped her hands together, her smile as bright as spring sunshine.
"Well, after the President returned, she kept obsessing over how rude she’d been at the Dion residence last time. She felt it was completely unbecoming of a princess—to the point where she could barely eat or sleep! You see, as soon as that previous business was settled, Her Highness immediately sent me over with these gifts to make amends."
"Her Highness is... most thoughtful."
Hearing that the gifts were indeed sent by Princess Celicia herself as an apology, Sharp immediately performed a faultless salute, pressing a hand to his chest. However, his gaze remained tinged with suspicion as he glanced at the carriages, which were significantly larger than standard ones.
He had no idea what game the Princess was playing, but... an apology?
Would that arrogant woman actually apologize of her own accord?
A flicker of mockery touched Sharp’s eyes as he spoke. "Actually, what happened before wasn't a major issue. It was my own lack of refinement that made me appear overly agitated. Princess Celicia truly has no need to apologize. So... please, take these gifts back."
"I can't do that!"
Wei’er refused instantly. "The President said that if you don't accept these gifts, she’ll be absolutely miserable!"
"But..."
Sharp gave a wry smile. "How about you go back and tell Princess Celicia that I hold no grudge whatsoever? Last time was merely a small misunderstanding. There is really no need for me to accept such valuable gifts."
"This has nothing to do with whether you hold a grudge or not."
Wei’er planted her hands on her hips and grinned. "This is a token of the Princess's sincerity. Are you saying... you look down on the sincerity of the Empire’s Third Princess, Her Highness Celicia?"
"..."
Sharp’s cheek twitched.
As expected of the lackey following that Princess around; her talent for pinning labels on people was clearly learned from the same teacher.
"Fine. I shall accept these items for the time being."
Sharp sighed helplessly. Since the conversation had reached this point, he had to accept them regardless of what she was plotting.
"What’s inside?"
"It’s a secret."
Wei’er gave a playful wink. "Since it’s a gift, it has to be a surprise, doesn't it?"
"A surprise... I just hope it isn't a shock," Sharp muttered to himself. He then summoned his butler and had men lead the carriages away.
Afterward, he offered a polite, ritualistic invitation to Wei’er. "Since you're already here, would you like to come inside the mansion and sit for a while?"
"Sure!"
"If it’s not convenient... wait, what?" Sharp froze. "What did you say?"
"I said sure."
Wei’er continued to blink with exaggerated innocence. "Oh my, it’s so hot today and I’ve worked so hard. I was just thinking I’d love a cup of fine tea."
"..."
Sharp, who had truly only intended the invitation as a hollow courtesy, stood there with his mouth agape.
"Since you invited me so sincerely, I won't be shy."
Wei’er patted Sharp on the shoulder with practiced familiarity and then skipped toward the mansion of her own accord. "Mr. Sharp, you really are a good person!"
"..."
Watching Wei’er’s retreating, cheerful figure, Sharp’s eyelid twitched violently. After a moment of thought, he suddenly called the butler over.
"Has there been any word from the Inner Council?"
"None for now," Steward Arno replied respectfully. "After the incident in the Lower District, everyone’s attention seems to have been captured by the death of the Second Prince. Consequently, the Empire has been unusually quiet lately."
"Quiet... but why would Princess Celicia pull a stunt like this right now? What is she after?"
Sharp paced back and forth, thinking rapidly. Due to his unique position, although he wasn't truly involved in the Inner Council’s affairs, the intelligence he gathered was far superior to that of the useless fools within the Council.
"Right, the Campbell family!"
Sharp snapped to alertness and turned to the butler, his voice low and sharp. "Has there been any movement from the Campbell family recently?"
"The Campbells..." The butler pondered for a moment. "No movement there either. After their losses last time, even that big rat in the Lower District has been behaving himself."
"Are you certain?" Sharp’s expression was grim. "If Celicia is planning to use the Campbells to do something, it could cause us a great deal of trouble."
"I am certain," the butler replied without hesitation. "After the Lower District incident, basically all of the Campbell family’s strength in Belland was exposed. They are under our strict surveillance. If they truly intended to do something, it would be impossible for us not to notice in advance."
"What if they intend to use the Campbell family’s influence?"
"That’s even more unlikely. With the current Duke Campbell and his son both away, the Campbell family is far from being able to influence Imperial politics."
"I see... am I overthinking it?" Sharp rubbed his chin, lost in thought. Finally, he remained cautious. "Regardless, we cannot let our guard down. Regarding those gifts the Princess sent..."
Sharp’s eyes flickered. "Do not open them. Do not even look at what is inside. Destroy them immediately!"
"Understood!"
*
"Hello. I am an old friend of the Church. I wish to see Archbishop Canterbury."
Outside the Belland Cathedral, a well-dressed man with an unremarkable face handed an exquisite badge to an old nun who was sweeping the entrance.
The elderly nun took the badge and gave it a single glance. Her drowsy demeanor vanished instantly. After studying the man carefully, she said, "Please wait a moment."
The nun turned and entered the cathedral while the man waited patiently. Soon, the cathedral doors opened again. The nun held a dim lantern and said in a low voice, "Follow me."
"Thank you."
The man followed the nun, winding through the small paths of the cathedral grounds. They did not enter the magnificent main hall famous throughout Belland; instead, the dim lantern light led them into an inconspicuous small room.
Inside the room, a faint mist drifted, carrying a calming fragrance. A white-robed elder sat leaning back, silently flipping through an ancient text in his hands.
The nun departed silently, closing the door behind her.
The man looked around the room but did not speak to disturb Archbishop Canterbury. Instead, he sat down across from him with practiced ease, picked up the teapot in front of the Archbishop, and poured himself a cup of clear tea.
Mmm. The spring tea from the Holy City is as fragrant as ever.
After finishing the cup, the man set it down, meeting a pair of profound, weathered eyes.
"I wonder how a busy man like you, Lord Honorary Holy Knight, has found the time to visit my cathedral?"
"No matter how busy I am, I must find time to visit the Archbishop, mustn't I?"
The man smiled slightly and reached up to peel away the human skin mask, revealing a handsome face that seemed to brighten the very room.
"Of course, to be blunt—alongside this visit, I have also come to discuss a certain cooperation."