Chapter 12.2

Having already received a reply via a messenger, Aaron was in a very good mood. He was in the process of slowly accepting the fact that reconciling quickly with Leticia was impossible.

Although Leticia was not by his side, he could soothe his heart by pouring his devotion into Isello, who looked just like his dead wife, even if he couldn’t bring her back.

Therefore, Aaron answered Carlyle’s communication with a very gentle face. Although their residences in the capital were quite far apart, it was funny to contact each other via mages while staying in the same city.

However, since Carlyle wouldn’t do this without reason, Aaron quietly accepted the communication.

– How have you been?

“…I am always about the same. Except for the fact that His Majesty was greatly shocked by the incident regarding Her Majesty the Empress.”

Carlyle had also heard the news that Duke Tesseia’s influence had widened due to the attempted assassination of the Empress. It seemed the Emperor very strongly wished for Aaron to regain his former position.

Before Aaron resigned over the loss of his wife ten years ago, he had been acting as the Commander-in-Chief leading the Imperial Army. Not only was there no one in the Empire who could beat him with a sword, but he had also rarely been defeated in battle.

Aaron didn’t explicitly bring it up, but Carlyle thought there was a high possibility he would regain his former position. It was likely due to the matter with the Sachsen Empire.

‘The fact that he had moved exactly as the enemy wished would likely prick his pride. And the damage wouldn’t just disappear simply because the Emperor of the Sachsen Empire died.’

What he lost would stimulate his desire for revenge. Even to protect what remained, he would desire power greater than what he had now.

Carlyle decided not to beat around the bush. It was foolish to walk on eggshells in a relationship where they knew each other’s shame and weaknesses to some extent.

– The reason I contacted you is that there is someone else besides you who sent an invitation to Leticia.

For Leticia, who was the wife of Little Duke Lyon and Princess Tesseia, invitations would likely pile up like mountains every day. If it were an Imperial invitation, it would be difficult to refuse, and there would be no particular reason to refuse anyway. The Empress seemed to view Leticia favorably because she was the child who had avenged Teresa.

“Who is it?”

– His Holiness has graciously summoned Leticia to the Grand Temple. I think you know that this is difficult to refuse.

He spoke of the events that had recently occurred in the Lyon Duchy. He was not mentioning the unsavory incident with the Count Yosel family.

He was referring to the fact that Haron, one of the top Paladins in the Order, and Julius, a high-ranking priest, had been assigned as Leticia’s escort and instructor, respectively.

– It is a grateful thing, but it is hard to shake the thought that it is excessive. Since the Grand Temple is located within the capital and this is the Empire, I don’t think the Pope would do anything unreasonable, but…. It is right after that incident, isn’t it?

He knew about the ‘gift’ the Pope had sent to the Empress. Even the contents attached to the gift.

“…Do you think the Pope will cause trouble?”

– I just want to be prepared for any eventuality. Terdis and I will accompany Leticia on that day, but still. It seems there is some other ulterior motive.

It wasn’t something that required deep thought. Aaron asked immediately.

“What do you want me to do?”

– It isn’t a difficult task. It’s tomorrow….

At the words that followed, Aaron slowly nodded.

***

Olga had looked down on Nastasha as stupid from before. She rarely showed it outwardly because she didn’t want to cause trouble with her. Back then, she was trying to look good to Cesare.

At that time, Sebastian didn’t like Nastasha, or Olga for that matter. He hated Nastasha because she was clingy, and he said he hated Olga because she acted prim and tried to teach him.

If she caused trouble with Nastasha, it was obvious Sebastian would blow the issue out of proportion with a look that said he’d found a good excuse. So, Olga had suppressed her disdain and barely dealt with Nastasha.

Nastasha did not betray Olga’s expectations this time either. Hearing who the new partner she had fallen for was, Olga was dumbfounded.

‘Is this girl really an idiot?’

If the man she newly liked were from another family, Olga wouldn’t have thought this much of it. But to like an adopted son from the Tesseia Duchy, and a commoner at that!

“They say he is a very prettily looking young lord. His manner of speech isn’t vulgar at all either. Rumor has it he doesn’t seem like a commoner.”

“He’s still a commoner origin regardless. How can he hide his lowly status? He’s just pretending to be gentle to get in the Duke’s good graces right now.”

The maid, who was from a fallen noble family, didn’t pay much mind to Olga’s scolding. She seemed more curious about Isello’s face, which was the talk of the town.

“His face looks a lot like the Little Duke of Tesseia, but they say he is very cute.”

“Cute?”

This referred to his appearance, not his behavior, but thinking that he would act coy with women with a face resembling Cesare made her feel bad instantly.

‘Duke Tesseia sure has some nerve trying to adopt such a guy!’

“And is it certain that that kid cajoled Nastasha to his side?”

“Rather than cajoling, Lady Renain is throwing herself at him, and he seems to be avoiding her. It’s inevitable since Lady Renain is the Third Young Lord’s ex-fiancée.”

“He’s not witless, then.”

Olga thought about how she could use this. It would have been fun if Nastasha and Isello were secretly dating and she was the only one who knew so she could blackmail him, but unfortunately, it seemed many people knew about the situation.

‘If he looks that much like Cesare, I am curious….’

It made her angry that a mere commoner dared to resemble Cesare, but it was true she was curious. After all, Olga had also fallen for Cesare’s cold beauty, accepted his unreasonable demands, and acted as his fiancée.

‘If I could just make him my dog…. revenge on Cesare would be possible.’

A boy who caught the eye of Duke Tesseia and became his adopted son. People firmly believed that the renowned Duke Tesseia wouldn’t do such a thing without reason, but the hidden side was unknown.

‘Even if that’s not the case, I could create a situation and make it a fait accompli.’

Whatever happened to the boy by doing so, whether his adoption was annulled or not, had nothing to do with Olga. Olga smiled deeply as if a splendid plan had occurred to her.