Dyus left, and shortly thereafter, Carlos called for Duey.
Duey, who ran at once, setting aside what he was doing at his master’s call, bowed politely.
“Did you call for me?”
“Doves will visit here soon.”
“Dove” was a vulgar expression for priests.
It was a nickname because, like pigeons, symbols of peace that dirty the streets and spread all kinds of diseases, priests would cry peace in the future while behind the scenes, they committed all kinds of evil deeds.
It was a common occurrence for the temple side to send priests to Duke Esper’s territory, making all sorts of excuses, such as ceremonies, rituals, and relief for the poor.
Even in the past, there was a time when Carlos was furious because they babbled nonsensical gibberish about wanting to build a temple in Duke Esper’s territory.
Naturally, he had refused all visits of the temple’s priests to Duke Esper’s territory.
But the priests were visiting Duke Esper’s territory? Duey wore a bewildered expression.
“Did you allow their visit?”
Carlos chuckled.
“There’s no way I would do such a thing.”
That’s true. Duey nodded in agreement.
“Then how are they coming here from the temple side?”
No matter how powerful the temple’s authority was, they could not enter the territory without the lord’s permission.
Of course, it was possible if they pushed forward haphazardly under the guise of the Pope’s will, but that wouldn’t fly with the Esper family.
As Duey inquired with a perplexed look, Carlos asked back, seemingly more puzzled.
“You don’t know anything?”
“No?”
He truly doesn’t know. If Duey had known the news, he would have first asked Carlos what would be the best course of action.
“Just a while ago, Dyus brought a newspaper from the temple.”
“Dyus … did?”
“Yes. The newspaper had an article about Irene and me. The headline was [Northern Loser, Enchanted by a Witch].”
Hearing just the headline, Duey, who had inferred the content of the article, gave a hollow laugh.
“It seems the temple side has put quite a bit of thought into getting into Duke Esper’s territory. Then when the falsehood is revealed, I wonder how they plan to handle the aftermath.”
“Then they’ll simply sever the tail. The one who published the article is not the grand temple.”
“But the priests coming here will belong to the grand temple. Precisely, they will be the Pope’s dogs pretending to belong to the shield temple.”
Carlos affirmed with silence.
“I don’t know the real reason they are keen on coming to Duke Esper’s territory, but the superficial reason is to verify whether Miss Irene is a witch or not…… Oh my.”
Duey, who had a terrible thought for a moment, scowled and spoke firmly.
“We must refuse. You must prevent the dove scoundrels from entering Duke Esper’s territory, and therefore from meeting the young lady, my lord.”
“If I try to stop them, I can, but the backlash will be huge.”
There were already various ominous rumors circulating within the empire about Duke Esper enjoying slaughter, drinking demon blood, and so on.
If Carlos tried to bury the witch’s suspicion without resolving it, the temple would undoubtedly incite the imperial citizens.
Then the royal family would no longer be able to maintain neutrality and would have to step in, and Carlos, who had an alliance with them, would have no choice but to comply.
“Better to suppress it at the beginning, lest a small spark grows into a blaze that burns down the house.”
“That’s true, but…… I’m worried that they might be rude to the young lady. They might tell her you are fearsome and she should run away, or attempt some strange brainwashing.”
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.”
In contrast to his indifferent response, Carlos’s fingers anxiously tapped the desk.
“Prepare to entertain the doves. They’ll show up within two weeks at the latest.”
“I understand.”
“Tell Dyus to be thorough with the security as well.”
“…….”
When Duey hesitated at the added command, Carlos clicked his tongue.
“When will you reconcile? A hundred years seems like more than enough time to reconcile.”
Duey fiddled with the elongated silver chain of his monocle.
“I want to reconcile, but he won’t accept it easily. Well, I guess it’s natural since I tried to kill him…….”
“You didn’t try to kill him.”
“But he almost died because of me. He actually did die.”
Suddenly recalling the events of long ago, Dewey let out a short sigh and slightly bowed his head.
“So I’m sorry, but I would like you to have someone else talk to him.”
“No, you will.”
Carlos stubbornly insisted.
“You said that seeing each other often will make you closer.”
Dewey laughed awkwardly.
“That’s when there are no hard feelings between you. In this situation, meeting often is rather poisonous. Don’t you know that from your own experience, my lord?”
“…….”
Stung by the truth, Carlos had to close his mouth.
“Then I’ll ask for your favor.”
Dewey repeatedly requested and left without a word.
Even after Dewey left, Carlos sat in his place for a long time.
“It’s your fault.”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
