Faced with continued pressure, Trope had no choice but to agree. As Carlos had said, even if he reported to the higher-ups, the response would likely echo his own thoughts.
Still, he was bothered that procedure had been ignored. Even if the situation was unavoidable, the higher-ups would certainly have something to say about neglecting protocol.
Trope was all the more worried given the host of other problems.
“We will depart first thing tomorrow morning.”
He would have to return as quickly as possible to report to his superiors and apologize for any missteps.
And hold a strategy meeting on what to do next.
Now that the witch trial was over, there was no further reason for him to remain in Esper’s territory. Trope decided to leave the next day.
Carlos swirled the wine in his new glass and asked,
“Is it really okay to leave so soon?”
“What do you mea—”
Before Trope could finish, the restaurant door burst open, and Dus dragged someone in by the nape of their neck.
“We should take a comrade with us.”
Almost throwing the individual he had dragged in like an animal, Dus placed him in front of the priests.
It was the body of Priest Liam, who had offered to help Irene escape and had subsequently died.
“….!”
Upon seeing their colleague’s corpse, Trope abruptly stood up, as did the other priests.
They had already been searching for Liam. The priest had confidently declared he would resolve this issue before vanishing.
Concern grew as he failed to reappear.
Had something happened to him? Their worst fears were confirmed.
As for why Liam had been killed by Carlos, Trope stared at him in confusion, unable to say anything.
Fortunately or unfortunately, Carlos explained Liam’s cause of death.
“He was spouting nonsense about running away with her because he was in love.”
It was indeed nonsensical. Priests don’t engage in relationships; they devote their lives to their god.
Although some would give up their priesthood for true love, Liam had never given off such a vibe.
Especially considering his love interest was a Duke’s woman. The priests, including Trope, couldn’t believe Liam would take such a suicidal step.
“Did Brother really say that?”
When Trope asked on behalf of the priests, Carlos chuckled sarcastically and picked up his knife.
“Do you doubt my words?”
The sharp blade cut through the steak, revealing a bloody interior not fully cooked.
A chill ran down Trope’s spine, making him tremble as he responded.
“No, I was just seeking confirmation. How dare I doubt Your Grace?”
“So you admit that the priest was at fault?”
Regardless of Duke Esper, killing someone recklessly, especially a priest, was not permissible.
If Liam had truly attempted to manipulate Irene and was caught, then there was nothing to say. However, this was solely based on Carlos’s claim, allowing the temple to apply pressure under the pretext of an investigation.
Carlos was aiming to make the fault clearly Liam’s, so neither the temple nor their hidden backers could argue.
“….”
Noticing Carlos’s intent, Trope remained silent before eventually responding awkwardly.
“I believe so, but I cannot speak for the deputy or others.”
Carlos chuckled at Trope’s futile efforts to evade the trap he had set.
“So, you’ll testify for us then.”
It was a cold sneer, far from a warm, welcoming smile, as if a demon had just risen from hell.
“Right?”
“W-well…”
Trope hesitated to answer, and Carlos forcefully set down his knife, clearly displaying his discomfort.
At the same time, Dus subtly revealed the pommel of the sword he had tucked into his waistband.
Speak, or die.
“O-of course.”
Trope quickly replied, his fear rising, and vowed to himself.
He had to prevent any discussion about Liam’s death at the temple. Otherwise, he would end up like a shrimp caught in a whale fight, undoubtedly killed in the crossfire.
Though no blood had been shed, Irene had had a near-warlike dinner and returned to her bedroom only to vomit.
Sure, she had forced herself to eat in the tense atmosphere, not even knowing whether the food was entering her nose or mouth. But there were other reasons as well.
Like having seen a dead body during the meal.
Or the fact that she was implicated in the person’s cause of death.
Or that Duke Esper was as cruel and savage as the rumors had suggested. Or her fear that, like the priest he had killed, she too might end up dead. Various psychological factors compounded her nausea.
Walking around the garden seemed like it might help, but the problem was that Carlos had banned Irene from taking walks for the time being due to an unpleasant event that had occurred in the hallway during the day.
If she insisted on going, he said he would accompany her, but…
“I don’t want to.”
Who would want to walk with a man who could stab you in the heart at any moment?
For the same reason, Irene had kept her sickness a secret from Jesse. If Jesse found out, Carlos would too. She didn’t want him to know she was sick.
“Ugh.”
“My lady!”
Male lead is a Destined Young Husband (Female-dominant)
One-sentence summary: Wife-master, listen to my explanation!
Li Ruantang, a young lady from a prestigious family, stumbled and fell. When she woke up, she saw a noble and beautiful young man sitting by her bedside, wiping away tears.
The young master had slightly reddened eyes, and his every move exuded charm.
The sight made Li Ruantang’s eyes hot and her heart flutter. After all, she had made a bet with the young master Meng from the neighboring family. If she couldn’t marry a husband before the end of the year, she would have to admit defeat and give up the jade she had worked so hard to obtain.
Outside the window, the flowers were in full bloom.
Rather than losing the bet, the jade, and her face, Li Ruantang calculated that it would be better to seek marriage with the young master in front of her, killing three birds with one stone.
…
Meng Jun never thought that an accident during a spring outing would lead to them rolling down a cliff and into a river, yet still survive.
Now they were trapped in an unknown village, and Meng Jun had overheard that the family who had rescued them had their own intentions.
After all, it was Li Ruantang who had lost her mind and sought marriage first. He was only trying to protect himself!
Glancing at Li Ruantang, who was listing her own merits, the young husband’s voice softened, and he blushed as he lied, “W-wife-master, Wife-master, don’t you remember me?”
The young husband’s voice was clear and handsome, coaxing Li Ruantang’s heart to be soft and sweet, and she spared no effort to protect him.
It wasn’t until they returned to the capital that Li Ruantang suddenly remembered.
When they had fallen off the cliff, in order not to implicate Wei Yunruo, whom he secretly admired, the young husband had instead pulled her, who was slightly farther away, down the cliff with him…
Short summary by Yuushi L: Initially, the male lead (ML) liked another girl, while the female lead (FL) liked the ML. Both fell off a cliff. The FL temporarily lost her memory, and the ML, fearing others might take advantage of him, claimed FL was his wife while they were staying in a village. Later, when they returned home, the FL regained her memories and remembered that the ML liked someone else, so she kept her distance from him. However, during their time living together in the countryside, the ML’s view of the FL had completely changed. From this point, his pursuit of the FL begins.
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