“What does that mean?”

“It means they are not children born into the cult; they have parents. Hahaha.”

Really not funny at all.

Even as I showed my displeasure, he seemed unfazed, busy amusing himself with his own laughter. Seeing me at last, his expression hardened.

“Haha. I have taken in and raised unfortunate children.”

“Unfortunate children?”

“Yes, yes. Children without parents. Abandoned children from orphanages. We do it as a social contribution. All the children who get along with Shasha are such children. Of course, we’ve internally verified it all, so there is no issue.”

He even gestured with his hands as he made his own excuses.

“I see.”

“Yes, yes. Though abandoned by their parents, these children are excellent in character and potential. That’s why we have educated them.”

High potential means they have magical talents. And by education, he meant making them absolutely obedient to him.

‘Children raised from a young age like that would become loyal subjects of the cult. Losing everything they have, no matter what they do.’

The merits the cult leader proudly spoke of were revealed to be not his own in the story. Along with all the things he used to be greedy about.

“Our cult is such a generous place.”

“Quite impressive. I never dreamed the cult would be taking in and caring for orphans. If you revealed this to the public, you would have garnered a lot of respect.”

“Hehe. It’s just a small thing ‘I’ started. Hehe. Is there respect to be had for it?”

“Still, it’s a good deed. To gather orphaned children and care for them like this. It’s quite an unexpected side of you.”

He cleared his throat in delight at the compliment.

“An unexpected side, you say. I’m embarrassed to be praised.”

Even though he can’t tell anyone. His mouth almost ripped apart because I praised him.

Using the children for his own advantage while silencing them in front of others. If he were really doing a good deed with the orphans, the cult leader would have been boasting about it everywhere.

The fact that he hasn’t told anyone showed his intentions clearly.

‘But saying that did improve the atmosphere a bit.’

His guard against me had considerably lowered. So shall we begin now?

I clapped my hands as if realizing something, looking at the softening cult leader.

“It’s because you’re such a caring person that you’ve taken such good care of our Shanensia.”

“Hehe. Yes, I really like children.”

“The reason for my visit to the cult today is to thank you.”

“Thank you?”

“I know you’ve been fond of our Shasha.”

Even his laugh was disgustingly greedy, his cheeks shaking like a bullfrog’s. Fond of Shasha, my foot. But he scratched his head like someone who got caught doing good.

“She’s still a pretty child. A talent to look forward to.”

“Exactly, even I think so.”

“Conversing with you seems to go more smoothly than with the Countess.”

“I simply came to say thanks.”

“Listen, Shanensia is a promising child. Being in the cult will be a great help to both of us. For Shanensia and for us. Honestly, how much of a struggle would it be for you to protect Shanensia? But the cult is different. I can perfectly protect Shanensia.”

He nodded with a brazen face. Protect? The things he’s doing to the children now are anything but protection.

“Protection? So the cult can offer more perfect protection?”
“Of course. Being in the palace is nice. Very nice indeed. But how long can you burden His Majesty? The two of you should be enjoying your honeymoon. What if you incur His Majesty’s resentment? You may understand each other now, but eventually, His Majesty will surely grow to resent Shanensia. Men are like that.”

The audacity to address the Emperor so carelessly was infuriating.

“Even if he’s His Majesty, he’s just a regular man. A man prone to fits of jealousy. It will become difficult to separate him from Shanensia later. So, entrust her to Matop, who can protect her better than anyone.”

“Would he really?”

“Absolutely. I can guarantee it from my life experience. Besides, you should bear a child. A woman’s worth only increases when she has a child. You might keep her by your side when she’s young, but as time passes and she ages, she loses her charm, like a flower that has missed its time to bloom.”

What nonsense.

The notion that a woman’s worth increases only by bearing a child, that she’s like a flower that missed its time, was absurd.

So much of it was nonsensical that I didn’t know where to begin my objections. Oh merciful heavens.

Shouldn’t I slap the author for this? If nothing else, let me hit that chubby belly with all my might.

The very thought of sharing oxygen with someone harboring such notions made me want to retire from life.

“Ultimately, women are destined to care for and raise children. Children make you feel useful. So, for the sake of Shanensia’s older sister, leave her here.”

I wanted to sew his mouth shut right there and then, but it wasn’t the time. I held my tongue and chuckled.

‘Such people are plentiful, aren’t they?’