“Shall we continue our conversation?”

There was no kindness left on Barwin’s face, which had become thoroughly irritated by the time wasted with the suddenly appeared ruffians.

A cold and dark shadow was cast over his face.

Originally, Barwin was someone who didn’t show his emotions when dealing with others.

His recent behavior was solely to help Clea, with no other intentions.

It was the same for the young master Odoi in front of him. Even seeing his quite intimidated appearance, Barwin felt no other emotion.

If any emotion arose, it would be displeasure at most.

After all, he was the elder brother who had long tormented Clea, who had saved him.

“Senior, please lend me some money.”

He had shamelessly come to ask for help.

And he was doing so by invoking their brief school connection from the past.

Barwin furrowed his brow openly, finding it absurd.

The other party was busy avoiding Barwin’s gaze.

“No matter how urgent, it’s not proper to ask to borrow money so abruptly.”

“Except for you, senior, I have no one else to turn to for help. Please, I beg you just this once.”

“Sigh, please stop calling me senior. This is no longer school.”

Originally, the reason he had been a bit friendly at the academy was because of the Odoi Duke’s family advantage.

At that time, the Odoi Duke’s family was not struggling financially like now. The atmosphere was good enough to become in-laws with the Grand Duke’s family.

The series of misfortunes happened after Barwin graduated from the academy.

Recently, he even met Grit in person and, predicting the family wouldn’t last long, cut ties.

Ironically, the other party didn’t even know the ties had been cut and was acting like this on his own.

‘I wonder if he knows how I behaved towards Duke Odoi.’

It was already known in social circles that Barwin had treated Grit, who came looking for money, coldly.

Yet Barwin wondered where the confidence came from to visit and humbly ask for money.

“If I lend you money, what will you offer in return, young master?”

Steve took something out from inside his clothes. It was the family seal.

When Steve even brought out the seal, Barwin became curious.

Clearly recognized as the heir to the family.

Originally, besides Steve, there were no more heirs in the Odoi family.

Of course, there used to be one more, but having been disinherited, there was no longer any connection to that household.

In fact, if he just bided his time, he could safely inherit the duke’s family.

But Steve seemed to be itching, approaching him similarly to Lloyd.

‘One is angry, the other trembles with anxiety.’

Just as he thought it might be interesting to watch, Steve spoke first.

“I heard you were interested in the duke’s family’s business rights.”

The moment he heard Steve’s words, Barwin felt his mind spark.

He doubted if he had heard correctly.

But his ears had not deceived him.

Seeing Steve’s determined appearance, Barwin asked with a smile.

“Are you saying you’ll sell that to me?”

Steve nodded in response.

Barwin let out a hollow laugh.

Duke Grit, true to his profit-seeking nature, had maintained his reason and delayed the deal until the very moment of collapse.

To lead the deal in a direction that would benefit him even a little more.

In contrast, this son of his had recklessly come and was trying to sell off the family’s last lifeline on his own.

Barwin held back a sigh that was about to escape.

‘As much as I’d like to swallow this whole.’

He was somewhat swayed by the temptation of the ripe apple before his eyes.

If it were Steve, he would probably try to sell even if only half the original amount Grit had intended to offer was mentioned.

But Clea came to mind.

For her sake, he wouldn’t care about any infamy that might follow.

If it benefited him, he could agree to any deal. Even if the other party were a demon straight out of legend.

“I can’t make such a significant deal without the head of the family present.”

“Senior! I am the heir to the duke’s family! I, the heir, have personally brought the family seal, so why are you saying it’s not possible!”

But how could he scatter ashes on the path of someone who would become the future crown princess?

‘If I swallow this offer, Grit will surely make an issue of it.’

He could predict what kind of words would be thrown around.

It was clear as day that he would spout nonsense about drugging his son to forcibly sell the business rights.

Ultimately, the business rights would go to Clea.

So Barwin was able to firmly cut off the temptation.

Especially since Clea had said before.

One who touches pitch will be defiled. There was no need to act like the other party and become like them.

“Senior! If it’s a matter of price, I can lower it a bit more…”

“Calm down, young master.”

But on the other hand, there was something he wanted to see.

Looking at the excited Steve in front of him, he held out another piece of paper.

Steve’s eyes widened when he saw the paper Barwin handed him.

“Instead, as a senior, let me lend you money for the last time.”

The paper was a check with a considerable amount written on it.

If taken to the bank as is, it could be exchanged for money.

Steve looked at Barwin with suspicious eyes for a moment.

It seemed strange to give money without any collateral.

But since he was the one in urgent need, he soon set aside his suspicions and accepted the check.

“Thank you. I’ll repay it somehow.”

Having obtained what he wanted, Steve rose from his seat.

Watching Steve leave, Barwin looked forward.

“I should be the one thanking you. With that small amount of money, I’ll be able to hear news of how much more you’ll deteriorate in the future.”

* * *

The temple was bustling as usual.

At first, it was because of Clea’s public confession, but later it was due to Aria’s intrusion and Admund’s appearance.

And now was the most chaotic moment since Clea began her confession.

This was because Odin, who rarely appeared in public, had appeared in person before their eyes.

“What brings you here?”

“I don’t think I’ve come to a place I shouldn’t be.”

“I only asked because someone who never visits the temple has come.”

As Admund said, Clea was also full of wonder that he had appeared here in person.

He was a person far from being a believer.

During his time as crown prince, he had come and gone to the temple a few times at the request of those around him, but since becoming emperor, he had never set foot here even once.

For him to show up in person, there was no one who wasn’t surprised.

Meanwhile, Odin apologized to Hayden.

“Bishop, I’m sorry for visiting so suddenly.”

“Everything in the empire belongs to Your Majesty, how could you apologize to me?”

“Still, hasn’t the confession been interrupted because of me?”

“Haha, anyway, the meaning of confession has already been lost.”

With Hayden’s words, Odin turned his gaze to Clea.

“Are you alright?”

Although the words were brief, there was affection in his voice.

Clea answered with a bright smile to such an Odin.

“I’m fine.”

“Even though you couldn’t eat or sleep?”

“Although it’s hard, I was able to endure thanks to my lover beside me.”

“Ha, I wonder if you’re not lying again, hiding it inside like last time.”

Those listening to the conversation between the two were all surprised.

While there were rumors about Admund, there were no rumors at all related to Odin.

Originally, Odin was notorious for having no interest at all in Admund’s affairs.

Because of that rumor, there were even words going around that there might be discord between father and son.

In fact, thanks to Empress Elina, the discord rumors were all settled.

‘This time, it doesn’t seem to be a complete lie.’

After examining Clea’s face, Odin turned his gaze to Admund.

A faint smile appeared on Odin’s lips at the appearance of having roughly guessed why he had come here.

He seemed to be making a cool-headed judgment of the situation, befitting his child. Thoroughly satisfied, he approached Clea and asked.

“There’s only one reason I came here.”

The one and only reason the emperor of the empire personally came all the way here.

Clea was curious about what he had come to say, but Admund, who was watching this, already had a look of realization.

“I came to set the date.”

“…The date?”

“Yes.”

When the first word out of his mouth was ‘date’, she immediately realized.

And for a moment, she was flustered.

“Did you come all the way here just for that?”

“Just for that? Isn’t it a momentous day that happens only once in a lifetime? At least for my son and daughter-in-law.”

The busiest person in the empire had taken the time to personally come just to set the wedding date.

It was something that could have been reported later when they visited him.

In this unbelievable situation, she turned her gaze to Admund.

It meant for him to say something directly, since it was his father.

But Admund was not on her side at this moment.

He too, as someone who earnestly desired marriage with Clea, wanted to make it certain.

About his and her wedding, that is.

As Odin had calculated, it would be even better to confirm it in front of so many people like this.

Admund asked Clea with a nervous expression.

“That’s right. Shouldn’t we set the date soon too?”

“Surely Admund, you didn’t call him here yourself?”

When even Admund agreed, she asked out of disbelief, but he shook his head.

Well, no matter how much of a son he was, he couldn’t order the emperor around.

She let out a sigh and looked at the other people.

The people in her view were all in a cheering mood.