The Beast Swallowed by the Flower (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 20
The priest’s expression brightened.
Seeing that, Kai smiled faintly.
“But that’s only after verifying whether the rumor is true or false. If His Holiness the Pope slanders Countess Green and annuls the marriage based on a false rumor, that would tarnish the Holy Nation’s honor even more.”
Although Kai added a condition, the priest remained confident.
A reputable newspaper had published scandalous allegations about Countess Green on its front page.
It mocked Count Green for being so bewitched by his wife’s beauty that he couldn’t keep her in check, and further expressed disappointment toward the Holy Nation for protecting such a count.
It was impossible that Countess Green’s reputation for debauchery was merely a rumor.
“I’m relieved we finally understand each other, Your Grace.”
The priest, who had maintained an arrogant demeanor until now, unconsciously slipped into honorific speech.
Though wounded in his pride, he had no choice.
He didn’t want to experience that terrifying incident again.
Since his objective was achieved anyway, he wished to quickly leave without provoking Kai’s displeasure and return safely to the Holy Nation’s temple.
“Wait.”
Just as the priest rose to leave, Kai called out to stop him.
“I haven’t finished what I wanted to say yet.”
“W-what else could you possibly…?”
“What if the rumor turns out to be false? How will you repay the insult of dismissing my wife, the Green family, and me based on a groundless rumor?”
“R-repay…?”
“You surely don’t intend to let His Holiness the Pope directly facilitate my divorce over a false rumor and simply walk away, do you?”
The priest swallowed hard.
He’d never considered this possibility, and the Grand Prelate hadn’t instructed him on how to respond.
Yet Kai’s demand was entirely reasonable.
“W-what do you desire, then?”
He’d just relay a moderate version to the Grand Prelate later.
“I’m getting married soon.”
Kai crossed his legs casually and lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Only if His Holiness the Pope attends personally to bless the wedding and offers a formal apology to my wife will this humiliation be erased.”
At such an outrageous request, the priest’s eyes widened in shock.
The Pope was not someone who moved so easily.
He hadn’t even attended the wedding of the emperor of the largest empire on the continent.
He’d merely sent congratulations and blessings from afar—and even that had left everyone profoundly grateful.
Yet here Kai demanded not only a personal appearance and blessing, but also an apology.
But the priest couldn’t bring himself to say “no.”
Kai was smiling, but his eyes had grown as dark as before, and behind him, a heavy black aura seemed to ripple—a disturbing illusion.
‘It doesn’t matter. The rumor can’t possibly be false, and even if it were, I’ll just invent an excuse later—His Holiness sending only a blessing message will still be more than enough.’
Convinced, the priest nodded.
“Understood. I accept your terms.”
Kai grinned and pulled a small device from his jacket pocket.
The priest had never seen such a device before.
“Did you know there once existed a magic capable of recording conversations and replaying them exactly as they happened?”
Of course he knew—but the priest couldn’t fathom why Kai was suddenly saying something so absurd.
“Recently, the Mage’s Tower invented an interesting machine, collaborating with mechanical engineers. As always, they sent it to the honorable Count Green to test its reliability.”
Click.
As Kai pressed a button, their entire conversation echoed back as if time had rewound.
It clearly recorded the priest’s agreement to Kai’s terms.
Watching the priest, who now dared not even breathe, Kai smiled gently.
“Seems usable.”
+++
Kai told the priest to stay at the manor while he investigated the rumor’s truth, then return afterward.
Since it was closer to a command than a suggestion, the priest had no choice but to stay in the western wing—the guest quarters of Count Green’s residence.
‘What should I do…?’
Only now did he regret acting so arrogantly before Kai.
‘If that rumor turns out to be entirely false… what will become of me?’
+++
Lisi was reading a book she’d taken from the study.
It was a history of the Holy Nation, specifically detailing how the Holy Nation had begun ostracizing beastkin long ago.
[It was well known that Benedertem, once expected to become the next Pope, was a beastkin.However, only later was it revealed what form he took—and that revelation became the catalyst for the “First Beastkin Uprising.”
At the time, beastkin received equal treatment to humans, though depending on their transformed forms, they were either ridiculed or revered.
Benedertem transformed into a house mouse.
The notion that a potential future Pope could transform into a house mouse—known for spreading plague—caused uproar across the Holy Nation and the entire continent.
How could one chosen to carry out God’s will become such a filthy, tiny mouse?
Worse, he’d concealed this truth while rising to the esteemed rank of Grand Prelate, scheming for the papacy.
Benedertem was upright, honest, and deeply devout.
Though his mouse form didn’t change who he truly was, the public’s ingrained prejudice against mice couldn’t be suppressed.
Deeply wounded by the suddenly changed attitudes of priests, the public, and even the Pope—who treated him like a traitor overnight—
Benedertem secretly gathered other beastkin in similar circumstances, his heart twisted by bitterness, and instigated the “First Beastkin Uprising” against the Holy Nation.]
Just as she finished reading that passage, Kai arrived.
“Lisi, sorry to disturb you.”
“Not at all. I just had some free time today and was reading.”
Lisi closed the book, took Kai’s outstretched hand, and stood up.
“Want to take a short walk? Just the two of us.”
“Sure.”
Leaving the maids behind, they stepped outside together.
She’d assumed they’d stroll through the central garden, but Kai headed toward the western wing.
“Seems we have an important guest.”
“If important, then important indeed. They’ll make our wedding even more splendid.”
“Our wedding?”
Lisi, unaware of the agreement Kai had made with the priest, asked curiously—but Kai only smiled.
Soon, they reached the garden before the western wing.
Smaller than the central garden, it was filled with sweet, fragrant scents.
Most of the garden trees bore fruit.
Kai reached for a peach from the nearest tree and handed it to Lisi.
“Our estate’s peaches are famous for their sweetness.”
“I didn’t even know we had these.”
Lisi took a bite of the plump peach.
Juice moistened the corners of her lips.
“Wow, really…”
But the words “delicious” were swallowed by Kai’s lips.
Gently tasting the juice on Lisi’s lips, Kai pressed his forehead to hers and whispered,
“Sorry. Your lips looked sweeter than the peach.”
“Were they really that sweet?”
“Even sweeter.”
Kai kissed her lips once more.
Her heart, which had frozen in surprise moments ago, now beat warmly and sweetly.
Strangely, this brief, light kiss made her heart flutter more than Kai’s secret, lingering caresses ever had.
Worried her racing heartbeat might be audible to Kai, she relaxed when he pulled away, gently wiping her lips with his thumb.
“I’ve decided to prove to the priest that the rumor is false.”
“I see.”
“When shall we do it, Lisi? The sooner, the better.”
“When I heard the priest was coming, I reserved Tony’s Cave.”
The tavern “Tony’s Cave” stood beside the Grand Plaza in Londervan, the capital of Count Green’s domain.
As the largest and most spacious establishment in Londervan, it was often used by commoners for parties.
“Tomorrow, we’ll host a party there—for the common folk.”
“What should I prepare?”
Lisi tilted her head slightly, finger to her chin as if pondering, then lightly tapped Kai’s nose with that same finger.
“Just be ready to smile.”
+++
The rumored Countess Green was hosting a surprise party for commoners.
Long before the scheduled time, the Grand Plaza beside “Tony’s Cave” was already packed with people, leaving no room to stand.
Since no formal invitations had been sent, a diverse crowd gathered:
Those who wanted to see Count Green up close.
Those curious to glimpse the infamous Countess Green.
Those resentful toward the scandalous countess.
Those ready to eat their fill and leave.
Those hoping to catch Count Green’s eye and elevate their status.
Nearby nobles.
And reporters swarming to cover the protagonist of the rumor.
As they chatted about the party:
“His Holiness himself got involved—seems the countess finally felt the heat. Now she’s throwing a party like this.”
“But can a party really erase what the countess has done?”
“Don’t be so harsh. Maybe she simply loves parties and wanted to share that joy with us.”
Meanwhile, Lisi was changing into her dress.
Elegant but not overly ornate.
Stylish yet not appearing overdone.
And above all, highlighting Lisi’s beauty to its fullest.
She coiled her long, faintly rosy silver hair into a neat bun, letting a few strands cascade gracefully over her elegant shoulders.
She adorned her hair with only one hairpin—pearls no larger than a thumbnail—and wore small pearl earrings and a matching necklace.
Her dress was a very pale sky blue.
It featured bare shoulders and wide, flowing sleeves that draped down to her knuckles.
Though simple and unadorned with lace or embellishments, on Lisi it looked exquisitely elegant and dignified.
“I was worried this dress wouldn’t suit just anyone… but you look truly beautiful, Lady Iris.”
Krishina, who had been assisting her, sighed in admiration.
Erwell nodded eagerly.
Gillette was absent.
Upon hearing about the party, Gillette had requested leave, insisting that as Viscountess Merdi’s daughter, she too wished to attend.
Since this aligned perfectly with Lisi’s own wishes, she granted permission without hesitation—but Krishina seemed displeased with Gillette for neglecting her duties.
Though maids were allowed to attend and dress beautifully, their primary duty was always to serve their noble mistress.
“I’m ready now. Krishina, Erwell, go help with the party preparations.”
“But I—”
“Yes, my lady. We’ll quickly go prepare and return.”
Before Erwell could finish speaking, Krishina cut her off.
Erwell glared at Krishina with clear resentment, then let herself be dragged away by the hand.
The moment they stepped into the hallway, Erwell roughly shook off Krishina’s hand.
“Seriously, just let me talk to the Countess for once.”
“What were you going to say?”
“Well… that I break out in hives at parties…”
“That’s not it, Erwell.”
“Ugh! I was just going to say I look absolutely hideous at parties—why?”
Krishina stared at Erwell silently.
“I know. I do know. But since we were kids… ugh.”
Erwell scratched her head furiously, frustrated with herself.
“But Jereshien’s the same! She says whatever she wants too…”
“You should address her as ‘Lady Jereshien’—or at least ‘Lady Green.’”
“Lady my—”
Before Erwell could finish her sentence, Kai appeared down the hallway.
Both girls immediately fell silent and turned toward him.
For some reason, Kai looked as if he were holding back a smile.
Krishina briefly wondered if Kai had overheard their conversation—but dismissed the thought.
They’d spoken in barely audible whispers.
‘He must just be in a good mood thinking about seeing Lady Iris. He always smiles when entering this room.’
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
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