TVWRL Chapter 53
“What’s going on? Do you know each other?”
Leona suddenly recalled something that had happened not long ago.
Adeline had come to the temple looking for someone named Priest Chris. She had even checked the list herself, but there was no such priest.
Naturally, she found it strange and even sent people to look for Priest Chris, thinking he might be impersonating a priest or had to quit for some unavoidable reason.
Her mind raced faster than ever.
‘It wasn’t Chris; it was Christian Verzel. Why would a cardinal do something like this? But why would he deceive Adeline?’
It was hard to understand why Christian, who held the most powerful position in the church, would act in this way. It was also surprising that Christian and Adeline knew each other.
‘Since when did they know each other? More importantly, what kind of relationship do they have?’
Leona was confused. From Cardinal Christian’s expression, it didn’t seem like they had a normal relationship.
‘What is this? He looks as if he’s been heartbroken.’
Leona thought to herself but gasped in surprise.
He had always been cold towards her. It was strange to see Cardinal Christian, who was usually so arrogant, looking so filled with loss.
‘What if there’s something between them?’
This was definitely good news for Leona. She could use Christian as leverage to break up Ilias and Adeline.
What if she could eliminate the unfriendly Christian from the temple and separate Adeline from Ilias?
This would be a two-for-one deal.
The feelings of frustration she had just moments ago vanished like a lie, and energy surged within her.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
“Lin, is the meal not to your liking?”
At Ilias’s words, I could feel the restaurant staff tense up for a moment.
If I said it was bad here, this place would end up on the worst restaurant list for couples.
In truth, I had no mental space to worry about other things right now, but I didn’t want the restaurant to go under because of me. Being a celebrity wasn’t all good; I couldn’t show my dislike even if I felt it.
“No, it’s good. It’s delicious.”
“Then why isn’t your portion decreasing?”
Ilias had carefully chosen a menu that I obviously liked. But today, my mouth felt uncomfortable, as if I were chewing on sand.
I couldn’t swallow at all when I thought of Cardinal Christian.
Chris was the person I had maintained a connection with for the longest time since the possession. It was only natural that I felt uneasy.
“Is it because of Cardinal Verzel?”
Ilias, who hadn’t taken his eyes off me, took a sip of wine and said meaningfully.
“On a special day like today, it doesn’t feel good to think there’s someone else between us.”
“I’m sorry, As. I find it hard to keep my composure thinking I’ve been betrayed, or rather, toyed with by someone I believed was a friend. I’m definitely angry, but at the same time, I feel sad. It’s a strange ambivalence, isn’t it?”
Ilias’s brows slightly furrowed.
‘It’s a contract, but it’s understandable that he’s not happy that I ruined an important day.’
“What is your relationship with Cardinal Verzel?”
His tone was unusually sharp. It was distinctly different from the usual Ilyas.
Now that I thought about it, Ilias had never been angry with me in any situation.
“I first met him when I was running around trying to resign from being a saint at the temple.”
I talked about how I became close to Christian, the help I received during tough times after leaving the temple, and made sure to tell everything so that Ilias wouldn’t misunderstand.
Ilias listened with a confused expression, and now he wore a rather serious look.
“Cardinal Verzel is a key figure in the Myaria church. He’s also the youngest candidate for pope, possessing the strongest divine power in history. He’s someone who manipulates the church from behind the scenes.”
“Is he really that impressive?”
I had only thought of him as a kind-hearted person; I never considered that he might have incredible abilities.
Suddenly, I remembered the Cardinal’s absence from the coronation ceremony and the divine power test and how the church faction sided with me without any consequences during the trial.
‘Could it be because of me?’
I shook my head, thinking that I might be exaggerating.
‘No way. It would be strange for him to avoid such an important position just to stay out of my sight.’
While I was grateful for the help I received, the thought of being completely deceived didn’t sit well with me.
“What on earth could his intentions be?”
“Cardinal Verzel is the most cunning person in the church. It’s just a hypothesis, but the reason the sect wants Lin might very well be his intention.”
“Really? Even after hearing how much I’ve struggled because of the sect, he would do something like this… why?”
“Verzel is someone who would easily do such things.”
Every time Christian was mentioned, I noticed Ilias’s eyebrows shot up, indicating that he really disliked Christian.
It was the first time I had seen him display such strong hostility, considering he was always accustomed to hiding his emotions.
“So now that his identity has been revealed, what will he do?”
“He’s the type who never gives up on what he targets. He might come at you even stronger than before. You need to be careful.”
“He wouldn’t give up just because I’m angry, right?”
“I don’t think that will happen. Unfortunately.”
If everything related to me in the church is according to Christian’s will… A wave of fear washed over me.
“As, let’s hurry our wedding as much as possible.”
“I think that would be wise.”
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Christian, who went to the temple, did not hide the anger that was rising on his face.
It was a sight rarely seen from the usually composed Christian, who never showed his emotions.
The priests assisting him were bewildered by this unfamiliar side of him and didn’t know how to react.
Christian’s face was always adorned with a smile. He seemed kind, but there was something oddly frightening about it.
The anger that emerged on the face of someone who had no expression, like a masked person, sent chills down their spines.
In a normal country, a prince and a cardinal wouldn’t meet except for official events, but the empire was not a normal country.
Since all important meetings were held together by the royal family and the church, such encounters were frequent.
Of course, Ilias had never openly defied the church. He always pretended to be obedient, but he was always a thorn in their side. It was hard to pinpoint exactly, but he was uncomfortable, like having a fishbone stuck in his throat.
“I can no longer remain silent, Ilias Driopeia.”
There was a murderous glint in Christian’s eyes.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Emperor Aust, Empress Sierra, Ilias, and Aiden gathered together for a meal.
Although it was a business family relationship, it was still family, so this gathering was created to share news about the wedding.
As the meal, during which not even a breath could be heard, was coming to an end, Ilias finally spoke up.
“I have something to say.”
When Emperor Aust granted permission, Ilias continued.
“I would like to expedite my marriage to Adeline Senner, whom I am currently courting.”
Empress Sierra cast a gaze devoid of emotion at Ilias. Aiden, on the other hand, twisted one corner of his mouth upward, unable to hide his mockery.
“It’s already unpleasant enough to live under the same sky as a commoner, but now I have to live in the same palace as one? Brother, do you have no shame? How can a prince marry a commoner? Why are you being so selfish? Don’t you think about my reputation?”
“Aiden.”
Emperor Aust called Aiden sternly. At that moment, Empress Sierra interjected.
“Your Majesty, Aiden isn’t wrong, is he? How are we supposed to introduce a commoner daughter-in-law to society… I’m already feeling heated just thinking about it.”
“Would you have preferred if I brought home the daughter of Marquis Weizen or Count Wayne?”
It was a subtle pressure, suggesting that a noble’s daughter who could threaten Aiden would be better than a commoner.
Sierra thought that she could kill Ilias if necessary; she didn’t care whom he married. However, marrying into a powerful noble family would definitely be exhausting in many ways.
They could aim for the position of crown prince, and dealing with the aftermath of a murder would not be easy either.
Moreover, if it was a family mentioned by the emperor, killing them wouldn’t be a simple task. It would be much easier to deal with a commoner when they became an eyesore.
Having made up her mind, Sierra smiled and said, “I cannot question what His Majesty has decided. I will take care of the wedding preparations.”
As Aiden was about to voice his dissatisfaction, Sierra shook her head with a stern expression.
Aiden, with a sulky look, lifted the wine glass in front of him and gulped it down while grumbling, “How dare a commoner…”
“Aiden!”
Since Sierra shouted first in admonition, Aust pretended not to notice and spoke his mind.
“Miss Adeline Senner will live in the prince’s palace while learning the laws of the imperial family.”
Knowing this already, Sierra nodded. This time, the only one surprised was Aiden.
“You’re bringing a commoner into the palace?”
Ultimately, Aust raised his voice, filled with anger.
“A commoner is also a citizen of the empire. They make up a far greater number than the nobility. Haven’t you received any lessons on the spirit of caring for the people? I’ll have to summon your teachers for a reprimand.”
Only then did Aiden shut his mouth like a clam.
Most of Aiden’s teachers were appointed by Duke Krotos. If anything happened to them, Aiden would surely be scolded by Duke Krotos.
Ilias was clenching his fists tightly under the table to suppress his anger, his veins bulging.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
The preparations for the wedding proceeded smoothly. Once Empress Sierra set her mind to it, everything unfolded without a hitch.
I only met with the designer appointed by the palace to discuss the wedding dress.
With nothing else to worry about, I even began to doubt whether I was truly a bride about to be married.
Occasionally, I went on window shopping dates with Ilias and visited Paulian to learn how to manage power, focusing solely on making money.
Christian had not shown himself since then. I had no intention of seeking him out either.
At this point, I thought it was a relief that he wasn’t appearing before me.
However, I was also scared that, like Ilias said, he might be plotting something sinister behind the scenes.
Of course, part of me didn’t want to think of Christian as such a lowly person.
After all, he had been a friend to me. Could all that time have been a lie? He wouldn’t gain anything by lying to me.
There was a heightened awareness that characters not present in the original work could act unpredictably, necessitating extra caution.
The future I didn’t know was dangerous.
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