The ssage box beca loud.
["The Scales that Judge Souls" detects the possibility of a concubine entering your harem and goes berserk.]
["The Language of the World" proclaims that the Language Church has firmly established monogamy as its doctrine.]
["The Cliché Gourt" asks excitedly whether the practice of concubinage exists.]
The gods’ conversation today is unusually chaotic.
I tried my best to ignore it and responded to Ligareth.
"It’s an honor to et the third prince. It seems you didn't bring your dress?"
"It seems that Brother Hadeil sent the dress. He must be trying hard to use the Holy Scriptures to back up the church and its nation," Ligareth said naturally, poking fun at his half-brother, then gave orders to his maids.
"Bring the tea."
So much for being self-controlled.
"Sit, Holy Mirror."
I couldn’t help but smile at Ligareth, who motioned for to sit.
Trying to balance the smirk tugging at the corner of my lips, I did so.
I sat on the opposite couch as he desired, then opened my mouth.
"Alright, fine. It's your house, after all."
"...."
"What, are you surprised? Prince Ligareth, you and I share the sa diplomatic rank. Do you not know that the Holy Mirror is equivalent to direct royal blood?"
["The Cynic who Balances the Scales" had expected a question about whether my mother had taught that but is disappointed.]
["The Cliché Gourt" excitedly prods to stir the flas of an irreconcilable mother-in-law conflict.]
Ligareth, whose eyes had widened for a mont, quickly smiled.
"It's nice to see soone who isn't like those hypocritical people from the church."
"Nice? Well, now it's your turn to make a good impression on ."
Our gazes locked.
I was hoping his malevolent intent, which had been aid at Tesilid, would now shift toward .
However, Ligareth spoke with unexpected calmness.
"The church must have sent you to keep an eye on , right?"
"I was asked to do so."
"Whether it's Brother Hadeil or Sister Celeste, they must intend to support . But the result is clear, isn't it? As long as my mother remains the regent."
"Your Highness, don't you think that it's a bit too easy to say that when the nobles' support is lacking?"
Nobles who knew Ligareth’s aggressive nature and his anger toward the church had refused to support him.
This was a major weakness for Ligareth. I expected him to react sensitively, but he was surprisingly composed.
"That’s a problem I can easily make up for."
"How?"
I asked, though I had a bad feeling about it.
Could it be this guy?
"By marrying a daughter of a prestigious and influential family, of course."
"...Oh, really?"
"Yes. In fact, I'm looking for a wise and well-backed woman right now. If I do well, it will be good for Her Majesty the Queen too."
Ligareth, with his hands clasped, observed closely.
He wore a strange smile as the young man provoked .
"I'm fine with older won."
"I didn’t ask."
"That’s true."
Before I could say anything about my preferences, Ligareth got to the point.
"By now, I think you have an idea of what I’m going to say."
"...."
"I’m proposing peace. Through a political marriage between you and ."
...My God, no!
["The Scales that Judge Souls" goes berserk!]
["The Cliché Gourt" goes berserk!]
I was concerned about Tesilid’s state because of Agnes' words and his condition, but I needed to focus on the front.
I responded nonchalantly to Ligareth.
"Did my mother order this?"
"Show so respect. She’s going to be your mother-in-law."
"I’ll handle that myself. But, you're not denying it. It’s ordered."
"You’re not denying it either. That it’s your future mother-in-law."
"Maybe?"
Why was it that I had this odd, itchy feeling on the back of my neck?
I needed to wrap up this conversation soon.
In that sense, I silently allowed Ligareth to continue talking.
"I believe you’ll work toward peace, just like a saint. Plus, the position of the princess consort wouldn't be bad for you either."
"...."
Sure, let him talk.
"I'll send an official letter to the Elphenheim Church and Hispenril Duchy soon."
"...."
I'll just drink tea.
"Don't worry. Even if I don't give you love, I'll still fulfill my duties as a husband."
"...Cough."
I almost spat out my tea at that mont.
Around that ti, Ligareth's suddenly serious gaze, which had shifted slightly from , landed on sothing near.
"So, don't bring that knight with you as part of your dowry."
["The Cliché Gourt" gets excited about an affair-related topic...]
"Don’t go too far. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow. Now, get out."
"Alright."
And so, Ligareth finally left.
Ugh, what a sight.
I didn’t hide my disgust as I watched the door.
Tap.
I felt a hand on the backrest of the couch I was sitting on. When I tried to turn around, a shadow lood over .
Tesilid was leaning over the couch, looking down at .
"Tesil?"
"...."
After staring at for a long ti, he finally spoke, his tone pleading.
"Tell you have a plan."
"Of course."
I answered matter-of-factly, nodding firmly.
Tesilid sighed, like soone whose tension had been released.
"I thought so..."
"You thought what?"
"...Never mind."
I turned around on the couch and leaned my arms on the backrest, looking at Tesilid.
"Trust . I won’t let the royal family bother you ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) any longer."
"Is that possible?"
"Yes."
"And what’s the plan?"
"Hmm, it's a bit of a secret, so I can't explain it directly."
"I see."
I patted Tesilid’s shoulder, signaling that he would know tomorrow.
Then, putting myself in his shoes, I had no choice but to give him a bit of a bitter hint.
"You might not like the outco."
"...."
"I know it’s the right thing to do. It’ll save you from suffering later."
"...."
I saw the doubt in his ocean-colored eyes. Before he could latch onto the suspicion I let slip, I changed the subject.
"By the way, why did you co here?"
Before answering, he took a mont to choose his words.
"....You said this is your first ti at a banquet. I thought maybe there’s sothing I could help with."
The protagonist, having attended two royal banquets already, was in a bit of a peculiar position.
"Well, sothing to help with."
It was a bit cute to think he wanted to help with my possession...
"....I guess not."
I felt like he would get disheartened if I said "no."
"No, you ca at the right ti. I’ve been stressing about what outfit to wear to the banquet tomorrow."
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
"Outfit?"
"Yeah. My saintly ceremonial robes have too many buffs. The effects on charm, elegance, dignity, and charisma are a bit overwhelming, and I’m worried it might give off an odd vibe."
"Do you want to wear sothing else?"
"No. I’m thinking of wearing a harness made from nightmare leather under the ceremonial robes to tone down the charm, elegance, and charisma. What do you think? Good idea?"
"That... underneath that... thing?"
"Yeah."
"....How much will your charm increase?"
"About five tis?"
"...."
"I'll wear it and let you see."
Tesilid ran his hand from his mouth to his chin, then gave a quiet reply.
"....Sure."
Ligareth finished his eting with the Holy Mirror and went straight to Queen Laviosa's chambers.
In the sitting room, his mother was already waiting, having set up pretty little snacks like a decorative prop.
"I’ve done as you ordered, Mother."
"Well done. Sit."
"...."
Ligareth remained rooted to the spot as though he hadn't heard her.
"How unusual. Rebelling against , Ligareth?"
Only then did Ligareth reluctantly sit.
As the Queen filled his cup with tea, she asked.
"Is it really that hard?"
"Peace with Elphenheim Church, it’s an impossible promise."
"Still...."
"Yes, still. My brother hasn’t returned."
"...."
The tea overflowed from the cup.
Queen Laviosa saw the hatred and self-bla in her son’s blazing eyes.
"Ligareth, my son."
"You said we need to counter the Holy Mirror's sches. Does it really have to be this way?"
The Queen calmly gave her prepared answer.
"If the Holy Mirror interferes directly with royal matters, it becos troubleso. It’s even worse when we don’t know what they’ll do. We need to pull them in strongly."
"I don’t like that the bait for peace is this."
"Ligareth, I’m not trying to make you king for revenge."
"What should I do, Mother? I’m trying to beco king to get revenge."
"...."
"Mother, Your Majesty, the most noble person in this kingdom. I can’t forgive the Elphenheim Church. What they did to my brother..."
Ligareth’s hands, clasped tightly, trembled.
Once Reminick, his full-blooded brother, was brought up, the nightmares of the past ca rushing back.
"I’ll never forget."
This concludes the chapter. Let know if you'd like to proceed!
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