When I left the Imperial Palace after work, a carriage with a pattern of flowers in full bloom and intertwined stems was waiting for .
Welco, Baron.
It was the Baron of Aster's carriage.
Since I couldn't keep borrowing the Imperial carriage, I bought a carriage as soon as I returned.
I looked at the emblem of the Baron of Aster on the carriage before getting into it. I had seen it several tis already, but every ti I saw it, it felt strange.
I really have beco a baron, huh?
I got into the carriage, reflecting on the fresh fact in my mind.
We are going straight to the mansion, arent we?
"Yeah."
We will depart now.
With a clatter, the carriage started gently. I leaned on the back of the chair and read the book I borrowed from the library before I left work.
It was a book about the structure of the temple. Although there were slight differences, the temples of the Empire were designed based on the contents of this book.
The temple was largely divided into two, the Open Hall, which was open to outsiders, and the Secret Hall, which outsiders could never enter.
The place I had to go to was this place, the Secret Hall. Because the temples dirty linen was probably hidden there.
The question is, how do I get in?
Only priests and temple officials were allowed to enter the Secret Hall.
If the emperor, Kalian, gave an Imperial order, I could enter temporarily, but there had to be a special reason for that. For example, to check whether the donations were being used well.
If he did that, I would be able to get into the Secret Hall, but I wouldn't be able to find what I was looking for.
As long as the priests werent stupid, they would surely put away everything that could prove their blemish beforehand.
In fact, it was like that when I visited the temple of the Williot estate.
Then what should I do? Should I sneak in?
It was the best way to check their blemishes raw, but the risk was also high.
But no matter how hard I thought about it, I couldn't co up with a better way other than this.
Should I discuss it with His Majesty
As I was contemplating what to do, the carriage stopped.
I finally arrived ho, the new mansion that Kalian gave to .
Hold my hand and get off, Baron.
Thank you, Hans.
I took Hans's hand and got off the carriage.
The new mansion I received was closer to the Imperial Palace than where I had lived before. Not to ntion, it was bigger and more luxurious.
I couldn't let Sarah manage such a big mansion alone, so I hired a few more servants when I bought the carriage.
Hans, the coachman and servant, was one of them.
Welco, Baron!
And Paul, the servant.
Welco ho, My Lady!
Also, Ness ca in as a new maid. It was the Ness, who worked for the Duke of Williot.
Like Sarah, Ness quit as the Duke of Williots maid and followed .
Oops, I should call you Baron now.
Ness smiled cutely and took the bag I was holding.
When she tried to take the book as well, I shook my head.
"It's a big deal to have the title My Lady stuck in my mouth."
Theres no rush. It can be fixed step by step.
Fixed step by step?!
Sarah appeared behind Ness.
You need to fix it right away! Shes a respectable baron, it's not right to keep calling her My Lady! So fix it quickly!
Of course, Ill fix it! Don't be an!
When Ness first ca to the capital and t her, she hugged her in tears and was excited for her, but now they fight like a dog and a cat.
Those two were so cute that I smiled happily.
I was sorry and worried when I left Sarah at ho alone, but I didn't have to anymore. Because there were so many people.
Thanks to it, I was relieved even if I worked late into the night.
You make a lot of mistakes too, so why do you say such things to ?!
When did I make a mistake?!
I should start stopping them.
Im hungry.
"Ack! I'll prepare dinner right away!"
Sarah hurried into the kitchen.
Ness followed after her.
Ill have to change before dinner.
As I was heading to my room on the second floor, I stopped in the middle of the stairs and looked around the mansion.
A moderately sized hall, high ceilings, and luxurious wooden furniture and decorations everywhere.
When I left the Duke of Williot, I never thought I would live in such a nice mansion.
It was all thanks to Kalian's kindness to .
The kindness I received from Kalian was much more than this though.
Hes really a good person.
It was the sa with Baron Delrond and Sir Hiltine, who served him.
I'll have to work hard to be like them. And I will try my best to help him.
For that to happen I should do that, right?
I looked at the book I was holding without saying a word.
Reporting this and that while having lunch with Kalian had beco a schedule.
The most recent conversation was about the childcare project and the protest letter from the Holy See.
As we didnt stop the project even after they sent the protest letter, the Holy See sent another one. There was also a slight threat in this protest, saying that the Holy See wouldnt stand still if it still continued.
Bringing it to lunch, Kalian glanced at it and threw the protest letter to the floor.
You brought sothing useless.
It's a protest letter from the Holy See though, not anything else. Is that okay?
I was worried.
Baron Delrond sighed deeply and picked up the letter.
Is this how you treat the protest from the Holy See? If the Holy See finds out, there will be an uproar.
That wont happen, so itll be fine.
Kalian answered indifferently and drank wine.
Baron Delrond's eyes, looking at such Kalian, rose sharply. He glanced at once and said with a deep sigh, as if to himself.
Does His Majesty know that the more he is like this, the more difficult it is for Baron Aster?
Hmm? ?
Suddenly, the arrow returned to . I looked at Baron Delrond in bewildernt.
is there a way?
At Kalians question, I looked back at him.
Do you have any ideas on how to respond to the protest letter from the Holy See, Leila?
There is no clear way yet, but I plan to investigate the temple to find out about it.
Even if theres only evidence that the donations from the Imperial Palace were used to satisfy self-interest or that the children were being abused, the temple would no longer be able to oppose the Imperial family's managent of the childcare project. So was the Holy See.
Thats why Im going to visit the temple in person this weekend.
If I went on the weekend, it would be crowded because there would be a lot of people, but it was good to hide my identity.
Baron Delrond asked, slightly worried.
Dont tell , are you thinking of going alone?
"Yes."
Baron Delrond shook his head at my answer.
I think thats a little dangerous. If the temple finds out that the Baron is investigating their blemishes, they will not stand still.
Thats why I want to go alone. Because they wouldn't think that I'll co and investigate alone."
Thats true, but
Baron Delrond looked unsure.
I fully understood Baron Delrond's feelings. As he said, it was dangerous to investigate the temples blemishes alone. But if several people gathered, it was likely to attract the temples attention.
If that happened, the plans I had made for a few days would beco futile, so I had to go alone unconditionally.
As expected, I cant let you go alone. I will go with you.
But Baron Delrond could hardly let go of his worries.
"It's okay. You dont have to be bothered because of .
It's not a bother at all. Its a hundred tis better than letting the Baron go alone and worrying, so lets go together.
When he said that, I had nothing more to say.
And if I thought about it, going with Baron Delrond wouldnt seem strange to the temple side rather than going alone. They would probably just focus on Baron Delrond and I could move on as planned.
Okay, lets do that.
It was when I accepted Baron Delrond's offer after finishing the calculations in my head.
Ill go with you too.
Kalian suddenly spoke.
Kalian will also go? That
"You cant."
Baron Delrond said just how I felt.
Kalian's eyebrow rose slightly.
Why not?
First of all, Your Majesty has to be accompanied by nurous attendants and escort knights to leave the Imperial Palace.
I can sneak out.
Please dont be too proud to say things that are against the rules. And it's dangerous. Your Majestys safety is the safety of the Empire.
Baron Delrond then added a sharp point.
And the temple knows Your Majesty's face. Imagine if Your Majesty was seen, wouldnt it be turned upside down right away? Let alone investigate, we'll have to drag them around.
All I had to do was nod my head, thanks to Baron Delrond's quick and easy way of pointing out all the problems.
Then my eyes t with Kalian's. He looked at with a sowhat stinging gaze, then turned his head with a frown.
Why is he like that?
Thats why Baron Aster and I will go with just the two of us.
Is it my illusion that he emphasizes the word just the two of us?
Kalian said as he sliced the steak grilled to dium rare.
Did I let you off too much these days? You keep being rude, Ver.
A little bit of blood trickled out where the knife passed.
Youd better act moderately.
The at size now would be suitable to eat, but Kalian sliced the at one more ti.
It looks like its going to be completely shredded.
Theres a limit to how much I can let you off the hook.
Despite Kalian's bloody threats, Baron Delrond responded with a relaxed smile.
I will keep that in mind.
Then he looked at and asked.
So, what ti shall we et on the weekend, Baron Aster?
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