Cedric’s Demand
“……”
The atmosphere chilled instantly. No one dared to open their mouth recklessly.
“L-Lady Marianne? Who’s that?”
“Marquis Lionel’s daughter?”
“Oh, wasn’t she the one who…”
Someone finally asked in a small voice, and the murmuring gradually grew louder.
I simply stayed quiet and listened. Sooner or later, this would have come to light anyway. It just came sooner than I expected.
Is the story changing because I’m interfering?
Originally, it wasn’t until later that Cedric and Gloria’s daughter, Marianne, received the divine revelation and became the saintess.
It happened only after Dantellion became a tyrant and wielded his power without restraint, prompting Cedric to take a stand—and in doing so, he received the revelation.
Because Dantellion had been called to the capital early to save Veronica, the divine revelation must have arrived early too.
Or maybe… someone’s intentionally interfering.
A “divine” revelation, huh?
The timing was suspiciously precise. It was as if the gods had been watching the entire situation unfold—and chose Marianne at this very moment.
I quietly monitored the situation while mulling it over.
[Ugh, disgusting.]
[Those puppets of the angels, acting all high and mighty! It’s revolting!]
Desmond and Bibi shuddered with rage at the sight of the priests.
As expected, demons didn’t get along well with priests, who worshipped gods and angels. I chuckled and gently stroked the jewels containing Desmond and Bibi.
“A bastard becomes a saintess? Like father, like daughter.”
“…!”
Dantellion scoffed with derision. One of the priests flared up in response.
“This is the will of the sacred god. Even if you are the emperor…!”
“Yeah, I heard you. So, a saintess has been born, is that it?”
Waving his hand dismissively, Dantellion furrowed his brow. His attitude was incredibly careless for someone receiving a divine revelation.
“And what does that have to do with me?”
“…Pardon?”
“Today is my coronation—should we be throwing a festival because some seven- or eight-year-old was chosen as the new saintess?”
“…!”
His disinterested gaze swept the priest from head to toe. The priest’s face twisted with shock.
“Is the temple now planning to challenge the imperial authority?”
“N-No! That’s not our intent!”
“Then stop causing a scene and leave. Unless you came to enjoy the ball.”
“…Tch.”
Trembling with frustration, the priest bit his lip.
Outside, the white night phenomenon had already faded. The priest glared at Dantellion.
“You will surely regret this day.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Hmph…!”
Snorting, the priest spun on his heel and stormed out of the ballroom. The other temple clerics quickly followed.
The temple, huh…
The temple was the foundation of the Empress Dowager’s power and her greatest support.
Naturally, it was a place Dantellion, her enemy, could never approach. With this incident, the temple would likely denounce Dantellion’s rule.
Not that it worked in the original, though.
The tyrant Dantellion never even flinched in the face of their provocation.
The real issue was the hearts of the people and the nobility.
There were many imperial citizens who followed the temple. Many nobles were devout believers, and they began to resent Dantellion for neglecting the temple.
In the original, Dantellion was a tyrant. Eventually, an uprising broke out, and he was overthrown.
The temple’s power shouldn’t be underestimated.
Their true danger lay in their ability to manipulate public sentiment. Surely, they’d spread the rumor that Dantellion ignored the divine revelation.
For a newly crowned emperor, such a narrative would be a critical blow. The Empress Dowager, who had lost her power, might rise again.
“Y-Your Majesty, how could you just send the priests away like that…”
“He’s right. Didn’t you see how the sky lit up like daytime just now?”
“If we don’t welcome the saintess immediately, the god may grow angry…”
Some of the nobles, pale-faced, murmured about divine punishment. That was what made the temple so terrifying. Using people’s beliefs, they could do anything.
“Brother…”
“……”
I looked up and saw Veronica, her face ashen, casting an anxious glance toward Dantellion.
I sighed inwardly. For someone who worried so much about him, she really wanted to sever ties?
I shook my head.
Saintess Marianne…
In the original, the Empress Dowager put forth Cedric and Gloria’s daughter, Marianne, as the new saintess.
And Gloria, having given birth to the saintess, was elevated to the status of “Holy Mother” and treated like royalty in the temple.
Cedric, as both her father and Gloria’s husband, also rose rapidly in power.
I have to weaken the temple somehow.
Fortunately, I knew the original storyline. I knew exactly what steps the temple would take from here.
If I could block them, Dantellion wouldn’t be overthrown in a rebellion.
For Veronica’s sake—and mine—we had to bring down the temple.
Determined, I swept my gaze over the murmuring nobles.
The ball ended earlier than expected, and I returned to our townhouse in the capital.
I was idly playing in my room when…
[Master! Someone from the imperial palace is here!]
“What?”
I whipped my head around to Desmond. But the bear plush was already empty.
[Veronica is meeting with someone from the palace—and a lawyer.]
“Oooh.”
So, the divorce proceedings had finally begun. Much sooner than I expected.
Thinking of how Dantellion must’ve rushed his aide, I let out a sly chuckle. Desmond continued:
[Want me to let you hear it, Master?]
“Yeah.”
[Got it!]
Soon, their voices began to reach my ears.
Inside Duke Winston’s office, several people were gathered.
The Duke, Veronica, and Vincent faced an attendant from the palace.
“The imperial family fully supports the divorce between the young lady and Marquis Lionel. We’ve already sent notice to the temple that we’re withdrawing our previous approval of the marriage.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
The palace attendant handed over the documents and left the office with disciplined steps.
The remaining three turned their eyes to the lawyer sent by Cedric.
“Well… the Marquis still refuses to grant the divorce.”
“That bastard,” Vincent spat angrily. Veronica, calm and composed, fixed her gaze on the lawyer.
“It doesn’t matter if he refuses. If communication continues to break down, I’ll take him to court.”
“Sigh…”
The lawyer let out a heavy sigh. If the case went to trial, the outcome was obvious.
Since the fault clearly lay with Marquis Lionel, a peaceful settlement was preferable even from a legal standpoint. Moreover, the Winston family hadn’t even demanded a large sum despite being wronged—they just wanted a swift divorce.
But the Marquis was impossible to reason with. He kept repeating the same thing like a broken record: he would never agree to a divorce.
“I’ve been trying to persuade him, but… he refuses to listen.”
“That’s your problem. We’ll proceed by the law.”
Vincent lifted his chin and spoke arrogantly. The lawyer, flustered, broke into a nervous sweat.
“T-There is one condition the Marquis mentioned…”
“What is it?”
“……”
Veronica asked with interest. Vincent and the Duke stared suspiciously at the lawyer. The man took a deep breath before continuing.
“He said… if the young lady truly wants a divorce, she must come to the estate herself—and convince him.”
“That damn bastard!”
“Eek…!”
Vincent sprang to his feet, roaring with rage. The startled lawyer inhaled sharply.
“Sit down, Vincent.”
“But Father—!”
“I said, sit.”
At the Duke’s icy command, Vincent clenched his jaw and sat back down. The Duke’s crimson eyes turned toward the lawyer.
“Tell that bastard to quit spouting nonsense.”
“Y-Yes, sir.”
“I suppose we’ll meet in court, then.”
His tone was calm, but the roughness in his words was no less intense than Vincent’s. The lawyer couldn’t meet the Duke’s steely gaze and bowed his head low.
“Wait a moment.”
“…?”
Veronica, who had remained silent, suddenly stopped the lawyer from leaving. After a brief moment of thought, she spoke.
“If I go to him in person… does he truly intend to grant the divorce?”
“Berry!”
“Berry, no!”
Both the Duke and Vincent shouted in alarm, but Veronica didn’t even blink. Her eyes remained fixed on the lawyer.
“He… did say that, at least.”
“Then I’ll go.”
She nodded, and both the Duke and Vincent turned pale.
They spoke at the same time:
“Berry, he’s going to lose in court anyway.”
“Exactly. There’s no need to see that man again.”
But Veronica calmly turned her gaze to the two men.
“I want to end this marriage as soon as possible.”
