When the Female Lead Went Off-Script, the Main Male Lead Became the Tyrant's Empress - Chapter 11.2
Purgat vehemently denied everything and loudly insisted upon his innocence.
However, when the Crown Prince produced the flaws in his sermons that the inquisitor had uncovered through a thorough investigation, along with records detailing the Great Temple’s plan to seize control of the central government under the Court Preacher’s leadership, he was left speechless.
The Court Preacher was quick-witted.
Seeing that he had been arrested secretly at night rather than during the day, he realized that the Crown Prince was willing to make a deal with him.
“If you spare my life, I will hand over a list containing the names of the nobles connected to me, as well as the valuables I received as proof of our association.”
Arden accepted his proposal.
They decided to conclude the matter by pretending to send the Court Preacher to the countryside to recuperate while actually driving him and the priests closest to him into a remote mountain region.
Arden had been slightly surprised when Haster wondered where the Court Preacher had gone.
‘I thought you’d taken an interest in that dead bastard.’
He had grown wary, wondering whether Haster intended to join hands with Purgat to strengthen his position in the central government, but judging by his indifferent reaction, it seemed to have been nothing more than simple curiosity.
‘Come to think of it, what is Haster’s objective?’
Even if there were no obstacles preventing him from entering the central political sphere, he would still need to build connections if he wanted to establish himself successfully.
No matter how arbitrary and stubborn the man was, he had enough common sense to understand that much.
The North ruled by Haster was a grand duchy belonging to the Empire, but because of its geographical and other political characteristics, it was practically a quasi-independent nation.
Furthermore, the North’s military and financial power rivaled that of the imperial family.
Personal feelings aside, who wouldn’t want to form ties with a man who possessed that much power?
Many nobles sought Haster out.
Some of them were even among the names written on Purgat’s list.
However, Arden had never heard that Haster was particularly close with anyone.
It would be welcome if he joined the Emperor’s faction, but there was also a chance that he would join hands with the neutral faction.
The bastard was intelligent, so he had probably already realized whom the Emperor intended to keep in check.
‘Then is he deliberately testing the waters?’
Arden wished he could understand what was going on inside that fox’s head.
Perhaps Clary mistook his absentminded stare in her direction for him watching her, because she suddenly turned over her right hand and showed it to Arden with a smug expression while he was lost in thought.
Uncle doesn’t have one of these, does he?
A crude gold ring engraved with her family’s seal shone upon her slender finger.
Clary was no longer merely the young lady of a baronial family. She was now the proper head of a noble house.
After the Emperor recognized her as the Lord of Lurie, she had been desperate to show off her ring whenever the opportunity arose.
And now was one of those times.
“Yes. How nice for you.”
Even at Arden’s insincere response, Clary puffed out her chest happily.
He had been granted several other titles besides that of Crown Prince, but he had no intention of engaging in a childish competition with a little girl.
“But do you know something?”
“What?”
“You only have a single title, but your uncle has several.”
And once I become Emperor, I’ll also possess the title of ruler of an autonomous nation.
He had no intention of competing, but he had every intention of teasing her.
That was why he had come here.
Seeing his niece growl with jealousy improved the immature uncle’s mood a little.
“Clary.”
“What?”
Clary, who seemed to be sulking as she tore into the wrapping more fiercely than before, raised her head.
“Do you know who Haster has been close with lately?”
“Do you mean a woman?”
“A woman? What woman?”
“Wasn’t that what you were asking?”
“No.”
“Then I dunno.”
Clary replied indifferently and shoved the jeweled hairpin she had taken from the gift box into her hair.
Arden leaned back against the sofa cushion.
Of course.
No matter how close they were as godfather and goddaughter, there was no reason Haster would tell her every little detail about something like that.
“Wait. Then do you know which woman Haster is seeing?”
“Yes.”
“He’s seeing a woman?”
“Yes.”
Even though Arden had clearly heard her and received confirmation, he couldn’t understand what the words meant at all.
Haster?
Dating?
A woman?
He was a perfectly healthy man, so it was only natural that he would be interested in women…….
No, perhaps he was meeting her for political reasons.
For members of the imperial family and nobility, marriage wasn’t a promise of love. It was the union of two families for a political purpose.
“Who is…… Ahem. Who is she?”
“Stelly Troanne.”
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