When the Female Lead Went Off-Script, the Main Male Lead Became the Tyrant's Empress - Chapter 20.2
No matter how much Haster cherished his goddaughter, who was staying at the imperial palace, he would undoubtedly leave Clary in their care and return to his territory the moment the coronation ended.
He would come down to Carcosa more frequently than before because of his entry into central politics, but Arden couldn’t act as a substitute parent forever while waiting for the Grand Duke to visit.
‘Now that I think about it, that’s infuriating.’
The two of us brought the child here, so why am I the only one who has to raise her?
Arden’s mood soured at the prospect of being forced into solo parenting, which had never been part of his fate.
He had to keep Haster here by any means necessary.
Of course, it wasn’t only because he wanted help caring for his niece.
There was something more important.
Imperial support alone would not be enough to draw Haster into the central government.
First, Haster himself needed to live in Carcosa, the capital, for a certain amount of time instead of remaining in the provinces.
Only then could he attend the council frequently and make his voice heard.
The imperial family had permitted Haster to enter the central political sphere to balance the factions.
However, that only applied if the North lent its strength to the imperial family.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to secure Haster’s loyalty as soon as possible.
Haster was currently loyal to the imperial family, but that loyalty was directed toward Arden’s imperial father, not Arden himself.
His loyalty toward Arden was weak, or practically nonexistent.
To receive his loyalty, Arden first needed to earn his trust and goodwill.
If one satisfied another person without earning their contempt or hatred, that person would naturally develop goodwill.
Then how could one gain even greater goodwill from someone who felt no contempt or hatred and already possessed a small amount of goodwill?
The answer was simple.
One needed to give them satisfaction and attempt to maintain that state.
The imperial family had opened the path for Haster to enter the central government.
Then should they continue maintaining and supporting that opportunity?
No.
That card could not yet be played while Haster lacked deep trust and loyalty toward them.
A North that did not actively support the imperial family could instead become a new faction and pose a threat.
A ruler had no reason to keep faith with someone who was useless or disadvantageous to them.
Then what did Haster need at present?
Arden looked back upon everything from the social gathering several weeks earlier until now.
Before the imperial tour, Haster had wanted to return home. After picking up Clary, he wanted to select a lady-in-waiting who met his standards.
The first request was difficult to grant, and the second was equally difficult.
Haa. This man is difficult.
Should I have learned how to seduce men instead of only seducing women?
There was no other choice.
He would have to diligently build a closer relationship with Haster and find out.
“Couldn’t you have arranged a separate meeting?”
Haster approached closely and quietly asked the question without barely parting his lips.
“That wouldn’t do, because I want to see you often.”
Haster gave him a look that said, Of course you do, before opening his mouth.
“How is Clary’s education progressing?”
‘I was wondering when you would ask.’
Hiding the complaint in his mind, Arden answered brightly.
“It couldn’t be better. I’m providing her with the finest teachers, environment, and education.”
“Her class hours suddenly increased. Is that truly alright?”
“Of course it is. Honestly, this is how it should have been from the beginning. Clary is ignorant compared to others her age, so she has to work harder than they do. Do you think she would understand if you asked her one of the questions you used during today’s interviews?”
At Arden’s words, Haster nodded without hesitation.
“She probably wouldn’t understand a single word.”
He could clearly picture Clary staring blankly and asking, ‘Whu-?’
At least it was fortunate that she learned quickly.
Even afterward, Haster continued asking questions like a parent who had sent his child to school for the first time.
How was the curriculum organized, who was teaching her swordsmanship, and were the tutors truly competent?
“Yes, yes, of course. Sir, you must place your complete trust in me.”
As Arden answered him casually, a strange feeling came over him.
He had clearly removed his troublesome niece, yet it still felt as though she were interfering from beside him.
“Will you continue coming here tomorrow?”
Haster, who had been behaving like a parent the entire time, finally said something unrelated to Clary.
“Of course. Unless you stop coming, I’ll keep visiting. Even if I have to make time that doesn’t exist.”
His tone made it clear that he didn’t care whether Haster found it uncomfortable.
“Do as you please.”
What did it matter as long as Arden didn’t disturb the atmosphere?
At the answer, which was practically Haster’s permission, Arden displayed the most charming smile he could produce.
“I was already planning to.”
One had to be proactive when courting someone.
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