When the Female Lead Went Off-Script, the Main Male Lead Became the Tyrant's Empress

A great crowd gathered at the Great Temple.

Part of the reason was to see the Emperor who ruled the nation, but they also wanted to witness with their own eyes the Emperor’s granddaughter making her first appearance at an official event.

They also wanted to find out whether the rumors were true that she resembled Princess Anaris, who, with only a little exaggeration, had caused more than a few men to collapse at her feet with the merest brush of her gaze.

A girl could be seen behind the Emperor and the Crown Prince as they headed toward the Great Temple.

Escorted by a tall, handsome man with black hair and blue eyes like hers, she followed the Emperor’s party.

With her long honey-blond hair swept up and eyes that sparkled beyond comparison to any jewel, Clary was so lovely that merely looking at her drew a sigh from one’s lips.

Everyone who saw her thought something similar.

It wasn’t enough that they stole the property of such a young and adorable girl, but they even abused her.

Wasn’t the man called her uncle, who was now imprisoned, truly cruelty itself?

As she entered the Great Temple, where the scent of musk lingered, the proud gazes of the subjects contrasted sharply with the piercing stares of the nobles and priests, which poured down upon her like a fierce rainstorm.

Clary tried to steady her breathing.

Then, just as Haster had taught her, she walked right foot first, then left, at a pace that was neither too fast nor too slow.

Walking too quickly could make her appear like a belligerent ruffian, while walking too slowly could make her seem like an obvious coward.

Even beneath the appraising gazes of those scrutinizing her, Haster didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow as he escorted his goddaughter to the front of the platform.

After entrusting her to a priest so she could change into her baptismal robes, he turned and met the eyes of the Crown Prince seated in the very front row of the congregation.

Arden silently mouthed a word.

‘Fox.’

That again.

As though he found something amusing, Arden grinned in a deliberately provoking manner.

Ever since Haster had accepted Clary as his goddaughter, his cousin called him a fox whenever the opportunity arose.

“What was your real reason for taking Clary as your goddaughter?”

And the interrogation came as an added bonus.

“Did I not tell you last time? Your memory is poor.”

Haster replied indifferently after sitting down among the congregation.

Arden’s smile deepened.

“You expect me to believe you merely wanted to become a guardian who would support your young niece because she had no one to rely on?”

“If you don’t wish to believe it, then don’t.”

“I’m already doing that.”

“Then stop bothering me.”

“That would be difficult. I’m the sort who can’t tolerate unanswered questions.”

Despite Haster’s blatant expression that he didn’t want to speak with him, Arden persistently pressed further.

“You, who never move without something to gain, helped her because you were moved by affection?”

“…Did I not tell you last time? Entering the central political sphere—”

“You expect me to believe you proposed forming a spiritual kinship with Clary because basking in my imperial father’s influence would help you enter the central political sphere more easily? Ridiculous. Do you think it will work on me simply because some naive child who knows nothing believed you? You have no reason to go through such a troublesome scheme. Even without plotting something like that, the road into the central political sphere is practically wide open before you.”

“…….”

“Did you want the Lurie territory that badly?”

Haster tried to ignore him and look forward, but Arden stubbornly forced him to turn his eyes back toward him.

Arden’s suspicions showed no sign of fading.

However, Haster couldn’t entirely blame his cousin for constantly trying to discern his intentions.

Had their positions been reversed, Haster would probably have said something similar.

A noble’s territory was land belonging to the Empire, but the rights to develop and govern it belonged primarily to its lord.

Even the Emperor couldn’t arbitrarily cut down so much as a single blade of grass on a lord’s land without proper justification.

Therefore, anyone wishing to launch a national project or profit by investing in a private venture needed to maintain a good relationship with the noble who owned the territory.

Furthermore, the Barony of Lurie, which possessed a port, was a region with thriving maritime trade.

The capable Baron Clyde Lurie reorganized its administration and expanded the existing harbor so that larger and more numerous trading vessels could enter and depart.

Thanks to that, despite being a provincial lord, he was invited to most gatherings and events held in the capital.

The Emperor valued his abilities highly enough to recognize his accomplishments and award him a medal.

There was only one reason the Crown Prince kept hounding Haster.

The Grand Duke had snatched away something Arden had been aiming for first.