My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 302

302. Confession

“I’m inside,” Elena’s voice came from outside, and Xian responded immediately.

As he slowly rose from his seat, it suddenly occurred to him.

Isn’t this Elena’s room?

Knocking and entering her own room.

Xian chuckled lightly at the irony.

Soon, with a click, the door opened.

Through the opening, a woman with sun-like golden hair, Elena, revealed herself.

A bright aura and a cool demeanor.

The beauty with that contrasting, strange charm still possessed her unchanging loveliness.

Elena, upon discovering Xian, raised her eyelashes and asked,

“You were looking for me…”

“Ah, well…”

Xian scratched the back of his head slightly, trailing off.

Judging by the situation, it was true that Xian had come to find her.

However, he didn’t exactly have a reason for coming.

Wasn’t he originally asked by Conrad to come?

But he couldn’t say that, as it was.

“Before leaving, I wanted to see the Princess’s face one last time, so I came to visit.”

“Leaving… Do you mean you’re returning to Ruben?”

At that, Elena’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

It seemed she didn’t know Xian was leaving so suddenly.

“Yes. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but given the current situation… I think I need to move quickly.”

“I see…”

Elena nodded slightly.

And seeing that she didn’t ask any further questions…

It seemed Elena knew what the situation was.

Well, the Imperial Palace was in an uproar; there was no way she wouldn’t know.

“When are you planning to leave?”

“I’m thinking of departing as soon as this meeting ends. As I said, I came to see the Princess before leaving.”

“Still, you thought of me this time, it seems. You used to just leave without a word. Or was it perhaps my brother?”

“Of course not. I came solely because I missed the Princess.”

Elena hit the nail on the head.

However, Xian waved his hand without showing any reaction.

Elena looked at Xian and smiled.

“Let’s sit down first. Surely you weren’t really planning to leave after just seeing my face, were you?”

That’s what I was planning.

But again, he couldn’t say that, as it was.

“Uh… of… course not.”

Xian hid his awkward expression and sat back down.

Sitting face to face with Elena like that.

“I know the Imperial Palace is in chaos regarding the rebellion. Circumstantially, it seems to be the work of Elandur, but… I don’t simply think that’s the case.”

Elena lowered her long eyelashes, as if lost in thought.

“It was too blatant. This doesn’t fit Elandur’s current situation. There’s no way the Marchioness would do this unless she was crazy…”

Xian was a little surprised at Elena’s words.

Even Xian could only notice after piecing together various puzzle pieces.

Certainly, her perspective on the situation was wise in many ways.

“My thoughts are the same as the Princess’s. So, I intend to investigate that matter.”

“The Count himself?”

“Yes. I have an excellent informant in my territory. He was the leader of the Shadow Moon Guild in the past.”

“Shadow Moon… Are you referring to the guild that dominated the underworld? I heard that Shadow Moon disappeared from the underworld… I didn’t know he was with the Count.”

Even as a princess, she was well-versed in the affairs of the empire.

In some ways, she showed a more outstanding aspect than the Crown Prince Conrad.

“So, as soon as the information is gathered, I plan to discuss future actions with His Highness. In the meantime, I hope Your Highness will persuade His Majesty to buy us time.”

“Hmm… Certainly, it would be difficult to act rashly now.”

Elena nodded as if she understood quickly.

“I’ll help my brother persuade His Majesty as well. Don’t worry about this side, and the Count should do his work.”

“Thank you, Princess.”

“No thanks needed. We should be the ones thanking you.”

Elena gave a bright smile.

Xian also returned the smile as if responding.

With this, there would be no problem persuading the Emperor.

He would have been a little worried if it was just Conrad alone, but with Elena’s help, there was really nothing to worry about.

“Then I’ll move immediately.”

Xian slowly rose from his seat.

Persuading the Emperor to buy time was just that, buying time.

It didn’t mean that he could delay the time.

Just as he was about to get up.

“But what about the Saintess…?”

Elena suddenly asked Xian.

And at Elena’s question, Xian paused for a moment.

“Aria…”

Come to think of it, Aria was the problem?

Originally, he would have just sent her back to the Holy Empire as planned.

Even if she threw a tantrum and didn’t want to go, he was planning to force her.

‘But the current situation is…’

He couldn’t do that anymore.

The Holy Empire was currently in the hands of the Twilight Sect [a religious faction].

Or rather, it was presumed to be in that situation.

In the worst-case scenario, it might have been occupied by demons.

In this situation, he couldn’t send Aria back to the Holy Empire.

Besides, there were talks of dismissal and such.

If Aria went to the Holy Empire in this situation, he didn’t know what dangerous things would unfold.

Now, even if Aria said she would go back, he would have to dissuade her.

“Hmm… I think she’ll have to go to Ruben with me.”

Xian answered after much deliberation.

“Is that so…”

Elena muttered with a meaningful expression.

At the same time, an awkward silence descended.

And after a time when the silence became a little uncomfortable.

“It’s a question that doesn’t fit the current situation, but…”

Elena cautiously asked Xian.

“May I ask you something I’m personally curious about, Count?”

“Go ahead.”

“What do you think of the Saintess?”

Xian tilted his head without realizing it.

It wasn’t just that it didn’t fit the situation…

It was almost at a nonsensical level.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t Aria ask me that before?’

Come to think of it, Aria seemed to have done that too.

She had asked Xian what he thought of Elena.

And this time, Elena was asking about Aria in reverse.

“Well… I think of her as a close friend.”

“I don’t think the Saintess thinks so.”

“Are you talking about Aria? Hmm… From Aria’s perspective, she might think of me as an enemy.”

Xian nodded as if acknowledging it.

Considering what Xian had done to Aria in the meantime…

Forget being friends, there was enough reason for her to think of him as an enemy.

But why was that.

“Seeing you like this, I really… I can see why you were called the dullard of the world in the past.”

Elena shook her head.

“But that’s part of your charm.”

Soon, Elena smiled at Xian.

A bright smile harmonized with the golden hair of the sunlight.

It was a beauty that made one lose their mind just by looking at it.

He was momentarily stunned by Elena’s smile.

“Should I go to Ruben with you this time?”

“…… Yes?”

Xian really felt like he was losing his mind.

#

A heavy silence descended.

In that silence, Elena was quietly looking at Xian.

And Xian didn’t know what to say.

It was quite a long time before Xian could open his mouth.

“Are you saying that Your Highness will also come to Ruben?”

“Yes. Is that not allowed?”

Xian once again didn’t know what to answer.

“But Your Highness said you would persuade His Majesty…”

“That’s already been done.”

“Yes?”

Elena smiled and continued to speak.

“In the first place, His Majesty is also aware of the situation to some extent. He is quite angry about the rebellion, but his reasoning is more 냉철 [composed] than ever.”

That meant.

Baluaga also found Elandur’s situation strange.

Although he didn’t know the exact circumstances, it also meant that there was a high possibility that he wouldn’t strike Elandur right now.

After all, Baluaga was the monarch who ruled this vast empire.

He was the de facto ruler of this continent.

Baluaga was not foolish enough to lose his reason due to anger.

“However, we will have to continue to persuade him about how long he will wait.”

Elena finished speaking like that.

Anyway, it meant that there was nothing to worry about in the current situation.

“Then why did you say you would persuade him just now?”

“I just wanted to earn some points with the Count.”

“With me?”

“Yes. If I want to marry the Count, I have to diligently earn points, right?”

Xian was speechless.

Was she still thinking about marriage?

“Is marriage still burdensome?”

“It’s not a matter of burden.”

“Then is the Saintess perhaps bothering you?”

Xian was speechless once again.

What on earth was that supposed to mean?

“Or do you… not like me?”

“No. That’s not it. It’s not that kind of meaning…”

Since the topic came up, he would be honest.

Elena was an unparalleled partner.

Appearance, status.

Personality, family.

There was no better bride than Elena on this continent.

Above all, Elena, whom Xian had seen, was truly wise.

Frankly speaking, she was more than qualified to be the mistress of Ruben.

But.

“Putting aside the burden and everything else, I have never seriously thought about marriage yet.”

“Then let’s start with dating.”

“……”

Xian’s understanding couldn’t keep up with Elena’s words.

The resolute and 확고한 [unwavering] appearance she was showing now.

It could be said to be an Elena-like appearance.

But it felt different from the Elena of the past.

It was completely different from when she was ‘proposing’ marriage, bound by her duty as a princess.

That’s why Xian couldn’t help but ask.

“What is the reason for giving me these words? Like then, to help the Imperial Family─.”

“No.”

Elena shook her head firmly and continued to speak.

“Because I like the Count a lot.”

And Xian was at a loss for words.

The face and expression of Elena reflected in his dazed gaze.

He could tell that those words were not false, but sincere.

“I don’t know how my current appearance looks to you, but… my heart is pounding so much that I feel like I’m going to die. I’m taking a lot of courage.”

That’s why he also knew that those words were quite sincere.

A small tremor could be felt in every word.

Elena’s slender shoulders were also trembling.

An expression that conveyed the feeling of being clumsy because it was the first time.

“I’m not saying you have to decide now. I don’t want to put pressure on you either. Above all, the current situation is not one for marriage or dating.”

But because she didn’t want to miss this opportunity as it was.

“Can I… go to Ruben with the Count this time too?”

Elena confessed to Xian with courage.

“……”

Xian still had nothing to say.

#

The preparations to return to Ruben were quickly completed.

In the first place, there was a need to move quickly.

And it was after all the work that could be done in the Imperial Palace was finished.

However, there was only one thing.

The gold being minted at the Mint was a slight problem.

To be exact, Xian’s share of the gold had not yet been fully minted.

After all, it was not easy to mint billions of gold in that short amount of time.

Well, it wasn’t a short time either.

However, it was still a short time to mint billions.

Nevertheless, the Mint minted gold day and night.

Perhaps thanks to minting Xian’s share first.

“I’ve confirmed all the remaining balance, Lord.”

With Amelia’s final calculation, all the gold could be received.

Because of this, the departure time was inevitably slightly delayed.

However, it was not enough to be a problem, so Xian could leave the Imperial Palace with a light heart.

Thus, Xian, Amelia, and Aria.

“Why is the Princess following us…?”

And he was returning to Ruben with the Princess, Elena.

Aria glanced at Elena and asked.

Aria’s expression was also strangely sulky.

“I decided to go to Ruben together this time.”

“So why? Why? For what reason?”

Aria asked, as if she had been waiting.

“What are you so curious about?”

“No, but that’s right! Why is the Princess suddenly coming to Ruben? In this chaos. Don’t you think so, Amelia?”

Aria turned her head sharply and asked Amelia.

Xian was momentarily stunned by the sight.

That’s because Aria and Amelia.

Platinum blonde and red-haired beauties.

Of course, one was a beauty that transcended beauty, but anyway.

Watching the combination of the two beauties was quite strange.

“There must be a reason… right?”

Amelia carefully brought up the words in response to Aria’s question.

In many ways, Amelia, being a Saintess, found Aria difficult.

“So that’s what I’m saying. There’s no reason for the Princess to follow us.”

“Certainly… It was a bit unexpected that His Majesty readily allowed it.”

Amelia’s answer continued.

And that was honestly unexpected for Xian too.

When Elena said she wanted to come to Ruben.

Xian couldn’t bring himself to say a direct refusal.

However, on the other hand, he thought it wouldn’t work.

He had expected that there would be a high probability that he would express his opposition.

Well, let’s say that’s Conrad.

However, he had expected that the Emperor would definitely refuse.

He was sure that he would be furious and say that he was a loafer, a son of a bitch.

‘But he unexpectedly allowed it.’

Of course, his expression itself was a reluctant expression.

To be exact, it was a face that was grinding his teeth.

Still, Baluaga didn’t say anything else.

“Xian. You know. What’s the reason? Why is the Princess following us?”

Aria asked, making a slightly angry expression.

Amelia also showed a curious look behind her.

Xian looked at the two of them.

And looking at Elena, who was smiling behind him.

“It just happened that way. Just know that.”

He walked past Aria.

And in case Aria would stick to him.

“Lucas! Who told you to flirt while on guard? Stand up straight?”

He vented his anger on Lucas, who was flirting with Laura on one side.

#

The Holy Empire, Lutea.

A nation established by those who worship God.

It was a powerful nation that could be said to be the two strongest powers on the continent, along with the Charlotte Empire.

The Holy Knights, comparable to the Royal Knights of the Charlotte Empire.

And the priests and paladins who use the power of God.

Here, it possessed a vast territory no less than the Charlotte Empire.

In fact, it could be said to be the only nation that could compete with the Charlotte Empire.

However, there were many aspects that were different from the Charlotte Empire.

Basically, the fact that it was a nation that worshiped God was one of them.

Therefore, the citizens of the Holy Empire were all devout under God.

And the most core place in such a Holy Empire.

Also, a place more sacred and holy than any other, the Papal Palace.

“The Saintess has not withdrawn her statement in the end.”

A quiet report was heard in the conference room of the Papal Palace.

“She does not stop even after sufficient warnings.”

“She is even said to have severely assaulted Cardinal Lahir in front of the Emperor and nobles of the Empire.”

“We cannot continue to tolerate the Saintess as she is.”

Accordingly, the people gathered in the conference room each voiced their opinions.

They were the priests of the Twilight Sect with white robes and red embroidery.

“This is considered to be a disregard for the Order, and it is appropriate to dismiss the Saintess.”

The priests of Twilight all shouted in unison.

And those standing on the opposite side of the priests of Twilight.

“I hear that the circumstances and evidence are clear.”

“We only hear about it through reports like this, but the Saintess must have seen and judged it with her own eyes.”

“That’s right. Isn’t there a saying that the judgment of the field commander takes precedence even in war?”

They were the priests of the Dawn Sect with white robes and blue embroidery.

“And dismissal? Dismissal is not something that can be easily spoken of!”

The priests of Dawn shouted, refuting the words of the priests of Twilight.

Thus, the two sects fiercely argued.

The priests of Dawn who supported Aria.

The priests of Twilight who tried to bring Aria down.

A fierce debate ensued, with neither side backing down.

Thus, the conference room continued to have a noisy atmosphere for a while.

And how much time had passed.

“Enough.”

In an instant, a deep, sonorous voice was lowered.

At the same time, the noisy conference room became silent in an instant.

Thus, everyone’s gaze turned to the place.

A wide ear and fine wrinkles.

An old man with a white beard and a benevolent appearance.

“It seems that the two opinions are not being coordinated… I will make a decision, though I am lacking.”

The Pope of the Holy Empire, Saint Anaristo.

At the Pope’s words, the priests in the conference room all closed their mouths.

The Pope glanced around the audience and slowly opened his mouth.

“After listening to both opinions quietly, I thought that both had reasonable points. However, even if everyone is reasonable, it is not possible to choose both.”

The Pope took a deep breath.

A small tension was laid, and once again, the Pope’s mouth slowly opened.

“As of this moment, Aria Renew Sapier.”

And the one word that followed.

“I hereby dismiss her from her position as Saintess.”

A great shock descended on the conference room.