~Chapter 135~
Dietrich never tolerated anything.
If something didn’t go his way, he protested and drew a clear line.
When Count Gusto committed that marriage fraud some time ago, Dietrich even stormed into the High Temple himself.
But no one dared to stop him.
Instead, people sympathized with his anger and tried not to get on his bad side.
And—
“Even when the former Duke and Duchess died, he was the same.”
Back then, he was just a ten-year-old boy.
Yet with a cold face, he gripped Claudius firmly in his hands.
“A ruthless child.”
But the Evans family could never act that way.
That alone showed the vast difference between Claudius and Evans.
‘Damn it!’
Isaac felt suffocated with pressure.
‘It’s fine. This is just… stepping back a little to move forward later.’
He tried to comfort himself.
If he failed to resolve this matter, he would lose the trust of the High Priest and other senior priests.
And then, his influence would shrink even further.
Biting his lips until they bled, Isaac spun around.
He would try talking to Dietrich about the foundation issue.
Dietrich was talking with the Empress, Evangeline, and Laritte.
“You’ve worked hard, young lady. You too, Lady Ansie.”
The Empress smiled warmly at the two women.
“It’s an honor to be of help to Your Majesty, even in a small way.”
Evangeline lowered her eyes politely.
But the Empress frowned.
“Small? No, I truly mean it.”
She continued kindly,
“This banquet’s success is all thanks to you both.”
“You flatter us.”
“No, I’m serious. Especially since the envoys seem so pleased with everything.”
After praising them again, the Empress suddenly turned to Dietrich with a playful smile.
“Oh my? I praised the young ladies, so why does the Duke look so proud?”
Dietrich replied without blinking,
“If both my sister and my lover helped Your Majesty, of course I’d be proud.”
Lover.
Dietrich’s face was calm, but Laritte flushed red at the word.
‘Seriously… he never holds back.’
Evangeline showed clear annoyance, but since the Empress was watching, she didn’t scold her brother.
“My, already protecting your family so strongly.”
The Empress laughed.
“There are already rumors that the Duke dotes on his sister. Now are you going to add being known as a doting lover as well?”
“If I get the chance, yes, I’d like that.”
Dietrich shrugged casually.
At that blunt affection, Laritte’s face only grew redder.
The four of them were chatting pleasantly when—
“Duke Claudius.”
Dietrich raised his head slightly.
The warm gaze he had for Laritte, his sister, and the Empress vanished instantly.
His eyes turned cold and indifferent, as if looking at a stone on the street.
Still, perhaps out of courtesy to the Empress, he replied politely enough:
“What is it?”
Though stung by his cold response, Isaac forced a soft smile.
“Could you spare me a moment of your time?”
Dietrich glanced at the Empress instead of answering.
“I don’t mind. Please, speak freely,” she said with a smile.
But Dietrich’s face remained blank.
“I don’t think the Chief Priest and I have any reason to talk so kindly together.”
Isaac swallowed his irritation and spoke in a friendly tone.
“Don’t say that. After all, we’re family, aren’t we?”
“Family…”
Dietrich repeated the word, then gave a smile that carried no warmth at all.
“Honestly, I already know what you want to say.”
His icy blue eyes locked on Isaac.
“You want me to cancel the child welfare foundation Claudius is about to establish, don’t you?”
Isaac’s lips clamped shut.
Dietrich tilted his head slightly.
“That’s why you came to ask me, right?”
Humiliation rose in Isaac’s throat, but he swallowed it.
‘That bastard!’
If Dietrich had considered Isaac’s pride even a little, he wouldn’t have brought it up so bluntly in front of the Empress and others.
But Dietrich hadn’t even bothered to take him aside privately.
For Isaac, bowing his head in public was a huge blow to his dignity.
Especially because Isaac was extremely proud, no matter how he tried to hide it.
And yet, Dietrich showed him no respect.
It meant Dietrich didn’t think Isaac was worth any consideration at all.
Or perhaps—he simply didn’t care if they became enemies.
Still—
“Yes. I came to ask that of you.”
Here, Isaac was the weaker one.
The High Temple was pressuring him to resolve the conflict with Claudius and the donations issue.
And the bitter irony—this whole “foundation” problem had started because of Isaac himself.
But Isaac couldn’t believe it.
‘All this… just because of Lady Ansie? That worthless baron’s daughter?!’
Dietrich studied Isaac quietly, then slowly curved his lips.
It was a smile sharp as a blade.
“That won’t be possible.”
Isaac’s face flushed red.
Not even a token “sorry, but” came with it.
Grinding his teeth, Isaac shot back,
“If you keep opposing the High Temple, that won’t be good for your Duchy either, will it?”
Dietrich remained relaxed.
“The Chief Priest has been worrying about my Duchy for some time now. Perhaps it’s just my twisted personality, but I don’t find that concern very pleasant.”
“Duke!”
“Claudius will handle Claudius’s affairs.”
Dietrich drew a firm line.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but in truth, it’s nothing more than unnecessary meddling.”
“You—!”
“And earlier, you suggested I should show you favor because we’re related by blood.”
Isaac tried to argue, but Dietrich cut him off without giving him the chance.
“I believe the closer the blood, the more firmly public and private matters must be kept separate.”
His smile deepened.
“Don’t you think that’s much cleaner?”
“Damn it!”
The last bit of composure Isaac had managed to hold crumbled completely.
