~Chapter 136~
Isaac glared fiercely at Dietrich.
But Dietrich showed no sign of being intimidated.
Instead—
“If you have nothing more to say, I think it’s best to end our conversation here.”
Without even waiting for Isaac’s agreement, he cut the conversation off on his own.
“It wouldn’t be right for our little quarrel to spoil everyone else’s pleasant evening.”
At those words, Isaac suddenly realized—everyone was watching.
At first, it seemed only the Empress beside them had been paying attention.
But before he knew it, nobles and envoys alike had their eyes fixed on them.
“What’s going on there?”
“It looks like the Duke and the Chief Priest Evans are arguing about the child foundation…”
Which meant—everyone had just witnessed Isaac being rejected by Dietrich.
And more than that—
“But telling Claudius not to establish a foundation?”
“Isn’t that overstepping authority?”
“No matter how high the Temple’s standing, they have no right to interfere in a noble house’s affairs.”
“Especially not Claudius, who represents the Empire’s nobility…”
The nobles’ gazes toward Isaac were far from kind.
His heart sank.
Yes—this entire matter now looked like the Temple was meddling arrogantly in a noble family’s business.
And to proud nobles, that interference was never welcome.
If the Temple acted so high-handed even with Claudius, one of the Empire’s greatest houses—
‘Then how would they treat the rest of us?’
Isaac bit down hard on his teeth and turned.
Dietrich met his eyes with a composed, spotless face.
‘This can’t be…!’
Isaac’s own face flushed a mess of red.
Step by step, he stumbled backward, before finally fleeing the hall as if running away.
The nobles’ cold stares clung stubbornly to his back as he retreated.
Late at night, under a sky full of stars—
The banquet finally came to an end.
“Whew, I thought I was going to die from the nerves.”
On the way to the carriages, Lady Eva stretched like a cat and sighed in relief.
“You really worked hard, Eva.”
I comforted her, and she shrugged proudly.
“I wasn’t the only one. Lari worked hard too. …Well, even my brother did, I guess.”
“Please, at least try to sound convincing.”
“Oh, did it show?” She stuck her tongue out playfully.
“But this time, it was kind of surprising.”
“What was?”
“That my brother rejected the Chief Priest’s request so openly.”
I agreed with her.
Normally, people would have refused quietly, away from others, to preserve the Temple’s dignity.
I glanced up at the Duke’s profile.
‘It felt like… he was especially sharp toward the Chief Priest.’
Even if the Evans family and Claudius were at odds, usually the Duke wouldn’t have been that blunt.
“Anyway, never make my brother your enemy.”
Eva shook her head again.
“He holds grudges forever.”
“Grudges?” I asked curiously.
‘Could something have happened between the Duke and the Chief Priest?’
Eva looked at me for a moment, then smiled.
“There are just things like that.”
I was puzzled, but then nodded.
After all, it was true—the Evans family had behaved disgracefully for a long time.
It wasn’t strange if the Duke carried deep resentment.
“But still, did you see the Chief Priest’s face?” Eva laughed.
“Please, don’t talk so harshly.”
“Why not? It’s just us.”
Even when the Duke scolded her, Eva didn’t flinch.
“I even saw Marquis Evans yelling at the Chief Priest later. Can you imagine his frustration? He bribed his way to make Isaac Chief Priest, but he keeps losing to my brother.”
“Eva, mind your manners.”
“Really? Hearing that from the person who humiliated them feels even more smug.”
She grinned at her brother.
“Fine! Since I spent the day with Lari, you can escort her home tonight.”
The Duke’s face lit up.
“What’s gotten into you?”
“Consider it a reward for flattening the Chief Priest’s nose today. That was so satisfying!”
Eva winked mischievously.
“I’ll borrow a royal carriage. You two can go back together.”
With that, Eva left first.
And so, the Duke and I rode in his carriage toward the Ansie townhouse.
“This banquet was truly wonderful.”
“It’s thanks to Her Majesty and Lady Eva’s efforts.”
I answered out of habit, but then suddenly remembered something the Duke once told me—
“You don’t need to belittle yourself. Lady Ansie has many admirable qualities.”
Rolling my eyes a little, I added softly,
“Well… I did try my best too.”
At that, his eyes widened—and then he burst into laughter.
“Ha!”
I pouted, my face heating.
“Even if it’s funny, you didn’t have to laugh that much.”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just…”
He looked down at me with warm eyes.
“The Laritte I knew before would have said her efforts meant nothing. But now… you’re proud of what you did. That makes me happy.”
His gentle tone, his bright blue eyes—he looked so genuinely happy.
All because I no longer denied my own efforts.
Looking at this man, who seemed more joyful about it than I was myself—
“….”
I found myself speechless.
“You also led the talks with Rosburn to success. You’re amazing.”
“It was a deal that benefited Claudius too.”
He shrugged lightly.
But I knew.
Securing a northern trade port, one exclusively run by Claudius, was an incredible feat.
Even after paying taxes to the Empire, the profit would be enormous.
And even the Emperor had been satisfied—after all, the Empire had long dreamed of gaining another northern port.
The carriage slowed.
The Duke narrowed his eyes as he looked outside.
“Ah, we’ve arrived.”
We had reached the Ansie townhouse.
‘It feels like we didn’t talk for long, but already it’s time to part…’
I felt a little disappointed.
“Let’s go.”
He offered me his hand.
As I stepped down with his escort, I murmured without thinking—
“It’s a little sad.”
