Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 236

Chapter 236

Translator: Yonnee

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“Then we should call Dad and Brother too, Mom.”

“That seems best. We’re grateful for the Duke’s… no, the Archduke’s thoughtfulness.”

“Yes, really.”

It seemed they had heard about the celebration before us. I took Mom’s hand and went to find Dad and Brother.

* * *

There was a very visible scowl on Ciel’s countenance as he watched the reconstruction work in the capital. Jace, standing beside him, clicked his tongue at the sight.

“The Duke becomes more like a child as days pass.”

“Think from my perspective for once. You wouldn’t be able to say I’m being childish.”

“That’s why you should show a moderate amount of affection. It’s always been that way. The more you cherish, the more you need to hide.”

“You’re conscious about things like that, too?”

As Jace tried to give him some advice, Ciel let out a self-deprecating laugh after he asked back. He was reminded of his past mistakes.

“What do you mean?”

Jace answered nonchalantly, to which Ciel whispered as if sharing something important.

“If you just keep it to yourself too much, you’ll just end up shitting it out later.”

“…What?”

“Everything turns to dung anyway, Your Highness. So, I’d rather live to the fullest in this life…”

“Ha…”

Jace looked at Ciel incredulously, who had just mentioned ‘dung’ in front of the Crown Prince. Then, he quietly asked,

“…What happened to the Saintess?”

The temple had made no announcements about Seo-yoon’s sudden disappearance. Jace had some suspicions but wanted to hear it clearly.

And it seemed Ciel would know in detail about it.

“…Should I explain in detail?”

“I’d prefer that.”

“Hmm…”

Ciel was conflicted. Should he be honest about everything, including the past?

“Firstly, the Saintess will never return to the empire.”

“…I see.”

“Yes, Your Highness might not know, but every time Seo-yoon—not a saintess, mind you—crossed dimensions, she caused monster waves.”

“How could that happen…”

“Also, she knew about it but ignored the victims to satisfy her greed.”

“……”

“I confronted her directly, yet she attempted to cross dimensions again.”

Jace listened quietly before asking,

“For what greed did she do it?”

“She confessed that crossing dimensions raised her Guide rank.”

“Then… you saw the Saintess’s end.”

“Yes, Rin and I found her together. Even until the end, she was trying to cross dimensions to raise her rank.”

“Ah…”

Jace sighed with a heavy heart and looked up at the sky. Despite how earnestly and dearly he had regarded her, it was the first time he harbored ill feelings towards the saintess who had put the empire in danger.

Ciel continued talking to Jace, whose mood had darkened.

“Your Highness, surely, a new Guide will appear. According to Rin, it seems like Guides appear a step behind the Espers, matching their numbers. Lady Clarsent recently returned to her family’s domain and also met her Guide—the empire’s first male Guide.”

“Hooh… That’s something to celebrate. But why does the Duke know things even I am unaware of?”

His question wasn’t asked with any particular intent. It was pure curiosity. He was simply amazed that the duke had news faster than himself, the crown prince.

Ciel, faced with his question, managed a solemn expression before blushing and letting out a wide grin.

“…What?”

Jace, feeling a hint of displeasure, prompted Ciel, who then eagerly began to explain.

“It seems that respect and allegiance to someone can’t be forced. Just as Your Highness said, news that should have first reached the palace is coming to my Rin first. Of course, this isn’t an act of treason against the imperial family. They simply wanted to convey the news to my beloved Rin as quickly as possible.”

“……”

“Of course, out of consideration for Your Highness, I had warned them. But I couldn’t possibly stop personal letters, could I? Honestly, I was jealous and tried to stop them, but they were so persistent in wanting to repay the kindness they received from her.”

“……”

“As Your Highness knows, nobles have a tendency to return favors they’ve received, talking about family honor and such.”

“……”

“Do you know what happened to my uncle who overstepped his bounds and tried to approach Irene to repay a favor with cash?”

“…What happened?”

Jace was well aware of what kind of man Count Ashur, Ciel’s uncle, was. A man as cunning and persistent as a snake, which made him all the more uncomfortable.

That’s why Ciel, despite being annoyed, had let it be. He didn’t want to stir up trouble unnecessarily.