When the Villainess Died, the Male Lead Went Crazy - Chapter 144.1

“Kylian?”

The wine glass shattered, and wine started spilling down Kylian’s hand. Lilith, who didn’t want Anais’s gaze on Kylian, waved her hand. The time around the wine glass began to slow, and it was restored, with the wine filling the glass once again.

Anais looked worryingly at Kylian’s hand.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

Lilith smiled as she grabbed Anais’s hand, turning her gaze back.

“I think it would be a good thing for the temples if priests could marry.”

Some were born with great power, but others, even with lesser divine power, would later offer much to the gods and grow stronger.

“If they grow up in the temples, they will have more options on how to increase their divine power. There’s a high demand for those with divine power.”

“But is it okay? The gods like to monopolize their priests.”

“That’s true. But just because priests can marry doesn’t mean they all will. Human love is fleeting after all.”

Lilith said this deliberately, knowing Kylian was listening closely.

“Isn’t human love something that can change at any moment? So love for the gods is different from that.”

“Do you really think that?”

“Yes, I do. There are many kinds of love. Just like the way I love Lady Anais.”

Anais stared intently at Lilith as she spoke.

“Even the love that Lady Anais has for me.”

Lilith said this in her male form, which made Anais a bit flustered.

“Oh, but we’re trying to forbid love between gods.”

“Why?”

“Because gods aren’t meant to be seated in places for romantic affairs. If they want that, they can give up their power and receive their place in the afterlife.”

Anais suddenly realized that Lilith’s decision was influenced by the past struggles she had gone through. The painful memories caused by the god of order of the past. Those were not things that could be easily escaped.

“And if we reincarnate as humans, we would live luxuriously enough. So, there’s no need to worry with that look on your face.”

Lilith brushed Anais’s hair behind her ear. While Anais believed it was the same Lilith who cared for her, she also knew very well that Lilith, as a god, had a different mindset and power from humans.

Still, Anais appreciated Lilith’s actions and her genuine care for her. Even if she saw her differently now, she intended to treat her with the same sincerity as before.

“Isn’t that abuse of power?”

“When you’re in a higher position, you have to wield the power to make others listen to you. You know that, Lady Anais.”

“Is that so…”

Lilith rested her chin on her hand and stared at Anais. She watched as Phileal leaned on Anais’s shoulder and, when their eyes met, subtly shifted back and tried to hide. Lilith couldn’t help but laugh at the situation.

Her gaze then shifted to Kylian, who was glaring at her with a dissatisfied look.

“Well, in conclusion…”

“Hmm?”

“If priests are allowed to marry, it will be interesting.”

With that, Lilith and Phileal lightened the mood, filling the space with their conversation, preventing Anais from thinking too much.

* * *

“There’s no such provision.”

Kylian was in his office. Normally, he would work with Anais at their desks facing each other, but recently, Anais had been working from the office in the Empress’s palace.

Taking advantage of the time, Kylian had called in his advisors and the Minister of Justice.

Unable to hide his restlessness, Kylian shifted his gaze, glaring again at the Minister of Justice. The older man with graying hair, sighed and hesitated.

“There are laws that allow the Empress or a consort, but there’s no law preventing it, Your Majesty. Historically, both the late Emperor and the late Empress, as well as all the imperial family members of the Cypnos Empire, have been allowed to take consorts.”

“I said I won’t do it. Isn’t it right that the Empress can’t have one either?”

“That would mean Your Majesty is relinquishing your authority. The Empress’s authority is hers to decide. And matters of consorts are private, so no matter how close the couple, you cannot intervene. However…”

“However?”

The Minister of Justice looked visibly uncomfortable under Kylian’s piercing gaze, squeezed his eyes shut before speaking.

“There is a special provision allowing intervention if there is no heir.”

“Explain in detail.”

“There’s a rule that the first child of the imperial family must be the legitimate heir. That’s why.”

“Then, if there are no children for a while, does that mean the Wife, no, the Empress can’t have a lover?”

“That’s not quite it. If the Empress continues without an heir, the Emperor will have to take a consort.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

“Please, please, calm down, Your Majesty!”

The Minister of Justice bowed before Kylian flustered. He was merely stating the imperial laws, but Kylian would get angry if he spoke, and if he didn’t speak, Kylian would get angrier. He truly didn’t know how to handle the situation.