Chapter 73. For My Wife

“To make a deal.”

“A deal?”

Theo nodded briefly. His gaze remained on the teacup rather than on Camilla.

“Tell me what you want. Magic stones or whatever.”

“And what do you want from me?”

“Tell the elder priest to help me.”

Camilla frowned.

The only elder priest she knew was the one from the Daphne Temple.

She had once saved him when he collapsed with injuries during his pilgrimage.

“You mean the priest from the Daphne Temple?”

“Yes.”

“So you need him.”

Theo lifted his head in agreement. His blue eyes met Camilla’s gaze.

They were the same color as her son’s eyes, but colder and more piercing. His dark black hair reminded her of Karenrose.

Was this proof of imperial blood flowing through him?

Surely Theo was seeking the priest’s help for political gain.

“…Are you perhaps interested in the imperial throne?”

“The imperial throne?”

“Yes. The Emperor has two children. The Crown Prince is bedridden with an incurable disease, and the Princess hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet.”

Theo let out a hollow laugh.

“You think I want to become the Emperor of Bios?”

“If not that, then why seek the elder priest? Haven’t you heard about the prophecy of the saintess’s appearance?”

Theo’s eyes flashed at Camilla’s words.

Camilla knew about the Bios Temple’s prophecy.

It was either proof that her family still had influence in the Bios Empire, or the elder priest she called her friend had told her. It had to be one of the two.

“I have no interest in the imperial throne. What I want is information about the saintess.”

“Then why do you want information about the saintess? If you’re not trying to steal the saintess’s power to take the throne, then what is it?”

“I’m going to make sure no one can use the saintess’s power.”

“…What?”

“Not even the saintess herself.”

Camilla tilted her head.

He wasn’t trying to steal the saintess’s power, nor was he trying to protect it?

Then why did he want to know about the saintess?

“…Percos doesn’t trust the imperial family. Because he’s a priest.”

“So his name is Percos.”

“He’ll think you’re trying to steal the saintess’s power.”

“Because I’m of imperial blood?”

“Yes. If you want to gain Percos’s trust, you need to promise to help him.”

“I won’t let the saintess use her power.”

Theo spoke firmly. Camilla shook her head and continued.

“I don’t mean promise to help the saintess use her power. You need to stop those who want to steal her power.”

“You mean stop the Emperor of Bios.”

Camilla nodded.

Even as she spoke, she wasn’t sure if it was right to tell him these things.

But Theo had come to her first with a request. Though he called it a deal, he looked desperate.

For whatever reason, it was clear that Theo wanted to prevent the saintess’s power from being used.

“I’ll ask Percos.”

“……”

“I’ll tell him to go to you by tonight at the latest.”

“Now tell me what you want. This is a deal.”

Camilla looked at Theo speaking coldly. His face showed no affection for her whatsoever.

“I heard you got married.”

“……”

For a moment, Theo’s expression stiffened.

“I thought you would marry the princess of the Esolin Kingdom. Wasn’t there talk of marriage five years ago?”

“We broke off the engagement.”

“Yes. I heard a lot about your broken engagements.”

Camilla knew that all three of Theo’s marriages had been unhappy.

None of them lasted even half a year. Every time she heard the news, Camilla felt uneasy.

But this time, he had maintained a relationship with his current wife for quite a while.

It was a relief to Camilla that Theo was maintaining a stable marriage. However, his bride was said to be a woman from an island village that wasn’t even on the map.

Could such a woman really be helpful to Theo?

In Camilla’s opinion, the princess of Esolin Kingdom would have been a more suitable marriage partner for Theo.

Recently, Esolin Kingdom had invested heavily in magic stone mines and processing facilities, and had achieved considerable success.

Though still considered a minor country, with Theo’s money and Camilla’s connections, they could gradually expand their influence.

“How about meeting the princess of the Esolin Kingdom? She’s staying here to participate in the Magic Stone Festival.”

“I’d rather not.”

“Don’t you think a kingdom’s princess would be better than a woman from an island village?”

Theo frowned at Camilla’s musing.

“Just tell me what you want.”

“I’m telling you right now.”

“You want me to meet the princess?”

“Yes.”

Theo stared at Camilla.

What was she up to?

Theo had expected her to ask for magic stones or mining rights.

But suddenly asking him to meet the princess of Esolin Kingdom — he couldn’t understand why she was interfering in his affairs.

“You haven’t heard how I broke off the engagement, have you?”

“……”

“The King of Esolin fainted.”

“Fainted?”

“After shouting that he would never give me his daughter.”

Theo spoke with a blank expression. Camilla sighed.

“How are things with your current wife?”

“Why are you asking about that?”

“There’s nothing to gain from a woman who’s from an island village. And you probably don’t even like her.”

Camilla spoke with certainty. Theo frowned.

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you liked her, why haven’t you had a wedding ceremony?”

“……”

“There must be a reason you’re just living together. They say you’re even giving her magic stones.”

“……”

“Is it because of the Emperor’s orders? No, with your personality, you wouldn’t live with someone for that reason.”

Theo was struck speechless by Camilla’s words.

Right.

That damn wedding ceremony.

Because they hadn’t had one wedding ceremony, he’d heard all sorts of talk.

From the Phaenyx priests to even that detestable Asarim, they all criticized him.

And how did Yuelina look each time?

Didn’t his little crow-tit wife droop like she was drenched in rain?

Theo clenched his fist.

“I’m going to do it. The wedding ceremony.”

“You’re going to do it?”

“Yes. I’ll get married when I return. It was just delayed.”

“Then send me an invitation.”

“…What?”

“That’s what I want. To attend your wedding ceremony.”

Camilla sat up straight as she looked at Theo.

“Why don’t you ask for magic stones instead?”

“I have enough of those.”

“Then business investment?”

“I have plenty of money.”

Theo closed his mouth. Camilla’s face was resolute.

“Invite me. That’s all I want.”

“…What if I refuse?”

“Then there’s no deal.”

“What if I make it a personal request instead of a deal?”

“This is my request too.”

Damn it.

Theo turned his head sharply.

If he refused now, he wouldn’t be able to meet Percos, the elder priest, again.

Maybe it would be faster to just kidnap Percos and torture him until he talked.

Theo considered it seriously.

But someone of his caliber, a priest of the ‘Eye of the Storm,’ probably wouldn’t talk easily under torture.

Theo had many things he needed to ask Percos.

How to seal the saintess’s power.

If there was a way to prevent anyone from using it.

What needed to be done for her to stay by his side for life without disappearing.

Theo heaved a deep sigh.

“Fine. I’ll send you an invitation.”

“Thank you.”

Theo stared at Camilla.

Rather than a grandmother, she was more like a cunning noblewoman.

She had opposed the marriage of Theo’s parents and never visited the north.

Even when Theo was born, she only came to the Bios capital once to check if his limbs were intact.

After his father died, contact was completely cut off, and whenever they met, she would glare at him with resentment.

So Theo had no reason to feel affection for Camilla. It should have been the same for her.

But suddenly asking to be invited to the wedding — it was strange.

“Ah, and I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“The flowers in the garden. Were they grown with magic stones?”

Theo stood up and pointed to the flowers visible through the window.

“No. I don’t grow flowers with magic stones. They don’t produce any fragrance that way.”

“Then I’ll take some.”

“The flowers? Why?”

“For my wife.”

Camilla was startled.