The Flower That Was Swallowed by the Beast - Chapter 19

At a tea party with other young ladies, Britney found out that Celestine had gone to the Green’s mansion in great anger after she had learned of Keivrand’s marriage.

“What if Miss Celestine does something to my sister?”

She pretended to be worried, but it was hard to hold back her smile.

“It’s going to blow up if something bad happens. Celestine was really angry. She gets really scary once she’s angry…”

Said one of the young ladies at the party.

“By the way, I also feel sorry for Countess Green. I can’t believe the Green family wasn’t informed and there was no wedding…Isn’t she already the mistress?”

“I’d rather be a mistress. At least a mistress is loved. Well, even if it’s a political marriage, how can Count Green be so mean to his wife…”

Said one of the young ladies who is the daughter of a Count, and contrary to her words, she looked as if she wanted to curse Iris to death.

“Oh, I’m sorry for saying it in front of Miss Britney. It’s your sister’s business…”

“No. I’m worried about my sister too…I don’t know if she’s crying day in and day out, but…She looked a little gloomy. There’s no word for it. Maybe Count Green doesn’t like her because of that?”

“Perhaps so. He got married to the flower of Duke Whittle, but it can be disappointing if she’s grim and not lively. Don’t men like passionate women in bed and those that are usually sweet?”

“Still, I wonder if she’s a sweet girl to Viscount Alfred?”

The young ladies burst into laughter.

Since most of the ladies gathered here had their eyes on Count Keivrand Green, they naturally disliked Iris, who suddenly took over the position of Countess Green.

“It would have been nice to have Countess Melanie Jennel here.”

Britney’s eyes widened at one of the young ladies’ words.

“Countess Jennel?”

Countess Melanie Jennel, high society’s goddess.

She was the object of envy to all young ladies.

After becoming Countess at an early age, it wasn’t long before she had a firm grip in high society.

Rumors had circulated that even the Empress wanted to be invited to Melanie’s social gatherings.

The young lady who had brought up Countess Jennel’s name continued.

“Countess Jennel loved Count Green before she got married. Not long ago, she gave Count Green a passionate look when he attended one of her parties.”

* * *

As the young ladies were excitedly gossiping about Iris at the tea party, Countess Melanie Jennel was staring at Celestine Green who was sitting still across from her.

“I never thought Miss Celestine would ask me for such a thing. To help you prepare Count Keivrand Green’s wedding.”

It wasn’t long before Melanie spoke in a cold voice.

Celestine gracefully picked up a teacup.

“Since it has to do with the Green’s family reputation and for such an important party, it’s natural to ask high society’s goddess, Countess Jennel.”

“It would be an honor for my Jennel family to assist in preparing the Green family’s party…”

Melanie also held a teacup.

“If you want to throw a party for fame, I don’t think it’ll suit the Green family who is unwilling to spend money.”

“Oh, my. What ridiculous things are you saying, Countess Jennel? Haven’t you heard? My brother told me that I can spend all of his fortune preparing for the wedding.”

“Oho…that petty cheapskate Count Green?”

“Yes, that petty cheapskate Count Green.”

At the same time, the two women with teacups on their lips made eye contact and giggled.

Melanie put down the teacup and spoke.

“Ah, I really can’t do this, Cel. Let’s just be like when we were at the academy.”

“Yes, Mel. Drinking tea while acting haughty isn’t easy.”

Celestine and Melanie, who were in the same major, were friends even before they entered the academy.

“I have a lot of questions after hearing about Kei’s marriage. Are you sure he’s married?”

“That’s what he said. He said he didn’t have a wedding and just reported their marriage to the government office.”

“What the…Your brother hasn’t changed at all. He doesn’t understand a woman’s heart. His head…”

“Is just for decoration.”

Celestine finished Melanie’s sentence since she couldn’t bear to say it now that she was a Countess.

“Anyway, what happened? Of all people, Iris, the flower of Duke Whittle. Are you for real? Are you sure he’s married to the flower of Duke Whittle?”

“Yes. Really. It’s true.”

“Is she pretty?”

“You would know if you saw the portrait.”

“Portraits are often glorified.”

“The portrait can’t capture the beauty of my big sister. It couldn’t even contain half of it.”

“What? Really? You know, the portrait itself is incredible.”

“It’s even more amazing. Shining. Sparkling.”

“Oh, my. Why would…she marry Kei? Don’t tell me…Blackmail? Kidnapping? Force?”

Unlike what is known to the world, Melanie hated Keivrand.

Keivrand would frown whenever he saw Melanie, who frequently went in and out of the Green’s estate since she was a kid, as if he had seen something terrible.

This was around the time when Keivrand was shocked at the fact that he was a beastman and was afraid of outsiders coming in and out of the estate. He was afraid of being caught.

For Melanie, who didn’t know the truth, she couldn’t help but hate Keivrand, who turned around without saying hello whenever they made eye contact.

She was almost convinced that she was ugly to the point that it made Keivrand frown at the sight of her.

She felt better as she got older, but every time Keivrand greeted her in a dismissive way she would recall her childhood.

She couldn’t help but glare at him with a burning passion.

“That’s what I thought too, but my big sister was really nice…She said they got married because she likes my brother very much. She even praised my brother.”

“Really?”

“Pupils like the clouds in the sky, eyebrows like a painting, chiseled jawline…”

“No. Stop.”

Melanie covered her ears with her hands.

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“Yeah, I didn’t want to finish it either. By the way, Countess Melanie Jennel. I look forward to your kind cooperation. So that no woman can say a word or dare look at my big sister in the eyes without being timid.”

Melanie, who had a grip in high society, knew what Celestine wanted.

Unfurling a colorful fan, Melanie spoke.

“Tell her to be in for a surprise, Miss Celestine.”

* * *

Inside Count Keivrand Green’s drawing room.

Keivrand gazed at the dashing young man sitting in front of him.

Apparently, he was a rookie who had just passed his probation period and became a priest. He sat still in his seat even when Keivrand entered the drawing room.

He didn’t seem to know how Keivrand was treated in the Divine Kingdom.

“The Holy Father is deeply disturbed by the recent rumors surrounding the Green family.”

The new priest stared straight at Keivrand and continued.

“As Count Green knows, the guardian of the sacred relic is protected by the Divine Kingdom, so your conduct and reputation must be upright. I’m sure Count Green knows well that the assessment of the Green family also affects the Divine Kingdom.”

Given that they sent a new priest who didn’t even know the courtesy shown to the Green family, it was clear that the Holy Father wasn’t very interested in this matter.

Maybe the priests heard such talks about this and that, and they sent a rookie priest out of annoyance.

“We can’t just watch these bad rumors spread throughout the continent. The Holy Father is also worried since you got married without his permission.”

“Marriage is a private matter, so I never thought I’d have to get permission from the Holy Father.”

At Keivrand’s muttering words, the priest raised his eyebrows.

“What do you mean you never thought you had to!? Who do you think the Green family owe themselves to, for you to be where you are today? Of course it’s all thanks to the Holy Father. Did you forget that the Holy Father is like a father to you?”

The priest was mistaken about the Holy Father.

This rookie must have had very poor test scores when he was a trainee, Keivrand thought.

The Holy Father didn’t look down on the Green family.

Rather, he needed them.

They are the only lineage that could touch the sacred relics without the risk of dying if it was wrongly handled.

And the Green family, the guardian of the sacred relics, is the only family that could find and store the dangerous sacred relics.

This arrogant priest thinks that the Green family had become the guardian of the sacred relics because of the Holy Father’s favor.

“Of course, the Holy Father is like a father to me. But what can I do? Even my biological father didn’t know about my marriage until a few days ago.”

The eyes of the priest shook at the unexpected remark.

“That, that…But this is different from that. The Count has to show more courtesy to the Holy Father than his own father.”

“Yeah? What does the Divine Kingdom want me to do?”

“They have judged that Count Green cannot make the decision on marriage. You got married without the Holy Father’s permission, and not only that, the reputation of the Divine Kingdom has shaken because of the dirty rumors surrounding Countess Green shortly after your marriage. In response, the Holy Father ordered that you divorce Countess Green and remarry a woman from the Divine Kingdom who was chosen by the Holy Father himself.”

“Oh?”

Keivrand’s eyes narrowed.

“Really? The Holy Father himself told you that?”

“Yes!”

Keivrand knew it couldn’t be.

Perhaps the word came from the mouth of one of the high priests.

Doesn’t this priest know how dangerous it is to lie about the Holy Father’s orders?

Instead of pointing out that part, Keivrand crossed his legs and leisurely spoke.

“What if the rumors about my wife are false?”

“It’s not that I don’t understand the Count’s heart in wanting to believe in the Countess after being possessed by her who is known as the flower of Count Whittle. But Count, you must see the truth. In addition to the third-rate magazines, authorized newspapers have written articles about Countess Green.”

“Articles aren’t always true. The beginning of the rumor was from a third-rate magazine. Some newspapers don’t judge the authenticity of an article and instead publish it so that it would sell well. I’m sure you knew that.”

The priest was frustrated because he couldn’t get through to Keivrand.

Whether it’s true or not, Countess Green’s atrocities will tarnish the reputation of the Divine Kingdom.

Why doesn’t the Count see that?

‘I was wondering what kind of man Count Green was, but he isn’t much of a man at all. It’s obvious he’s crazy over a woman. If his brother Lord Edward had inherited the title of Count this never would have happened…’

“I don’t think my wife did any such things. This concerns my family, and no matter what the Holy Father says, he can’t meddle in my family’s affairs. Go back. What happened today, I’ll pretend it never happened, rookie.”

“Ha!”

The priest was amazed by Keivrand’s arrogant attitude.

In this situation, it wasn’t enough for him to just convey the Holy Father’s message, but rather, he was going to report today’s matter as well.

“Look, Count Green. There seems to be misunderstandings. This is the Holy Father’s will and order. So it’s not as easy as saying no…”

The priest couldn’t finish his sentence.

Because Keivrand was slowly standing up.

And a dark energy surged behind him.

The dark energy had a sense of materialization, so the priest felt as if he was being chewed and devoured.

“Marriage is a sacred oath to God, not to the Holy Father or His Majesty.”

Keivrand’s soft voice, strangely enough, sounded as if it was about to burst the priest’s eardrums.

“Do you want me to sever what I swore to God by the orders of the Holy Father? Is it really the order of the Holy Father for me to break my promise to God for no reason?”

The harsh glowing grayish-blue eyes pressed down on the priest.

He couldn’t breathe as he looked up at Keivrand.

He was afraid to meet Keivrand’s gaze.

But it was unavoidable.

He thought those terrible eyes would crush him the moment he tried to avoid it.

It felt like he was going to die.

“I-I don’t know…I-It’s not.”

“You’re arrogant, rookie!”

“Ugh!”

The priest looked like he was going to wet his pants.

Fortunately, at that moment, the dark power that weighed on his shoulders disappeared completely, and at some point Keivrand was sitting on the sofa again.

It was as if he had a nightmare.

There was no dark energy behind Keivrand, and his eyes were as sluggish as before.

“Okay, rookie, if the Holy Father’s will is true, I’ll divorce my wife.”

== Translator’s Note ==

1. Please report any typos, grammatical/spelling errors, sentences you find weird, and other etc…in the comment section .