Chapter 305 - Generosity
"So, he agreed?" Mo Li said as he helped her down the carriage. After the tension-filled conversation with the La.r.s.ens, Rhea left their house with Mo Li. The La.r.s.ens tried to invite her to stay in the house where she grew up. However, Rhea declined and just reminded Gaspar to think about it.
"Nope. He said he needed time to think." Rhea answered. She already tried her best in scaring her own father, but the man was not budging. Surely, her father was planning to do something. Like consulting the church who helped them fool the emperor. "How was your conversation with the emperor?" she casually asked.
"Not good." Mo Li said. "Let"s talk inside?" he held her hand until they arrived inside her room.
"What is it?"
"Your sister is not pregnant," Mo Li started as he poured her a hot tea. "The emperor is using this to attack the church."
She accepted the cup. "Ah, that was already expected. So, he is using this engagement to threaten the authority of the church. A war could happen."
But then again, her mission is just to stop the gates, right? She shouldn"t involve herself in this war.
"Yes, a war is brewing."
A war, huh? Rhea couldn"t help but wonder if the reason why she was sent here is to start another empire after the war. After all, one of her tasks was to create a palace in the La.r.s.en Territory. Perhaps it was for the next generations? "Oh," Rhea lifted her gaze towards Mo Li. "I need someone trustworthy that will oversee the preparations of the palace in the La.r.s.ens territory."
"I thought your father didn"t approve of this?"
"Ah, to him, his daughter"s prestige is more important. Even the church would tell him this. They could easily convince that man to give me the lands now. Then they could take it back once Amanda becomes the Empress."
"Hm… Is that so." Mo Li nodded. "Well, I believe one of my people could handle that. Corvus, he was one of my most trusted men. He should be able to handle the construction of this palace." Mo Li was talking about the knight who welcomed Rhea when she arrived in this Manor.
"Good." A palace isn"t really something that one could make in a month or two. This is why she planned to a.s.sign a trusted person to manage it while she roamed around and do her other missions.
Just as she expected, Gaspar sent an invitation to her the very next day. She didn"t waste any time and immediately went to see her father.
This time, it was only Gaspar who welcomed her.
"I will only agree only if you tell me what are you planning to do." Gaspar didn"t beat around the bush. And Rhea quite liked it.
"I want my own residence." It was partly true. She wanted a palace. But isn"t it still considered a house?
"Then, half of my land is too big. How about I give you the eastern quarters? It has been vacant for years but from there, you can see the sunset. It had a garden and everything inside is full of jewels and— "
"Isn"t this Amanda"s quarters? I remember it was a birthday gift from father." Amanda was given the quarters as a gift. Rhea recalled how Amanda loved to stay there before Rhea became the saintess. Why would the old man give it to Rhea this time? "I mean… I understand that father has never given me anything as grand as those quarters before. I also understood why you always liked to give everything nice to Amanda. However, giving me something that was originally hers was quite low, right?"
"You— "
"I always knew I was unfavored. But… this is a different kind of anger, right there. Do you really hate me that much?" Contrary to her emotional words, Rhea was actually smiling at her father. Seeing her father"s face pale was truly entertaining. This is giving Lily a sense of satisfaction, ah.
"I just thought that you would like it. That place is— "
"No. I never liked it. The place is too s.h.i.+ny." Rhea said. "How could someone like me, who serves the G.o.ds, live in such a luxurious place? It does not suit me."
As expected, the man"s face turned uglier when she mentioned the G.o.ds. Rhea wondered what the church told Gaspar for him to have this kind of reaction. "You only wanted a house?"
"Yes, a place where I could live away from everyone."
"Then… I will give it to you."
"Without any conditions?" This is interesting.
"Yes, without any conditions."
Rhea smiled at the older man. "I understand. Please send it to His Highness Mo"s residence."
"Are you not going to spend some time here?"
"No. Is there any need for that?" Rhea said. "Clearly, we don"t adore each other."
"Rhea… if this is about the past then I apologize."
This made her more suspicious. It seems that this man wanted her to stay in this place. "Why would you apologize? Liking a rose more than a sunflower is not a sin. It"s your preference. There is no need to apologize."
"You— "
Rhea snorted as she stood. "I came back to protect the La.r.s.en Family, father. If I marry Mo Li, the church would find it hard to target you. Do you understand me?"
"Who told you that the church…"
Rhea snorted. It seems that the church isn"t showing its real intention. "The church… is helping my sister not because of me, but you should already know this, right?"
"I don"t know what you are talking about."
"Now that you accepted the church "generosity" it would be hard for you to get out. Once the Crown Prince will start to rebel, you will be implicated as well." And It was very troublesome. Her task was to save this stupid family! But they aren"t doing anything to make her job easier. "If you really wanted to die, then you can continue doing what you are doing right now. But I need to tell you something." She put on the best smile that she could muster. "I will help my husband. Not the church."
Before the old man could say anything, she added, "The Visions told me so. The power dynamic is going to change father. Keep that in mind."