The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 53 Lodrey Orphanage (2)

Paul slowly raised his head. He began to dare to leave the room. Fresh air filled his lungs. The head feels clearer. Even though these few days he had trouble for not using that thing. There was still a sense of wanting to use the object, but Piere was able to calm him down and keep him away from the bad actions he would do.

However, Paul still could not trust Piere completely. He was afraid that Piere had ulterior intentions. He doesn't trust anyone after seeing "it".

The "it" thing caused him to use that forbidden object. He wants to forget the "it". It was the Pope who introduced him to use that thing. At first Paul was just trying but over time he began to not be able to stem the feeling of relief after using the object. He went to the Pope to get that thing again. Wine card tucked in that thing. Paul had no idea what the wine card was for.

Paul can now eat and pray as before. He met his friends. They miss Paul. He avoided meeting with the Pope because he did not want to get involved with it anymore.

Now he's in the same room with Piere. 

"How are you doing now?" ask Piere.

"I feel better, thank you for helping me Piere" Paul replied with a smile.

"You're not gonna use that thing anymore, are you?" ask Piere a little doubt.

"No, I'm already a deterrent. You're not gonna say this to anyone, are you?" Paul was afraid that Piere would divulge about himself using that thing on the others.

"Of course not, I don't want you to leave the temple" Paul replied.

"By the way from where did you find out I used that thing?"

"The wine card that was once found in your room is a means to transact with Count Blaire."

"Who is Count Blaire?"

Since his time in his room, Paul does not know the outside world. He missed the news that had happened in the empire.

"Count Blaire set up a place to circulate that thing. Many nobles used that thing in its place. Count Blaire is now under arrest."

Paul bergeming. That means the Pope is cooperating with Count Blaire. Should Paul reveal all the secrets he knows to Piere?

"I also heard that Count Blaire donated a large amount to the temple. I'm afraid the temple is under suspicion" Piere continued.

However, if Paul were to tell the truth, the Pope would not remain silent. The Pope can scapegoat Paul. Because he has the wine card. 

He must have been suspected. All will trust more in the words of the Pope than an ordinary priest like him. 

"Are you okay? You look pale" asked Piere worriedly.

"It's okay, Piere. By the way why did you help me get to this Piere?" ask Paul.

"I'm just worried about you. That's all."

"Thank you, Piere."

"Either. Whale can we trust him?" ask Piere suddenly.

"What do you mean?" 

"When I met the witch who came here, I began to distrust the Pope. He said that it was the Pope who introduced that thing to you."

"..."

Paul jerks. Piere already knew the truth but he didn't tell anyone else. Piere was certainly not on the Pope's side. Paul felt he could trust Piere. Even if no one believes him telling the truth, he believes Piere is on his side.

"So it's all true?"

"I'm ready, Paul."

Paul told me all the secrets he kept. The reason he used that thing. Who introduced him to that thing. Then, what he saw in the basement of the temple. 

Piere was stunned to hear everything. He cannot remain silent on the Pope's actions. He wanted to tell the witch. A dark secret that could destroy the temple in an instant. 

***

Leticia went to a bar belonging to Grand Duke Faust. Gerald asked him to meet. He went straight into the room where they met. Leticia sat in front of Gerald and Isabella.

"What are you calling me, Grand Duke?" ask Leticia.

It seems like the Grand Duke is not just trying to pass on information. If he only wanted to talk about their plan, it was certain that the Grand Duke would use magic stones to discuss it.

"I was informed that Marquis Lodrey was not just transacting with nobles in the Houllem Empire alone. He also did business with the nobles of the Uthrian Kingdom. We managed to steal the letter that the Marquis sent to the nobility in Uthriah" Gerald explained.

The laws in the Uthriah Kingdom were not very strict. There was a lot of crime there and his government was unstable. Doing business there is a bit risky. However, if setting up an illegal business there, the businessman will not be hit by the law.

"So what's in it, Grand Duke?" ask Leticia.

Gerald looked at Isabella. Isabella nodded. "Letters sent in Uthrian, we cannot read them, Empress. We want you to read it and translate it" explains Isabella.

Leticia learned various languages to prepare to become the Crown Princess first. This became his provision as Empress in order to cooperate with other kingdoms. Sometimes Leticia would welcome representatives from other kingdoms to the Houlem empire. He could translate the letter easily.

Leticia received the letter given by Isabella. He read the letter, widening his eyes. 

"So what's it all about, Empress?" ask Gerald.

"Marquis sent some goods to one of the nobles of the Uthrian kingdom. The thing in question here is a slave." Leticia looked at Isabella and Gerald.

Isabella and Gerald gasped. Initially they thought the Marquis was investing in one of the nobles in the Uthriah Kingdom or was intending to give up illegal business there. However, they had not expected the illegal business the Marquis was doing to involve humans.

"This includes human trafficking. Where did Marquis Lodrey get the slaves?" Gerald felt furious.

Leticia thought for a moment. Something went through his mind. "Is it possible from that orphanage?"

Isabella opened her voice. "Then were they suddenly kidnapped like the case of Viscount Gremaroft? Wouldn't that raise the suspicions of other children or the head of the parlour?"

"The way is still unthinkable to me. If they are kidnapped, of course, other children will not stay silent even if the head of the home covers it. The head of the parlour in collaboration with Marquis Lodrey, he received bonus money from the Marquis likely to keep his mouth shut" Leticia said.

"It still seems unclear what the Marquis did. We'd better investigate it again" Gerald said.

Leticia and Isabella confirm Grand Duke Faust's statement.

Leticia scrunched her forehead. These few days Leticia's head was heavy, the busyness made her not have enough time to sleep. 

Dots of blood drenched Leticia's robe. He was holding his nose. Bloody nose.

Isabella and Gerald who witnessed it screamed almost simultaneously.

"Leticie!" "Empress!"

They approached Leticia. Isabella immediately pulled out her handkerchief to wipe the blood on Leticia's nose. 

Then Grand Duke Faust who was very cold, looked worried. This was the fourth expression Leticia had seen on Gerald.