It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 46
“Alright. But… while we can finalize the contract now, I think we should be cautious until the secularization is complete.”
“Cautious? What do you mean?”
“I mean that there’s a big difference between ‘falling in love after leaving the priesthood’ and ‘being lovers before secularization.’”
If rumors spread that I had a relationship with him while still a priestess, it would tarnish both of our reputations. And worse— it would be a disaster if the temple took offense, they might reject my secularization.
“I see what you mean. I’ll have the staff keep their mouths shut.”
“Thank you.”
With that settled, I moved to stand— but he wouldn’t let go of my waist.
“Your Grace…?”
“Yes, Priestess?”
“You… need to let go of me now.”
Lionel blinked slowly, then, almost regretfully—
“Ah.”
… And yet, he still didn’t let go.
I stared at him blankly, then— on impulse, I kissed him. Just a light peck on the lips.
Oh, God.
The moment I pulled away, I froze. I slapped both hands over my mouth in shock.
It was the first time I’d ever kissed a man outside of my family, even if it was just a peck. I couldn’t believe my own courage.
Lionel looked utterly stunned, his eyes growing bigger.
The moment I felt the grip on my waist loosen slightly, I swiftly slipped off his lap.
There was a flicker of disappointment in Lionel’s gaze as he watched me, but I pretended not to notice.
‘This is so embarrassing…’
The soft sensation, the lingering warmth—it felt as though it was still clinging to my lips, despite lasting less than a second.
“Priestess.”
His voice was gentle as he gazed at my flushed cheeks.
“That kiss just now—should I take it to mean that… at least that much is permitted between us?”
Did he really have to spell it out like that? It was just a peck —even children did that much.
‘Surely, he’s not planning to ask for permission every single time…?’
I gave a small nod in response.
I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze, but I thought I heard the faintest sound of laughter.
“I already have a draft of the contract prepared.”
Lionel stood and walked past me, heading toward a drawer in the reception room.
Curious, I scurried after him and peered at the folder he retrieved.
“When did you put this together?”
“Before I proposed.”
Good lord, he’s so prepared.
We settled onto the sofa side by side and began reviewing the seven-page contract.
But from the very first page, I noticed something… unexpected.
“You plan to register me into a foreign noble family?”
“Yes. There’s a suitable house among the noble families of the newly annexed territories.”
“Is there a reason I can’t use my own family name?”
Lionel studied my face for a moment before speaking.
“How much do you know about what happened three years ago?”
“Um… honestly, almost nothing. My father woke me in the middle of the night and sent me away from the castle. I never saw my family again after that.”
“I see.”
Lionel seemed to consider something before he continued.
“Solen was a house that rose alongside the founding of the Lubarque Empire. It was a family of great renown, but because it never involved itself in imperial politics, little is widely known about it.”
Hearing him speak of my own family in such a detached, factual manner felt strangely… foreign.
“But Solen was never an ordinary noble house. It was the shadow of the Lubarque imperial family—its hidden blade. That was the true role of the Count of Solenship.”
My family… was a tool of the imperial family?
But the most shocking revelation was yet to come.
“And according to what I’ve uncovered… the imperial family was involved in the downfall of House Solen.”
…What?
My jaw dropped open before I could stop it.
