Blood Holy Scripture: True Ancestor Charlotte de Castel
Chapter 52: -48- Youth is wonderful!

Chapter 52: -48- Youth is wonderful!

After listening to the meaningful words of the Great Priest, a fleeting cold light flashed through the eyes of Bold Duke.

However, he quickly adjusted his expression and restored a faint smile.

Though that smile seemed quite forced.

He had realized he had been played by the Great Priest.

Yet, he couldn’t lash out.

Laino’s illegitimate child still needed the recognition of the Church, and he couldn’t afford to fall out with the Church now—it would completely disrupt his plans.

He knew, perhaps the Great Priest knew this too, which was why he seized the moment to support the Castel family’s young lady.

The implication of the Great Priest was simple.

To exchange the future religious vassal of the Count Castle Domain for the legalization of the illegitimate child and the support of the Church.

It was a trade.

A trade that caught him off guard.

But this was not the outcome the old duke had desired.

However, this time, he had no other choice.

The old duke’s gaze subtly shifted among the fervently passionate beautiful girl, the respectful and obedient priest Lawuer, and the Great Priest, who always smiled gently like a kind old grandfather.

Inside, though, he was filled with doubts.

Who?

Who indeed?

Who came up with this odious and cunning idea?

What perfect timing, completely disrupting his plans!

The old duke didn’t believe that this plan was proposed by the young Castel noblewoman, as it brought no particular benefit to her.

Leaning towards the Church wouldn’t bring the girl much benefit; at most, it provided temporary refuge, and he believed he could offer more and better.

Making this choice seemed more like the girl didn’t trust them, and therefore sought protection from the Church, or perhaps... it was truly for her faith?

Thinking this, the Duke slightly squinted his eyes.

He didn’t believe a canary that had long been kept in a cage would have such deep schemes; it must have been instigated.

He also believed he had been fair to the Castel family—if the young lady had been sensible and obedient, he truly planned to make her the mistress of the Bold family.

After all... Laino needed a wife of noble birth to wash away his stain.

But now, everything was out of control.

After much consideration, the old duke felt this was more about the girl being deceived by the Church’s priests.

It must be those cunning old foxes taking advantage of the Castel heir’s youth and naivety and the emptiness of her soul to creep in and expand the Church’s territory!

With that thought, Bold Duke’s penetrating gaze soon fell on the two priests.

He feigned a light smile while his fists were slightly clenched under his sleeves.

Taking a deep breath to suppress the anger inside, his gaze returned to Charlotte.

But beneath his gaze, it had grown much colder.

He smiled faintly at the young lady and said,

"Holy Light protects us, and though it’s regrettable, since Lord Charlotte has already decided, we as devout believers naturally must respect that..."

"Of course, people’s thoughts always change, especially when young, and a year is full of uncertainties. If one day Lord Charlotte changes her mind, the door of the Bold family will still be open for you, and we will always be your staunch backing..."

Saying this, the old duke then looked towards the Great Priest, nodding slightly as a gesture:

"Great Priest, may we begin the Holy Rite for Laino now?"

The Great Priest was quite pleased with the Duke’s response.

He smiled and nodded:

"Of course, Laino is a true Holy Knight, he should return to the embrace of Bold and regain his deserved glory."

With this, the deal was struck.

At least superficially.

Now followed the agreed-upon routine.

Accompanied by the ethereal hymn and bathed in the Holy Light, the Great Priest performed the Holy Rite on Laino, who knelt on one knee.

However, the atmosphere wasn’t particularly enthusiastic.

The main character, Laino, didn’t seem very thrilled, his mind burdened, and he frequently couldn’t help but glance toward the Church.

The nobles also displayed various expressions, some of them clearly becoming distracted.

Though the old duke was smiling, his smile never changed, and his eyes remained cold.

Only the beautiful girl from the Castel household, with devout faith, quietly moved to the forefront among the nobles, her face fervently yearning under the Holy Light.

After the Holy Rite concluded, the Great Priest excused himself to rest in a side hall, citing health reasons.

The birthday banquet continued.

Charlotte’s declaration of faith seemed like a minor interlude, seemingly not affecting the progress of the banquet.

But even the dullest noble could feel that the atmosphere at the birthday banquet had dissipated.

And with such an episode, the "flies" buzzing around Charlotte were gone too.

Though some young male nobles still eagerly watched her, ready to make their move, they were quickly stopped by their elders.

The Duke might sit at the same table with the Great Priest.

But these nobles could not.

For the Castel heir to declare a moment ago that she would devote everything to the Church and remain unmarried for life, and then for someone to come immediately to woo her was nothing short of a provocation to the Church.

Sebastian, who had sneaked into the birthday venue, was itching to come over and flatter the girl with a few breaking words, but shrank back after receiving a cold glance from Charlotte.

He hadn’t forgotten Charlotte’s words, not to cause trouble for her current status.

Yet, he was truly curious and excited about the girl’s choice.