A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 62: Power Struggle

And above all, the moment Meredia—who had been tirelessly rejecting marriage proposals for years—showed up wearing the ring gifted by Whitney, their relationship had already become a public fact.

“However, for the unity of our believers and to receive the Goddess’s blessing, the Saintess must now return to the Holy Kingdom.”

Failing to chain Whitney down with a forced marriage to the Saintess, the Holy Kingdom promptly shifted to salvaging what they could.

“We would also like, by custom, to bring Sir Whitney with us to the Holy Kingdom... but it seems that may prove difficult, given the circumstances.”

“Hm, for a situation that’s ‘difficult,’ you sure were eager to marry me off to the Saintess just moments ago...”

“...Which is why we request that Sir Whitney remain in the Empire and prepare for any possible threats.”

Naturally, this was not the kind of treatment befitting someone whose ceremonial rank should now rival that of the Saintess.

But from the Holy Kingdom’s perspective, Whitney—who had become the first person outside the Goddess’s will—was an unknown and uncontrollable element.

“Pfft. For people who tried to force a marriage with the Saintess, you’ve certainly changed your tune.”

“......”

“Well, it’s no wonder. The power dynamics are about to shift drastically. You failed to leash the variable—why would you want to bring him inside now?”

Just as the Emperor, who had been watching with amusement, said: in the current climate, the Holy Kingdom had no choice but to exclude Whitney.

“...Please watch your words, Emperor.”

“I was simply saying that Sir Whitney is, despite appearances, a decent man.”

The Pope’s irritation was visible, but the Emperor only grinned with satisfaction and turned her gaze toward Whitney.

“I understand completely. You and I, Sir Whitney, are both cursed with these damn good looks that constantly get our intentions misunderstood.”

“Aha... ha...”

“People think I’m all about selfless service to the Empire, and you—well, you’re just trying to save the world, right?”

Of course, maybe a commoner with no political interest might believe that—but none of the people here actually believed the Emperor was such a virtuous ruler.

“...Of course, Your Majesty.”

And likewise, almost no one—especially from the Holy Kingdom—truly believed Whitney was some noble, world-saving hero.

“Judging by the words of those who stood before me today, there’s no doubt about that. Ha ha...”

But in the end, the Holy Kingdom’s claim that Whitney corrupted the Saintess and interfered with witnesses was already falling apart.

“There’s... no more hope.”

“Oh, Goddess...”

“Why would You burden us with such trials...”

And so, the Holy Kingdom delegation fell into a funereal mood, casting mournful looks at the Saintess—who now stood beside Whitney, radiating a pale gray light. But of course, no prayer received a response.

“Well, this has gone on long enough. I believe it’s time to end this dreary meeting.”

Only the Emperor’s amused voice echoed through the chamber.

“Pope. From this point forward, the Saintess shall officially be returned to the Holy Kingdom. In exchange, the Empire will retain custody and protection of the Hero, Sir Whitney.”

“...That sounds like the best option.”

“Haha. Cheer up, Pope. Anyone would think you’d just signed an unfair contract.”

The Pope replied with a tired tone, prompting the Emperor to jab at him once again with biting sarcasm.

“Emperor. I won’t ask you to watch your words, as always, but I suggest you reconsider your actions.”

At that moment, as the priests prepared to sever the crystal orb connection, the Pope fixed the Emperor with an ice-cold glare and spoke.

“We’ve been receiving reports lately... about certain things you’ve been doing behind the scenes.”

“Oh? Is that so...?”

“Remember this. No matter how chaotic the world becomes—if you are ever found to be even slightly involved in black magic, we will not hesitate to declare holy war.”

The Pope’s warning brought the nearly resolved meeting back to a chilling standstill. But the Emperor only responded with a sharp smile.

“You speak as if you already have proof. But remember this, Pope—I’ve been watching just as closely for any overreach on your part.”

With that, the Emperor’s final words left a frozen silence hanging in the chamber.

“Mark my words.”

And after a long pause—

“...You cannot hide from the eyes of the Goddess forever.”

It was unclear whether those words were aimed at the Emperor—or perhaps at Whitney standing right beside her—but either way, the Pope’s form slowly flickered and disappeared from view.

“Well then, I suppose I should disconnect as well. Thanks to our dear Hero’s dramatic antics, I’ve got mountains of paperwork to deal with.”

The Emperor’s gaze, her eyes now even more narrowly slitted, lingered briefly on Whitney before her projection also began to fade away.

“What a shame. I’d planned to give the testimony in place of the Lady...”

“Your Majesty, you talk too much.”

Even then, the Emperor seemed ready to throw in one last comment—but her projection vanished before she could finish, as Meredia casually waved her hand and walked toward Whitney, clearly having had enough.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“...Keep your head on straight, Whitney Ringaarden.”

She stopped right in front of him and spoke in a low, biting tone, her eyes flashing coldly.

“This time was seriously dangerous. If it hadn’t been for that creepy spider, you would’ve been finished.”

“...You saw that? I-I mean, no, that wasn’t—I didn’t even know that was—”

“And from now on, you’re going to get caught up in even worse.”

Whitney, glancing around nervously to see if anyone was listening, tried to explain—but Meredia cut him off with a voice like ice.

“You didn’t choose some naive girl who’s easy to use—you chose me. So all of this is your karma.”

Her words were still tinged with sarcasm, but her voice... it wasn’t quite as cold as before.

“I’d call it an achievement more than karma.”

“What?”

Whitney, noticing the subtle shift, narrowed his eyes just like the Emperor had earlier and calmly replied,

“Because raising the affection of an unromanceable heroine is something even the most experienced players can’t do.”

“...What are you even talking about?”

“If I can win the Lady’s heart, then I don’t really care about anything else. Haha.”

Normally, this would’ve been the part where a harsh retort flew from Meredia’s mouth—but this time was a little different.

“...Hmph.”

Instead of lashing out, her tightly closed lips trembled slightly, and her clenched fists tightened. Then, without a word, she turned sharply and walked straight out of the conference room.

“Saintess, isn’t my fiancée seriously cute?”

Whitney, noticing the faint blush on Meredia’s ear, asked the Saintess beside him with a dazed smile.

“......”

“Um, Saintess?”

Just as Whitney turned his head, he instinctively flinched.

“...If I’d known it’d be like this, maybe I should’ve let you get taken.”

“Excuse me?”

“...Never mind.”

Because the cold expression that had always belonged to Meredia was now resting firmly on Hestia’s face.

“I want to get some air. Please keep everyone inside.”

“Oh, sure. But, um... why do you need everyone to stay—?”

“...Please, just do it.”

Though still confused, Whitney nodded as Hestia suddenly rose from her seat.

“Ah, before I go—just one thing I want to ask...”

“Yes, go ahead.”

As Hestia turned to leave, she paused. Then, in a quiet voice, she asked Whitney a question.

“Did you really... with the Lady, I mean...”

“......”

“...did you do that?”

The moment she finished her question, she turned her head away with a look of deep regret, while Whitney could only remain silent.

“...Ahaha...”

By that point, the few people still in the room had perked up their ears and were now fully tuned in.

“You don’t seem like someone who did... Your soul’s way too clean...”

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

“Um, Saintess...”

“...Don’t tell me you’re trying to pass off what you used to do to me every night as a ‘relationship,’ right?”

Of course, the moment those words left the Saintess’s lips, sharp gasps and heads whipping away filled the room as attention scattered like the wind.

“Haha, Saintess... people might get the wrong idea if they hear that...”

“If that’s all it was, I think I could do it much better for you...”

“N-No, Saintess, please...!”

As more people shut their eyes and prayed to the Goddess, the number of unanswered prayers in the room unfortunately continued to rise.

***

“Haa...”

After Whitney casually said that nonsense, Meredia had ended up storming out of the conference room without even realizing it. Now she stood by an open hallway window, gripping her head with both hands.

“What the hell is wrong with him...”

Her face was flushed red.

“How can someone say stuff like that so casually...?”

Honestly, it ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) was a natural reaction.

For a woman raised from birth under sharp gazes and endless political scheming, struggling toward a single goal—this fluttery, ticklish emotion was completely unfamiliar.

“...So annoying.”

She tried to cool her head with the cold air, a habit that normally helped when her emotions ran hot—but this time, it didn’t work. Because it wasn’t her head that was burning.

There was no way to calm a heart set ablaze.

“...I’m jealous.”

After some time standing by the window, unmoving with her head down, a voice laced with a sigh sounded behind her.

“I never imagined... the person he wanted to save... wouldn’t be me, but you.”

“......?”

Hestia had followed her out into the hallway, a complicated expression on her face.

“...What are you talking about?”

Meredia turned her head slightly, her gaze cautious and sharp. But Hestia only shook her head and continued muttering to herself.

“Saintess, I know you concealed the foul black magic emitted by Whitney’s grotesque familiar.”

Meredia’s frown deepened as she raised her voice, prompting Hestia to flinch and glance around before lowering her own voice to reply.

“...Before the interrogation began, the spider slipped inside my clothes and whispered to me. It said it needed my help to conceal its master’s black magic.”

“A Saintess talking to a monster... I’m starting to doubt whether you’ve really awakened at all.”

“I don’t think I awakened. I think I’ve fallen.”

“...Naturally, you would say that—wait, what?”

Meredia, who had been continuing her sarcasm, abruptly stopped and blinked at Hestia’s next words.

“That strange gray energy Whitney uses—it completely overtook me.”

“......”

“I don’t think I’m using the Goddess’s power anymore. I think... I’m using Sir Whitney’s.”

As Hestia calmly finished her sentence, Meredia’s eyes began to glow red.

“...What kind of nonsense is that.”

“Don’t misunderstand. Since Sir Whitney chose you, I’ll accept that.”

A heavy, chilling pressure fell over the hallway—but Hestia, remarkably composed, merely extended her hand.

“However...”

From her hand rose a pulse of gray energy—identical to what Whitney himself emitted.

“It’s just... a shame that you don’t know the secrets I do about Sir Whitney.”

Behind that pulse, hidden in the shimmer, was Hestia’s face—wearing a cold smile Meredia had never imagined she’d make.

“...What do you know about him?”

“Who knows? Maybe you should ask him yourself.”

After a lifetime lived under oppression, it wasn’t just Meredia who had changed after tasting real emotion for the first time.