Gloria von Caldwell's Condemnation and Revenge - Episode 37: Cedric von Hattlestone

“It must be difficult having a fiancé who can’t even manage his own moods,” Cedric said mockingly as he entered the waiting room after the crown prince had left, a sneer curling his lips.

“I owe my engagement to His Highness for fulfilling my father’s wishes. I expect nothing more,” Gloria replied with a model response, though a closer listen revealed subtle undertones.

Hearing this, Cedric shrugged nonchalantly.

In her previous life, the Earl of Hattlestone, who had become a powerful figure within the church by backing the saint, had played a significant role in Gloria’s downfall. Once again, the Hattlestone family, deeply involved in the initial development and distribution of *Tears of the Divine*, wielded immense influence in this lifetime as well.

Ordinarily, the distinction between a duke’s family and an earl’s family would ensure a strict hierarchy. However, Cedric treated Gloria with an unsettling familiarity, a breach of etiquette she chose not to address for strategic reasons.

The Hattlestone family was a peculiar case.

Among the oldest noble lineages in the kingdom, they had served as intermediaries between the royal family and the church since the country’s founding. Even now, they maintained this dual allegiance. The Earl himself managed the family’s overall operations, while his eldest son, Abram, assisted the bishop, and his second son, Cedric, acted as an intermediary between the crown prince and the church.

In her previous life, as staunch supporters of the saint and church factions, the Hattlestone family found it more advantageous for the saint to become queen rather than the daughter of the Duke of Caldwell. Gloria’s swift execution, bypassing a fair trial, could also be attributed to the family’s manipulation of the church’s oversight role.

However, this lifetime saw no emergence of a saint. Instead, Gloria, the highest-ranking noble within the aristocratic faction, had taken on the mantle of *Guide.* While initially inconvenient for the Hattlestone family, the situation shifted when Gloria’s father relinquished his position as the faction’s leader, ceding authority to his moderate uncle, Horatio.

This realignment bridged the Caldwell and Hattlestone families, altering the landscape of noble alliances. Yet, Gloria deliberately avoided engaging in factional disputes, maintaining a delicate balance where her uncle handled aristocratic matters, while she communicated with the church faction through Cedric.

Among the crown prince’s peers, only Gloria and Cedric had made significant names for themselves. The prince’s other associates, including the likes of Brian von Embery, whom A-ko had dubbed the “muscle-head knight,” were lackluster at best. Their inability to rein in Edward’s poor behavior tarnished their reputations further.

Still, Cedric’s initial demeanor upon meeting Gloria in this life had been worse than in her previous one.

Ordered by his father to curry favor with Gloria, Cedric had approached her at a tea party hosted for selecting the crown prince’s fiancée. This directive conflicted with his own aspirations; Cedric, who admired his brother’s devotion to the church, had hoped to dedicate himself to a higher purpose.

Forced to obey, Cedric had reluctantly struck up a conversation with Gloria, masking his displeasure poorly.

Recalling how Cedric’s attitude softened toward the saint in the original otome game storyline, A-ko had reminisced with amusement.

“If you want to do something meaningful for God, why not study diligently and use your knowledge to help those in need? You could still achieve that even as the crown prince’s aide,” the saint had once told him.

Motivated by her words, Cedric had immersed himself in study, eventually earning the nickname “intellectual glasses” as his overwork caused his vision to deteriorate.

Knowing this, Gloria had decided to steer Cedric in a similar direction.

“If you wish to serve God, focus on distributing this wine, which was created to let commoners feel His blessings. Spreading it far and wide would be a greater act of devotion,” she told him.

Awakened by her insight, Cedric began studying commerce. Over time, he established a robust network, facilitating the wine’s distribution to commoners through noble intermediaries.

Unlike in the otome game timeline, his vision remained unaffected—much to A-ko’s exaggerated dismay.

“I wanted him to wear glasses,” A-ko lamented dramatically.

Though Gloria found A-ko’s obsession baffling, she had once humorously suggested to Cedric that he try wearing glasses. A-ko’s vehement response was unexpected.

“Glasses are a symbol of inner resolve! Forced glasses are a travesty!”

Having learned her lesson, Gloria resolved never to indulge A-ko’s whims again.