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"He has killed the most people in the incident?"
"He’s the main perpetrator in the arson incident at Duke Orchid's estate and someone who treats human lives with little to no regard."
"Oh, I’ve heard about the trial. But it’s still unsettled, and there are still many things that seem questionable about it, don’t you think?"
"But what’s certain is that, from my own experience, Rowell is that kind of person."
"You have witnessed it personally?"
"Yes, he threatened someone without hesitation, using my life as leverage."
"Rowell? That’s unbelievable. That child—"
"To be honest, I’m Laila, the one who raised Prince Ardion. Although Duke Orchid was the one who gave the order, it was Rowell’s instruction. He threatened to kill me if I didn’t drain the prince’s mana or if he didn’t go to the frontier battlefield."
"Is that… true?"
I nodded. Duchess Heverun looked truly surprised, as if she were hearing this for the first time. She took a sip of her tea and quickly set the cup down.
Still uneasy, she called for the butler.
The butler, who had been standing nearby, quickly approached the duchess.
"Bring me some cold water."
The butler nodded and signaled to a servant, who hurried out of the parlor. The servant returned soon with the water, and the duchess drank it down quickly, in stark contrast to her earlier grace.
"I knew the temple was against it, but I didn’t know things had gone this far."
It seemed the temple had given quite a bit of support to Ardion. After all, the prophecy from the temple declared that Ardion would become the emperor, so it seemed strange that they would favor Rowell.
They likely needed to maintain the temple’s reputation and influence by showing neutrality and just proclaiming prophecies.
"But even if I oppose it, I’m not sure the entire House of Nobles will go along with it."
I recalled the butler’s words. Duchess Heverun, being royalty, had many connections and wielded a great deal of power in social circles.
Considering that, I said calmly, "But surely, Duchess, you have enough connections and power, especially since you’re part of the imperial family."
The duchess gave a faint smile, "Well, I suppose the marriages I opposed have all been stopped."
Seeing her smile, I thought this situation might finally be getting a little better. "Yes, I believe you have the power to change this situation."
"Power, hmm… that’s a pleasant word." The duchess smiled as she raised her teacup. After drinking, she said, "I’ll take care of this. It’s an interesting proposition."
"Thank you, Duchess."
The duchess looked at me and then asked leisurely, "Now that you’ve told me everything, what’s the recipe for the cookies?"
I quickly racked my brain. I didn’t know the recipe.
I should have asked the cook earlier. Just then, I noticed Derol shaking almonds by the wall. It was the same almonds the duchess had spilled earlier in surprise.
Seeing my focus shift to them, the duchess turned her head.
I blocked her line of sight and said cheerfully, "The secret ingredient is almond flour."
"Almond flour?"
"Yes, when you add almond flour, it enhances the flavor and makes it taste even better."
The duchess smiled and nodded, seeming satisfied with my answer. "Almond flour… I’ve never thought of that before."
"Well, then, I’ll take my leave now. It has been a pleasure, and you have my gratitude for making time for me, Duchess.” I bowed politely, just as lower nobles usually did.
The duchess smiled and nodded.
I quickly turned around and saw Derol peeking his head around the entrance. I hurriedly walked towards him and slipped him into my pocket without the duchess noticing.
Suddenly, she spoke again. "Indeed, this has been interesting."
I turned around in surprise.
The duchess was looking at me with an elegant smile. "You’re quite bold for a commoner."
"If I have been disrespectful, I apologize." I lowered my head.
The duchess waved her hand. "No, you’re just unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I’m used to seeing people bow and scrape, but it’s refreshing to see someone speak honestly with such confidence."
"It’s an honor to hear that from you." I bowed again.
The duchess smiled and nodded.
I calmly turned around and began walking down the long corridor, realizing once again that playing the part of someone who flattered others and acted with feigned politeness was what I was good at. Sometimes, being honest and confident wasn’t such a bad thing.
"Derol, you did well." I patted Derol’s head inside my pocket.
"Not at all. It’s all thanks to your brilliant mind, Master."
"Still, it was because of you that I nailed it."
As I chatted with Derol, we left the estate. The weather was still clear outside. The warm sunlight melted away the tension in my body, and it felt like a long-overdue comfort.
I looked up at the sky for a moment before heading towards the iron gate. At that moment, a familiar carriage slowly came to a stop. After a brief moment, the carriage door swung open.
"Your Highness?"
The person who stepped out of the carriage was none other than Ardion. Noticing me, he hurried towards me from the gate. "Laila? What are you doing here?"
"Ah, I—"
Before I could finish, Derol said. "She’s on her way back from discussing how Rowell’s marriage is a mistake."
"Laila, is that true?" Ardion asked with a stiff expression.
I nodded. Suddenly, I noticed his arm. Despite not rolling up his sleeves, the mana around him was swirling in an almost mesmerizing way. The energy was so powerful that I couldn’t help but stare.
In the past, the light would have just hovered around his arm. When Ardion uses a lot of mana, the energy always swirls around like that…
I looked up at him. "Your Highness, did you…?"
“What is Rowell…?"
We spoke at the same time. Ardion gave me a subtle look. "Laila, you go first."
"Your Highness, did you just use mana?"
It seemed he had used quite a bit of power, as the mana hadn’t dissipated yet.
Ardion’s face tightened as he nodded. "I had to use it."
I suddenly felt uneasy. His eyes, now more shadowed, gave off a dangerous aura.
"What did you use it for?"
"I used it on Rowell’s people in the House of Nobles. It’s nothing serious."
"Nothing serious? But those people are from powerful noble families in the empire!"
"I had no choice. I had to act crazy to get them to listen."
"Rowell…"
I couldn’t finish my sentence because Ardion suddenly pulled me into an embrace.
"I’m sorry, Laila. Please stay like this for a while. I’m just… anxious."
I quickly scanned the surroundings. A few guards noticed us, but as soon as they made eye contact with me, they turned away. The area in front of the duchess’s estate was nearly deserted.
I briefly let my hand rest on his broad back as he tightened his hold on me.
"You already know, don’t you? Rowell is trying to marry you."
"Yes."
"How did you find out? I told them to hide it from the newspapers."
"I overheard it by chance. But shouldn’t you have told me?"
"Well, you’re going to marry me anyway, so I didn’t want to burden you with unnecessary worries."
“But I can help you.”
“But your body isn’t feeling well. What if you overdo it and it gets worse?”
“I am okay now. See, I’m out here wandering around.”
Ardion slowly pulled away. He looked at me with both hands still on my shoulders. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I gave the duchess some cookies as a gift and told her what kind of person Rowell was.”
“Did Duchess Heverun listen to you?”
“Yes, with Derol’s help too.”
Derol stuck his head out. I patted Derol’s head and said, “If it weren’t for Derol, the duchess would have kicked me out without even listening to me.”
Ardion stared blankly at me. “Are you really okay?”
He cupped my cheek with one hand. As soon as his warmth touched me, I quickly backed away. Now that I thought about it, Ardion hugged me earlier.
“Are you feeling okay?“ Ardion asked. “Did the healer come and check on you?”
“Yes.”
Ardion took a step closer. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“What?”
“The healer said you needed me within a month.”
“Ah…” I hesitated for a moment under Ardion’s intense gaze.
It felt like he was tying me down so I couldn’t escape. Suddenly, a question occurred to me. Why did Ardion come here?
“By the way, what are you doing here, Your Highness?”
“Laila, I asked you first.” Ardion came close to me. His breath was close to my ear.
“… I was going to tell you, but the time and place weren’t right.”
At that moment, Ardion opened the carriage door. I looked at him curiously.
Ardion whispered in my ear, “Get in first, Laila.”
I got into the carriage. Ardion quickly entered the carriage. As soon as he was inside, the carriage started to move.
“Your Highness, are we going back?”
“It seems you’ve already taken care of everything, so there’s no need for me to step forward.”
I took Derol out of my pocket.
“Your Highness!”
I yelled in surprise, but Derol squeaked louder when Ardion grabbed him. “Let go!”
Ardion opened the middle door of the carriage. “You stay here for a moment. I have something to say to your master.”
Derol looked at me. I could only nod because I had to inform him what I had never told him about.