At first, Ibnel intended to dismiss it lightly. She had grown accustomed to this kind of dispute to the point of being tired of it.

However, her thoughts completely disappeared at the words uttered by one of the young ladies. At the same time, her red eyes revealed a chilling bloodiness.

“What did you just say?”

Unfortunately, the three young ladies were too busy talking to notice that change at all.

“I said stop putting on airs. We are not the Caries of old. Even without a young lady, if we sacrifice a few knights…”

“Enough. I can’t listen to this anymore.”

Ibnel doubted her own ears. No, she rather hoped she had heard wrong. How could they so easily speak of the deaths of knights protecting their homeland?

“What did you say?”

“How can you say such things so casually? They are knights protecting the Caries Empire that you young ladies are standing on right now.”

While preparing for the subjugation, and during the trip to Perti territory, she had spent a lot of time with them, whether she liked it or not. Thanks to that, she naturally came to understand the mindset of the knights and how desperate they were.

So there was no reason for them to be treated like this.

As Ibnel approached with an agitated expression, they seemed to be frightened for a moment and stepped back. But it seemed their pride was hurt to back down like this, so they tried to hold their heads high pretending to be dignified.

“As you said, they are knights protecting the empire. Isn’t it unavoidable if they die because of monsters?”

“Unavoidable, you say…”

She muttered, echoing the other’s words, and gave a hollow laugh. She had hoped those words wouldn’t come out.

“That’s right. As you said, they are knights. But no one has the right to speak of their deaths as if they were trivial.”

Fighting monsters while risking their lives for this empire and its people, thinking like that was no different from trampling on the efforts and pride of the knights.

“While you three eat comfortably, sleep, and laugh merrily like this, the knights of the Perti Count’s family will be guarding the monster forest again today. And His Majesty’s knight order is training under this scorching sun to fight monsters that could appear at any time.”

Putting aside her relationship with the knight order, Ibnel acknowledged their sincerity and effort. She was also inspired by their appearance.

After the subjugation, there was nothing more to say. Just going once was enough to exhaust body and mind, but thinking that this was a scene they had faced countless times, she even felt respect.

If they had just cursed her as Aodin, she would have been less angry than she was now.

“Would you be able to say such things if the dead knight was a member of your family?”

“That’s…”

As Ibnel pushed them that far, the three seemed unable to find words to say. They probably didn’t expect her to counterattack like this.

“If you can’t say it’s okay without hesitation, don’t ever bring up words like that again.”

‘This isn’t right.’

This wasn’t Caran’s original plan.

It was purely by chance that she discovered Ibnel, who had only been rumored about recently. Although it was her first time seeing her in person, she could recognize her at once because of the various stories that had spread about her.

So she thought to take this opportunity to crush her completely.

She couldn’t stand by and watch someone from Aodin running around.

‘Why do I have to listen to such words from this woman?’

Caran just felt unjust about the current situation. As if Ibnel’s words didn’t enter her ears at all, only indignation filled her heart.

“What’s all this commotion?”

At that moment, Ibnel’s head turned towards an unfamiliar voice that intervened between the four people, and there stood a man.

Looking like a nobleman, he approached her with leisurely steps.

Unlike Ibnel who had no idea who he was, the three young ladies hastily bowed their heads.

“Duke Halan.”

‘Duke Halan?’

Given his title as duke and seeing how they immediately showed respect, he seemed to be no ordinary figure. The atmosphere he exuded was also like that.

Halan briefly looked at Ibnel before asking the young ladies.

“What’s going on that you’re raising your voices in the imperial palace?”

Caran quickly changed her expression as if a savior had appeared and said in an aggrieved voice.

“We just wanted to exchange greetings, but suddenly she started threatening us.”

“Threatening? What are you talking about now?”

Ibnel was dumbfounded that they were now playing the victim, when they were the ones who started the quarrel with rude words.

But Halan was faster to speak words of reprimand.

“I heard that last time you caused a disturbance in His Majesty’s palace because of the maid you brought. Have you forgotten that this is the imperial palace?”

“Why are you saying such things without even listening to what I have to say?”

“I’m not idle enough to listen to Aodin’s words.”

‘This person…’

When he uttered the words “not idle” just as she had done to the young ladies, Ibnel was certain. Halan had been watching the entire situation from the beginning.

He clearly knew Caran was lying, yet he took her side. In a way, it was only natural.

There was no reason for him to take her side.

“If you have no business here, it would be best to leave now.”

When Halan said that while looking towards Caran, they left without a word. Soon, as she was left alone with him, Ibnel spoke first.

“So you saw everything that just happened.”

“What difference would it make if I did? It would be troublesome for the young lady too if things got unnecessarily bigger.”

Despite the nuance that he had helped her, she was not at all pleased. No, rather, her wariness only deepened.

There was no way he would show such kindness without any reason.

“I heard about what happened in Perti territory.”

“It seems you have something to say to me.”

Halan nodded readily. It was more convenient for him to get straight to the point rather than wasting time with various words.

“I hear you’ve gone through many hardships since coming here.”

“I won’t say that’s not true.”

“I’ll be your strength.”

Ibnel couldn’t easily understand his intentions. To him, she should also be a person from Aodin that he resents, yet he says he’ll help her.

Halan could see that question in her eyes. However, as it was a situation somewhat within the expected range, he was able to maintain his composure.

“It seems you don’t understand.”

“Isn’t that natural? Suddenly hearing words about becoming my strength. What’s your reason for saying such things to me?”

“Let’s say it’s for the future of Caries. Rationally thinking, your abilities are necessary for us. It shouldn’t be a bad proposal for you either. You won’t have to deal with incidents like just now.”

Seeing how the young ladies immediately bowed their heads, it was proven that it was certainly possible with the power he held.

On the surface, it didn’t seem like a bad proposal from Ibnel’s standpoint, but an answer didn’t easily come out of her mouth.

She had learned painfully since coming here. That there is no kindness without a price.

“Then what do you gain, Duke?”

“Didn’t I just say? For Caries.”

When Ibnel didn’t easily give an answer, Halan spoke in a voice as if coaxing a child.

“I shouldn’t be the one saying this, but you have no allies here. From now on, the families that have been granted power will try to use your abilities somehow. Since your achievements in Perti territory would have been reported.”

She just listened to that story quietly. Her expression alone didn’t reveal what she was thinking.

“And if they realize you won’t move according to their wishes, they won’t just stand by and watch.”

“You’re saying that if I don’t move as they wish, I don’t know what arrows might fly at me.”

“That’s right. They’re such cowardly people. It’s just power they gained by luck.”

Ibnel noticed the emotion wavering behind her calm eyes, which were no different from before.

‘I see.’

The true intentions hidden behind that kind voice too.

“Then may I ask you one thing, Duke?”

Halan leisurely waited for her to speak, as if telling her to go ahead. After all, it would go according to his intentions anyway.

“If I hadn’t been helpful in this subjugation… would you have appeared before me now, Duke?”

For the first time, the composure disappeared from his eyes at Ibnel’s question. Knowing this, she rather smiled and continued speaking.

“You couldn’t stand by and watch in case I might be of help to those families, right? Strictly speaking, isn’t it for you rather than for Caries?”

As evidence, there wasn’t a single ounce of sincerity on Halan’s face as he mentioned Caries.

“From now on, I think I need to hear your true intentions.”

Thinking that everything had been exposed, Halan threw away that gentle expression in an instant. Ibnel could feel that change.

His attitude of not caring at all despite being caught trying to deceive her showed that he was not an easy opponent.

“Is that important to you? You should just think about what you’ll gain.”

“Your words are correct, Duke. But I’ll decline that proposal.”

In contrast to Halan’s long persuasion, firm words of refusal came out of Ibnel’s mouth. In fact, the answer had been decided from the moment he first brought it up.

Thinking that his plan had fallen through, Halan stroked around his neck with his hand. That action seemed to show the duke’s twisted mood.

Seeing that, Ibnel became certain that rejecting his proposal was not a wrong decision.

“I thought you were clever, but you’re quite foolish. Not knowing who I am, to assess the situation…”

“Even if you were the emperor of an empire, Duke, my answer wouldn’t change.”

All his movements stopped at the unexpected answer. He thought he could easily move her according to his will since she was completely isolated.

“Why are you refusing?”

“Because you seem to be of the same kind as those young ladies we just met, Duke.”

No, he exuded a much more dangerous atmosphere. He might be smiling on the outside, but if something didn’t suit him, he was the type of person who would stab without hesitation with the knife hidden behind his back.

“And I have no intention of becoming someone’s pawn.”

Ibnel could see it. That what Halan was worried about was not the well-being of Caries. He was only concerned about his own position that might be shaken by her appearance.

He said in words that he would be her strength, but in reality, he would surely try to use her according to his taste. Maybe it wouldn’t stop there.

“If things go wrong, aren’t you the one who would do something to me, Duke?”

When an answer didn’t come immediately, Ibnel simply bowed her head slightly and left the place first. Halan watched her until the end.

‘I guess I’ll have to change the plan.’

Halan’s eyes looking at Ibnel were as fierce as if facing an enemy.

“It’s already gotten this late.”

Ibnel, sitting at her desk, stretched as she looked at the darkened sky. In front of her were various books and papers filled with dense notes.

She didn’t stop studying even after returning from the subjugation. There was still much more she didn’t know, and knowing from her previous experience that this study was of great help, she couldn’t quit.

It wasn’t just hard work as it was that much interesting.

“I’m thirsty.”

Ibnel put on a shawl and went out to drink some water. As it was time to wrap up the day, the palace was only quiet.

Just as she was about to sit at the table with a bottle and glass of cool water she had brought to take a breather, a figure was suddenly standing at the entrance of the dining room.

“Oh my!”

Barely managing not to drop what she was holding, she looked closely and saw it was none other than Shuher.

“Why are you standing there without making any sound? You startled me.”

“I think that’s my line.”

“I was thirsty so I came to drink some water. Are you just coming back?”

“Well, something like that.”

Just looking at his attire, she could tell he was on his way back from his office. Come to think of it, it had been a really long time since she’d seen him since the subjugation.

Living in the same palace, you’d think they might run into each other at least once by chance.

‘Is he very busy?’

Thinking that, Ibnel was pouring water into a glass when Shuher, whom she thought would go straight to his room, sat across from her.