Artia stared blankly at the woman calling her name.

“Who are you?”

All the noblewomen at the table were taken aback.

Artia genuinely looked at Madrid as if she didn’t know who she was.

‘Ah…’

It was only after the atmosphere became strange that Artia finally realized who the person was.

‘That person was the main culprit who abused Artia.’

Artia dredged up faint memories of the past.

Terrible memories of being pricked with a needle and enduring all kinds of abuse when she was a clueless young Artia.

It was so cruel that she didn’t even want to think about it.

“Artia, don’t you recognize me?”
Madrid affectionately closed her eyes and smiled.

However, her gaze seemed to hold a sharp sword.

Always ready to strike mercilessly.

Disgusting.

How much abuse had she committed behind that smile?

If others were to know about that past, could they face that woman and smile?

Artia raised the corner of her mouth.

“Oh… the person who pricked me with a needle when I was young! Your face has changed so much that I couldn’t recognize you.”

“!”

Madrid’s face instantly turned ashen, freezing in place.

“Do you know how much hot water you splashed in my eyes? After that, my eyesight deteriorated.”

“…What?”

“You did that until right before I went to the North. You said pouring hot water in your eyes would remove impurities.”

The atmosphere became increasingly chilly.

Madrid couldn’t control her expression, and her forehead wrinkled.

The Artia that Viscountess Harad remembered was never like this.

She hadn’t even met Artia, the enemy’s daughter, En and Jay’s eyes in the past.

Suddenly, she confidently spoke her mind like this.

Madrid began to doubt whether Artia was someone else who resembled her, not Artia.

Then, Artia did something.

As if to prove that she was indeed Artia, she slightly lowered her shoulder and said,

“Do you remember the burn marks here?”

A scar from burns next to her right shoulder.

It was Madrid’s doing.

The scar was still there from when Artia had candle wax dropped on her skin while she slept.

Artia smiled casually.

As if nothing was wrong.

For a moment, there was confusion. Madrid narrowed her eyes in displeasure.

‘Is she the person who resembles Artia?’

At that moment, Artia, almost casually, spoke again.

“We used to play together. You poured hot wax on me while I was asleep. Oh… that play wasn’t very pleasant. It hurt a lot.”

“This…”

Madrid’s lips trembled, and the brown lipstick smeared around her mouth.

The noblewomen sitting together exchanged glances, amused by the interesting soap opera unfolding before them.

Madrid grew increasingly uneasy because of this.

Uneasiness soon turned into reality.

“How could you do this?”

Madrid struggled to speak as her eyes were filled with rage.

“Artia, you… you were just an ordinary child back then. How did you… become like this?”

Artia calmly looked at Madrid and replied, “People change, Lady Madrid. Especially when they’ve been through difficult times. I’ve learned to survive and grow stronger. Now, I am not the helpless child you once mistreated.”

Madrid couldn’t comprehend the transformation before her. The once timid girl now exuded confidence and resilience.

Frustration and regret overwhelmed Madrid as she realized the consequences of her past actions. Artia’s revelation had exposed the dark secrets hidden behind the façade of the noble society. The banquet hall, once filled with glamour, now became a stage for the revelation of long-buried truths.
Madrid, who had been feigning laughter with a haughty attitude, soon had her demeanor shattered.

“A commoner-born subject acting like a duchess, all because of a lowly maid’s blood. Ridiculous… Truly laughable.”

Viscountess Harad twisted her lips.

“It seems life in the North is quite agreeable. Judging by how beautiful your face is.”

“Yes? Of course, it’s good. I’ve been through all sorts of hardships in the Harad family, so naturally, the North feels like paradise when I think back. Don’t you agree?”

In response to Artia’s calm tone, including Bianca, the other noblewomen widened their eyes with increased interest.

It couldn’t help but be an amusing sight.

Even the nobles who had been looking away discreetly turned their heads openly towards Artia.

The fact that Artia Harad was a persecuted child, born out of wedlock, was publicly known.

However, she was known to have a very timid and introverted personality, barely speaking a word.

But now, her appearance was entirely different from the rumors.

‘What happened to that child?’

Madrid suppressed the bubbling anger within her and twisted the meaning of Artia’s words, distorting them at will.

“Isn’t that so? Since the duke takes such good care of you, that’s to be expected. But metaphors can easily lead to misunderstandings. Someone might misinterpret.”

Madrid raised her eyebrows, pretending to be a gentle motherly figure.

In contrast, Artia did not even blink, narrowing her eyes as if warning against idle talk.

“Yes? It’s not a misunderstanding; it’s the truth.”

“…”

Overwhelmed by Artia’s momentum, Madrid finally stood up, clutching her head.

“I… I don’t feel well, excuse me.”

“Yes, please take your time.”

When Madrid gestured, a nearby knight approached her.

She received support from the knight and signaled towards the floor.

The knight, as if accustomed to it, nodded knowingly.

With a quick movement, he discreetly dropped what he was holding onto the floor. Madrid, with the knight’s assistance, left the banquet hall.

Bianca and the other noblewomen laughed as they witnessed Madrid’s escape.

A moment later, Prince Owen made his appearance at the banquet hall.

The herald was about to announce Prince Owen’s arrival to everyone.

However, Owen raised his hand towards the herald, shaking his head.

“Enough with the grand greetings. Feel free to be surprised.”

Yet, those who recognized Owen from a distance sparkled their eyes.

“Oh, it’s Prince Owen!”

“There, there!”

“He’s arrived!”

Owen, wearing a brilliant smile, scanned the banquet hall from where Cassus entered.

Even amid the noisy banquet hall and numerous tables, Cassus exuded an unmatched aura.

Many nobles couldn’t hide their curiosity and gathered around Cassus.

Owen narrowed his eyes slightly.

‘Has the duchess not come?’

Just then,

“Scream!”
A scream echoed from one of the tables. In an instant, the attention of everyone in the banquet hall was focused there. Owen’s gaze was no exception.