The knights and nobles gathered in the arena cheered.

It must have been a spectacle for them.

But my mouth went dry, and I felt a burning sensation in my stomach.

‘What if the Empress tries to kill Hertian?’

Even if it was a duel involving the prophet, Cerdith would not be in danger.

If the Empress intended to use Hertian to kill him, she wouldn’t have approached me.

“I guess it won’t work.”

Unable to endure the anxiety, I stood up from my seat.

The opponent was not only Cerdith. An unknown prophet and the Empress were also involved.

However, Havel, whether he knew my feelings or not, sat me back down.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“How can I sit still knowing I could be used?”

Once was enough.

To be deceived again by the same opponent and the same method?

That was unthinkable.

At that moment, the sound of swords clashing echoed in the arena.

Hertian, with a firm expression, deflected Cerdith’s sharp sword tip with a forceful exhale. Amidst the silent air, the intense duel between the two continued.

Subsequently, Cerdith attacked again, but he was pushed back without significant gains. He frowned in irritation, scanned his surroundings with a tense nose, and sighed.

Hertian waited for Cerdith’s attack, calmly regulating his breath. At first glance, it seemed like he was just avoiding Cerdith’s attacks, but to my eyes, he looked like a beast waiting for the right moment.

However, I couldn’t feel relieved.

You could tell by the Empress’s expression.

The victory or defeat was not yet decided.

And sure enough.

Cerdith pulled a dirty trick.

After reflecting the sunlight by turning the blade, Cerdith seized the opportunity to slash at Hertian’s arm. Blood seeped through the white shirt that had been cut diagonally. Before there was a chance to confirm the wound, Cerdith’s attacks continued.
As Hertian took a step back, it felt like my blood was drying up.

“We should set fire to this place.”

I only had thoughts of stopping this duel, even if I had to resort to dirty tricks.

Such a shallow move wouldn’t be part of the event prepared by the Empress.

“Duke’s Consort.”

Havel called me, urging me.

“That’s the Duke’s fight, isn’t it?”

So, please watch.

I couldn’t do anything in response to Havel’s words.

It was because I remembered what I had said to Hertian.

“I will fight in my own way, so Hertian, fight in your own way.”

Hertian was fighting fiercely, in his own way.

Bang!!!

At that moment, a huge noise reverberated through the arena. In the meantime, the sand on the arena floor rose and stirred up a hazy wind.

Coughing sounds could be heard from all around.

Havel handed me a handkerchief and spat out sand.

“Cover your nose and mouth with this. Spit! Spit!”

“I’m fine. Your Highness.”

The two were not visible in the sandstorm.

Did the Empress intervene while I hesitated?

Wiping my sandy eyes and turning my gaze, I saw the Empress’s red lips curved up, as if mocking me.

‘She set a trap.’

That laughter was the one she made while waiting for news of Hertian’s death after throwing him into the dragon’s den.

It was a moment of heart-sinking.

Amidst everyone holding their breath.

Finally, the smoke cleared.

While I was closing my eyes tightly in fear, Havel tapped my shoulder.

“Duke’s Consort, look at that.”

Although I shook my head in refusal, my eyes were inadvertently open to see.

There, on the floor, Hertian, kneeling with his head raised, and Cerdith, holding a dull blade against his smooth neck, were visible.

“Hertian… he won?”

The Empress was clearly laughing. It was evident that she set up a trap.

Now, frost was forming on the Empress’s face.

“Look. He said he wouldn’t fight a losing battle.”

Havel clenched his fist, trembling as if he regretted not going out in my place.

“What happened?”

“The Empress installed a trap on the floor of the arena. If controlled from behind, the floor where the Duke was standing could twist, causing him to lose his balance.”

She was decorating another trick.

Moreover, she modified the arena to pass the responsibility to me if she got caught.

“Knowing that the duel wouldn’t end like this, she asked me to inspect the arena, and I found the device.”

Hertian was watching from afar.

Even here, where the Duke had to handle imperial affairs, he fought more fiercely than anyone else. In his own way.

And this time, he truly seized victory.

Hertian looked down at Cerdith and uttered a word.

“It’s your defeat.”

The Empress, angered by Cerdith collapsing in front of her, set up a trap today because Cerdith personally gave up the duel. Worried that Cerdith’s status might be undermined, she devised a new plan.

‘Surely, when he steps into the trap, set it off!’

The trap didn’t work, and the duel continued.

In the end, Hertian emerged victorious.

And the most noble son in the empire knelt before the illegitimate Prince.

“What on earth happened?”

The Empress twisted her face, making her red lips distort. Lady Bryny, who was next to her, advised her to control her expression as many eyes were watching.

“Empress. Please congratulate Duke Blandiche on his victory.”

The Emperor, who was secretly smiling next to her, fanned the flames further.

Approaching Hertian, who had come forward, the Empress descended.

There should be a proper reward for victory.

Originally, the Emperor’s sword should be given to his son. In this situation, however, it had to be given to Hertian, the opponent I hated the most.
Becoming the Empress, I could no longer wield a sword.

However, acknowledging my son’s defeat in front of the knights was something I could not tolerate.

Recognizing Hertian as the strongest prince in the empire.

“Your Majesty, to personally give me a gift.”

While the Empress hesitated with the sword in her hand.

Hertian approached the Empress and whispered.

“An unparalleled glory.”

The Empress’s gaze sharply rose.

That wretch is now mocking her.

But the more she got angry, the more it was akin to losing to Hertian. Therefore, the Empress had to give up her stubbornness.

“Congratulations on your victory.”

Hertian gladly accepted the Emperor’s sword she handed over. At that moment, the knights in the arena cheered.

Closing her eyes tightly at the piercing sound, the Empress opened them and looked at the illegitimate Prince standing in front of her. Her complexion paled.

Hertian, holding the sword with a serene smile.

Behind him, a legion of knights.

‘It’s no different from the prophecy of the Duke’s Consort.’

Annette said that if Hertian wins, a new wind will blow in the palace.

And at this moment of Hertian’s victory, the owner of this place felt more like Hertian than the Emperor.

‘No… this can’t be.’

The Empress glared at her son, who had turned his back and disappeared, feeling as if her blood was drying up.

“Lady Bryny.”

Beside the Empress was Lady Bryny, the maid. She grabbed Lady Bryny and asked.

“What about the prophetess?”

“She’s still in the reception room. She said she would wait outside until the prophetess comes out.”

“Why is there chaos everywhere? Couldn’t Lady Bryny handle that too?”

Her agitated voice came out in a disarray.

“Forgive, forgive me. Let me take care of it quickly…”

“It’s fine. I was just about to meet her.”

The Empress turned away roughly. As her long dress trailed behind her, Lady Bryny hastily followed her.