I chuckled while looking at determined Eliya.

I had guessed the reason from the beginning. Eliya, who used to have a somewhat cute side with her cunning and mischievous tricks, became hostile towards me for a reason. Eliya’s greatest life goal was to marry a handsome man. However, she couldn’t bear seeing me, who was close by and seemingly insignificant, occupying the most noble position. She thought that if she had entered the palace instead of me on the day Floria sent the proposal, she would be the one becoming the first prince’s wife.

“Eliya, you’re still too young.”

I grinned, and both the Countess and Eliya bit their lips.

What’s with the gaze of seeing me as a wicked stepmother when you know you’re about to face death but still act recklessly? Though you knew you would die, what’s with those eyes filled with defiant and unruly arrogance? Thanks to that, I had to witness the moment when the heart was pierced right in front of my eyes!

Enduring the urge to squeeze her ugly forehead, I leisurely sipped my tea, making Eliya tremble.

“I didn’t want to say this, but what were you doing when Father was imprisoned? If it weren’t for Floria, Father would have gone to trial without a word!”

“Well, you should have avoided such reckless actions from the beginning.”

“What?”

“Reneola Violet, what kind of talk is that to your father!”
The Countess, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up in anger. I maintained a firm expression and looked at her coldly.

“For a mere Countess and her daughter to look down on the prince of a nation is incredibly rude.”

“Wha…”

At the icy tone of my voice, the Countess and Eliya shuddered slightly.

“Moreover, I’ve advised you several times to show proper respect, but it seems you have no intention of correcting your behavior. Sylvia.”

“Yes, Lady Bee.”

“Stop the farewells.”

As Sylvia reached out as if to escort them, Eliya, who had a defiant attitude, vigorously resisted, blowing out a snort.

“Sister, seriously, isn’t this going too far?”

“Well, Reneola, families shouldn’t behave like this. When you look back later, will only family remain by your side?”

I let out a mocking chuckle.

“Continuing to make a fuss like this will only invite palace sickness.”

Ignoring the Countess and Eliya who resisted staying, the inexperienced Sylvia scolded them. I casually tilted the teacup, raised an eyebrow, and mimicked someone. The faces of the two trembled with anger.

Well, it seems the unpleasant expression isn’t exclusive to me.

“If you continue to be so reckless, you’ll regret it later!”

Eliya sharply retorted and turned away abruptly. The two, holding onto their dresses, exited the room with heavy footsteps.

Sylvia, who closed the door, returned with a sigh. When our eyes met, I smiled slyly.

“How was my acting?”

“You were excellent!”

Sylvia showed me a thumbs-up.

“Anyone could see how unbearable it was, right?”

“Yes, indeed. It was a perfectly unbearable act!”

…I suppose that’s a compliment?

Ignoring my somewhat uncomfortable feelings behind Sylvia’s cheerful smile, I looked back at the closed door after the Countess and Eliya left.

“Now, there’s only Floria left on the enemy hill.”

Even though I knew clearly about their intentions, instead of trying to win them over, I treated them even more coldly, hoping they would cling more desperately to Floria.

That way, the fact that Floria set a trap for my family would be more dramatically revealed later.

“I originally intended to withdraw gracefully without going this far.”

After the release of the Count, I sent them a new mansion and a considerable amount of funds.

I hoped they would quietly withdraw. However, Violet House, not satisfied with that, persistently sent letters, and today, I had to face them like this.

The Countess and Eliya talked about ‘family,’ but they were not truly my family.

Therefore, in reality, there was no such thing as family affection. I only had a sense of obligation that unknowingly took the place of Reneola.

Of course, the transmigration I wished for didn’t happen, but unknowingly, they lost their daughter.
So, when Floria began her revenge, I tried not to run away alone and somehow find a way to survive with everyone, and I have been considerate in various ways during that time.

“Looking back now, it seems Reneola wasn’t such a beloved daughter.”

Even though I clearly knew it would be difficult, the fact that I willingly went to the palace and the impudent demands from me as a prince showed that Violet House was inherently greedy and selfish.

Even by looking at the Countess, who caused an accident and didn’t send a single letter to me, I could see that everyone was clearly trying to use me to satisfy their desires.

So, I also plan to act selfishly.

“And it’s not like I said anything wrong, right?”

No matter how much they are family, now that I’m a prince, they should treat me accordingly. It was directly linked to the dignity of Cahilun, and I couldn’t afford to compromise even more.