Her voice spread outside the door. The servants standing in the corridor sighed simultaneously, unable to contain themselves.

“What’s going on?”

“What’s happening? The Imperial Princess has caused trouble for the master.”

“Hush! Be careful with your words. This is not Katanta.”

In response to the servant’s blunt words, the butler was startled and looked around. But the servant continued her complaints without concern.

“No, honestly, it’s just among us, but you know everything the Imperial Princess said in the mansion. No matter how nicely the master tried to portray it, do you know how demanding she was? The atmosphere in the mansion became so solemn throughout the more than ten days she stayed.”

“Well, that’s true!”

“No matter if it’s the food the Imperial Princess will eat, how do we supply such precious ingredients from Katanta. What about cleaning? Don’t you remember how the maids treated our mistress, even though they are noble ladies themselves?”

There was no way he could forget.
“Is this how cleaning is done in Jajak Territory?”

“The food is disappointing. It’s the food that Her Highness will eat, so I wish you had paid more attention.”

Every time Jajak and Lady Jajak spoke sharply with a noble voice, their heads were clear about what to do. Even the face of the beautiful and elegant Princess, who had looked down on them, was vivid in their minds.

“It’s really something we can’t talk about in the mansion. So, every time I went shopping, I talked about it, and it relieved me a bit, you know?”

“I’d like to hear more about that story.”

A subdued voice suddenly interjected. The servants, who were speaking freely about the princess, froze for a moment, as if they had seen a ghost.

Even the maid who, in her anger, blurted out whatever came to mind and implored for forgiveness, cowered in fear and quickly bowed. In a trembling voice, as if making excuses, she said,

“Oh, my lord. I just blurted out whatever came to mind. Please forgive me just this once.”

“I’m not blaming you; I actually want to hear about the facts.”

The maid, who had tightly closed her eyes, gradually opened them. Then, as if discreetly checking the surroundings, she suddenly lifted her head towards the nobleman who had appeared out of nowhere.

“It seems there is some injustice going on. I may be able to help a little.”

A handsome man with silver hair. Despite his somewhat thin cheeks, he exuded an air of nobility. The other servants said nothing and just exchanged glances with each other.

But in the eyes of the maid, who had been in service for quite a long time, the nobleman seemed to be telling the truth. After hesitating for a while, the maid finally spoke.

“C-Can you really help us?”

“Well, if you tell me how long the Princess stayed in Katanta, starting from when she arrived.”

“That’s not difficult. I remember when she came and when she left very well.”

In response to the maid’s answer, the nobleman with silver hair, Jade Mandalayne, nodded.

The time when the midday sun was shining.

Leopold, who had just entered the study, sat on the sofa. Then, with rough hands, he loosened his neatly tied tie.

The stuffiness had eased a bit, but the broken mood could not be restored.

Between twisted lips, sharp breaths escaped as if in disbelief.

A little while ago, the first meeting with the envoy was a complete mess.

“About the defeated country.”

Finally, the sharp words were spoken.

Count Hajes unconsciously looked around.

But, of course, in this study, there were only the prince, myself, and the substitute for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mandelaine Sokong, who had followed along.

Finally calming his surprised mind, Count Hajes looked at the prince. Even he could somewhat understand the reason for the prince’s anger.

Leopold recalled what happened a little while ago with a critical gaze.

“It’s a pity. It would have been good if you had attended the banquet on the first day.”

After the greeting, Leopold only uttered ceremonial words. However, the returning response seemed somewhat strange.
“I apologize. We suddenly received your contact, so it took a bit of time for us to rush here.”

The words of the Hepherti envoy were all in that manner.

“…The size of the envoy is not that large.”

“I apologize, Your Highness. Our Hepherti is still dedicated to post-war recovery. Please understand that, despite gathering as many as possible to attend the summer banquet, we are still lacking.”

It seemed to have the necessary elements, but it was impolite, and there was a strange discomfort mixed in.

However, if that was the extent, Leopold tried to understand it with a broad mind. How painful it must be for the defeated country to attend the banquet of the victorious country.

But the real problem was that the envoy’s attention seemed to be entirely elsewhere.

In the end, when Leopold spoke harshly, the central figure of the envoy, Duke Kiwal, bowed his head and said,

“I apologize, Your Highness. However, is Duke Bicandor also here?”

Did they want to see the enemy that made Hepherti lose? It was a time when Leopold thought it would be interesting if they had the intention to attempt an assassination in front of him.

“…It’s a painful story for us, but it must be pleasant for you to have such an excellent knight.”

“…What?”

At that moment, Leopold doubted his ears. Was the person the envoy was referring to the Duke?

“We only heard the rumors now during the recovery. Duke Bicandor has never harmed civilians, they say.”

“He even treated prisoners fairly and sent them back. In that regard, at least, it was fortunate.”

Leopold had no desire to hear about the Duke’s merciful side, who had earned the nickname “Butcher.”

Even though his expression was out of control, he couldn’t ruin the first meeting with the envoy, so he barely completed the farewell.

Leopold gritted his teeth and burst out in anger.

“Aren’t defeated countries like this all uncouth and impudent? Trying to admire the one who made them lose. Well, that’s why they lost.”

But the sitting Duke Mandelaine Sokong did not respond at all. It was frustrating. Leopold made an effort to suppress his emotions.

“…The Duchess is in the capital, and yet she is still staying in the Duke’s residence.”

When he said that, the Duke raised his head.

Seeing the trembling eyes, now it seemed a bit relieved. It would have been nice if they had understood it before saying anything.

Leopold casually continued his words.

“I trusted my Duke and the Marquess and kept entrusting Olivia’s affairs to them, but it won’t work. As soon as today’s banquet ends, I plan to bring Olivia to the Prince’s residence, to the room for the Prince’s consort.”

“Your Highness. What is that—”

The Duke’s breath shook. Leopold shrugged his shoulders.

“It means bringing my fiancée a little earlier. Is that so surprising?”