‘So it has come to this in the end.’

Casius’s eyes held the same resoluteness as on any day when he would ruthlessly purge those who raised the banner of rebellion against him.

His declaration while looking straight at me felt as if it was aimed directly at me.

It seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, as the nobles were watching my reaction.

Despair clouded my vision, making it difficult to even stand without exerting force.

As I put strength into my heels planted on the ground, Casius rose from his seat.

In that state, Casius left through another door instead of the central gate he would have to pass me to use.

It was an action filled with obvious contempt for Snowfel, but no one dared to object.

Tikan also looked at me and Diarob alternately with eyes full of disdain before disappearing after Casius.

*

After Vivian followed Casius outside, the nobles who had been hiding their emotions clearly revealed their expressions.

The imperial faction nobles, intoxicated by a rare victory, openly displayed smiles drenched in ecstasy, while the nobles under Snowfel couldn’t hide their disappointment.

Especially the fathers of the three young lords who had just been on the list of candidates for aide couldn’t control their expressions at the bitter taste they experienced after a long time.

Moreover, the fact that the person who became the aide by competing with their children was a woman was enough to provoke their indignation.

But they tried hard to compose themselves and watched Diarob Duke’s reaction.

These men were well aware that Diarob Duke not pushing forward his son Viodel Snowfel as a candidate and staying silent had given them an opportunity.

Of course, the main reason Diarob didn’t put Viodel forward was that he had predicted this outcome.

He chose to solidify his own faction further by making a show of goodwill rather than investing in a hopeless cause.

‘Even so, to behave like that and just leave.’

Diarob, who had gained nothing and only lost, frowned.

If there was any consolation, it was that Rosemary had not been confirmed as an autonomous tourist region.

But Diarob’s face couldn’t look good after being humiliated in front of everyone.

Especially the face of Duke Bashubir that caught Diarob’s eye made his insides boil with rage.

Duke Bashubir, who had gained only through his glib tongue, was undoubtedly today’s biggest winner.

Bashubir’s appearance, hiding his smile, was truly fox-like.

Bashubir moved towards the exit, mixed among the imperial faction nobles who were cheering him on.

Among them, conversations that were unpleasant to Diarob’s ears could be heard.

“To become the Emperor’s aide now, it’s truly a remarkable achievement, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. Congratulations, Duke Bashubir.”

“His Highness must have recognized Lady Iblina’s brilliance.”

The imperial faction nobles had no doubt that the Winterdel family would now become the leader guiding them.

Originally, these nobles had been unable to properly assert themselves, suppressed by the power of the Snowfel ducal family, but if Casius, who would become Emperor, pushed them forward like this, things would surely change.

Moreover, with Winterdel securing the position of aide, their flattering remarks were only natural.

At that moment, a count’s words irked Duke Bashubir.

“As a proper graduate of the Continental Academy, she’s surely a talent to succeed Rachel Rosemary, isn’t she?”

To be compared as succeeding Rachel was the highest praise possible.

But Bashubir Duke’s inner thoughts on accepting this were not so pleasant.

‘How dare they compare my daughter to that dead bitch.’

Of course, not a trace of displeasure showed on Bashubir Duke’s face.

Bashubir responded to their remarks with a humble tone.

“Your words are too kind. How could she be compared to Lady Rachel, whose reputation was so illustrious?”

“You’ve truly raised your child well.”

To the nobles’ flattering words, Bashubir didn’t forget to subtly elevate his daughter.

“I’ve done nothing. It’s all due to my daughter carving her own path.”

“Of course. Rumors about the young lady are widespread in the empire. I hear she obtained her diploma without any delay, in one go?”

That place, known to gather only the continent’s brightest talents, was known to be staffed with demanding professors.

However, since many people graduate without delay, it wasn’t such a great feat to receive much praise.

Therefore, their praise was exaggerated, but the nobles were busy playing along.

Bashubir didn’t miss even this and lapped it up well.

“I was hesitant to send my only daughter to a foreign land, but thinking now, I almost blocked the child’s future.”

“We should prepare champagne for the next gathering.”

While the imperial faction nobles were having a celebratory drink in their hearts, Count Siron Rosemary, who had been waiting for things to quiet down, quickly headed towards the central gate.

Duke Bashubir didn’t forget to take care of the Rosemary family, whom he had used as a shield until just moments ago.

“Count Siron, you should join our next gathering too.”

Since his wife’s death, Count Siron had rarely shown his face at social events.

Usually, nobles who wouldn’t have spoken to him now added their words one by one.

“Please do so.”

“You must attend this time.”

After all, nominally, it was Count Siron Rosemary who had been a great help to the imperial faction nobles this time.

Above all, if Casius Wolfdor ascended to the throne, he would continue to be an excellent shield for them in the future.

But whether he had read their ulterior motives, or due to his characteristically upright nature, Siron Rosemary declined their invitation once again.

“I appreciate your words, but I don’t think it’s a place for me to go. I’m sorry.”

As Siron, who had given a firm but polite refusal, disappeared outside, the nobles who had just invited him each made a comment to wash away their embarrassment.

“It’s about time he accepted his daughter’s death, tsk.”

“She was Rosemary family’s greatest asset, so how could it be easy?”

It was a distinctly aristocratic statement that viewed children as part of one’s assets.

At the center of them, Bashubir didn’t forget to elevate his own image using Rosemary as a stepping stone this time as well.

“I hope we won’t belittle Count Siron’s love for his daughter. How great must the Count’s love for his daughter have been.”

This time too, the nobles left praising Bashubir’s high reputation.

Duke Diarob, who was heated, ground his teeth watching the retreating figures of the imperial faction nobles.

‘You rat bastard. No matter how much you prance around, once Vivian bears an imperial heir, you’ll all be walking on thin ice.’

Even while thinking this, Diarob couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling due to Winterdel’s growing power.

Diarob, after disbanding the forces following Snowfel, headed towards the Crown Princess’s palace where Vivian resided.

He viewed Vivian as a commodity that would fulfill its value once she bore an imperial heir.

But Vivian’s actions today were enough to gain Diarob’s trust.

He upgraded Vivian’s status to a member to carry out strategies together.

Having found Vivian like that, Diarob concisely stated his plan.

“At this coronation, that Casius will surely seek you out.”

“What? But with my testimony about the Rosemary demon today, His Highness would be displeased, so how could he seek me out?”

“I’ll take care of that matter, so you don’t need to worry. We can’t let that Bashubir Duke strut around.”

Vivian’s face was momentarily speechless, as if dumbfounded.

Diarob urged her on, as if finding her pathetic.

“You just need to properly prepare to receive him.”

Not knowing what was going on, but at Diarob’s urging words, Vivian drew an arc on her lips and said.

“Don’t worry.”

*

My feelings having to smile while listening to Diarob’s nonsense were indescribable.

Setting aside having to hear his nonsense every time, my attention was focused elsewhere.

‘Casius won’t barge in right now, will he?’

While Diarob was spouting his deranged words, I was anxious that Casius might come.

Of course, word that Diarob had come to see me would reach Casius, but provoking him further when he was this angry was the fastest path to the worst conclusion.

Casius is a rational person, but no matter what, I was now a traitor who had broken my promise to him.

To keep the gap I had barely created from closing forever, I had to at least prevent adding fuel to the fire.

‘What would Casius think if he saw me in this state with Duke Diarob?’

He would dismiss even my claim that I wasn’t on good terms with Duke Diarob as completely false.

Before that, I hoped that I would at least be given a chance.

I had thought about how to explain myself in front of Casius, even what expression to make.

Whether it would work or not remained to be seen.

As I played along appropriately with Diarob’s words while my insides were burning, my heart was pounding.

Just in case, my heart was racing.

While trying hard to hide my anxious appearance, I pretended to be relaxed.

“If you can just do that, receiving him won’t be a problem.”

It was such a crazy thing to say that even I didn’t know what I was talking about.

In a situation where I didn’t even know if Casius would ever come to see me again, how could I talk about receiving him?

‘Is Diarob in his right mind?’

On top of that, Diarob promised to send me Gratio tea, which is said to be good for the body.

Of course, he was by no means an affectionate father thinking of his daughter’s health.

“They say drinking that helps conception. I’ll send it to Marianne’s hands, so make sure to brew and drink it well according to the schedule.”

The duke, after looking me over once, took a sip of tea and added.

“Your beauty has always been at the highest level since your debutante days.”

Duke Diarob, who gave harsh evaluations on everything else, uniquely praised Vivian’s beauty.

It might sound like a compliment at first glance, but it was not at all welcome.

“You’re on a completely different level from the likes of Iblina Winterdel. Use that well, I’m telling you.”

When Iblina Winterdel was mentioned, my anxious heart strangely cooled down.

At the same time, one pure curiosity arose.

“Have you seen Iblina Winterdel in person?”