In Kye’s firm tone, Marquis Callow realized his mistake.

Typically, when a king expresses ‘regret,’ someone with the status of a marquis should accept it with deep remorse. However, Kye was different. Kye currently held the reins of Mary’s fate and, by extension, the fate of the entire Minas Aric Kingdom. If Kye were to ascend in Minas Aric, the Sharkran Kingdom would undoubtedly attack with full force.

Although the military power of the Green Viscount’s family might fall far short of the Minas Aric Kingdom, if the Sharkran Kingdom intervened, Minas Aric would ultimately fall into the hands of the Sharkran Kingdom. Kye was likely aware of the situation facing the Minas Aric Kingdom. Starting a war over such an incident would inevitably draw worldwide attention to the Green Viscount family, but Kye seemed prepared for that.

“Is His Majesty the King trying to pass off the actions of insulting my wife, the entire Green Viscount family, and the entire sacred nation as mere regret?”

“Of course not, Marquis. I made a mistake.”

“You should be nervous, Marquis. You should be.”

Kye’s voice was low and soft, but it carried a threat.

Marquis Callow swallowed dryly and said, “His Majesty expressed deep apologies for this incident.”

“I see.”

“Where is Princess Mary? Is she still in the mansion?”

“She is still in the mansion.”

“I’d like to see the princess.”

“Marquis, I haven’t accepted His Majesty’s apology regarding this incident.”

“Hmm?”

“I understand that His Majesty conveyed words of deep apology. However, that’s all. I won’t accept the apology, and the actions the princess took here won’t be forgiven either.”

Cold sweat formed on Marquis Callow’s back.

“We’ll accept the prepared gifts as a token of condolence only. I’ve heard the words of apology, so now please leave.”

“Viscount!”

“Princess Ketteben will receive appropriate punishment.”

“Is the princess still alive?”

“Of course, she is alive, Marquis.”

“Ugh…”

Marquis Callow suppressed a groan.

It was evident what Kye wanted. Still, he wanted to avoid that particular matter because he couldn’t predict how Dierolf Ketteben would react to this outcome.

“But… if I keep silent here, I might be expelled just like this.”

Marquis Callow closed his eyes tightly and then opened them.

Kye was still waiting for Marquis Callow’s response with a sluggish expression.

“According to the laws of the Minas Aric Kingdom, Princess, you must impose appropriate punishment.”

“Is that His Majesty’s thought?”

“…Of course.”

“You should.”

When Kye snapped his thumb and forefinger, the door of the reception room opened, and a sacred nation clergy in ceremonial attire entered.

At the unexpected appearance of this person, Marquis Callow’s eyes widened.

A clergy of the sacred nation.

Kye spoke with a sly smile.

“Promise once more in front of the clergy.”

+++

“Father, Mother…”
Dierolf stared at his daughter, who approached him with sobs, with cold eyes.

Before meeting Mary, he had heard about the events at the Green Mansion from Marquis Callow. Sending a clergy from the sacred nation didn’t merely mean accommodating Kye; it signified that the sacred nation was also seriously monitoring this issue.

His usually beautiful and prideful daughter had become annoying. In a situation where they couldn’t afford to let their guard down because of the Sharkran Kingdom, not only the Green Viscount’s family but also the sacred nation had been marked.

The actions of one Mary had lowered the dignity of Minas Aric.

Thinking about how many nations would ridicule Minas Aric due to this incident made his head throb.

“Father, I really…”

“Shut up!”

At Dierolf’s shout, Mary, surprised, stopped. It was the first time Dierolf had yelled at Mary.

Dierolf sharply glared at the maid standing next to Mary.

A maid with brown skin and a sharp gaze named Jane.

Dierolf was aware that Jane, occasionally, did something for Mary. He should have expelled Jane at that time, not overindulging Mary too much. Regret came too late.

“Shouldn’t you reflect on causing such trouble and trying to assassinate her by sending that woman?”

“Oh, no! No, Father! I didn’t ask her to do that.”

“I told you to shut up!”

“Really, Father. I didn’t do the poisoning… Jane felt sorry for me and did it on her own… Father, I’m serious. But Kye didn’t listen to me and got infatuated with that woman…”

Mary shed tears.

In the past, her current appearance would have moved his heart, and he would have forgiven Mary.

But not anymore.

Dierolf’s heart toward his daughter was now cold.

After a deep sigh, Dierolf spoke to Jane.

“You, as the princess’s maid, should have stopped her from doing things she shouldn’t have. Instead, you pushed the princess forward to touch filth. Moreover, you attempted to assassinate the Green Viscount’s wife under the princess’s orders. Your crimes are known to you.”

Jane lowered her head.

She had no intention of making excuses to lessen her guilt.

“That’s right, Father. Jane… Jane pushed me. I just disliked the Green Viscount’s wife a little, but Jane whispered to me…”