However, the attendant who went to find Leandro could only provide an unexpected answer.

“I’m sorry. Lord Felix is not in the waiting room.”

“Then where on earth did he go?”

“He left without saying anything to us…”

The gazes of the nobles naturally turned towards Miryu, who was sitting in the duel arena. Miryu looked down the corridor with a pale, worried expression.

‘Why on earth…’

Miryu trusted Leandro. Even if it were Duke Blanshet, there was no way he could defeat Leandro, the empire’s top knight, especially in a duel.

So, without doing anything…

Prince Hessen comforted Miryu with a stern face, “Miryu, don’t worry too much. Lord Felix might be a bit late.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course, if he doesn’t show up, this duel will naturally…”

Of course, even Prince Hessen’s expression comforting Miryu didn’t look good. If Leandro didn’t appear, the blame would fall on him, but the Kingdom of Royum also carried the burden of losing.

Miryu clenched her fist discreetly.

‘He used unfair means.’

Miryu glanced at Estelle sitting across from her. In that moment, their eyes met like a lie.

Estelle shrugged, looking at Miryu.

‘Why on earth didn’t Leandro come?’

Surprisingly, even Estelle knew nothing about the situation.

‘What has Johann done?’

With astonished eyes, Estelle looked at Johann standing in the duel arena. When their eyes met, Johann smiled gently at Estelle.

“This duel is Duke Blanshet’s victory.”

In the end, Prime Minister Orteca declared Johann’s victory.

“According to the result, the Kingdom of Royum and Viscount Felix must apologize and compensate for tarnishing Duchess Blanshet’s honor.”

Royum Mansion.

The atmosphere of the Kingdom of Royum, which had lost in the duel without even competing, was not very good. This atmosphere persisted until the evening meal.

King Isabella’s representative opened his mouth with a heavy expression.

“…Failing to properly observe the knight we sent out in the name of our honor is also our fault. We have no choice but to accept the results of the duel. What does Viscount Juicy say?”

“That.”

Miryu couldn’t speak up directly.

Viscount Juicy, her family, was a humble and insignificant family to the extent that it was almost absurd to expect them to make a name in this duel. There was nothing Viscount Juicy could do.

Prince Hessen held Miryu’s hand and said, “Mother, this incident happened when Diana took Miryu away. So, how about the Kingdom of Royum compensates even for Juicy Viscount’s share?”

“Dear, what do you think, dear?”

“I’m sorry, mother.”

Miryu couldn’t raise her head deeply.
Queen Isabella alternately looked at Miryu and Hessen, then let out a faint sigh.

“Well, compensating Viscount Juicy is too much of a scale. Hessen is right; since Diana is mainly responsible, I will make Royum Kingdom take full responsibility for compensating Duchess Blanshet.”

“T-thank you, Your Majesty.”

Miryu teared up, expressing her gratitude. Queen Isabella nodded slowly.

“No need to thank me. We are becoming one family, and this should not be too difficult.”

Contrary to Isabella’s words, this compensation was not such a trivial matter.

Noble honor is quite weighty.

To compensate for this incident, Royum Kingdom might have to give up some of the exclusive trading rights and maritime rights that Blanshet had demanded.

‘Maybe even more.’

Isabella, moved by Miryu’s gratitude, asked, “By the way, dear. What do you think about delaying the wedding?”

“…What?”

Miryu widened her eyes in surprise. Hessen cautiously spoke up.

“Mother. Didn’t you say you would overlook this matter?”

“Of course I will. However, Hessen, isn’t this issue not just something that can be resolved by compensating with money? There is also a possibility that the wedding itself may not proceed properly.”

Hessen couldn’t strongly deny his mother’s words either.

The restored Duchess Blanshet could interfere with their wedding.

The problem was that Royum Kingdom had no proper justification to counter that. Rather than that, it was better to postpone the wedding a little, even if it meant losing face.

“Miryu, what do you think[Dash]”

“Mother.”

Miryu, who stood up from her chair, kneeled in front of Isabella.

“All of this is my fault for not stopping Diana.”

“…”

“To be honest, even if you postpone the wedding, I know there’s nothing I can do. But[Dash]”

Transparent tears fell from Miryu’s gentle eyes.

“Viscount Juicy doesn’t have the time to prepare for another wedding.”

“Royum Kingdom will contribute to your dowry. Even then, will it be difficult?”

“I’ll make sure something like this doesn’t happen again. No one will put their life on the line to become Royum Kingdom’s honor. So[Dash]”

Miryu stopped speaking as if her throat was choked. Hessen comforted Miryu, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

“Mother. Please help us just this once.”

“Hessen.”

“It’s a wedding we’ve been waiting for a long time. If we postpone it further, who knows whose honor will be tarnished.”

Honestly, Hessen understood why Miryu didn’t want to postpone the wedding. There were many rumors that he would abandon Miryu because of the significant difference in their positions.

‘It must still be quite uneasy for her.’

Hessen pleaded with his mother.

“If you step forward, the wedding can proceed as planned, can it not?”

“…I understand.”

Queen Isabella elegantly wiped her lips with a napkin.
“If you step forward, the wedding can proceed as planned, can it not?”

“…Understood.”

Queen Isabella elegantly wiped her lips with a napkin.

“But dear, remember this as well. If something similar happens again, the kingdom won’t be able to help you any longer.”

“Mother, saying such things…”

“Hessen, it applies to you too. Do not forget your duties as a crown prince.”

Hessen’s face, which had been listening to Miryu’s confession, stiffened.

“Yes, I will keep that in mind. I won’t disappoint you, Mother.”

Isabella internally sighed as she looked at her son’s face.

‘I might have gone too far again.’

Hessen had grown up without his mother’s care during his early years. Isabella had to unexpectedly take over the position of Royum Kingdom’s king in place of her deceased husband.

‘It’s unavoidable sometimes.’

Fortunately, Hessen grew up to be an excellent crown prince, and Miryu, despite her humble background, was not a bad daughter-in-law.

Above all, she was the woman Hessen loved.

“No, I misspoke. What’s done is done. Mentioning it further won’t change anything.”

Isabella spoke affectionately to Miryu, looking at her face.

“As a gesture of courtesy, formally apologize to Duchess Blanshet in the name of Royum Kingdom. However, you must also show a sincere apology.”

“…”

“That is the proper way.”

Miryu nodded weakly.

“Yes, Mother.”

Guided by Hessen, Miryu entered the room and nervously bit her nails.

‘This time, I survived thanks to Hessen, but…’

Instead of burying Estelle, they ended up promoting her.

‘A countermeasure is needed.’

Casually looking into the mirror, Miryu’s face turned pale. The scar that had been on her neck like a lie was gone.

‘When did the time run out?’

Miryu hastily took out a box she had hidden in the room. Inside the box were a gold ring and necklace.

This gold ring was enchanted with black magic that kept her scar persistent.

‘Surely there isn’t a problem with the black magic.’

Miryu’s anxious gaze continued to focus on the mirror.

“Sister, can we talk for a moment[Dash]”

At that moment, Diana burst into the room.