While Jeremy was confined to the tower, with the three dukes still freely roaming the imperial palace, Dietrich meticulously stationed knights to guard the mansion, unsure of when and what might happen.

However, due to a past incident where his own knight had attempted to assault Celiya in prison, Dietrich deployed only a minimal force, and positioned them outside rather than inside the mansion.

“The crown prince is confined to the tower, but the problem is Empress Erphia. She won’t just sit back and watch this. Ileon will surely try to use her, given they’re from the same family. Things aren’t going his way, so he’s probably plotting something by now.”

“So the next step is to back the empress into a corner? As you said, we can’t bring down Ileon right now. He won’t fall easily either.”

It was while Celiya was drinking tea in Dietrich’s room, discussing future plans.

Knock knock.

“Your Grace, a guest has arrived at the mansion.”

Besides Anderson, who was both his aide and chef, there was no one else who would knock on his door now.

Dietrich signaled to Celiya with his eyes. Celiya also read his gaze and nodded slightly.

They both rose from their seats and struck the most loving pose for others to see.

Dietrich wrapped his arm around Celiya’s waist, and Celiya leaned her weight on Dietrich’s shoulder.

“This should be convincing enough.”

Celiya whispered softly. Nodding at her words, Dietrich called out to Anderson who would be waiting beyond the door.

“Come in.”

At the invitation, the closed door opened.

“Your Grace, a guest has arrived at the mansion…”

Upon discovering the two looking like a pair of lovebirds, Anderson’s expression immediately darkened.

Anderson stood frozen like a statue, at a loss for words.

“What is it?”

“Ah… um…”

Anderson’s gaze wandered aimlessly through the empty air.

“Who is the guest?”

Celiya, growing impatient, asked on Dietrich’s behalf.

“Ah, well, that… The one who is Your Grace’s lover, or should I say duchess now? I’m not sure how to address her properly…”

“Just say, my lovely fiancée.”

Dietrich said so without changing his expression.

Celiya got goosebumps from his method acting.

How can he say such things without changing his expression?

Celiya was inwardly filled with admiration.

“Oh, then, Your Grace’s lovely fiancée?”

“Why are you adding ‘lovely’? Just call her fiancée.”

“Ah, yes… Fiancée.”

Even after saying it, Anderson’s tightly clenched jaw showed blue veins bulging, seemingly embarrassed.

At that awkward title, Celiya had to bite her lower lip hard to hold back her laughter.

Dietrich, who had actually told him to call her fiancée, showed no signs of embarrassment and remained confident.

Anderson took a few deep breaths before getting to the point.

“Your family members have come to visit. Their names were, I believe, Hariel Brillyon and Gabriel Brillyon.”

“…”

Celiya’s eyes sank.

“Did they happen to say anything about me?”

“They said they came because they were worried. That they came all the way here thinking you might not adjust well to the imperial palace…”

Not content with selling her off to the old emperor, now they’re trying to squeeze out every last drop.

Celiya knew all too well how wicked those two were.

While staying at the viscount’s house, if the males of the Brillyon family only thought about what to do with her, the mother and daughter duo tormented Celiya in various ways.

−Eat moderately. If you get any fatter than that, you’ll lose all your value.

While they ate rich food every day, they were reluctant to give even gruel to Celiya.

−Although we adopted her, she’s a daughter I cherish as much as my own child. So, I hope only men worthy enough to support Celiya will court her.

Saying such things, they showed Celiya to men of marriageable age, even to elderly men, using her as a means to make money.

She thought she’d never have to see them again after coming to the imperial palace.

If it’s a bad relationship, it’s a very persistent one.

Seeing Celiya’s displeased expression, Dietrich whispered low enough for only her to hear.

“Should I go chase them away? So they can never find you again.”

Celiya shook her head.

“Let’s hear what they have to say first.”

“Mother, is she really staying here?”

“Given that the knight went to report, I suppose so? You saw it earlier too.”

Gabriel’s expression soured. Glancing at the knights guarding the mansion, Gabriel lowered her voice.

“I bet she clung to Duke Calypso first. The duke probably accepted her without knowing how loose she is.”

“That’s right. That X had an overflowing talent for seducing men. If she hadn’t been adopted into our family, she would have become a well-known prostitute.”

Even in a place where they came to see Celiya, the two kept degrading her and spouting vulgar words.

At that moment, the mansion door opened and Celiya and Dietrich walked out from the entrance.

“…”

Seeing Dietrich’s face head-on, Gabriel unconsciously parted her lips.

Flawless skin, neat eyebrows above a sharp nose bridge, a sharp jawline.

Just looking at him elicited admiration.

Even in uniform, his taut muscles and pectoral muscles that swelled with each breath were too stimulating to look away from.

The hand holding Celiya’s waist was large and firm, seeming capable of protecting her from all dangers.

Gabriel was about to go crazy with jealousy.

If she could, she wanted to push Celiya away right now and take that place.

Gabriel, who had been wearing a gloomy expression, smiled brightly as soon as Dietrich looked at her, acting like a kind “elder sister.”

“Duke Calypso, hello. I had no idea you would protect my pretty little sister like this. I’m truly grateful.”

Dietrich looked at Gabriel with an expressionless face.

However, when his indifferent gaze shifted to Celiya, it suddenly took on a gentle light.

Feeling ignored, Gabriel assumed that Celiya must have said unfavorable things about her to Dietrich.

She suppressed her anger and expressed friendliness towards Celiya.

“Celiya, you don’t know how worried I’ve been since you went to the imperial palace. Seeing you living well now puts me at ease.”

But Celiya gave no response.

She just looked at Gabriel as if she were a stranger.

Gabriel had expected Celiya to cower at the sight of her, but when she didn’t, Gabriel felt her blood boil inside.

With Gabriel’s pride scratched, this time Hariel stepped in on her behalf.

“Celiya, we came all this way because we were worried about you, didn’t we? Why aren’t you greeting us at all? Don’t tell me you’re acting this way just because you’ve tasted a bit of palace life?”

“…”

As Dietrich was about to say something, Celiya gently pulled on his clothes and shook her head slightly.

Dietrich respected Celiya’s opinion.

“It’s quite amusing to see you clinging to the notion of family now, when you pushed me into the imperial palace like you couldn’t wait to get rid of me.”

Celiya smirked as she raised her lips.

“You, are you really going to be like this to us? After all we’ve done for you. You went to the imperial palace of your own free will!”

“Of my own free will, you say?”

“Yes! You begged to be sent to the imperial palace, saying you preferred the powerful emperor even if he was old, and now!”

Hariel shouted angrily, making up nonexistent stories.

“Think whatever you like. It seems there’s no need to listen to such nonsensical talk any further.”

“Celiya!”

Gabriel wrapped her arms around Hariel and apologized on her behalf.

“Duke Calypso, I apologize. It seems my mother got very excited because Celiya is acting rudely, unlike before. I apologize on her behalf.”

“I’m not the one who needs an apology. And the one who acted rudely was you.”

At Dietrich’s words, Gabriel bit her lower lip.

“The apology should be made to my lover, not me.”

“…”

Gabriel’s pride was hurt, but her desire not to be disliked by Dietrich was even greater.

Gabriel smiled towards Celiya and made an insincere apology.

“Celiya, your sister is truly sorry. We’re family, so I hope you won’t be hurt by something like this. Will you forgive me?”

“No.”

At Celiya’s firm answer, the corners of Gabriel’s mouth trembled.

“Dietrich, we’ve finished our business here, so let’s go back into the mansion now. I want to be alone with you.”

Celiya nuzzled her cheek against Dietrich’s shoulder.

Dietrich looked down at Celiya with loving eyes.

Gabriel felt sick to her stomach. She wanted to slap Celiya’s cheeks until she felt better, but she couldn’t do anything with Dietrich standing right there.

“I’ll make sure those people never catch sight of you again. You’ll soon be the duchess anyway.”

Those words from Dietrich mercilessly clawed at Gabriel’s insides.

Before entering the mansion, he gave orders to the knights waiting outside.

“Get those people out of the imperial palace immediately.”