“No matter if you’re the Duchess of Blake, it’s impolite. Even I dare not say such words.”

It seemed that Hersia was still too delicate to scold someone.

Even if she cohabited with Sikar for just a month, her personality might become a bit stronger.

No, maybe under Sikar’s influence, her character might become even more timid.

Anyway, seeing Hersia trembling with her hands clasped, I couldn’t help but step forward.

“Impolite? Can’t you even smell anything from the tea that Viscount Hamel is holding right now?”

Hamel looked bewildered, as if asking what she was talking about.

“What?”

“Hamel Viscount, can’t you smell this tea at all? It seems to be ginger tea, but it smells like the ginger has gone bad.”

“Is that so?”

Yeah, right. What’s the matter? Actually, this was a complete lie.

“Yes. It would be better not to drink it, as you might get an upset stomach.”

“Thank you, Duchess. If it weren’t for you, I would have made a big mistake at the Queen’s tea party if it weren’t for the Duchess.”

He said to Hersia, who was looking completely clueless about what was going on.

“Hersia, could you bring the tea again?”

When I winked at her so that only she could see, Hersia showed a slightly flustered expression and replied.

“Yes. I’ll be right back, Duchess.”

And as soon as I confirmed that Hersia was leaving her seat, I immediately changed my expression.

Just as Sikar had instructed, I changed to a fierce and malicious expression. Oh, and I changed my tone too.

“Viscount Hamel.”

“Yes, Duchess.”

“I heard the viscount is involved in transportation business.”

Although the viscount looked puzzled under my pressure, he didn’t say anything special.

“Being in the transportation business, are you also vulnerable to smells?”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s a rumor that you transport women and even drugs in your carriage.”

As expected, there was a change in Hamel’s expression. Since I knew about the illegal activities he had been discreetly carrying out, it was inevitable for him to be shocked.

I, who had always shown a calm and cold expression, just like Sikar, spoke with a stern and ruthless tone.

“Do you think there are no secrets in the world? I could raid your mansion’s basement right now and find all the smuggled goods you’ve hidden.”

Hamel’s face, who didn’t know until now that I knew this much, turned completely pale.

“But, I can give you a chance.”

“W-What do you want from me?”

“To break off this marriage.”

“What?”

“I mean, to inform the King that you cannot marry Hersia.”

“But that’s a decision made by the King, and I cannot decide.”

“If you offer half of your profits to the King, his attitude might change.”

Hamel, who had been quietly answering, twisted his face with an expression that couldn’t be more offensive.

“This is an excessive request.”

“It’s not a request. It’s an order.”

Hamel had an expression that couldn’t be more insulting than this.

“……!”

“How do you think I found out about such a fact?”

“That is…”
Hamel stopped speaking and bit his lips. It was an expression that he understood.

“As expected. The Duchess already knows about the Viscount’s illegal activities and is trying to make it public throughout the kingdom. However, if the Viscount stops his ambition and does as I say, he can live peacefully.”

“Why… Why are you telling me this?”

I imitated Sikar, expressing pity towards him.

“I simply hope that Hersia won’t marry an old, balding middle-aged Viscount.”

Ah, yes. It was indeed an imitation, but it sounded exactly like Sikar.

Hamel swallowed dry spit and glared at me.

“…The Duchess’s threats won’t be so easily accepted.”

“Coming from a Duchess whose social activities are limited to protecting the aristocracy, my words may not seem threatening at all. However, remember that my husband is none other than Duke Blake.”

I mocked him with a smile, then turned towards Hersia, who was walking towards us, and said,

“Hersia. It’s quite hot here. Shall we go to the cool terrace and catch some breeze?”

Although Hersia looked quite startled, she followed when I led her outside.

I had never spoken so harshly to someone before, so although it seemed confidently bold on the surface, internally, my heart was pounding.

The only reason I could speak like this was thanks to the medicine I took today.

When we reached the terrace, Hersia couldn’t contain her curiosity and asked,

“What happened?”

But I felt dizzy and needed to take a deep breath.

“Whew… I don’t even know what I said. Honestly, I was very nervous.”

“What?”

“I feel like I said what Hersia should have said, but I don’t exactly know what I said. In fact, I was quite shaky.”

“Duchess…”

Hersia’s eyes reddened as if moved.

“Duchess… Thank you. Because of me.”

“Viscount Hamel is even more rude than what the Duchess had heard.”

“Yes… I’ve never seen someone beg so rudely since I was born. So, at that moment, I was so taken aback that I forgot everything the Duchess said. My mind went completely blank at that moment.”