“I am the Duchess of the North. Hadel is the third-highest person in this country. Isn’t it strange if he doesn’t have ambitions?”

That might be true for a regular duchess. However, Hadel is treated poorly even in the royal family, and as a Duke, the budget is inadequate, plus dangerous monsters appear.

Rather, thinking about being confined here for a lifetime, being of high status is not an advantage at all. So, I retorted.

“You know it’s just a title with no substance, right?”

“Daring to call the position of the Duchess trivial?”

“Orsini Yeongae.”

Is she trying to buy time with wordplay?
“If you don’t speak honestly, we can’t help you either. So please be honest. Are you under any threat that you must enter the Grand Castle?”

“You’re being delusional, miss.”

Nella’s eyebrows trembled. It was unclear whether it was due to wounded pride or the thought of someone threatening her.

She forced a smile and replied, “I’m not being threatened by anyone. It’s entirely my will to become the Grand Duchess. So please step back, miss. I promised to get along well with you, didn’t I?”

Oh, for heaven’s sake, a sigh escaped involuntarily.

Whether she thought I wouldn’t comply with her words or not, she also showed a strong attitude. She decided to ignore me. She gestured to the butler standing tall behind Hadel.

“Butler, what are you doing? Serve the meal quickly. Her Highness must be hungry.”

“The one who should step back is…”

It was when Hadel was getting furious and clenching his fist. The person who responded to Hadel’s words was none other than the butler. He adjusted his glasses and said,

“It seems to be the young lady from the capital.”

“Butler?”

I was surprised and opened my eyes wide. During the few months I stayed in the North, this was the first time I had seen the butler step forward and express an opinion.

I thought he was just making a sarcastic remark, but he continued and said more provocatively.

“In the North, they won’t give you anything. Leave quickly.”

“What are you doing, butler?”

Perhaps Hadel didn’t expect to hear such words from the butler, not even from Nella, and her white cheek turned red. Nella glared at the butler with an angry face.

Then, the one who stepped forward at this point was Hadel’s aide, who had been standing in the corner. He smirked annoyingly and intervened.

“By the way, the companions and luggage you brought are already outside.”

“What did you say?”

When Nella glared at him, the aide whistled nonchalantly and played another tune.

Nella, who saw everything as hostile, hardened her face and deliberately raised her voice authoritatively.

“I am the fiancée personally chosen by King. Prince Hadel. But do you think I’ll be forgiven for making such an outrageous fuss about a castle manager like you?”

The butler replied without flinching.

“The one who has protected the North from the Ice Monsters so far is not the distant King but Prince Hadel here. I only listen to Prince Hadel’s orders.”

The aide then chimed in.

“And Miss Marian here is always striving for the development of the North. It’s quite unpleasant for the people of the North to hear you mention Miss Marian so casually without knowing anything about the North.”

“No, you two…”

Even if everyone in the Grand Castle liked me, I thought the butler at least hated me. The aide seemed to have no particular thoughts, and the butler retorted without any sign of backing down.

“Moreover, Miss Marian is not just managing a castle. She is the one who contributes to the progress of the North. It’s quite uncomfortable for the people of the North to hear you mention Miss Marian so lightly without knowing anything about the North.”
However, it was touching to see the two of them passionately siding with me like this.

Hadel, who smiled at me as if finding me cute when I was surprised, leaned his chin on his hand and spoke in a rather relaxed tone.

“It seems like you just need to leave, Miss. There’s no need to delay.”

As Hadel snapped his fingers, the waiting knights rushed out. It was to escort Nella out of the castle.

Perhaps not expecting to be dragged away like this, Nella shouted with a pale face.

“If you abandon me, you’ll regret it! I’ve been preparing to be Prince Hadel’s companion for a long time!”

“What do you know about me and what have you prepared?”

“That’s…!”

Hadel spoke in a cold voice.

“Do you know that I have the attribute of fire? That you might burn in your sleep?”

“That, well…”

Unable to even consider such thoughts, Nella’s complexion darkened. Hadel gestured as if he had heard enough.

“Escort Miss out.”

In this situation, Nella, who had been dragged away, shouted loudly.

“…I have no attribute!”