Chapter 35 Persephone, who had been wearing a kind smile, sighed softly, as if weary. 
 She seemed to think I was clinging to the engagement and trying to justify my reasons. 
 “I fail to understand why Your Highness won’t use the power you already possess.” 
 With the ducal house backing her, Rogian’s…

Chapter 34  “No matter how much His Majesty cherishes you, Lord Rogian, you are still a man. Let’s consider those words as if they were never spoken.” 
 At Duke Alexis’s remark, Rogian glanced at me, momentarily taken aback. 
 “Yes, indeed, given the circumstances, it would be unseemly to proceed. I appreciate your concern,…

Chapter 33  Adonis answered only with silence. The Countess of Betrice, not expecting a reply, clicked her tongue and turned her gaze away. 
 “Who does she take after to be this indifferent?” 
 “Mother, you’re home?” 
 At the sound of Adolf’s greeting from the second floor, the Countess’s frown melted into a bright…

Chapter 38  “Your mother said those words.” 
 The hand pressing down on Lian’s shoulder sparkled with claws poised, sharp enough to strike. 
 Alicia gave a derisive chuckle at the shocked expressions of the Duke’s household. 
 She had known since the day they cast Irina out, yet she hadn’t expected they’d lack even…

Chapter 37  “Judging by your reaction to her, it’s hard to believe you and Lady April were once close friends at the academy.” 
 Of course, he thought to himself, because the April he once knew was not the one currently in the Duke’s household. 
 He could barely fathom what had happened. Where was…

Chapter 36  After Irina departed, a heavy silence filled the office. It was clear that Persephone was carefully gauging whether my offer to help was sincere or not. 
 Today, April was not quite the April Hill Ryze they thought they knew. While they couldn’t say what effect the carriage accident had on her, the…

Chapter 32  “Haha.” 
 At last, she let out a soft laugh, a lightness breaking through her usually stoic demeanor. Her laugh signified agreement, as if acknowledging that the Count of Betrice was indeed such a person. But the amusement in her smile soon faded, her expression tightening, like one who had swallowed rough sand,…

Chapter 31 Between Adonis and Adolf, I wondered which of them would come out to greet me, but it was Adonis who appeared. The Count of Betrice likely chose not to come, having already shown me his sentiments. I suppressed a brief smile and offered a polite greeting to Sir Adonis as he walked up…

Chapter 30 The title of Duke Ryze indeed held considerable weight. Unlike other citizens of the empire waiting their turn, I was able to meet the cleric without delay. It was my first time at the temple, and everything felt both unfamiliar and wondrous. The softly resonating hymns, the portraits of past popes hanging in…

Chapter 29 “Fool,” Tamitarte muttered, pressing his forehead as if nursing a headache. “I should have followed, even if it meant being caught.” Whether she was truly a ghost or merely a woman with a haunting resemblance, he needed to confirm it for himself. However… “No matter how alike they may appear, such a likeness…

Chapter 28 The contents of the invitation, upon opening, were brief. It contained a few polite greetings, along with the message from Duke Alexis, stating his desire to see me. “If you don’t wish to meet, there’s no reason to force it. I’ll respect your decision.” “…” Why would Rozian want to see me? I…