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Chapter 64
What on Earth Is She Plotting?
Miryu turned to look at Diana.
“Diana?”
Startled, Miryu forced a casual smile and quickly pushed the gold ring inside her clothes. But Diana’s reaction was far from ordinary.
Diana stood frozen, staring blankly at Miryu.
She looked like someone who had just seen something she was never supposed to see.
Could it be… did she see that the scar wasn’t there?
Thankfully, when Miryu glanced at her neck, the ugly scar was still visible. Even if Diana had seen that fleeting moment when the scar had disappeared, she would’ve surely dismissed it as a mistake.
After all, Diana was a simple person—at least, that’s what Miryu knew of her.
“Diana, what brings you to my room?”
Miryu put on a worried face and approached her.
“Have you been feeling better from your illness?”
“Oh, my illness. Yes, I’m fine now.”
“That’s a relief.”
Since the incident at the salon, Diana had avoided Miryu, claiming she was sick.
Even when Miryu had come all the way to her room carrying porridge, Diana had turned her away, saying she was too unwell.
Well, no matter how simple Diana is, she couldn’t have brushed off what happened then.
To be honest, Estelle’s reaction had been unexpected. Miryu had always thought Estelle was a useless fool who couldn’t do anything no matter what happened.
She just can’t stand seeing me do well.
Suppressing her irritation toward Estelle, Miryu gently took Diana’s hands.
“Do you know how worried I was? You wouldn’t even let me see your face when I came to your room.”
“…That’s because—”
“Never mind. I’m just happy you came to see me in person.”
Miryu gave a pitiful smile.
“I was afraid I might never see your pretty face again.”
Diana was weak against this kind of fragile display.
Despite being a princess of Royam, she had trained among rough knights. The belief that one must protect the weak had been drilled into her bones.
“We’re going to be close again, right? I don’t think I can live without you anymore, Diana.”
“Of course. You and I—look at the bond we share.”
Thankfully, Diana’s response seemed the same as always.
When Miryu clung to her arm affectionately, Diana accepted it without hesitation, just like before.
See? She’s easy to handle.
Both Hessen and Diana were difficult only at the beginning—once you got past that, they were easy to manipulate.
“Then, Diana, since it’s been a while, shall we take a walk in the garden together?”
“Before that, sister-in-law…”
Diana hesitated.
“I heard that the wedding will go ahead as planned, without delay.”
“Oh, yes.”
Miryu rolled her eyes slightly, watching Diana’s expression.
Is she trying to pick a fight about something?
Fortunately, Diana spoke as if defending her, just like before.
“Mother really is too much. How could she suggest delaying the wedding over something like that? She knows how much you and my brother have been looking forward to it.”
“Oh, but it’s all my fault, really.”
Miryu relaxed, putting on a pitiful expression.
Looks like I don’t need to worry about Diana anymore.
“Instead, I’m grateful to Mother for understanding me even after all that. It made me determined to try even harder.”
Escorted by Diana, Miryu strolled into the garden, enjoying the attention without a care.
Everything felt so normal that Miryu failed to notice it—
That every so often, Diana’s gaze toward her carried something different than before.
I clearly saw it—just now, a scar appeared where there hadn’t been one.
Nor did she realize that Diana, while pretending to look at the gold ring necklace, had subtly tested her.
“But sister-in-law, you don’t cover your scar with a ribbon anymore?”
“Oh, once I showed it in public, I gained the courage to stop hiding it. Do you think it looks ugly, Diana?”
“No. It looks incredible.”
Diana wrapped an arm around Miryu’s shoulder and gave her a cheerful smile.
“See? You just needed courage all along.”
At that very moment, the Marquis of Felsis’ estate was quiet.
But beneath the surface, nothing was calm.
Because the Knight of White Night, Leandro, hadn’t shown up for the duel, the Felsis family’s honor had been shattered.
Until now, the Marquisate of Felsis had been flawless, but the disgrace was so great that it spread like wildfire.
“What on earth were you doing, letting that boy make such a fool of himself? How could you allow the so-called Knight of White Night to refuse a duel?”
“That’s not Leandro’s fault.”
The Marchioness tried to calm her furious husband.
“It’s all because of the Duke and Duchess of Blanchet. If not for them, would our Leandro have ever been dragged into such a pointless duel? You know what kind of son we have.”
The Leandro they knew was the perfect son.
Unlike other nobles’ children, who always went through a rebellious phase, he had been dutiful and noble, never straying from the path of responsibility.
“Leandro must be suffering too. It’s hard on you as well, but imagine how hard it must be for him to face this disgrace directly.”
“Do you think excuses like that mean anything to someone who bears the Felsis name?”
The Marquis roared, though his voice had softened somewhat. No matter how angry he was, he still cherished and took pride in his son.
Eventually, the Marquis went to the underground prison where Leandro was confined.
Leandro sat calmly on the bed, staring at the dark wall. The Marquis forgot his anger for a moment and cautiously spoke.
“Leandro, are you clear-headed now?”
“…Father.”
Leandro lifted his head defiantly, meeting his father’s gaze.
“You still haven’t given me an answer. Until I hear the full truth, I won’t move from this place.”
“Tsk, you still don’t understand?”
Locking his son away in the dungeon of Felsis couldn’t break his will. The Marquis’ face twisted in anger as he shouted.
“I told you, I’ll explain everything when you inherit the title! Until then, keep your mouth shut!”
“Father, this is more important to me than anything else.”
Even in the face of his father’s rage, Leandro stood firm.
“What is the secret hidden in the Felsis family? Did our house really take part in framing the Blanchets with false treason?”
“…”
“And what is this ‘cargo’ that Felsis supposedly smuggled in cooperation with the Libertan Dukedom?”
“…”
“As you said, I am the heir to this house. For me not to know the truth—how can I lead our family without it? Please, tell me honestly.”
The Marquis sighed heavily and sat on the edge of the bed.
“You fool. Must you know now of all times?”
“My resolve will not change. Even if it hurts me, I must know the truth.”
The Marquis lowered his head, lips pressed tightly shut.
“Father, don’t avoid me. What is the truth?”
Leandro locked eyes with him—eyes that mirrored his own.
Since childhood, he had grown up watching his father’s strong back. When he inherited the position of Knight Commander from him, he had been proud beyond words.
But why…?
Perhaps because of the confusion swirling inside him, the man before his eyes no longer looked like a proud knight or a nobleman.
He looks… pathetic.
Leandro hated himself for even thinking such a thing about his father.
At that moment, the Marquis seemed to have made a decision.
“Fine. If you’re that determined, so be it. I won’t drag you out. Stay here until your stubbornness burns itself out.”
“Father!”
But in the end, the Marquis left without revealing anything.
Then… does that mean the Duke of Blanchet was telling the truth?
Leandro stared at the chains binding his wrists. Truthfully, chains could never hold down a Sword Master like him.
No… I can’t doubt my father until I see with my own eyes.
Crunch—
Breaking the chains, Leandro rose to his feet. He hadn’t stayed chained in the dungeon for nothing.
This underground chamber had existed since the founding of the Felsis family.
It was used to imprison and torture intruders or criminals, but also to guard the family’s most dangerous secrets.
Father, one day you’ll understand my sincerity.
Leandro strode into the deeper darkness of the dungeon. His blue eyes gleamed like flames.
Johan’s victory had changed everything.
Whatever the truth was, people wanted to side with the winner. The pile of letters before me was proof enough.
[“I heard you went through a terrible ordeal. To be dragged into such disgraceful matters, I was heartbroken—”]
[“I’d be honored if you would attend my tea party before the summer festival. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the duel—”]
As if they actually believe me.
In the noble society, appearances were everything. They wouldn’t easily retract rumors they had already spread.
Most nobles were delighted to label me, a mere common-born adoptee, as the “villainess.”
And the idea that Miryu—a daughter of the historic Juuti barony, even if it was a minor house—had been the victim made the story even juicier.
Even now, when the duel had turned in my favor and they wanted to curry favor with me, they probably still believed deep down that I was a villainess.
No one wants to admit they created a villain out of an innocent person.
I sorted the letters by importance, then glanced at Johan, who was waiting on the sofa.
“Johan. Didn’t you say you had something to tell me?”
“Do we really need an excuse to meet?”
Johan rose and walked toward me.
“It’s funny. Usually, you’re the one seeking me out. Now that it’s the other way around, it feels… exciting.”
He perched casually on the desk in front of me, lips curled in a crooked smile.
“Almost… thrilling.”
“You’re teasing again, aren’t you? I won’t fall for it anymore.”
I puffed my cheeks, catching the playful gleam in his crimson eyes. Johan just shrugged innocently.
“I’m not teasing. But how should I prove it if I’m falsely accused?”
“Oh, stop. You’ll just make fun of me again.”
I tapped his shoulder with a letter.
“If you’re really not joking, then start explaining.”
“Explaining what?”
“Why Marquis Felsis suddenly pulled out of the duel.”
That day, when Leandro vanished from the waiting room, rumors spread that it was the Blanchets’ doing.
But no one really knew the truth.
As a result, Leandro lost his honor as a knight, was stripped of his position as Captain of the Imperial Guard, and vanished from public view entirely.
“Johan. You know, don’t you?”
“More or less.”
Johan smiled faintly.
“To be honest, it wasn’t all planned. I only intended to shake him a little… but it worked too well.”
What on earth did he do?
At times like this, I truly felt Johan was the mastermind from the original story.
So this is what he meant by winning without magic.
He had made it so his opponent never even showed up.
Seeing my serious expression, Johan chuckled and ruffled my hair.
“It was nothing. I just revealed a little secret about the Felsis family—that was enough to shake him.”
“A secret?”
“Those who pretend to be the most noble always have the filthiest secrets.”
Johan’s crimson eyes gleamed with scorn.
A secret of the Felsis family?
That had never appeared in the original story. I swallowed nervously.
“What secret?”
“Who knows.”
“You can’t tell me?”
“Not exactly. I just don’t know the full story myself yet. I’m still investigating.”
It might’ve been a lie, but it didn’t feel like one.
“You mean you blackmailed him with something you weren’t even sure about?”
“Here’s something to remember, Estelle.”
Johan smiled slyly, like the serpent tempting Eve.
“No one is free from desire. Everyone has a weakness.”
“….”
“And if you touch that weakness, they’ll move just the way you want, no matter how much they pretend otherwise.”
His long fingers tapped my cheek lightly. A chill went down my spine. Then, as if to taunt me further, he picked up one of the letters from the desk.
“So, Estelle… what do you want to do with the Kingdom of Royam?”
He waved the letter, sealed with the royal crest, like it was a toy.
“I’ll ruin it for you—just the way you want.”
Looking into his crimson eyes, I opened my mouth cautiously.
“Then I—”
Johan’s smile deepened as he heard my answer.
“That’s my wife. Let’s do it your way.”
Late that evening—
Why is he so late?
Miryu paced anxiously in front of the estate, waiting for Crown Prince Hessen. He had gone to visit the Duke of Blanchet as Royam’s representative.
He should’ve been back by now.
At last, Hessen arrived on horseback. Dismounting, he looked surprised to find Miryu waiting.
“Why are you out here instead of resting inside?”
“Because I wanted to see you right away.”
Miryu smiled sweetly and embraced him tightly. Thankfully, she noticed no obvious change in him.
“So, Hessen… how did it go?”
“Ah, you mean the meeting with the Duke of Blanchet.”
Miryu’s eyes fixed nervously on his lips.
“It went well.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. Just as you said, the Duchess of Blanchet was very kind. I realize now that I had misunderstood her, that I had misjudged because of my own bias.”
Hessen smiled warmly.
“She was so understanding, and she seemed to care deeply for you. She even shed tears, saying she missed the time she spent with you. It broke my heart to see it.”
“….”
“In fact, she happily accepted Mother’s invitation.”
A shiver ran down Miryu’s spine.
She… accepted?
The lies Miryu had spread flashed through her mind. She felt like the ground beneath her feet was shaking.
“…I’m glad your misunderstanding was resolved.”
“Isn’t it wonderful? I must tell Mother the good news!”
Hessen, beaming, took Miryu inside. But even in her handsome husband’s tender embrace, Miryu couldn’t shake her unease.
What on earth is she plotting?
But Miryu’s nightmare was only just beginning.
