“Who do you think is unworthy, Crown Prince?”
Hilane, realizing that Henri’s remark was an attack on Luan, asked him with a stern expression.
“Th-That is, well….”
Henri stammered, unable to answer. At that moment, Rosanna turned to Luan.
“More importantly, I assume the young duke can recite Psalms as well?”
“?”
“He’s the same age as my nephew Henri, and they both attend Kimish Academy. I look forward to seeing how well he does.”
Hilane knew that Rosanna wasn’t asking out of curiosity but rather to humiliate Luan.
‘How openly she’s belittling him.’
What hurt even more was that Luan, as if accustomed to it, remained completely unfazed.
‘Luan knows the entire New Testament by heart.’
This was actually an opportunity to showcase Luan’s extraordinary ability.
“Luan, would you like to try?”
As soon as Hilane spoke, Rosanna let out a small scoff.
“Even if you force it, Psalms don’t just come to mind so easily, Your Grace.”
She was about to wave it off when Luan cautiously opened his mouth.
“My heart reaches the Lord, and His voice descends to protect me.”
Luan’s smooth recitation made Rosanna and the other noblewomen’s eyes widen in shock.
‘This could help Luan establish his position among the vassals.’
Nodding at Hilane, Luan then turned his gaze directly to Henri—just as Henri had done to him moments ago.
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.”
“You, y-you….”
Feeling Luan’s unwavering stare, Henri’s face instantly turned red.
“You are truly remarkable at such a young age, Young Duke.”
Rosanna, unable to conceal her anger, clenched Henri’s hand tightly and forced a smile.
Seeing Rosanna trembling in frustration as she struggled to compose herself was almost amusing.
“A lowborn dares…!”
In the end, Henri couldn’t hold back and spat out an insult at Luan.
“What… did you just say?”
Hilane, who had been about to scold Henri, suddenly noticed a shadow approaching the garden.
“…The Duke?”
It was Aachen.
‘He said he was going on an inspection of the territory… why is he back so soon?’
Aachen had a furious expression, having apparently overheard Henri’s words.
“Henri Daphne!”
He called Henri’s full name with unmistakable rage.
The only other time Aachen had been this angry was when someone questioned Luan’s legitimacy.
Hearing Luan being insulted firsthand, Aachen’s expression was more dangerous than ever.
“Y-Your Highness Aachen! He’s just a child who spoke without thinking!”
Rosanna immediately knelt and begged for forgiveness.
But Aachen ignored her, fixing his glare on Henri.
Seeing his aunt kneel and tremble for the first time, Henri was so overcome with fear that he even burst into tears.
‘If someone said that to Chevelyn, I’d be just as furious. But Henri is still a child, and this is a gathering of Belzette’s vassals.’
“Your Grace.”
“!”
Predicting the aftermath of this incident, Hilane firmly took Aachen’s hand.
“Your Grace, later. Call Countess Riol and the Crown Prince separately to discuss this.”
“…….”
Hilane’s words finally calmed Aachen, and he exhaled sharply.
‘Why is Countess Riol doing this?’
Watching the exchange between Hilane and Aachen, Rosanna looked completely dumbfounded.
“Let’s end the reading gathering here. Everyone, please return home.”
With that, Hilane dismissed the guests.
“Countess Riol and the Crown Prince, please stay behind.”
“…….”
Everyone left—except for Rosanna and Henri.
***
Hilane escorted Luan and Chevelyn to their room.
“Luan.”
She knelt slightly to meet Luan’s eyes and gently cupped his cheeks.
“Forget what was said earlier. Don’t let it get to you. You must never forget that you are truly precious.”
“I’m fine. Really….”
Luan said he was fine, but his eyes turned slightly red.
Even though he pretended otherwise, Hilane could feel the sting of Henri’s words in his heart.
“Luan, Chevelyn. Stay here and play.”
Hiding her emotions, Hilane rose and headed to Aachen’s office.
Inside, Aachen was interrogating Henri in a harsh voice.
“You must have heard such things before for them to come so naturally to you. Did your aunt teach you?”
“I-I just… L-Luan was acting too, too superior….”
Henri mumbled, his words barely coherent as he hiccupped.
“What?”
Aachen’s voice turned sharp with disbelief.
“I-I’m sorry….”
Trembling, Henri clung to Rosanna’s side, seeking refuge behind her.
“Y-Your Highness Aachen….”
Rosanna looked around helplessly, unsure where to place her gaze.
Hilane felt that something was off.
This was the same woman who had openly insulted her at the banquet and never hesitated to show her emotions.
Moreover, she wasn’t someone who feared Aachen. She had always stood confidently, arms crossed.
‘But now she looks this afraid?’
Aachen had raised his voice, but that alone didn’t seem enough to explain her reaction.
“Your Grace, it would be best to stop here. This will only weigh heavier on Luan’s heart. And the Crown Prince is still just a child.”
Hilane, stepping in to mediate, gently ran her hand over Aachen’s back to calm him.
“…For the time being, Countess Riol and the Crown Prince are forbidden from entering Hestur Castle.”
“Your Highness! Th-That’s….”
Rosanna started to protest, but then she clamped her mouth shut.
“…Henri, let’s go.”
“Yes, Aunt….”
Rosanna led Henri out of the office.
For a moment, Hilane lowered her gaze, feeling responsible for what had happened.
“Your Grace, I’m sorry.”
“Why would you apologize, My Lady?”
Aachen looked at her as if he couldn’t understand.
“I should have paid more attention. Luan was hurt because of it.”
“No, My Lady. If anything, I should have been more restrained since this was your first time hosting a reading gathering… I showed you an unpleasant sight.”
Aachen lowered his head, looking genuinely ashamed.
“…I apologize.”
“No, Your Grace. It’s alright….”
An awkward silence settled between them as they avoided each other’s eyes.
“By the way, Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“Weren’t you supposed to be inspecting the territory? You returned so early… Did something happen?”
Hilane was curious why Aachen had come back so soon.
“I… will tell you later.”
“…Alright. Then, please rest well.”
Seeing that Aachen was avoiding the question, Hilane didn’t press further.
***
Outside, in front of the carriage, Rosanna and Henri had not yet left.
“Henri, stop crying! You’re annoying me!”
“H-Hic… Aunt, I-I’m sorry….”
Rosanna scolded the sniffling Henri impatiently.
“Countess Riol.”
Hilane approached them.
“…Your Grace the Grand Duchess.”
“I have a question.”
“Please… go ahead.”
Seeing Rosanna so meek for the first time felt strange.
“Earlier, in the garden—why did you kneel?”
It was an impulsive action, throwing away all dignity in front of other noblewomen.
Rosanna’s expression turned bitter as she answered.
“Your Grace doesn’t know why, does she?”
“What do you mean?”
“When His Grace the Duke was still the Crown Prince of Requier… there was a time when his magic went out of control.”
Rosanna’s response was entirely unexpected.
“A magician’s rampage… can affect those nearby. It can even lead to death.”
“Death….”
That heavy word made Hilane visibly tense.
“His Grace’s eyes earlier… they were the same as back then. I instinctively begged for forgiveness. If the rampage didn’t stop… I might have died.”
Rosanna let her right arm hang limp as if recalling something horrifying.
‘The Duke almost lost control of his magic…?’
Only then did Hilane understand why Rosanna had been so desperate to seek forgiveness.
Her willingness to accept punishment without resistance—it was all because of that.
“Just now, he was on the verge of rampaging. I will never forget that sight.”
“…….”
“I never expected that you would be the one to stop him, Your Grace.”
As Rosanna said, Hilane had grabbed Aachen’s hand earlier to calm him.
“Only one person can stop a magician’s rampage.”
Tears welled up in Rosanna’s eyes.
“Countess Riol?”
“Congratulations. Not only have you become His Grace’s wife… but you are truly the one person who can stop him.”
Rosanna’s voice trembled as she spoke, her dress lightly shaking as Henri clutched its hem.
“Aunt….”
“Your Grace the Grand Duchess, I truly… I truly loved His Grace.”
Rosanna looked at Hilane, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“But… if I’m not the one who can quell his rampage, then I suppose I should let go.”
The past incident had clearly left a deep scar on her.
Rosanna stepped into the carriage with Henri, then departed.
Watching them go, Hilane replayed their conversation in her mind.
Stopping a magician’s rampage—
That wasn’t something to be taken lightly.
And in that moment, Hilane became certain.
Aachen’s gaze toward her—
It had nothing to do with the night she had spent with his twin brother.
***
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