“…What?”
Hayden Roger frowned as if doubting his own ears.
It was the reaction I had expected.
I tilted my head deliberately and gestured toward the nobles filling the audience chamber.
Hayden Roger’s gaze followed mine.
In an instant, he took in the faces of the nobles, some filled with shock, others with disgust, all staring at him as if they were looking at something unfamiliar rather than the Duke Roger they once knew.
“It seems you still haven’t grasped the situation.”
I smiled.
“Keep in mind that there is no place for you here.”
“There is no place for you here.”
Quoting the words he once said to me, I smiled again, and only then did his face twist in utter humiliation.
It seemed he had finally understood what I meant.
‘That landed.’
Suppressing the smirk threatening to escape, I looked at him with a gentle gaze, as if offering him a benevolent farewell.
“It’s unfortunate that you couldn’t achieve your ambition. Though it’s not my fault.”
“…….”
“Farewell, outsider.”
With those final words, I turned and walked back to where Ian was waiting.
Behind me, I could hear the sound of his body collapsing to the ground.
Until the royal knights dragged him away, there was no scream, no word, no sound in the audience chamber.
❖ ❖ ❖
After that, the emperor once again firmly sealed his fate.
“Hayden Roger is hereby stripped of Levant citizenship, and the title of Duke of the Roger family is confiscated. The criminal will be escorted to the border at dawn tomorrow.”
The emperor’s unusually resolute tone left no room for objection from anyone.
As a result, Hayden Roger’s exile proceeded as though it had never happened—or as though the Roger ducal family had never existed at all.
Without any further reports or official announcements, the matter quietly concluded.
Among the nobles, his existence became almost taboo, to the point where even Aria News, which would usually revel in such gossip, remained silent.
Thus, ten days passed.
It was the first anniversary of my arrival in this world, as if by some cruel coincidence.
Contrary to my fears before meeting Eloise, this world did not collapse or fall apart.
Nothing happened, leaving me uncertain whether that spell had truly endangered this world or if it had simply been the ravings of a strange old woman.
In any case, today marked the long-awaited coronation ceremony of the crown princess.
“Her Highness, Louisa Evgenia Celis Levant, enters!”
Under the bright spring sunlight, Princess Louisa, draped in a long cape, stepped onto the outdoor stage of the royal palace and walked across the red carpet.
After a month and a half of preparations, Louisa had transformed into a dignified and regal figure. She no longer resembled the sobbing woman who had wailed like an overcooked dumpling when she visited the grand duchy a month ago.
‘I heard the emperor and empress were worried sick she’d cause trouble until they boarded their carriage this morning.’
Considering that, she appeared remarkably composed.
Though she did almost stumble getting out of the carriage and sprained her foot climbing the stairs.
Compared to her past antics as a princess, these were endearing mishaps.
The emperor’s face, however, looked ten years older as he watched her safely ascend the stage. I decided to tactfully ignore it.
Taking a chance, I subtly nudged Ian and whispered.
“…Still, she carries herself well, don’t you think?”
“My lady, you are overly generous toward the crown princess.”
In other words, stop talking nonsense.
It was nice that Ian had learned how to speak indirectly, but the intent still came through loud and clear to me.
“Still, do say something nice to her when you meet her.”
“I believe she’s past the age where compliments will inflate her ego.”
Ugh, this man, seriously.
I squinted at him before turning my gaze away.
Despite his words, it seemed Ian also found the crown princess rather commendable.
As evidence, he didn’t take his eyes off her as she placed her hand on the holy scripture, received the blessing of the high priest, and was crowned.
“…Thus, I hereby proclaim Louisa Evgenia Celis Levant as crown prince.”
Finally, with the emperor’s proclamation, fireworks burst into the sky from all sides.
The applause and cheers erupting everywhere were almost dizzying.
I refrained from commenting on how Ian’s indifferent face as he clapped seemed the most satisfied of anyone present.
❖ ❖ ❖
The celebration banquet followed.
As soon as I entered the hall, I dragged Ian to stand before Crown Prince Louisa.
By then, she had changed into her banquet attire.
“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Ah, Grand Duchess, it’s been a while. Grand Duke, good to see you too.”
“Likewise.”
“This man, again.”
I glanced at Ian, who predictably ended with a curt reply, and then smiled brightly at the crown prince.
“I suppose I’ll have to get used to addressing you as Your Highness, the Crown Princess, now.”
“Yes, I’m the crown princess now, so I’m going to stop acting like a child. Don’t I seem more dependable?”
“Yes, you look splendid.”
“Ahem. I thought so. From now on, I’ll show a dignified image.”
Watching her respond with a deliberate cough, I quietly swallowed a laugh.
“Really? Then I guess I won’t be able to see the adorable side of Your Highness anymore.”
“…Huh?”
She paused at my teasing remark, her eyes widening.
“Oh no… It’d be a shame to miss being called cute by the grand duchess.”
“…….”
“Maybe… I can still be a little cute, right?”
Despite trying to maintain her serious demeanor, she let out a sheepish laugh, looking as adorable as ever.
“It would be better to focus on finding dignity, Your Highness.”
“Brother, could you stay out of this for once?”
“…….”
Here they go again.
Sighing softly, I poked Ian in the side, earning a brief glance before turning back to the crown prince.
Her banquet attire was appropriately glamorous and regal for the occasion. The heart-shaped neckline dress, made of crimson velvet, sparkled with intricate gems, while her shoes gleamed beneath the hem.
The dress was undoubtedly Madam Zed’s creation, and the shoes were unmistakably Diana’s work.
‘As I thought, it suits her perfectly.’
A satisfied smile formed on my lips.
Apparently, the princess had managed to keep her promise to me while I was indisposed. Noticing my gaze, Crown Prince Louisa shrugged her shoulders and subtly revealed the shoes under her dress, giving them a playful shake.
“These, right?”
“Yes, they suit you beautifully.”
“Well… That Lady Lawrence you introduced me to, she’s surprisingly skilled. Not bad at all.”
It seemed she was genuinely pleased.
“The shoes seem to have found their rightful owner. I doubt anyone else could wear them as perfectly as Your Highness.”
“Of course! Because it’s me!”
At my compliment, the crown prince smiled broadly, unable to hide her delight, even crinkling her nose playfully.
“And, as you said, she’s not too unpleasant to deal with.”
Which meant she even liked Diana’s personality.
“Is that so? That’s wonderful. You should meet her often from now on.”
“Of course—uh, I mean, hmph, I’ll think about it.”
Her reaction, turning her head away with a feigned pout, was so typical of her.
“Of course.”
I replied smoothly.
In truth, my primary goal had already been achieved, as helping Diana was my main objective.
‘The attention we’re getting.’
Even while the crown prince and I conversed, I caught glimpses of young ladies and noblewomen sneaking glances and whispering among themselves.
As expected, the crown prince’s dress and shoes seemed to have become a small topic of discussion among the nobles at the banquet.
“I’m truly grateful for Your Highness’s gracious cooperation.”
“Well, it was part of the favor I owed you. Besides, I liked the shoes, so I made an exception. Got it?”
At her sharp yet endearing response, Ian, who had remained silent until then, interjected dryly.
“It seems Your Highness still has a long way to go to truly embody dignity.”
This man, again.
• • •
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