I glared at Cedric, fuming.
How dare he stand there so confidently with Gloria on his arm? Maybe that’s why everyone around us, myself included, was struck speechless.
Veronica was the first to recover and finally opened her mouth.
“You really are…”
“…”
“You’re consistent. Truly shameless.”
Veronica smiled.
It was a captivating, enchanting smile, like a single blooming rose. Cedric’s eyes trembled ever so slightly as he looked at her.
“I’m not going back there, Marquis Cedric Lionel.”
“My lady…”
“The Imperial family will soon approve of our divorce.”
“What are you talking about…?”
Cedric looked flustered at Veronica’s words.
Of course he would. The Empress Dowager must’ve told him she’d never allow the divorce.
But the Empress Dowager would no longer be the true ruler of the Empire. I smiled proudly by Veronica’s side.
“That’s impossible. The Imperial family would never allow it.”
“And how can you be so sure?”
“Hah… My lady, I know you’re ignorant of these matters, but throwing a tantrum won’t change anything.”
“…”
This bastard was looking at Veronica like a foolish child now. It was clear what he’d always thought of her. A naïve, self-absorbed noblewoman—probably exactly how a villainess in a romance fantasy would be portrayed. As if he had no clue how smart and incredible Veronica truly was.
“Well, we’ll just have to wait and see how things turn out.”
Veronica lifted her wine glass and smiled softly before taking a slow sip of red wine.
“Then please, enjoy your time with your beloved.”
“…”
With elegant composure, Veronica turned on her heel. I followed her lead.
Veronica remained calm and dignified to the very end. To anyone watching, it was clear she had won.
I took her hand and proudly raised my chin.
But then—
“My lady!”
“…!”
In the blink of an eye, Cedric lunged forward and grabbed Veronica’s arm roughly.
It all happened so fast that Veronica didn’t have time to react. She was simply dragged along by Cedric’s forceful grip.
“Let go of me…!”
“We need to talk.”
“I have nothing more to say to you!”
Veronica shouted, but Cedric wouldn’t back down.
I looked around. Unfortunately, none of the Winston family members were nearby, and the other nobles were too stunned to react—they just stood there watching.
What should I do? Should I use the demons to stop Cedric?
But then my powers might be exposed… While I hesitated, my eyes met someone else’s.
“…!”
“…”
Gloria was looking at me, her green eyes wide with shock. She couldn’t even hide how hurt she felt.
I clenched my teeth.
Even to the female lead Gloria, this was unforgivable. There had to be a line, even for a regretful male lead.
He abandoned Gloria after she lost her memory, married another woman, and yet still came back for Gloria while she was pregnant?
And now he was showing her how obsessed he still was with his ex-wife?
What absolute garbage.
I frowned and mentally called out to the demons.
Desmond, Bibi! Right now—
But before I could even finish my thought, a loud voice rang through the ballroom.
“His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Dantellion Noah Sylvester, the exalted sun of the Sylvester Empire, enters!”
“…!”
The booming voice of the doorman echoed across the grand ballroom as the heavy doors swung open. A tall man stepped inside.
Dantellion looked like a god out of myth. His golden hair, brushed neatly back, shone as if forged from pure gold, highlighting his strikingly handsome face.
Everyone who had been watching Cedric and Veronica’s confrontation now turned their eyes to Dantellion. I too was frozen, staring at him as he slowly approached.
“Marquis Lionel.”
“…!”
His deep, commanding voice echoed. His icy blue eyes were fixed on Cedric’s hand, which was still clutching Veronica’s arm.
Startled, Cedric flinched and grimaced before speaking.
“I greet His High—”
“Let go of her.”
“…”
“Speak only after you let go.”
Dantellion repeated himself without changing expression.
Cedric’s face twisted with fury, but he finally unclenched his teeth and let go of Veronica’s arm.
“My apologies…”
“Lady Veronica, are you all right?”
Dantellion completely ignored Cedric as he spoke to Veronica, placing his large frame protectively between them.
“Oh, I’m fine.”
“It looks like your arm is bruised.”
“That’s…”
Veronica looked down at her arm in embarrassment. Sure enough, her pale skin was red and swollen in the exact shape of Cedric’s grip.
Dantellion stared at the injury with a serious expression.
“We should call a royal physician.”
“Ah…”
“Escort the lady.”
At his command, a servant quickly approached to guide Veronica. Before leaving, she turned and called to me.
“Dia, come here.”
“….”
To be honest, I wanted to stay behind and watch the showdown between Dantellion and Cedric.
But I knew I shouldn’t. Sighing, I obediently followed Veronica.
“Are you okay, Mom?”
“Yes, I’m fine, sweetheart.”
“…”
Veronica seemed dazed. Even as she nodded at me, her eyes were unfocused.
Was she in shock from Cedric’s behavior? But her cheeks were slightly red…
I narrowed my eyes. Somehow, it didn’t seem like Cedric was the reason for her dazed expression.
Well, to be fair, Dantellion was pretty cool back there.
With his blond hair, he looked like a fairytale prince. That white uniform, which he normally didn’t wear, suited him perfectly.
Still dazed, Veronica and I entered the lounge. A servant bowed deeply toward her.
“Please wait a moment while I summon the royal physician.”
“All right.”
As Veronica nodded, the servant retreated with precise steps and exited the room. I stared at Veronica’s swollen arm with a troubled expression.
“Does it hurt a lot?”
“Mom’s okay.”
“I’ll make it better with a blow!”
“Oh my.”
By now, this kind of cuteness came naturally. I leaned in and gently blew on Veronica’s arm.
“My sweet little Dia. Now it doesn’t hurt at all.”
She smiled brightly. I knew she was lying, but she genuinely looked happy.
I giggled too, and she patted my head.
And then—
Bang!
“Berry!”
“Berry!”
“Dia!”
The door to the lounge burst open and a group of dark-suited men stormed in.
It was Duke Winston and his direct family. I looked at them coolly.
“That bastard Cedric… how dare he…!”
Upon seeing Veronica’s condition, the Duke’s eyes filled with fury.
Vincent and Brandon clenched their jaws when they saw her bruised arm.
“Father, where are you going?”
“Don’t stop me!”
“Phew…”
As the enraged Duke turned to leave, Veronica let out a long sigh and stopped him.
When she was being harassed in the ballroom, he was nowhere in sight—now he wanted to throw a fit?
I understood there were too many people crowding her back there, but throwing a tantrum this late would only make things worse for her. I clicked my tongue internally as I looked at the Duke.
“More importantly… what’s His Highness doing right now?”
“You mean the Crown Prince?”
“Yes.”
Veronica asked, looking slightly nervous, clearly still thinking about the Crown Prince left behind in the ballroom. The Duke hesitated.
“Well…”
“What is it?”
“His Highness the Crown Prince…”
“…?”
He kept pausing. Why build up the suspense? Even I was frowning now. Finally, the Duke spoke again.
“He’s going to duel that Cedric bastard.”
“What? What did you say?”
“…?”
What the heck?
My jaw dropped.
What happened in that short time to lead to a duel?
“I didn’t know why at first, but… seeing you like this must’ve made him really angry.”
“Oh…”
“Hopefully, he’ll beat Cedric within an inch of his life.”
The Duke chuckled.
Veronica was too stunned to say anything. I stared at the Duke like he’d lost his mind.
A duel between two sword masters? Is that even okay?
I was already sighing in exhaustion.
