Yuna confidently placed her hand on her hip and spoke. Rosana’s body flinched. She wasn’t alone. There were people who took her side without her even having to ask.

‘I decided to face them confidently!’

Rosana mercilessly bit her trembling lips.

“She could have cut herself!”

“Madam said so herself!”

Then, restraining Yuna, Baron stepped forward. With a sliding sound, the sword at his side revealed its sharp blade. His eyes, which had held a gentle breeze, were now cold.

“I ask the Duchess Arcadi. Whose dagger is this? The response will determine how we proceed. And we can clear Lady Rosana’s dishonor.”

“Rosana struck down with her hand and injured Amy with the dagger.”

The Duchess spoke calmly. It was true, but extremely subjective and biased. It was a conclusive statement excluding all the detailed circumstances. It could be perceived as Rosana wielding the dagger at Amy.

“My first question was whose dagger it is.”

“…”

The Duchess’s mouth wouldn’t open. Then a sound loud enough to draw everyone’s attention rang out.

Bang—!

The tremendous noise struck the ears of everyone in the room. Like meerkats sensing danger, everyone turned their heads in unison toward the murderous intent stabbing at them.

“…What the hell are you doing?”

A savage threat sounded, and Jade spoke while catching his breath. He must have rushed here—sweat beaded on his forehead. As he roughly swept back his bangs, a ruthless aura swirled around his face. His eyes whirled with killing intent.

Everyone held their breath so clearly that even his footsteps could be heard. The footsteps stopped in front of Rosana. Seeing Rosana’s condition, Jade punished Baron. A dull impact sound rang out. He couldn’t contain his boiling anger.

“Baron, is your sword just decoration? You draw it and that’s it? No, I put you by Rosana’s side specifically to prevent situations like this.”

“…I apologize.”

Jade blocked in front of Rosana, protecting her. Then, standing at an angle, he glared at the ducal family members huddled together.

“Baron, hand over the dagger.”

“Yes.”

Baron swiftly passed the dagger to Jade.

“I don’t know who it is, but to dare target my wife in my palace—they’re not just stupid, they’re pitiful.”

Jade pressed the sharp blade’s tip with his finger as he spoke. He rubbed away the blood droplet that seeped out.

“Sharp enough to cut flesh. Sufficient to threaten a life.”

He lightly swung the dagger. With a swish, the dagger cut through the air filled with silence.

“So, who owns the dagger?”

“L-Lady Rosana threatened Lady Amy’s life with that dagger.”

Jade looked at Emma, who stepped forward confidently, and sneered.

“Still confusing courage with recklessness. Rosana’s generous mercy let you keep your life, yet you’re carelessly running your mouth again.”

“Your Majesty, I’m truly sorry for making you witness such an unseemly incident. However, it’s the truth…”

The Duchess spoke, shaking her head sadly, saying she was ashamed. Jade glared with fierce eyes.

“Who witnessed it?”

“Myself, Amy, and Rosana.”

When Jade turned his eyes to Amy, she startled and dropped her head. Her fidgeting hands showed her anxiety.

“I see. Only two witnesses…”

Then Jade felt someone grab his collar from behind.

Rosana, whose hand was so pale that blue veins stood out from gripping so hard, pulled at his collar. Not enough force to make him stumble, but Jade stepped back. Rosana wanted him to leave.

She held her breath and released it several times. Her heart calmed. The shadow lurking at her feet disappeared. Finally, Rosana spoke.

“I’ll speak.”

Jade’s coldly shining eyes and the blue eyes that trembled but absolutely wouldn’t look away locked together. Jade stepped aside. Rosana soothed her knotted heart and straightened her bent back.

“Please speak properly. Mother, isn’t everyone misunderstanding?”

“…”

“Did I threaten Amy? In conclusion, it might be true. Amy, I’m sorry for hurting you with my mistake.”

Rosana bowed her head slightly to Amy. 

Amy just shook her head. Then Rosana looked straight at the Duchess, who’d deceived people with absurd words. The Duchess and Rosana’s gazes clashed fiercely in midair.

“Mother, I’d like you to apologize to me too. Wasn’t it you who forcibly thr*st the dagger at me? Is it solely my fault that Amy got hurt in that process?”

“…What are you saying?”

“Won’t you acknowledge it?”

Rosana glanced at the dagger Jade held.

“I sent that dagger away with Emma. There are many maids who can prove the truth. Many maids helped pack Emma’s belongings. There are many maids who can prove it left my hands long ago and isn’t my possession.”

Rosana’s words speaking the truth were unhesitant. The Duchess’s eyes trembled finely.

“But it’s not mine either.”

“Then is it Amy’s? Isn’t Amy the only witness? Amy, is that dagger yours?”

“N-no!”

“Then? You saw it. Clearly with your own eyes. So why are you keeping your mouth shut?”

“Th-that’s…”

Rosana didn’t release Amy’s eyes, which trembled like aspen leaves. Rosana persisted to the end. Rosana was certain. Just like she was a villainess, Amy was a saint. She’d been educated that way. By the Duchess’s hand. She absolutely wasn’t someone who would lie.

The more Rosana’s words continued, the harder the Duchess bit her lower lip. The ducal family’s maids initially wore expressions saying it was absurd, but felt something strange seeing Amy constantly glancing at the Duchess.

“M-Madam… it’s not true, is it?”

“Amy, speak now!”

Amy’s eyes widened at the Duchess’s shout. The others were the same. Along with the shout that didn’t suit her at all, her eyes filled with anger flashed.

“M-Mother brought the dagger, that’s right. B-but! It’s also true I got hurt because of sister…”

At Amy’s words, everyone looked at the Duchess with shocked expressions. She hadn’t lied, but it was very different from what they’d imagined.

Just as Rosana expected. Amy had clearly witnessed it with her own eyes. She could keep her mouth shut, but when truth was demanded, she wouldn’t speak lies. Rosana calmly added:

“Mother threatened my life with the dagger. Grab anyone and ask. If someone suddenly points a dagger’s blade at a person, how would that person feel… How many would criticize me for striking that dagger away?”

Rosana’s voice was utterly calm.

“Amy, did you say you got hurt because of me?”

“…”

“Yes, I was so desperate to get rid of the dagger, I didn’t know it would fly toward you. I’ll apologize again.”

“Mm…”

“Then, one person remains? The instigator of this incident.”

Rosana looked at the Duchess with a relaxed smile. The Duchess didn’t hide her sharp gaze. Ah, ah… that… Amy stammered several times. Then, carefully watching the Duchess’s reaction, she barely opened her mouth.

“I-it’s an accident. An apology is enough. That’ll end the problem, right? Right?”

So innocent and naive. Like a child. Amy didn’t know the impact of her words. The many maids watching the Duchess from behind with shocked expressions.

“…Ha, I see.”

Rosana’s eyebrows twitched. The Duchess was so calm you couldn’t think she’d been consumed by anger just moments ago. And she apologized to Rosana.

“I couldn’t make an objective judgment because Amy got hurt. I’m sorry, Rosana.”

And the atmosphere changed again. The ducal family’s maids began defending the Duchess, saying people might not speak properly when faced with sudden incidents. 

Her words weren’t wrong, so if she didn’t accept the apology now, Rosana would be the petty one. Rosana took a deep breath and raised her head. How futile.

“Yes.”

The answer was brief and cold. The Duchess smiled gently and continued.

“Please don’t punish them. They all misunderstood because of my statement. If you must blame someone, please blame me.”

The Duchess even embraced the maids who’d shown hostile gazes toward Rosana. Many maids were moved by her protecting them with her body.

“What a farce.”

Jade dismissed it. Rosana thought the same.

“I don’t know what’s so harmonious. The fact that she threatened Rosana with a dagger has been proven. The one whose life was threatened wasn’t the young lady but Rosana. Not satisfied with threatening, trying to pin the crime on her. How dare you, to whom…”

“Jade.”

Rosana grabbed Jade’s hand.

“Let’s go.”

Rosana spoke, forcing herself to be calm. Seeing those lost in their own world, the boiling anger inside her wouldn’t easily subside. She chewed the soft flesh inside her mouth, suppressing the anger trying to express itself.

“…Alright.”

Jade scooped up Rosana. At the posture no different from a princess carry, Rosana startled.

“J-Jade! What are you doing?!”

“I want to escape this disgusting place as quickly as possible too. Isn’t it the same for you?”

He whispered in the flustered Rosana’s ear.

“Wrap your arms around my neck. You said you wanted to show them happiness. Don’t give them even a speck of your emotions. It’s too precious.”

Jade said, looking at her face consumed with anger. 

Then Rosana’s hesitating hand wrapped around Jade’s neck. Like soothing a sulking child, he patted Rosana’s back and spoke in a voice vivid with anger.

“Let’s make the next meeting at the wedding. If you’re inclined to attend.”

Having issued his warning, Jade moved his feet. He didn’t want to stay even a moment in the space filled with unpleasant and gloomy energy.

Jade walked for quite a while. He gestured to approaching servants to go around, and it was quiet within several meters.

They had long since left the palace where the Duchess was staying, yet Rosana still had her face buried in Jade’s shoulder. He could feel her slender arms wrapped around his neck as he glanced down at her. 

Not long ago, she had resisted and struggled to get away, but now she remained silently nestled in his arms.