“They fled into the western valley.”

“Then let us depart at once.”

“Please rest a little longer. The battle only just ended.”

“Better to finish the extermination even a little sooner than to rest.”

“That is true, but……”

Lieutenant Derick, watching quietly, continued with care.

“Am I imagining things? You seem to be in more of a hurry than usual.”

“……”

“Is it because of Chief Justice Bertio?”

Grand Duke Evander answered with a sigh.

Chief Justice Bertio was always an uncomfortable presence in his mind as well. The man used the law to suppress the Grand Duke’s authority while lining his own pockets, and had always been a thorn in his side.

“From everything I have observed, the Grand Duchess is a wise person. She will navigate any difficulty with skill. So for now, you must trust her and leave it in her hands.”

Evander let out a deep sigh and sheathed his sword.

“……I know.”

Grand Duke Evander knew it too. But his heart, unlike his head, was growing restless for reasons he could not name.

Then,

“Graaaah!”

“Kyaaah!”

In the distance, another wave of terrible demonic beasts came into view. He gripped his sword again and rose.

“Let’s go.”

When the heart was unsettled, nothing was better than battle.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

A grand hall.

The high-ranking ministers rose from their seats as Alicia entered the dining room set with a lavish spread.

“Welcome, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

Alicia received their greetings and took her seat.

“I was told it had been cancelled, and yet there are already people here waiting.”

“We simply came to the castle after a long while and wished to pay our respects to the lady. Please do not misunderstand.”

They explained on Helena’s behalf, as loyal subjects gathered for her sake would. Reactions Alicia had already anticipated. She slowly looked around at those in attendance.

A gathering lit by brilliant lights and candles.

With Helena’s courteous greeting, those seated introduced themselves one by one.

“A pleasure to meet you. I am Harman, commander of the White Dragon Knight Order, responsible for the capital’s defense.”

“I am Miriel, chairman of the council.”

“I am Ariel, in charge of diplomatic affairs.”

.

.

.

“I am Chief Minister Roman Osborn.”

Just as expected, formidable figures were seated here. They were the true power holders of the principality, commanding the council, the judiciary, and military force alike.

Helena had always drawn people to her, then and now. People who would do anything to achieve their goals.

Right. No matter how imperial her blood, the reason she had been able to reach the highest seat in the Empire was not her strength alone. It was the strength of the many people gathered around Helena as their center.

‘It has been a while since I’ve seen all of you.’

Figures who were Helena’s greatest source of strength.

But to Seraphiel, they were the enemies who had branded her a traitor.

Things that had not yet happened.

But the masterminds behind events that would certainly come to pass.

Watching such people smile and offer greetings was revolting and nauseating, like watching a snake swaying to music.

Phew.

Wounds from the past that had never healed.

Her body trembled as though blood were rushing backward, but she forced herself to draw a deep breath.

Then,

“It seems I am the last to introduce myself. The symbol of justice and the law. I am Chief Justice Bertio.”

In that instant, Alicia’s eyes went cold.

He was the one who stood out most in her memory among everyone present today.

‘You were the one who sentenced me to exile and death.’

The one who had twisted the law to raise the sentence against the innocent Seraphiel. A memory from the past she could never forget.

‘Seraphiel, Crown Princess, this court has determined that the poison you developed caused the deaths of many innocent people. Furthermore, it has been judged that this caused serious damage to the honor of the imperial family.’

The poison that had won the war had made Seraphiel a criminal. She had tried to speak the truth, but Chief Justice Bertio had not given her even a moment to defend herself.

‘Therefore, I strip you of the title of Crown Princess and sentence you to exile.’

Seraphiel had felt her heart stop at those words. She had leapt to her feet and cried out.

‘Is this justice? I…… I did nothing wrong!’

But Chief Justice Bertio had answered without blinking.

‘Justice is decided by me, the one who enforces the law. If you refuse to admit your guilt, the truth will be brought to light through further investigation and trial.’

And later, at the time of the imperial grandchild’s miscarriage, it was also his ruling that handed down the death sentence.

A corrupt judge who had given legitimacy to Empress Helena’s wicked schemes. A formidable figure, as expected.

But this time will be different.

Alicia was preparing to block every one of their attempts, drawing on every piece of knowledge and memory she possessed.

Without a single gap.

Thoroughly.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

It was a dinner of people who each held the principality in their hands. The atmosphere appeared warm on the surface, but sharp glances passed between them as each concealed their true intentions.

“I hope this dish is to your liking.”

Helena gracefully offered the seafood stew.

Alicia’s gaze rested on the stew for a moment before she tasted it slowly.

“Mm. The ingredients are fine, so the flavor is excellent.”

Helena smiled watching Alicia’s admiration.

“I hope the food here has not put you off after the difference from the Darlington domain. Please do take care of your health.”

“With the Grand Ducal heir’s consort offering such fine food, I feel my appetite returning. Thank you.”

“I am glad to hear it. Above all, it is important that Your Highness feels comfortable here. That is why I arranged this gathering.”

Alicia laughed inwardly.

‘She arranged this for my comfort?’

The reason she had been invited to a gathering with high-ranking ministers, Chief Justice Bertio, and a knight order commander was certainly not that. Rather, the plan was to make Alicia understand just how powerful she was, backed by all of their support.

‘That way, she would expect me to heed her words going forward.’

Her mind was turning furiously.

But on the surface, she showed nothing but a Grand Duchess admiring the stew.

Perhaps that was why.

Helena began to slowly reveal her true intentions.

“We will be managing the principality’s affairs together going forward, so I hope to receive much guidance.”

“Of course. I hear the domain’s affairs are in a difficult state. The security situation is serious as well.”

Alicia deliberately pressed on the issue of the domain.

Her tone subtly pointed out the failings of the high-ranking officials responsible for management, and Chief Justice Bertio bristled.

“Ahem, ahem. The domain’s security is being well managed by us in accordance with the law. Your Highness the Grand Duchess need not worry.”

A deliberately sharpened voice.

But Alicia added one more remark.

“If that were the case, the current state of unrest would not have come about. Security is not something that can be achieved through punishment alone. It requires bringing peace to the hearts of the people through safe and sufficient livelihoods.”

Alicia spoke firmly.

Chief Justice Bertio did not hold back either.

“Are you rebuking us now for failing to fulfill our roles?”

“That was not my intention, but it seems someone’s feet are tingling.”

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess!”

Chief Justice Bertio’s outburst caused the atmosphere to turn as cold as ice water.

“……”

“……”

A startled musician stopped playing and silence fell.

Then Helena, who had been watching, stepped in with a smile to mediate.

“Now, now, let us both calm down. I understand Your Highness the Grand Duchess’s passionate heart, but at times the counsel of experienced officials is also necessary. Everyone here is someone who devotes themselves to the domain more than anyone.”

A tone that seemed to embrace everyone present.

The high-ranking ministers nodded, apparently moved by Helena’s character.

That seemingly magnanimous tone of mediation was also one of Helena’s cunning tricks to elevate herself.

Truly remarkable.

Alicia felt a kind of reluctant admiration at her cunning, felt anew. But thanks to it, the alliances that had not been visible on the surface were now clearly mapped out.

The one small relief was that there was someone maintaining neutrality in the midst of all this.

Chief Minister Roman Osborn, he said.

A man with wavy brown hair.

Serious eyes behind thick glasses were watching Alicia closely.

The only one among those present who was not on Helena’s side. That did not mean he was on Alicia’s side either, but it meant there was at least some hope.

“Now, shall we enjoy the dinner again? Such fine food was prepared, and this atmosphere is such a shame.”

Helena sent a glance and the music began again. But the heavy mood refused to lift.