Only then did Chief Justice Bertio realize he had fallen into Alicia’s plan. The skin around his eyes trembled faintly.

“……”

Watching the Chief Justice rendered speechless, Alicia drove the final nail in.

“Do not be so surprised. Despite appearances, I have been a Grand Duchess in preparation for quite some time.”

Alicia’s eyes had already moved to Helena.

“……”

Unlike moments before, Helena’s expression had gone cold. Having tried to use the law to exercise power, only to be cornered by that very law, it could hardly be a welcome situation.

Then, to rescue Helena in her moment of crisis, Harman, the commander of the White Dragon Knight Order stepped forward.

“However, Helena has long been filling the important role in place of a Grand Duchess who had been absent for so long. This seal was also personally bestowed by His Highness the Grand Duke. Therefore, it would be best to revisit the discussion once His Highness returns.”

A cunning argument suggesting that demanding the Blood Rose Seal back by invoking the law could undermine Grand Duke Evander’s authority.

Cunning words befitting a veteran knight who had long navigated the world of politics.

But Alicia had never intended to fight a full-scale battle from the start either.

Knowing when to retreat appropriately is also important.

More meticulous preparation was needed for a complete victory.

“Very well. His Highness’s decision must be respected above all else within the principality. Above the words of anyone present here.”

A remark that appeared to take a step back while actually elevating Grand Duke Evander’s authority. And there was no one at the dinner who did not understand who the “anyone” referred to.

Having made a strong impression on everyone present.

All that was needed now was one final blow to close out the situation.

Alicia’s smiling gaze turned slowly toward Helena.

“However, the Grand Ducal heir’s consort should study a little more. The responsibility of the one who holds the seal is that great. Just as you yourself said.”

“……”

Even at the remark that scratched her pride, Helena’s expression did not waver. But Alicia knew. That was the expression Helena wore when she was most furious.

‘You must not be angry yet. My revenge has not even begun.’

Barely holding back a laugh, she dabbed her lips with a napkin and rose from her seat.

“Today’s dinner was most enjoyable. This stew in particular was truly a work of art.”

Alicia turned with a smile and walked away. In her wake, only a heavy silence remained.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Having gotten everything she wanted, Alicia strode out of the banquet hall and into the corridor with confident steps.

Perhaps that was why.

The moment she stepped into the hallway, she felt the shift in the air. The stares that had been openly fixed on her just moments ago were gone, and several maids bowed their heads as they passed. “Right this way. I will escort you outside, Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”

The one who had come to guide Alicia was the very maid she had slapped before the banquet.

“There is no need to be so frightened. If you conduct yourself with courtesy, I will treat you accordingly.”

“……Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

Alicia’s gaze fell on the maid’s cheek as she bowed her head with care. The reddened skin had swollen up like a bee sting.

Alicia stopped walking and called out to her.

“Come closer.”

“Pardon? Oh, yes……”

Alicia raised her hand toward the maid as she approached with cautious steps.

“Hup.”

The maid quickly held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut. Bracing herself for a blow, she had already tensed her face and neck. But then,

“……”

She had steeled herself for a sharp sting, yet it was a gentle touch that met her cheek. The maid flinched back in surprise.

“Stay still.”

“……”

“This will bring the swelling down quickly.”

Alicia applied the ointment to the maid’s cheek herself, smoothing it in carefully. The maid stood there, utterly dumbfounded by the unexpected gesture.

“Take the rest and keep applying it. You should be fine in about a day.”

“Th, thank you.”

Alicia passed the maid and left the annex. Her steps were far lighter than when she had first arrived.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

The banquet hall fell silent after Alicia’s departure.

Bang. Chief Justice Bertio’s fist slammed against the table, unable to contain his rage. His bloodied knuckles trembled.

“How dare she…… Humiliating me in public……”

The shame was enough to make him forget the pain entirely. Chief Justice Bertio’s eyes turned cold and dangerous. He drew a slow breath, reining in his fury, then rose from his seat.

“I will look into other precedents regarding the sub-clause the Grand Duchess took issue with. Lady Helena, you need not worry.”

“Of course. Thank you, as always.”

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

Chief Justice Bertio stormed out of the banquet hall, seething. Given his narrow temperament, he would almost certainly never forget today’s humiliation.

And the humiliation was not his alone to bear.

The northern lady they had so easily dismissed had turned the tables on them completely. The fact that he himself had set the stage for her only made the belated regret sting all the more.

Perhaps her survival was no coincidence after all.

More investigation into Alicia was needed.

“Blair, summon Count Jeffrey to the castle.”

“Understood.”

Helena’s eyes went cold and still after she gave the order.

But I am no pushover either.

She had clawed her way up to this position. She had no intention of surrendering her power to some northern lady who had simply stumbled in.

Helena’s mind moved quickly.

Dark, ruthless thoughts began to fill it.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Late evening.

Alicia returned to the eastern annex. With the tension finally released, her legs gave out beneath her.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

Rina rushed to support her as her slender frame swayed.

“……Thank you, Rina.”

“Goodness, all this sweat… what on earth happened in there?”

“Nothing much. I’m fine, so don’t worry.”

Rina shook her head, watching her.

“Fine, fine, that’s all you ever say. How can a person always be fine? On top of that, Your Highness is in a situation where your life is on the line — why do you always insist on carrying everything alone?”

Alicia let out a small laugh at Rina’s exasperated outpouring.

“I’m not alone.”

“Pardon?”

“I have you right here, nagging me.”

“……”

At Alicia’s words, Rina gave her nose a quick swipe.

“……You always have to have the last word, don’t you. Haah.”

Rina reluctantly took Alicia’s arm and guided her to the bedroom.

“Did you eat at all?”

“Of course. There was a spread full of delicacies.”

“There may have been plenty on the table. I’m asking if you actually ate.”

“A few spoonfuls of stew?”

“I knew it.”

Rina brought over a tray with a simple bite to eat. Just bread, soup, and potatoes. A modest little meal.

“At least eat this.”

“When did you even prepare this?”

“I had a feeling you wouldn’t eat properly, so I went to the kitchen and made it myself. It’s nothing to look at, but even my pickiest little sibling loved it, so it should taste alright. What are you doing. Go on, eat. I know you won’t have much of an appetite, but you need something in you to keep your strength up.”

Moved by Rina’s thoughtfulness, Alicia took a bite of the bread.

“Mm. This bread is actually better than all those fancy seafood dishes.”

Rina let out a small laugh.

“Of course it is. That’s just how food works. It tastes good when you eat it with people you care about in a comfortable place. Eat it on a bed of nails and it might as well be poison.”

Savoring the gentle sweetness, Alicia looked up at Rina and spoke.

“Thank you, Rina. You’ve been working so hard on your own all this time. I’ve arranged to personally select the additional maids myself, so things should get a little easier from here.”

“Really?”

Rina’s face brightened. But she tilted her head a moment later.

“But…… is that actually possible? I heard that assigning maids falls under your authority, my lady……”

“I settled it. Today.”

“What?”

Rina’s eyes went wide.

Inside those rounded eyes, genuine admiration and disbelief shone at once.

“How did you manage to settle things with Lady Helena, who was born an imperial princess? Ha, you’re truly remarkable.”

“Save the admiration for later — could you bring me the list of eligible noblewomen?”

“Oh, what am I thinking. Keep eating. I’ll go get it right now.”

The moment she finished speaking, Rina darted out of the bedroom in high spirits.

In the meantime, Alicia set down the bread she had been holding and turned her thoughts back to what had happened at the banquet.

Senior officials holding important positions within the principality. They were enemies whose very presence felt like it could drive her out of her mind.