“Lady Blante, asking His Majesty, who is deeply angered by this matter, to reopen the investigation is not an easy task.” 

“…” 

“That aside, when I accepted the position of Headmistress of Rembleu Academy, I made a vow to His Majesty. I promised that no matter how the politics of the Empire developed, I would never interfere. Of course, that was more of a personal vow than anything else.” 

Ariel lowered her eyes slowly, feeling the Countess’s unwavering gaze. 

Unlike the other nobles, she had used no insulting words, but Ariel could feel the firm determination in her eyes. 

The situation might be different, but the answer would probably be the same. 

“So I hesitated for a while. My heart wanted to go straight to His Majesty, but it wasn’t easy to go against my own principles. But now I’ve decided not to hesitate any longer. When I received your letter yesterday, I realised that my beliefs no longer matter. 

Ariel lifted her head quickly. 

“Does that mean…?” 

Could it be that you are willing to help me?

Ariel, her heart trembling with anticipation, couldn’t bring herself to speak. Countess Forte smiled gently at her and gave a definitive answer.

“I will visit His Majesty the day after tomorrow and ask for the investigation into the Marquis of Blante to be reopened.”

“Ah…” 

It was the moment when despair turned to hope. Ariel clasped her trembling hands in her lap and breathed a soft sigh of relief. 

She should be thanking her, but Ariel couldn’t bring herself to speak, overwhelmed by the emotions welling up inside her. If she opened her mouth now, she was afraid it would turn into sobs, not words. 

Everyone had turned their backs on the Blante family, telling her to accept that her father had committed a crime and move on. 

But now Countess Forte was offering her help, holding out her hand. 

How could she remain calm? 

Her eyes welling up, Ariel bit her lip, trying to control herself, when suddenly she felt warmth in her hand. Countess Forte had taken it. 

“Though you and the Marquis grew distant after Sophia’s death, I’m certain of one thing: the Marquis would never have instigated a rebellion.” 

Ariel’s eyes filled with tears at the soft words of the Countess, who understood her father’s true intentions. A single tear trickled down her cheek. 

“Your father may have clashed with His Majesty on many occasions, but it was always for the good of the country. He never wavered in his loyalty to His Majesty or to this nation.” 

Countess Forte gently wiped away Ariel’s tear, a touch that reminded her of her mother’s comforting hand of long ago. 

“His Majesty was, of course, angered by incontrovertible evidence, but I’m sure he will come to question it in time. The Marquis’ loyalty is something His Majesty knows better than anyone. So unless something extraordinary happens, it will probably be resolved.” 

“Don’t worry too much.” 

The Countess patted her shoulder gently before withdrawing her hand. 

Ariel took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. Then she bowed her head deeply in gratitude to Countess Forte.

“Thank you, Countess. I will never forget your kindness.” 

“Of course. Let’s not forget each other and see each other often.” 

Countess Forte said with a smile, and Ariel followed suit, smiling in return. For the first time in a long time, she felt the warmth of genuine kindness. 

In that moment, Ariel felt as if everything had returned to the happiness of the past. 

Perhaps that’s why she let her guard down. 

She relaxed, unprepared for the truth she was about to face. 

Naively, she had let her tension slip away. 

In the vast grounds of Rembleu Academy, Ariel stood frozen, looking up at the bright blue sky, her heart heavy with confusion. 

Why is the world so cruel to me? 

What have I done so wrong?

A few minutes ago she had been smiling brightly, and now it was hard to believe that the same person could have eyes filled with such despair. 

Yes, she had been happy when she left the Headmistress’ office. After all, Countess Forte would be able to move His Majesty’s heart. 

As Countess Forte had said, the investigation into her father’s case would be reopened unless something major happened, and she truly believed that the honour of the Blante family could be restored. 

But within minutes, Ariel’s hopes were dashed. 

Once again, by the same person. 

Kylance Seyerd. 

The time Ariel left the headmistress’s office was during the students’ break. The corridors were filled with students resting, some recognising Ariel and whispering to each other. 

Their curious, probing looks seemed to ask why she was there. 

But that was all right. They were only children, and compared to the sharp eyes of the social world, their curiosity seemed almost playful. 

Besides, she was in a very good mood.

It was a happiness she hadn’t felt in a long time. 

So she thought she could shrug off any comments. She thought she could handle it. 

As long as no one mentioned the name of the Blante family directly. 

It was an urgent exclamation. 

A voice full of impatience, eager to spread the news to as many people as possible. 

As a result, Ariel heard the shocking news very clearly. 

“Today, His Majesty the Emperor ordered the removal of the Blante family from the plaque of the founding fathers in the temple!” 

At that moment, Ariel stopped dead in her tracks. The smile disappeared from her face as her eyes turned to the source of the voice. 

The student, unaware of her presence, continued to speak, barely able to hide her excitement.

“Do you know who asked for this? It was none other than Grand Duke Seyerd! Yesterday he asked His Majesty the Emperor to strip the Blante family of their title. And today, His Majesty has ordered it removed from the tablet. What do you think this means?” 

“It means that His Majesty has accepted the Grand Duke’s petition.” 

“Obviously, the Emperor has decided to strip the Blante family of their title. Soon the name Blante will be erased from the Empire.” 

Thud – 

Ariel’s heart sank. 

It wasn’t the thought of the Blante family disappearing from the Empire that made her heart sink. 

It was when she heard that Kylance had personally petitioned the Emperor to strip the Blante family of their title. 

“But they were once engaged… For His Highness, the Grand Duke, to make such a direct appeal to the Emperor… He is truly… cruel.”

It was exactly what she had wanted to say. And those words were what finally allowed Ariel to move from where she stood frozen. 

In truth, she wanted nothing more than to break down and cry, but with so many eyes watching her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. 

She couldn’t allow herself to fall apart like that. 

Without a word, Ariel walked past the student who had delivered the news and was now looking at her in shock. 

She continued down the corridor, step by step, until she reached the vast lawn of the Academy grounds. 

Fortunately, the short break was over quickly and there were no students in the area where she was standing. 

Finally, Ariel stopped running. It was a relief – she no longer had the strength to hold herself upright and walk with her head held high. 

She stood still, staring blankly at the calm, clear sky, and whispered softly, 

“…what have I done so wrong…?” 

Why are you testing me like this? 

Ariel, though not particularly devout to the God of Light, found herself wanting an answer from him today. She wanted to know why she was being put through such endless trials. 

It was as if she had no room to breathe. 

Staring up at the sky, her neck aching, Ariel let out a soft laugh. 

“No, it wasn’t you who put me through this ordeal…” 

It was true. It wasn’t God who had brought her to this point. 

When it came down to it, it was not fate that had pushed her into this corner, but one person. 

“Kylance…” 

Ariel whispered his name, bitterness seeping into her smile. 

So you’re the one who petitioned to have the Blante family stripped of their title. 

How far do you want me to fall? 

What reason could you have for pushing me to the brink, so ruthlessly that even others would call it cruel? 

I signed the annulment papers quietly, just as you wanted. I never once clung to you. 

Why then? Why? 

Endless questions swirled through Ariel’s mind, making her feel like she was losing her mind. 

She had been lifted by a glimmer of hope, only to be thrown back into hell. Staying sane in such a situation would be even stranger. 

“Ha…” 

Ariel let out a long sigh, trying to relieve the crushing weight in her chest. But the heaviness didn’t go away. It felt like a massive stone pressing down on her heart, even though she was breathing. 

“What am I going to do now…?” 

Ariel couldn’t see a way forward. The removal of the Blante family from the plaque of the founding fathers… 

As the student had said earlier, it undoubtedly meant that His Majesty had already made up his mind. 

Could Countess Forte really overturn such a decision? 

Especially when it was a decision made at the request of His Majesty’s most beloved nephew, Grand Duke Seyerd?