Who got angry on whose behalf? Yesterday’s Benjamin was just venting his own frustrations. Wasn’t it just an explosion of things that had been building up? Marian tilted her head.

“What do you mean?”

Benjamin grumbled and stomped his foot. Then he whispered in an even lower voice.

“Do you want the marriage to fall apart? Father and Mother would be so pleased.”

Ah, now she understood the situation. The Emperor and Empress, who were far away, were watching this place. The Empress’s eyes were especially flashed with warning toward Marian.

“Did you get scolded by Their Majesties?”

“I wasn’t scolded! They just pointed out what was wrong! Don’t think everything that comes out of your mouth is worth saying when you know nothing!”

Benjamin snapped.

Those who witnessed yesterday’s incident had reported everything to the Empress. There were many eyes watching Benjamin on behalf of the Empress. Thanks to that, he alone had to face the Empress’s wrath yesterday.

‘If you act so rashly and Duke Madrian cuts off support, your father would be so pleased.’

‘But, Mother, he got another woman pregnant. And he brazenly showed up with that woman. This is disrespecting the Federico imperial family!’

‘So what if he disrespects us? Can this empire function right now without the Madrian ducal family? Can’t you stop doing stupid things? Can’t you just do as you’re told? Benjamin, haven’t I been trying to give you only the best things?’

His cheek still seemed to throb from being slapped by the Empress. And his shin had a dark bruise from being kicked by her. Recalling yesterday’s humiliation, Benjamin said to Marian,

“Know your place, Marian. Don’t forget why we’re keeping you around.”

Marian tried hard to hide the look in her eyes. She wasn’t scared at all. Benjamin used to seem so big in the past, but looking at him now, he was too small.

She stared at him with cold eyes. He flinched.

“What changes by looking at me with those eyes?”

Benjamin said coldly.

“You’re the daughter of a dirty maid, and I’m the legitimate heir. So do as you’re told. According to your status. Don’t rebel and get beaten by Mother like before.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

She was enduring it because it was today.

Because Helena needed to escape safely today.

Abel had already left the imperial palace with Helena. Despite both being mages, they were so different. After confirming once more that Abel was getting farther away, she withdrew her magic.

Marian barely managed to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out.

‘Fool. You don’t even know what’s happening right now.’

**

One hour later.

Helena had disappeared. Benjamin cursed with a pale face. Only those involved gathered carefully in a back room to prevent rumors from spreading.

“Our princess has disappeared, and we have nothing to do with it!”

The delegation representative said coldly.

“I never knew Federico’s security was this terrible. How do you intend to handle this matter?”

“Are you insulting us now? We have dozens of knights guarding this place! Rather, I want to ask. I heard Helena has been uncooperative with the marriage. Didn’t she run away on her own?”

Benjamin shouted, not backing down.

“Ah. So you’re insulting our princess’s honor now. Do you think we’ve been quiet because we didn’t know? We also know that Your Highness the Crown Prince has an illegitimate child! It was difficult to persuade the princess because of that!”

Benjamin’s face turned blue this time. He turned his gaze to the Empress, who had been quietly listening to all the conversations. The Empress smiled coldly.

“What a fallen world.”

The Emperor grumbled.

The Empress rose from her seat grimly. Approaching Benjamin, she slapped her son’s cheek.

Slap!

“Stand up straight.”

Benjamin, who had been staggering, raised his head.

Slap!

The Empress slapped his cheek again. After striking him dozens of times until his mouth was completely split, she muttered quietly.

“I told you to be careful with your conduct. Yet you think you’re so special.”

“Mo, Mother.”

The Empress shook off Benjamin’s hand. He turned pale and dropped his head. The delegation members looked at her with surprised faces. No one had expected the Empress to react like this, no matter what.

“Let’s not do this, everyone. We proceeded with this marriage knowing everything. Benjamin wasn’t the only one with flaws.”

The delegation members avoided the Empress’s eyes.

“I understand she brought along a man she liked. Are you certain that man is still in the delegation’s quarters?”

“H-how did you…”

The Empress let out a small laugh.

“Did you think anything happening in Federico could escape our eyes? That would be surprising indeed.”

“Your Majesty the Empress…!”

“Let’s do this. First, let’s check the quarters, and if both people are gone, let’s say the princess was kidnapped.”

“Kid…napped?”

“I think it’s the best way to protect the princess’s honor. Of course, it will damage Federico’s image, but can’t we concede that much for Jains, Federico’s ally?”

The delegation members mumbled. On behalf of those who couldn’t speak freely, the Empress continued.

“However. The promise between Federico and Jains remains unbroken.”

“I agree with the Empress’s words.”

The Emperor, who had been silent until now, also came out in support of the Empress.

“The King will arrive in Federico before the main competition begins. So let’s postpone the decision for now.”

Despite the Empress’s pressure, Jains took a step back.

Benjamin, who had been expelled from the conference room, looked around the banquet hall. People who still couldn’t guess what had happened were laughing and chattering. He grabbed one of the attendants.

“Find Marian right now and bring her to where I am. I’ll be in this room.”

Benjamin pointed to one of the empty guest rooms. The attendant bowed his head. He bared his teeth as he watched him disappear among the people.

He entered the room first, and not long after, Marian arrived.

For her, she had only been staying at the banquet hall to prove that she had nothing to do with Helena’s disappearance.

Her face was calm as she looked at Benjamin.

“Did you find Helena?”

Marian asked first. At the end of her gaze was his disheveled face.

‘The Empress.’

The Empress from House Katra was a violent and oppressive person. She was harsh not only to Marian but also to Benjamin. Compared to the Empress, he was rather fragile.

Realizing that Marian’s gaze had landed on his face, Benjamin shouted angrily.

“That’s what I should be asking! Weren’t you close with the princess? Didn’t that girl say anything to you!”

His eyes glistened with anger. The shame and rage of being humiliated in front of so many people found a way to burst out. As always, Marian was the easiest target. He jumped up and pushed her shoulder.

“Tell me honestly. Then I won’t tell Mother.”

“What are you talking about, Benjamin.”

Marian sighed. As these moments continued, acting had become as natural as breathing. She spoke coldly.

“I admit Helena relied on me. But that was only because I’m a female peer. Helena is a royal princess and I’m an imperial princess. Do you think we could become friends who share everything inside?”

Marian chose her words carefully.

She spread magic around Benjamin. Unlike the Empress, he was susceptible to magic. If only he would trust her, she could reduce some of the troublesome matters.

She moved her magic power delicately. His eyes, infiltrated by magic, relaxed strangely.

“Th-then… you don’t know anything?”

“Yes, Benjamin. I’m just as perplexed by this situation.”

Marian sighed.

“Where could she have gone? Could she have been kidnapped?”

“…Mother said that impudent girl had a man hidden away. They’ve gone to the delegation’s quarters to find out about that bastard’s whereabouts, so we’ll know what happened soon.”

Benjamin roughly chewed on curses.

It’s like the pot calling the kettle black. Marian smirked.

“Let me know if you find Helena. I thought she was quite a nice person.”

“Sure.”

Marian withdrew her magic. Someone like the Empress might sense the magic left on Benjamin.

“Can I go back now? I’m tired.”

“…Yes. It’s better to keep your mouth shut, Marian. You know what I mean?”

Marian nodded.

She came out of the room. It had been a long time since she had a private meeting with Benjamin and emerged unscathed. He, as a little tyrant, was heavily influenced by his mother. He would often use violence against Marian under the pretext of subjugating her.

She rubbed her chin.

‘Thanks to magic?’

Marian clicked her tongue softly. The nobles enjoying the banquet looked as if they knew nothing. She barely suppressed the laughter that was trying to burst out.

She could clearly hear the delegation, the Empress, and the Emperor fighting inside. Marian quickly left the banquet hall.

After moving some distance from the banquet hall, she covered her mouth.

“Heh.”

Marian let out a laugh she couldn’t hide. She checked once more that no one was around and turned her gaze toward the banquet hall.

“Stupid bastard. You’ll be the only one getting your nose cut off while your eyes are open, Benjamin.”

She laughed triumphantly while gasping for breath. Fortunately, since everyone was gathered in the banquet hall, there was no one around.

Her wild laughter spread through the garden.

Marian turned her body sharply. She wanted to confirm with her own eyes that Abel had returned safely. Starting tomorrow, the fighting tournament would take a week-long break. Her palace would become quiet again. She missed that peace.

Her steps grew faster.

**