At this rate, I would die right in front of Elodie. By none other than Duke Baniche.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Any attempt at persuasion would fall on deaf ears, as Duke Baniche had already begun to be consumed by madness due to the side effects of black magic. All I could do was let him know that I was helpless, too. And at least avoid dying at his hands.

“I’m sorry. I’ll apologize like this, so please just don’t kill me.”

Silence fell. Even the Marquis said nothing, suggesting that he, too, had realized I was walking a dangerous tightrope. Thump thump. My heart beat so rapidly that it hurt as if it would burst out of my ribcage. Although I was embracing his back, it would be nothing for the Duke to cast black magic to kill me.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I believed in only one thing. If I died here, Elodie would surely despise Duke Baniche from the depths of her heart. Therefore, the Duke couldn’t kill me. If any trace of reason remained in him…!

During the continuing silence, countless thoughts raced through my mind. Even if Duke Baniche attacked me, might there be a way to survive? Even if I died, wouldn’t that be better for Elodie in the end than the Marquis dying? If I died, would Duke Baniche regret it…?

These were questions without easy answers. Fortunately, very slowly, the Duke’s body, stiff with tension, began to relax.

When he finally spoke, his tone was heavily restrained.

“…What did you say?”

I was overcome with an urge to cry. The gamble had worked. Duke Baniche couldn’t cross the line in front of Elodie, his only restraint. I answered with a trembling voice.

“Please don’t kill me.”

The Duke made a strange sound. It sounded like both laughter and crying. He slightly shook the arm I was clutching.

“Let go.”

“….”

I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to openly defy the Duke’s order, but I couldn’t feel safe yet. Just because he had momentarily emerged from madness didn’t guarantee he wouldn’t make a foolish decision. The Duke sighed.

“I won’t kill either you or him, so let go.”

I hesitated for a moment. Could I trust his words now?

If I believed him and let go, I might witness the Duke making an irreversible choice. But…

‘That same energy from before is gone.’

The black aura that had been surging throughout the space had disappeared at some point. I gradually released my grip and separated myself from him. As promised, when Theodore Baniche withdrew his killing intent, the Marquis began to cough, spitting blood with a “keck” sound. Duke Baniche looked down at the Marquis with contemptuous eyes and spoke coldly.

“…Worm-like bastard.”

The Marquis looked up at him with fierce eyes.

“Will you really not regret this, Theodore? If you miss this opportunity, you won’t be able to kill me again.”

Duke Baniche stared directly at him. Though anger was no longer felt, something perhaps even worse was rippling in his expression.

“Why would I do something that would only benefit others?”

Even Marquis Carbodin flinched at the voice dripping with deep disgust.

“But I can ensure you never lay a finger on my daughter again.”

A dark energy flickered from the Duke’s hand and clung to both of the Marquis’s hands.

“Argghhh!”

Marquis Carbodin screamed.

“What, what are you doing…!”

“I’ll release you when you confess before His Majesty what you did to my daughter.”

“Do you think I would do that?”

“Then you’ll never be able to use your hands for the rest of your life.”

My gaze automatically went to the Marquis’s hands. Both of his hands had fingers curled inward toward the palm. The Marquis tried to straighten his fingers until his face turned red, but it seemed to no avail. Duke Baniche, as if he had no further business with him, withdrew his attention and looked at me.

“Can you walk?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“But, Elodie…”

Elodie, who had rushed over and clung to me, clutched my skirt tightly as if she didn’t want to be separated from me at all.

“Elodie will stay with Aria.”

“Of course you will.”

I smiled at Elodie.

“But can you walk?”

“Yes.”

Elodie nodded, but she couldn’t go more than a few steps without collapsing to the floor.

‘What should I do?’

In my current physical state, carrying Elodie was impossible. But forcing a child whose legs gave out every three steps to walk would be cruel. I carefully opened my mouth.

“Elodie, would it be alright if the Duke carried you just until we reach the carriage?”

“…!”

Elodie’s already large eyes widened, and she looked back and forth between me and the Duke, rolling around. I chuckled softly.

“You don’t mind, do you?”

“…No.”

That was enough of an answer for Duke Baniche. He lifted Elodie in one swift motion and held her securely in his arms. His practiced skill made it clear how much he had once cared for Elodie. He spoke in a gentle voice.

“Elodie, are you uncomfortable?”

“…Not uncomfortable.”

“I’m glad. If you feel even slightly uncomfortable, you must tell me. Understand?”

Elodie nodded, then wrapped her arms around Duke Baniche’s neck and clung tightly to him.

‘…!’

To be honest, I was a bit surprised. Elodie had never shown that level of familiarity to anyone besides me, let alone Duke Baniche. She even avoided physical contact with children her own age, like Paul and Candy.

Duke Baniche walked resolutely toward the exit, leaving behind the still-groaning Marquis. I decided to pretend not to notice his reddened eyes.

“Aria! Elodie!”

At the exit, Mrs. Devaka, no, Hilde was calling out to us anxiously, stamping her feet. I hurried toward her.

“Hilde, are you alright? Did you meet with the children?”

“Yes. The kids are resting in the carriage. But Aria, these wounds…!”

“It’s nothing.”

I gave a bitter smile. I would probably never be able to tell Hilde how these wounds were inflicted.

‘How could I tell her that Elodie did this…’

Fortunately, before Hilde could ask more questions, Duke Baniche pointed to the carriage.

“We should return quickly.”

Since Duke Baniche was still carrying Elodie, naturally, the three of us—me, him, and Elodie—rode in the carriage together. When he placed Elodie down among the plush cushions, she was already breathing deeply, having fallen asleep. I exhaled a sigh and leaned back against the backrest.

“I’m glad you came in time.”

“I was late.”

The Duke replied stiffly.

“This time too, I was very late.”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“Your Grace did your best. And Elodie will be fine. She’s a strong child.”

“…Thank you.”

I looked at him intently. It probably wasn’t just a thank you for my intervention. For that, Duke Baniche seemed to have a lot more he wanted to say. In times like these, it’s best to just wait quietly.

“Elodie…”

I perked up my ears. Duke Baniche was looking not at me, but at Elodie, though his usual smile when looking at his daughter was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a bitter tone lingered in his voice.

“Elodie… is my daughter.”

“Of course she’s Your Grace’s daughter.”

I answered gently.

“I don’t think anyone would doubt that fact.”

So that was it—he had been dwelling on what the Marquis had said earlier. That Elodie was a mongrel, a monster. Words that made me want to bite off my tongue just thinking about them.

‘Elodie was simply born with magic.’

It wasn’t strange that magic manifested somewhat strongly in her, being the daughter of Duke Baniche. Duke Baniche took his eyes off Elodie and looked at me with a peculiar expression.

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“She looks exactly like Your Grace. If someone says she’s not your daughter, then we should question that person’s eyesight.”

“…Indeed.”

The corner of the Duke’s mouth lifted slightly, but that momentary happy expression disappeared, replaced by worry.