Leah silently observed the scene.

‘You’d like to believe it’s all lies.’

It was half a lie.

Yuria was indeed currently under the Piert Ducal Family’s protection. However, they hadn’t protected her the entire time, but rescued her much later. Baron Durford and Ninian, survivors of the fire incident, had informed them about Yuria’s captivity under Lord Trow, prompting Ruyan to secretly rescue her.

Even after her rescue and arrival at the Piert mansion, Yuria continued crying. She dreaded the spread of rumors throughout high society.

‘Hic… What if people discover I was held captive by Lord Trow? What if father forces me to marry Lord Trow? Uuu… I really don’t want to… I’m so scared…’

The memory made Leah’s blood boil.

‘He even tried to force himself on her… That bastard!’

Yuria had revealed that when she trembled with fear, he left in irritation, promising to use aphrodisiacs next time. Leah took a deep breath to suppress her mounting anger.

‘Stay calm. Handle this professionally and businesslike. This opportunity could help Yuria and earn favor with the Seigan Ducal Family!’

Pong.

Helix’s mana provided encouraging support. Leah spoke confidently, her voice amplified by mana resonating throughout the hall.

“Duke Seigan, did you not receive the letter I sent you?”

This was a fabrication. Duke Seigan predictably replied with bewilderment.

“A letter? Had I received such correspondence, I wouldn’t be here!”

“But I definitely sent one.”

Leah persisted.

“Could someone have intercepted it?”

“Who do you suggest?”

“On the day Baron Durford was attacked, Lady Seigan rushed to me on the terrace, ghostly pale. She witnessed the Baron receive a blow to his head directly before her eyes, at the mansion’s back courtyard.”

She elaborated further.

“When I questioned why she ventured to such a secluded location, she explained Baroness Whipft had insisted upon it.”

Duke Seigan appeared startled by this unexpected revelation.

“…Baroness Whipft?”

“Were you aware that Baroness Whipft continuously pushed Lady Seigan toward Baron Durford?”

Duke Seigan’s eyes quivered slightly. Leah intensified her argument.

“I once accidentally witnessed this at a party. Baroness Whipft suggested to Baron Durford that expensive jewelry would win Lady Seigan’s heart. Yet Lady Seigan confirmed she never received any such gifts.”

Duke Seigan recalled Baroness Whipft’s increasingly opulent attire recently.

“Lady Seigan feared returning to a house where Baroness Whipft resided. That prompted her request for me to write you a letter. But… apparently it never reached you.”

Leah released a gentle sigh. Lord Trow shouted.

“All lies! If true, she wouldn’t have remained silent while enduring rumors until now!”

Leah fixed Lord Trow with calm, cold eyes. He instinctively recoiled.

“Honestly.”

Turning her head, Leah spoke with radiating mana and charisma.

“I never expected such escalation. Yet I harbor no regrets. Protecting my junior, having experienced similar circumstances, was simply right.”

Duke Seigan echoed.

“As a senior who experienced similar things…?”

“I too rejected Baron Durford’s courtship, and resented strangers suggesting my nickname would become a pr*stitute’s stage name.”

The noble who had uttered those words flinched. Surrounding nobles clicked their tongues disapprovingly at him.

Leah continued.

“Do you comprehend what Lady Seigan endured to establish herself in high society?”

Duke Seigan remained silent. Self-reproach, anger, then renewed self-reproach washed over him.

Leah regarded him and spoke in a quiet yet powerful voice.

“Baroness Whipft insisted on revealing dresses to attract attention. She constantly manipulated her against rejecting Baron Durford’s advances. When Lady Seigan attempted refusal, the Baroness threatened her with loss of Peirose’s reputation and shame upon the ducal family.”

The puzzle pieces aligned in Duke Seigan’s mind.

His daughter’s mysterious depression. Baroness Whipft insisting ‘the young lady was merely stubborn’ when he mentioned excessive exposure, behaving increasingly entitled, boasting about transforming his daughter into Peirose.

When he realized who had introduced the Baroness, his eyes flashed with fury. The Duke glared at Count Trow, teeth grinding.

“Count Trow… Did you attach Baroness Whipft to my daughter under Peirose pretenses? And orchestrate the interception of both jewelry and letters?”

“No! This misunderstanding! Duke Seigan, we never…!”

Duke Seigan interrupted him.

“You dared exploit my daughter in your sordid schemes.”

His voice carried icy coldness.

Crack.

His leather glove struck Count Trow’s cheek and dropped.

“Count Trow, I challenge you to a duel.”

***

Count Trow’s wrinkled eyes trembled frantically.

Refusing now would brand him a coward fleeing after receiving a dueling glove slap. He couldn’t further damage his family’s already ruined reputation.

His trembling gaze fell upon his son crouching beside him.

“Co-cough!”

Suddenly the Count collapsed in a coughing fit.

“Cough!”

The audience responded with cold indifference.

Coughing like an infirm elder, Count Trow spoke.

“All of this… stems from my failure to raise my son properly!”

Yan Trow’s head whipped around beside him.

“Fa-father?!”

“Unaware of his troublemaking, I blindly believed my son’s words. The guilt lies with me!”

But father, you ordered this!

As Yan Trow attempted to protest, Count Trow spoke faster.

“I’ll no longer conceal my son’s misdeeds through denial. Duke Seigan, please satisfy your anger by punishing my son, and spare our remaining household… cough!”

Both Duke Seigan and the audience recognized the truth. Count Trow likely masterminded everything.

However, they couldn’t prevent a father from substituting his son for the duel and escaping. Duke Seigan, with trembling fists, reluctantly nodded.

“…Then I shall consider the duel established with Lord Yan Trow.”

Yan Trow’s face blanched.

The Seigan Ducal Family had for generations served as a deeply rooted martial family protecting the western Kingdom of Peiren’s coastline from pirates.

Naturally, Duke Seigan who led this ducal family possessed warrior training from actual combat. He vastly outmatched Yan Trow, whose experience limited to schemes and slander in the capital. Yan whispered pleadingly to the Count.

“Fa-father. Do you intend for my death?”

“What alternatives exist?”

Count Trow glared sharply at his son.

“We must resolve this to preserve the family, mustn’t we?”

Observing the father and son, Duke Seigan declared.

“With numerous witnesses present, let’s conduct the duel immediately.”

“What?”

“I demand an immediate response to the duel.”

Duke Seigan drew the ceremonial sword at his waist. His demeanor clearly indicated the futility of attempting to schedule the duel or select weapons.

‘Please stop this!’

Though he cast desperate glances around, he received only cold stares.

Yan Trow had no alternative but acceptance.

“Ple-please lend me a sword…”

***

Fenella Hall transformed suddenly into a dueling ground. Though the audience murmured, they couldn’t divert their gaze from the platform.

The bewildered judge hastily concluded the trial.

“With Leah Piert and Ruyan Piert declared not guilty and the missing persons confirmed alive, this trial stands dismissed!”

Bang bang bang.

The accumulated tension released audibly. Leah’s expression brightened.

After brief hesitation, the judge added one final comment.

“Personally, Lady Leah Piert and Lord Ruyan Piert’s courage and achievements deeply impress me. They truly exemplify Peiren nobility.”

“I share those sentiments.”

Prince Patrick added with a smile. Leah stood and respectfully bowed to both.

“Thank you for preserving justice in the Kingdom of Peiren.”

“Justice for the Kingdom of Peiren!”

Someone from the audience echoed her words with a shout. Others joined the cheer.

“Justice for the Kingdom of Peiren!”

“Justice for the Kingdom of Peiren!”

As the cheers intensified, Count Trow and Yan Trow’s faces turned ashen.

Duke Seigan descended from his seat and approached Leah.

“The time has come to exchange places, my lady.”

He gestured toward his special seat, indicating it for her and Helix.

“Please observe justice’s execution from there.”

Leah nodded resolutely.

“Leah, are you well?”

After relocating to the special seat, Helix inquired quietly. Having maintained such tension throughout the trial while expending considerable mana, her back now dampened with cold sweat and her legs trembled. Leah managed to lift her quivering lips into a smile.

“I performed well, didn’t I?”

“Why question something so obvious.”

Helix chided her with a voice blending pride and concern. His large hand quickly grasped her cold one. They felt truly fortunate no longer needing to mind the audience’s gaze unlike when positioned on the trial platform.

Pop.

The mana supply matched the urgency of his hasty gesture. Leah smiled broadly.

“But I still desire confirmation. I performed well, correct?”

“…You performed excellently.”

But wasn’t the toll excessive? He suppressed his inner thoughts and spoke gruffly.

“You require rest soon.”

“No, just a moment longer.”

“I understand.”

Helix shook his head and released a soft sigh.