11

Fear froze in Kale’s eyes as he looked up at Cedric. The sheer menace radiating from him was suffocating. Kale, who had relied on a proxy knight during the Great Demon War, trembled at the overwhelming force he had never encountered before.  

Cedric’s red eyes, burning with a deadly aura as if a demon had manifested, bore down on Kale, stealing his breath.

People’s screams continued as the hand gripping Kale’s collar added more force.

However, Cedric couldn’t hear any sound. No one dared to take a step as his cold gaze looked down at Kale’s face, which was turning increasingly dark red.

Cough.

When a faint coughing sound that he could recognize without turning around rang out, the strength in Cedric’s hand completely drained. It was the sound of Arne coughing while swallowing a clot of blood in her mouth.

‘There’s no need to show this side of me.’

When he released the collar he had grabbed, Kale coughed and gasped for breath. Due to his lowered line of sight from being sprawled on the floor, Kale’s eyes met with the collapsed Arne.

‘Why is Young Master Renigrad protecting Arne? Wasn’t Arne the one who unilaterally followed Cedric around? Why would Young Master Renigrad like such a nobody when he has Amelia, who will become the flower of high society?’

Cedric’s lips twisted as he felt Kale’s gaze. His shoe appeared before Kale’s eyes, and Arne was no longer on his sight.

When he raised his head, a deeper red gaze was looking down at Kale.

“You look displeased. If you wish, you may throw your formal gloves at me—I never refuse a challenge. But since I’m staking Renigrad’s honor, you must be prepared to stake your life as well.”

Kale’s Adam’s apple moved slowly. Cedric’s few words were different from Kale’s usual threats. If he threw his gloves in anger, he would truly pay for that honor with death.

‘Is it because I touched Renigrad’s honor?’

Unlike the capital’s nobility, the northern nobility had old-fashioned and troublesome aspects. With just one word about honor, they would go berserk and fight to the death. It’s a place teeming with warriors.

If he mentioned Renigrad’s honor, all the knights in the north might come to throw their gloves at Kale.

And if the next heir to Renigrad said it himself, it might escalate into a war between families.

‘You’re lucky. That Cedric happened to treat you. You can use Renigrad’s honor to back you up.’

When Cedric took one step closer, Kale, startled, backed away while touching the ground. As he approached step by step, Kale’s back hit the wall.

“Throw it.”

At the indifferent single word, a quiet silence fell. Kale put strength into his trembling legs.

However, when Cedric took one more step, he immediately knelt down.

“There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I will look into it again.”

At that moment, Amelia glared at Kale with a sharp breath. But Kale had no choice.

Throwing the glove here would mean turning his back on the entire north. Renigrad, whom even the Emperor was cautious of.

How could the Wayne marquis family, which sought to borrow the influence of the Ronia ducal family, handle this?

Kale bowed his head to the ground. Cedric’s red eyes stared at the back of his head. It was regrettable. If only he had thrown the gloves at him.

Then he could have permanently removed this man from beside that woman.

He exhaled a long, low breath. When some silence had passed, Cedric opened his mouth.

“I personally conducted Lady Ronia’s treatment. The lady was in critical condition due to the evaporation of mana from consuming mana perfume. Anyone with questions should seek out Cedric of Renigrad. I will personally welcome you.”

His low, resonating voice was heard very clearly. Because no one dared make a sound as they listened to his words.

If he mentioned not just Cedric but Cedric of Renigrad, no one would easily speak up.

Having overwhelmed the audience, he turned away without lingering. Arne’s eyelashes fluttered as her eyes met Cedric’s.

‘I’ve always envied and admired that power of yours. No one listens to my words, but everyone follows yours.’

That would be the history and power that Renigrad has built. Half the nobles in this hall bought proxy knights for the Great Demon War.

Due to all the high nobles fleeing, a mere fifteen-year-old became the commander.

Yet he beheaded the enemy commander and overruled the opposition of nobles who said they wouldn’t send their children to war, and because of that, the Empire could grasp victory.

‘That’s why even the Emperor is cautious of Renigrad.’

Such a man knelt on one knee to meet Arne’s gaze as she lay collapsed on the floor.

“My lady.”

Cedric, staring at Arne, pressed his lips tightly.

‘I told you so. That this isn’t a place for you. If you had left me, at least you shouldn’t have ended up like this.’

Cedric’s gaze flowed along her swollen right cheek, right lip, and the footprint marks.

Cedric’s clenched fist grew increasingly pale. What broke the strange silence was the sound of Amelia’s heel.

“Kale, I’m truly disappointed.”

Kale’s pupils trembled as he knelt. Leaving the distorted Kale behind, Amelia sat down between Arne and Cedric.

“Lady Ronia, I’m so sorry. To have experienced this at a banquet I invited you to. I’ll call a doctor right away. Please wait just a moment.”

Amelia called a maid and ordered,

“Bring bandages and ointment immediately. Contact a doctor.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Amelia extended her hand to Arne like a benevolent hostess.

“Would you like to sit here? As the host, I’m truly ashamed. Please wait just a moment.”

While supporting Arne, Amelia glanced at Kale. She was truly disappointed.

‘You told me to expect something. How embarrassing.’

Amelia’s gaze reached Cedric. And his clenched fist.

‘It’s no wonder Father mentioned Young Master Renigrad as a marriage prospect. If I had known he was such a man……’

Amelia glanced at Arne and formed a benevolent smile.

‘Then I certainly can’t just let you go, Arne. If I do, that man will continue to care about you. Besides, I can’t lose both Kale and Cedric. You need to be ruined shamefully and flee from here.’

Amelia took the bandages brought by the maid and grabbed Arne’s wrist.

“I’ll wrap the bandages temporarily until the doctor arrives. Is that alright?”

“…… Yes.”

Arne stared at Amelia. It was truly a kind and fresh smile. She could see why she was a candidate for this year’s flower of high society.

Blonde hair and blue eyes, which are considered noble features, plus her benevolence.

Excluding the immature Bianca, the only ducal lady in the Empire, the beautiful lady from a flawless and wealthy marquis family truly matched Cedric well.

Arne felt embarrassed for the first time. Was it because of her identical dress with Amelia?

Unlike Amelia, who wore clothes that fit perfectly, Arne’s dress, with Kale’s footprints messily stamped on it, looked shabby.

She was the complete opposite of Amelia—red eyes, red hair, the very image of a fallen nation. Arne, known as the Empire’s mad villainess, keenly grasped her situation, not even possessing a single intact dress.

Amelia smiled brightly at Arne as she wrapped the bandage. Then the gathered nobles added their comments one by one.

“Oh my, how benevolent Lady Leverun is. To even care for this snow rabbit… lady.”

“There’s talk of engagement with Lord Cedric, and truly, she could become his lady right now without any issue.”

“Of course. Lord Renigrad immediately stopped the ill-mannered young lord, and they truly make a perfect couple. Don’t they match well?”

Amelia responded with a bright smile.

“If it weren’t for Lord Cedric, I would have been in real trouble. This is the first banquet I’ve hosted in the capital, and it would have been too sad to end on such an unpleasant note. I’m truly grateful.”

“……”

Seeing the still silent Cedric, Amelia continued speaking calmly.

She had started social life from a very young age, following her mother. Amelia was born with many privileges. She knew very well how to shake off those who were born with nothing.

Just make them feel the difference, and they’ll run away on their own.

“So that’s why my father often mentioned Lord Cedric to me. As the best fiancé.”

Amelia, getting engaged with the support of her family—

“Seeing that the Grand Duke allowed me to hold this banquet, he must have taken a liking to me, right?”

One who has the recognition of the Grand Duke, suitable by birth—

“I’m so grateful that everyone loves me.”

One who can get engaged amidst everyone’s blessings and love—

“Even yesterday, I fell for Lord Cedric when he thoughtfully gave me lilies and lilacs he personally selected from the Ipellita Garden. It must be because an engagement is being discussed between us, right?”

The right to meet Cedric—all were things that could never be given to Arne.

Amelia raised her lips smoothly as she watched Arne’s trembling pupils.

“Lord Cedric, I love you.”

The hall stirred at that moment. Even Cedric, who had been staring at Arne’s bruises, turned his gaze to Amelia.