“Marcel… is a boy my daughter keeps.”

The color drained from Frea’s face. The audience stirred even more.

“Father!”

“Enough!”

Marquis Rosehill’s short command froze the air.

“It’s the sin of this father who raised his child wrongly. I will take responsibility.”

Marquis Rosehill bowed deeply before the court. Behind him, the Marchioness began to sob, embracing Frea. People’s gazes shifted from the Marquis to Frea.

“Were you that desperate for the position of Grand Duchess?!”

“Show her no mercy!”

“She must be punished!”

The Chief Justice raised his hand high to calm the courtroom. Everyone’s attention focused on the Chief Justice’s fingertips.

“Silence! Marquis Rosehill is legally innocent. Punishment for Lady Frea will be determined after a formal deliberation later. Marquis of Rosehill, please raise your head.”

As the Chief Justice finished speaking, Marquis Rosehill raised his head. By then, Frea had disappeared from her seat along with the Marchioness. People noticed this fact and began to busily exit the courtroom.

“Find Frea!”

At that moment, Theodore approached Marquis Rosehill.

“Marquis…”

“Your Highness…”

Marquis Rosehill closed his eyes with a deep sigh.

“I never thought that child and her mother would… dare to do such a thing. Please forgive my oversight, Your Highness.”

“No. I thank you for your courage.”

Marquis Rosehill smiled dejectedly.

“What do you plan to do now?”

“Well, I think it’s time I withdraw from politics.”

“Please don’t. The Empire needs people like you, Marquis.”

Theodore spoke in a low and firm voice. But he shook his head and said quietly.

“This is the price for neglecting my family. Now I want to live atoning for my family.”

He quietly turned his head and bowed to Kayla.

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess. I have caused you great pain. I sincerely apologize.”

Kayla waved her hands in embarrassment.

“No… you did nothing wrong, Marquis.”

“But as a father, I failed in my duty. I cannot avoid that responsibility.”

Kayla couldn’t say anything in response to his sincere apology. The image of the Marquis taking blame in the name of family somehow overlapped with her past self.

“Let’s go now.”

In the silently swaying carriage, the sun was setting and turning red outside the window. Kayla whispered quietly.

“I hope Marquis Rosehill will be all right.”

At her words, Theodore silently held her hand tightly.

※※※

After the trial, the noble society of the Teoran Empire quietly but violently shook. Everyone was shocked that the trial, which was expected to end with Kayla’s guilt, was overturned by the confessions of Ruben Darka and Marquis Rosehill.

“Who would have thought the Rosehill marquisate would be like this…”

“Still, the Marquis is an admirable person.”

“True, he chose justice over his daughter. A courageous decision.”

Eventually, Kayla’s name naturally came up at social gatherings and banquets. Those who had initially mocked her as ‘the criminal’s daughter’ now began to speak of her dignity with mixed evaluations of caution.

“We shouldn’t take her lightly. Her eyes are extraordinary.”

“Above all, His Highness the Grand Duke… is completely on her side.”

“We may need to realign ourselves around her now.”

In place of mockery and criticism, wariness, caution, and political calculations took over. Their secretive whispers spread throughout the Empire in an instant.

※※※

Meanwhile, changes were beginning within the grand ducal residence as well.

“These documents here are reports that have arrived from various regions after the trial.”

Kayla was sitting in Theodore’s office, holding a pen. William bowed politely and handed her the documents.

“Do I stamp here?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Very accurate.”

The title “Your Highness,” which had been awkward at first, now felt natural. She carefully checked every corner of the documents and meticulously stamped them. Theodore quietly watched Kayla from the window.

“Isn’t it difficult?”

She looked up and smiled.

“No, rather, I feel like I can do anything.”

“Kayla, you’re doing really well right now.”

The sunlight reflected in her eyes and sparkled. But there was still cautious anxiety visible within them.

“Still, there are many people who don’t view me favorably…”

“That’s why we need to be more confident.”

Theodore approached her and lightly kissed the back of her hand. It was peace they finally obtained after a long war, but no one knew if even that would last long.

“And though you’ll be busy, you should also prepare well for the wedding.”

Kayla smiled and nodded. Theodore’s eyes were now full of affection for her. It seemed as though there would be no more trials.

9. Unending Threat

One late evening, Theodore’s office was gently wrapped in a soft light. Kayla sat across from Theodore, sipping tea and sharing small memories.

“When I was little, I fell out of a tree, but Oliver cried more than I did!”

Theodore burst into low laughter at her words.

“Haha, why did you climb the tree?”

“Well, maybe I wanted to see the world from higher up?”

Their laughter warmly filled the room. Kayla realized she had grown comfortable spending time with him. At that moment, Theodore looked at her and opened his mouth.

“Kayla.”

“Yes?”

He was about to ask a question related to holy power, but hesitated and closed his mouth.

“… Never mind.”

He didn’t want to burden her with too much during this short time. As he raised his cup to his lips again, this time Kayla carefully spoke.

“Um, Theo. Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

“What is it?”

Theodore asked as he put down his teacup.

“Those children who were sold… I want to find out what happened to them…”

Though her voice was small, the weight of her words was not light. She bowed her head deeply and added.

“I couldn’t save those children… but I want to atone to them, even just a little.”

A moment of silence passed. Theodore wordlessly wrapped his hand around hers.

“I’ve already assembled an investigation team and set them in motion.”

Kayla looked up at him in surprise.

“Really?”

“I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d be hurt more. We may not be able to bring everyone back, but I’ll try. I promise to return those children to their normal lives.”

At Theodore’s gentle voice, Kayla’s eyes reddened.

“Thank you, Theo… really…”

She carefully leaned against Theodore’s chest. He gently embraced her and whispered in a low voice.

“So now, you can free yourself from the guilt in the name of family.”

Kayla firmly gripped his clothes. Their breaths tickled each other’s skin from close proximity. As a strange current flowed between them at that moment,

Knock knock—

A knock sounded from outside the door with poor timing. Kayla reflexively tried to pull away, but Theodore kept her in his embrace and calmly said.

“Come in.”

“Theo! W-wait!”

She blushed and floundered, but Theodore smiled mischievously. When the door opened, Ian stood frozen with a dumbfounded expression.

“… Your Highness?”

“What is it, Ian.”

Kayla struggled to escape his embrace out of embarrassment, but Theodore deliberately tightened his arms and spoke nonchalantly. Ian frowned.

“Aren’t you two being too much to me?”

“T-that’s…!”

“What’s wrong with this much affection between a couple about to be married?”

At Theodore’s smooth response, Ian laughed and said.

“I never thought Your Highness would change like this… even knowing how to upset a single person’s heart.”

“If you’re upset, you should get married too.”

As Kayla continued to struggle, Theodore finally released her.

“Theo!”

“Haha, you should get used to this much.”

“I-I’m leaving!”

As she left the room with a flushed face, brief laughter lingered in the room.

“Her Highness the Grand Duchess is quite shy.”

“Isn’t she cute?”

“Yes, yes… but please refrain from displays of affection in front of me.”

“I told you, get married if you’re envious.”

“I need time to rest before I can even date.”

Theodore, who had been smiling briefly, lowered the corners of his mouth and asked.

“So, what brings you here at this hour?”

Ian’s face instantly tensed as he continued.

“… Lady Frea and Marcel’s whereabouts remain unknown.”

There was caution in Ian’s low voice.

“Still no trace of them?”

“Yes, we’re searching based on witness testimonies, but… since Marcel is skilled at covering his tracks, it’s not easy.”

Theodore’s expression hardened slightly.

“We need to find them as quickly as possible. And increase security when Kayla goes out.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“If Frea is with Marcel… they might target Kayla’s life later.”

He had to stop her increasingly vicious actions. Theodore asked with a slightly tired face.

“How is the investigation into the slave trade going?”

Ian handed him two worn ledgers and said.

“These are records recovered from the back alleys near Baron Grenville’s residence. They contain detailed traces of children being traded as slaves.”

Theodore frowned. As he turned the pages of the ledger, he spoke in a low, cold voice.

“There are many pages marked as ‘credit.'”

“In particular, there’s evidence of large sums paid for children with ‘specific conditions.'”

“… They might have used them as test subjects…”

“Yes, Your Highness. We need to dig deeper.”

Anger was etched on Ian’s face.