Madam Callian’s gaze at the black ball—no, Black Dragon Helbaitz—on the table was contempt itself.

“This is supposed to be a Black Dragon?”

[How dare you say ‘this’! I am the great!]

“This ball that can’t even fly but rolls around is the curse that descended upon the Blemer family?”

[Who says I roll around!]

Helbaitz spoke proudly while puffing out his chest, only to roll backward and fall.

After rolling twice and nearly falling off, Ransel supported him with his body and saved him.

Black smoke began to rise faintly from Helbaitz’s body.

Just like when it appeared from Kaien’s body back then.

[You still don’t know my power. Fine, I’ll show you. Be afraid. It’s already too late to regret!]

“Helbaitz!”

No way! I urgently tried to grab Helbaitz, but his beak opened.

[I know that when you were 17 at that banquet, you secretly]

“Ah, you mean when I briefly dated Colrn? I had my first kiss then.”

[You have no shame!]

“That was 50 years ago. I’m past the age of being embarrassed about such things.”

……I had genuinely tried to stop Helbaitz, but now I felt momentarily embarrassed.

Helbaitz threw another finishing move.

[On that stormy night when you were 6, you wet the bed!]

“You mean when I wet myself. Children do that sometimes. Thank you for bringing back memories.”

It didn’t work on Madam Callian. While even the elders were busy trying to cover Helbaitz’s mouth out of embarrassment, Callian remained unfazed.

Callian slowly stood up and looked down at Helbaitz.

“Is the power of the great Black Dragon merely exposing others’ embarrassments? At this point, I’m doubtful. Are you really the Black Dragon?”

Helbaitz’s eyes widened.

[……What?]

“I heard you were a spiritual entity whose physical body disappeared, living as a thought entity for over a thousand years. But look at you now. You have a physical form. I’ve never heard of a spiritual entity gaining a physical body.”

Madam Callian observed Helbaitz coldly and rationally.

“Have you never questioned how your power spread through the imperial and Blemer bloodlines? Are you truly the Black Dragon?”

Helbaitz stared blankly up at Madam Callian, flinching and trembling with each question.

“Have you never suspected that you might just be a common demonic beast? Never questioned whether your mind was reconstructed, fitting the legend of the Black Dragon to yourself?”

Madam Callian was solemn, like a judge reciting a criminal’s crimes one by one in court.

“I ask you: how can you prove that you are the Black Dragon?”

Helbaitz was shocked as if his soul had left his body.

His very existence was being doubted and denied. Tears welled up in Helbaitz’s large eyes.

[I, I am Black Dragon Helbaitz! My existence is proof!]

Though too proud to shed tears, he was clearly feeling wronged and upset. Helbaitz is now my family and friend.

When I stroked Helbaitz’s head, he leaned against me.

“……Stop bullying him.”

“My lady, you are too weak.”

Madam Callian’s cold eyes turned toward me.

“When the Grand Duke is away, you must lead the people, but you are…… fragile.”

“Madam Callian, that’s enough. Ivy is my wife.”

Kaien stepped in to protect me.

After briefly exchanging glances with Kaien, Madam Callian gave a slight bow.

Her gesture conveyed not subservience or defeat, but the composure of someone powerful.

“Please consider it the words of a loyal subject concerned for the grand ducal family.”

She didn’t confront Kaien directly, but neither did she yield completely. She showed respect and publicly acknowledged him.

While I was secretly admiring this, Helbaitz couldn’t contain his temper and burst out,

[Callian! With that personality, no wonder your daughter abandoned you!]

Madam Callian’s eyes, which had been maintaining a dignified demeanor, turned toward Helbaitz.

As she slowly raised her head that had been bowed to Kaien, she seemed to grow larger.

Her presence was overwhelming.

“……What did you say, you fat bird? Do you think your weaknesses are formidable because the elders have been accommodating you?”

Though Madam Callian clearly had no sword at her side, when she moved her hand to her waist and pulled it away, a chain sword appeared with a metallic sound.

Madam Callian gave a cold smile.

“Your arrogance only matters while your head is still attached.”

The killing intent was so strong that it wouldn’t have been strange if the sword flew at him immediately. I was watching, forgetting even to breathe, when there was a knock at the door, and the office door opened.

Elder Marien entered with a welcoming face.

“Sister! I quickly toured the 4th district and came back. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Even Marien, normally dignified and strict, softened before her sister. As she checked for injuries by feeling her body, Callian pushed Marien away.

Seemingly uncomfortable with the concern, her face hardened.

“I’m fine. You always worry despite knowing my abilities.”

“We’re family, so of course I worry. Is the report finished? You must be tired after digging through snow tunnels from the Forest of Demonic Beasts, yet you’re still here like this. You’re really impossible.”

“You should go rest now. We’ve kept you too long.”

“Yes, let’s do that, Madam Callian.”

“We’ll see you this evening after you’ve rested.”

Marien’s appearance was perfectly timed.

Love and I nodded enthusiastically, and when Kaien gave permission, Madam Callian gave Helbaitz, who was in Ransel’s arms, one sharp glance before leaving the office.

Only after the door closed did the tension leave my shoulders.

“Ahhh, I thought Lord Helbaitz’s head was going to fall off.”

[You are truly loyal. Among all these people, only you defended me!]

“You finally recognize my devotion, Lord Helbaitz!”

As if he had never been teary-eyed, Helbaitz regained his dignity in Ransel’s arms.

When Kaien snickered, Helbaitz glared at him fiercely.

“You were acting so arrogant, but even the mighty Black Dragon is helpless against Madam Callian. If she had truly intended to cut off your head, it would have been over the moment she drew her sword.”

“Th-that’s true, Lord Helbaitz. Please be careful from now on. As they say, sometimes it’s best to avoid what’s unpleasant.”

[Y-yes. It’s not that I’m afraid, just that nothing good comes from getting involved with her.]

“How wise! As expected of Lord Helbaitz!”

I worry about how they’ll manage with Madam Callian here all winter.

I wonder if this might be an opportunity for him to become more well-behaved.

***

A banquet was held.

Even the formidable Ice Wall Knights appeared as cheerful, boisterous young men at the banquet. However, when Madam Callian entered the banquet hall, their expressions changed, and they all stood at once to show their respect.

Though not seated at the same table, most people glanced at Madam Callian while conversing.

They admired her with flushed cheeks, like fans watching a famous singer.

They feared her yet respected and liked her.

How fortunate that Kaien has someone like this.

Everyone listened attentively as Madam Callian spoke about what the Ice Wall Knights had done over the past year and what changes had occurred among the demonic beasts, and the time passed vibrantly.

Food was continuously replenished, and a plate was placed before Callian.

It contained salad made with fresh vegetables grown in the greenhouse and southern fruits.

Following Mrs. Moson’s advice that fresh vegetables were rare in winter and southern fruits difficult to obtain at the border backed by mountains, I had ordered these to be prepared.

“I prepared these because I heard you like them. Please enjoy.”

“Thank you.”

Madam Callian smiled as she replied but didn’t touch the plate.

Perhaps she doesn’t like that I’m the Grand Duchess.

I heard deliberate laughter and saw Christina and some young ladies glancing at me and laughing.

‘What do they gain by opposing me, the wife of the most powerful person in the grand duchy?’

Their childish behavior is pitiful.

As the banquet ran late, Kaien sent me to the bedroom first.

“I won’t be long. Go to sleep.”

His breath on my cheek tickled.

Some people looked surprised at Kaien’s affection.

The moment I stepped into the corridor, I yawned.

“I’m sleepy. Even though I took a nap earlier.”

“They say pregnancy often makes you drowsy.”

“That’s true.”

I headed toward my room with Love.

Today, Benji had frequently disappeared, reappearing in unusual states—with torn skirt hems or cut sleeves.

“Oh my, you included such content in a letter to Madam Callian?”

As I walked down the corridor, I heard voices from the room used as a waiting room for the ladies.

“Yes, Madam should know what kind of woman His Grace chose as Grand Duchess.”

“Oh my, so that’s why she was so cold.”

“It worked, Christina.”

“What do you mean ‘worked’? I didn’t act with any intention. I simply included information that was missing from the report.”

Just then, the young ladies emerged.

Christina and her group.

Upon seeing me, they smiled as if nothing was wrong.

“Oh, my lady.”

“Thank you for inviting us to the banquet.”

“……I do hope you enjoyed the banquet.”

I watched their retreating figures heading toward the banquet hall, giggling affectedly.

“That can’t be easy to maintain.”

“They’re doing it deliberately. Shall I deal with them?”

“No need. They’ll regret it soon enough. They should know when to stop.”

I was genuinely concerned.

They are beautiful young ladies with promising futures. I’ve seen many who made mistakes due to petty jealousy and ended up with lifelong bad reputations.

Actions have consequences.

I hope they realize that soon.

“Aren’t you angry, Miss?”

“I find it flattering that they’re jealous.”

“You’re too optimistic.”

Love’s grumbling made me laugh.

I shouldn’t be worrying about others.

From the next day, chaos erupted.