Kallian raised an eyebrow in silence at these words. After a short pause he spoke.

“So you were sent as an errand runner.”

“Huh? Ah… well.”

Normally, such tasks would be assigned to the attendants or servants of the Grand Duke’s residence, but they had sent a knight instead.

Though Kallian did not bother to say so, even Elliope noticed this fact and was quietly amazed.

Moreover, the knight who had been sent as an errand boy was wearing a formal uniform, a clear indication that he was not a squire or an apprentice, but a full-fledged knight of high rank.

‘Even if Kallian himself comes from a knightly background…’

To assign trivial tasks or errands to a Knight whose duty it was to guard the Grand Duke was a serious blow to the Knight’s honour. It was then that Elliope began to understand why Ruben had chosen to leave his prestigious position as a Knight of the Grand Duke, a role that promised a clear path to success, and instead decided to serve as a Knight under Kallian in Viscount Elsen’s territory.

‘…And why knights choose to trust and follow Kallian more.’

If this was how full knights were treated, it was easy to imagine the even worse conditions squires and apprentices had to endure. As Elliope began to grasp the true state of the Grand Duke’s knighthood, she let out a small, suppressed sigh.

Meanwhile, the knight hesitated before continuing.

“In any case, His Grace said that if you had been summoned, you should have come immediately to pay your respects…”

Even to Elliope the reasoning sounded forced. Although Kallian had been one of Theodor’s vassals, since he had been given a title and made Viscount of Elsen, he was no longer someone Theodor could order around at will.

Besides, Kallian had made contributions to the Grand Duchy, and Elsen itself was an important strategic military location.

At the very least, the request should have been made with due courtesy and respect.

But to Theodor, long accustomed to having Kallian at his side and in complete control, such formalities seemed unimportant.

But Kallian showed neither anger nor surprise at Theodor’s high-handedness. He simply replied calmly.

“I see.”

“……”

“I’ll go now.”

The knight let out a small sigh of relief.

Kallian, keeping a neutral expression, turned to Elliope and spoke.

“I’ll be back. While the servants unpack, you may stay here, madam…”

“Ah, actually…”

As if his brief moment of relief had never happened, the knight’s expression changed again. This time he looked genuinely apologetic, choosing his words carefully.

His already troubled face twisted even further.

“Ah… His Grace has also requested that the viscountess accompany you.”

For the first time, a small wrinkle appeared between Kallian’s eyebrows, but his expression remained unchanged.

“……”

“His Grace said that since it is the Viscountess who has business at the Grand Duke’s residence, if she refuses to come, I am to take her there by force if necessary…”

The knight trailed off and quickly fell silent when he saw Kallian’s expression. Even he seemed embarrassed by what he had just said.

Meanwhile, Charlotte, who had been quietly listening to the conversation between Kallian and the knight, tilted her head slightly, her expression a mixture of mild concern and amusement.

“Strictly speaking, what he said isn’t wrong. Isn’t that right?”

No one replied.

“I apologise.”

In the end, the knight was forced to apologise, looking lost and bowing his head in embarrassment.

Elliope let out a slow breath.

‘If this was an official complaint from the Imperial Family, there should be a proper procedure.’

Her original plan had been to enter the Grand Duke’s residence, according to protocol, to attend to the affairs of the Imperial Court, and at the same time to introduce Charlotte to Theodor.

But now she was summoned so urgently and without warning.

‘Does this mean the Imperial Palace is really so angry?’

Of course they must be angry. This is not an ordinary situation.

From the Imperial Family’s point of view, it was no different from a trusted princess suddenly stabbing them in the back with a hidden dagger.

If the palace ambassador had provoked more anger from Theodor than expected, and an irritated Theodor in turn wanted the very person at the centre of this mess to resolve the situation…

If that was the case, then the urgency of the summons was understandable.

Kallian replied calmly,

“I will speak to His Grace personally about this matter.”

“…….”

“Madam, perhaps you should take at least a day to rest and recover from the journey…”

“No.”

Elliope cut him off before he could finish.

“I can walk at once.”

“You’ve been in the carriage all the way; you must be exhausted, madam.”

“I…”

“You haven’t had a proper meal, nor have you been able to lie down and rest properly. Your body is weak.”

Kallian’s tone was full of concern.

But to Elliope, who knew Kallian was angry with her, his words sounded like a well-crafted excuse to refuse Theodor’s unreasonable request.

In truth, if she claimed to be unwell or uncomfortable, it would serve as a valid reason for refusing Theodor’s request, while also allowing them to lodge a formal, polite protest with the Grand Duke.

‘No.’

But Elliope shook her head.

Had she come alone or only with Kallian, she might have followed his suggestion…

“Rather, this is going well. I might as well get this over with quickly and return.”

“Going now doesn’t necessarily mean the matter will be resolved any faster.”

“But there’s no need to provoke His Grace unnecessarily, is there?”

With that, Elliope turned to Charlotte.

“Would you be willing to come with me, Miss Marte… no, Charlotte?”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Elliope took a moment to gather her thoughts.

“As this is not a pleasant matter, I am quite nervous.”

“…….”

“As someone more ‘experienced’ in immorality, surely you have some advice for me?”

At these words, Charlotte subtly lifted the corner of her lips. After a moment’s thought, she nodded.

“All right.”

“Thank you.”

“This is my first time at the Grand Duke’s residence, so I’m looking forward to it.”

“There should be plenty for you to see, Miss Marte.”

Such as Theodor, the Grand Duke of Ilmos.

Elliope swallowed those words down.

***

It was late afternoon when they arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence.

“Greetings, Viscount of Elsen.”

“Welcome.”

The scrutinising looks and the silent but blatant disregard could be felt throughout the area. While people greeted Kallian, they acted as if Elliope, the Viscountess herself, was not even there.

She wasn’t surprised. Such cold treatment had long been a part of her life, even when she was the Grand Duchess.

But to return to a place she had once left – a place she had thought she would never return to after marrying Kallian – gave her a strange feeling.

“This way to the reception room.”

Elliope nodded and made her way to the waiting area where those seeking an audience were kept.

“Wait.”

A voice called from a distance.

Turning, she saw Baron Taleon, the Chamberlain, approaching with open contempt and intense disdain on his face, making no effort to hide his feelings.

“Chamberlain?”

“This is not the way, Your Highness, the Princess.”

Baron Taleon deliberately emphasised the word princess as he gestured with his head, signalling her to follow him. His manner made it clear that he had no desire to speak to her properly.

In response, Elliope deliberately tilted her head slightly, her dissatisfaction evident.

Despite this, the Baron stubbornly held out his hand.

“I told you to come this way…”

Smack!

A sharp sound rang out as Kallian quickly blocked his hand.

“…….”

The moment Baron Taleon met Kallian’s gaze, the sneering contempt on his face instantly vanished, his complexion turning pale.

“Did I give you permission to lay a hand on her?”

His voice was ice-cold, carrying the weight of someone who seemed ready to sever the man’s hand at that moment.

Even Elliope was startled for a moment. Cautiously, she tugged at Kallian’s sleeve.

In an instant, tension filled the air.

Even the knight leading them seemed to sense the sudden change and looked nervously between Kallian and the chamberlain.

Kallian spoke slowly.

“Proceed with the escort, Chamberlain Taleon.”

There was a weight of authority in his voice.

The Baron lowered his head slightly, gritted his teeth and reluctantly took the lead.

Meanwhile, Charlotte’s eyes sparkled as if she were witnessing something romantic.

“As one would expect from someone with a knight’s background. Don’t you think?”

“…….”

“Such presence, conveyed with just a few words.”

As Charlotte smiled and followed the steward, Elliope, looking slightly concerned, whispered to Kallian.

“It won’t do you any good to make an enemy of the steward.”

“Make an enemy of him, you say.”

“You looked like you were going to bite his wrist off earlier.”

“Even if I had struck him down, I doubt there would have been any real consequences.”

His words were unsettling, yet spoken so calmly that they carried even more weight.

Well, it was true that Kallian’s position in Ilmos was far more solid than that of a mere baron whose only talent was to cling to Theodor.

Still, that didn’t reassure her. Just as she was about to whisper to Kallian to be careful, just in case…

Without hesitation, Kallian intertwined his wedding ring hand with Elliope’s.

A whisper followed.

“To be displeased with their master… and to see their master suffer humiliation are two completely different things for dogs.”

“…….”

“This dog has no intention of standing by while his master is disregarded.”

Elliope was at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, Charlotte turned and spoke to Kallian, smiling.

“Won’t you accompany me as well?”

At her words, Kallian fixed his gaze on the knight who had led them. The knight flinched before hesitantly extending his arm to Charlotte.

Charlotte’s lips curved into a subtle smile as she placed her hand on the knight’s arm.

“But I was hoping to be accompanied by someone of higher rank…”

“You needn’t worry about that, Miss Marte.”

Elliope replied instinctively, before she was even aware of it.

Just as Charlotte turned to her with a questioning look –

Creak.

The doors to the dining room opened.

Elliope’s heart pounded involuntarily.

“…….”

Charlotte turned her head forward again.

“So we have another guest.”

A voice of disbelief filled the room.

Theodor, sitting at the head of the table, stopped cutting his meat and slowly raised his eyes.

Charlotte’s and Theodor’s eyes met in the air.

Elliope had the feeling that a deep, intoxicating scent of blooming flowers was about to fill the room.