It seemed that at some point she had begun to overhear the conversation between the Ambassador and Elliope. A line of displeasure immediately formed on her face.

“You said it was inappropriate for me to speak to the Ambassador.”

“…….”

“And yet here you are, secretly eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation.”

“It is my duty to ensure the safety of the castle.”

“Isn’t that a knight’s duty?”

“Especially when an ambassador from a nation that may come into conflict with the Grand Duchy is present.”

Chamberlain Taleon flinched for a moment, but answered shamelessly, his gaze suggesting that she should be the one to feel guilty.

“You dare to bring up the subject of Duke Ilmos’ Usurpation in the Grand Duchess’ residence?”

“Does an event from fifty years ago bother you so much?”

“I could order the knights to arrest you right now without hesitation.”

“You may do as you please.”

Elliope replied with a cold expression. If he really did that, if this turned into some kind of farce, it would only serve to remind the people of Ilmos of a truth they had begun to forget.

That Theodor of Ilmos was the grandson of a usurper.

Theodor’s reputation had recently hit rock bottom, so this was another weakness to exploit. Elliope had little concern about being arrested if it meant exposing Theodor’s weaknesses. In fact, her arrest would only be to Theodor’s detriment.

Besides, she had a feeling that Kallian wouldn’t just let her be taken away.

So Elliope replied calmly.

“And yet, Chamberlain, you once said that you felt no shame in serving a usurper. It seems that the Grand Duke himself has now acknowledged his lineage as that of a usurper.”

“As I said, I feel no shame.”

Despite his words, the Chamberlain’s face remained as insolent as ever. His tight lips bore an unnecessary stubbornness, and soon they curled into a smug grin.

“Our family has been tied to the House of Ilmos since the days when they were mere viscounts.”

Without being asked, Chamberlain Taleon blurted out the fact, straightening his shoulders. Not that it made much difference – his small stature hardly made him look imposing.

“Growing up, I was taught that following the ambitious Grand Duke of Ilmos was far more rewarding than serving a frustratingly timid and spineless lord.”

“…….”

“And with that great ambition of his…

She wanted to sneer and ask if that was why they slaughtered an unborn child and its mother and stained the waters of Lake Elsen with blood.

Elliope fixed the steward with an icy stare.

“The world is cruel by nature, viscountess. Perhaps you do not know this, having lived as a princess… Ah, no. Perhaps you know it only too well.”

There was no need to dignify such remarks about her lineage with a reply. When Elliope remained silent, the steward shook his head.

“It is only natural for the stronger house to take control of an area. Right now that house happens to be Ilmos.”

“Then maybe one day it will be Taleon instead?”

Chamberlain Taleon raised an eyebrow at those words. He let out a mocking hmph, as if refusing to be baited, and continued.

“Regardless, I am loyal to His Grace and will do whatever is necessary for him.”

“Did you really come all this way just to say that?”

If that was the case, there was no need to listen any further. Just as Elliope stifled a sigh and turned her head away –

“So become His Grace’s mistress, Viscountess.”

“…….”

Elliope slowly turned to face the steward. A searing heat burned within her, as if a branding iron had been pressed against her skull.

“If you dislike the idea of divorce, then becoming his mistress should be an easy compromise. And not just anyone’s mistress – His Grace, the Grand Duke’s. You would gain far more than you ever could as the mere wife of a baron.”

The chamberlain’s eyes narrowed, as if even he found the words distasteful.

“After all, weren’t you originally meant to be the Grand Duke’s wife?”

“Ha.”

“And yet you went and sullied yourself with someone like Kallian Icerick.”

The steward whispered ominously.

“Since you are already such a woman, you might as well have given yourself to His Grace the last time he called for you…”

The next moment, Elliope’s vision turned red.

She could withstand any insult or condemnation regarding her involvement with Kallian. Even if people pointed their fingers at her and called her impure, she wouldn’t care.

But to hear such words from the very person who had once lectured her on the duties of a Grand Duchess – while never teaching her what those duties really entailed, only tormenting her – was another matter entirely.

“…Ah.”

As she came to, a sharp pain shot through her wrist.

The jolt was so strong that she winced, almost fearing it was broken – but in the next instant she understood exactly why it hurt so much.

“Ack!”

Chamberlain Taleon was sprawled on the ground.

Somehow, in a burst of strength she hadn’t even realised she possessed, she had punched him in the face with all her might.

Her palm still burned from the impact, tingling from the force of the blow.

Before she could stop herself, a small laugh slipped out.

“Ha-ha.”

“How dare you…!”

Her wrist throbbed, but the satisfaction she felt more than made up for it. She even considered striking him again.

Taleon, his eyes bloodshot with rage, scrambled to his feet.

“You dare to lay a hand on me, the Grand Duke’s chamberlain -!”

“And yet you dare speak to Her Highness, the Princess and Viscountess of Elsen, in such a manner.”

A cold voice broke the tension.

Taleon shut his mouth immediately, his anger giving way to alarm.

Elliope turned her eyes to the man who had spoken.

“Kallian.”

Kallian approached, his cold gaze fixed on Taleon. When he held out his hand, Elliope instinctively reached out and let him take hers.

His grip was gentle as he examined her wrist, his attention solely on her, as if the chamberlain – bruised and humiliated on the ground – did not even exist.

Taleon trembled with barely contained rage.

“Viscount Elsen, how did you train your wife-“

“And what exactly did your family teach you to be so accepting of Usurpation?”

Kallian grinned without even looking at the chamberlain.

Taleon exploded.

“When did I ever…!”

“Do you really think I wouldn’t hear my own wife’s conversation?”

“……!”

“You even spoke as if it wouldn’t be surprising if the Taleon family took power one day.”

“How dare you make up such lies!”

“Lies? I’m just repeating what I heard with my own ears.”

Still not sparing Taleon a glance, Kallian turned to Elliope and murmured,

“Isn’t that right, Your Grace?”

The words fell like ice into the room, plunging it into stunned silence.

“…….”

Taleon turned his head stiffly, then froze.

Behind Kallian stood a thoroughly inebriated Theodor, his half-closed eyes fixed on the chamberlain.

“Y-Your Grace…”

Taleon recoiled, his voice barely more than a whimper.

Theodor tilted his head, a lazy, amused grin spreading across his face –

And then –

“Aagh!”

He kicked Taleon with merciless force, sending him tumbling across the ground.

The chamberlain rolled several times before his head hit the cold stone floor with a sickening thud.

“Ugh…!”

“Ahahahahahaha!”

Theodor burst out laughing, his voice echoing through the room.

Even when the blood began to flow freely, the chamberlain couldn’t utter a word.

Theodor, finding the sight amusing, laughed before stepping forward and kicking Taleon again – several times.

“Agh! Your Grace! Your Grace!”

Only when Theodor finally grew bored and stepped back did Kallian slowly draw his sword and press it to the chamberlain’s throat.

“Shall I behead the fool who dared to wag his tongue so carelessly, Your Grace?”

Kkuuk.

The cold blade pressed deeper into the chamberlain’s throat, biting into his flesh. Thick blood smeared the edge of the sword.

Taleon’s eyes widened in horror.

“V-Viscount Elsen…!”

Kallian, his expression devoid of emotion, pushed the blade in further – just enough that with a little more force he could actually break the man’s neck.

“Your Grace! Please!”

As the chamberlain pleaded desperately, Theodor continued to grin, his expression one of idle amusement. Then he spoke with a slurred tongue.

“G…et lost.”

“Y-Yes!”

Taleon, utterly terrified, scrambled to his feet and fled in a blind panic.

Kallian, as if disappointed, casually wiped his sword before returning it to its sheath.

“Tch.”

Theodor swayed unsteadily, his expression momentarily blank. He seemed far too drunk to comprehend what he had heard or done.

Soon he slumped against a pillar, then slid down to sit on the floor.

His eyes finally fell on Elliope.

“Prin…cess…”

His slurred tongue barely managed to form the word before Kallian abruptly ripped off Theodor’s cloak and threw it over his face.

“Ugh…”

Theodor struggled weakly before falling to his side. Soon the steady sound of his breathing filled the room.

Elliope watched the scene unfold, then turned to Kallian and whispered.

“What if he remembers…?”

“He is not the kind of man to remember such things. Do not worry.”

With that, Kallian gently led Elliope away.

Still dazed, she walked beside him without resistance. In the meantime Kallian had arranged a carriage.

With the Grand Duke passed out in a drunken stupor, the question of whether it was all right to leave seemed pointless.

Elliope looked absently into Kallian’s eyes. Even then he had not let go of her hand.

“I’ve heard things I didn’t know before.”

At her words, Kallian gently massaged her wrist. His touch was careful, soothing the startled muscles and strained tendons.

Elliope leaned her head against the carriage window and exhaled softly.

“I’ve heard enough to understand why the man turned out the way he did.”

“Have you?”

“I thought knowing the reason might make me feel better.”

“…….”

“But it didn’t.”

She whispered the last part quietly.

In response, Kallian slowly pressed his lips to her wrist.

Warm, soft flesh brushed against her skin, lingering there as he kissed gently, pressing down with deliberate tenderness. His lips brushed against her wrist, moving lightly, leaving behind a subtle heat.

Somehow that warmth alone seemed to ease the dull pain in her wrist.

Soon his lips closed around her fingertips, nibbling gently. The ticklish sensation made her instinctively curl her fingers, but Kallian only whispered in response.

“When we reach the shelter…”

“…….”

“I’ll treat you right.”

His large hand trailed over her wrist, brushing lightly before his nails dragged from her wrist to her palm in a slow, deliberate motion.

Kallian murmured softly,

“If I can help loosen it up, the pain should ease.”

When they finally stepped down outside the lodgings, Dylan was waiting with the calm demeanour of a butler, ready to receive them.