The Duchess masked her seething anger with a smirk and spoke.

“Do you think the Wiscombe family is as easy to handle as you imagine? Even if you were truly engaged to the Prince, it wouldn’t be easy. You think no one will look down on you, but you’re mistaken. You’ll always feel insignificant. People around you will constantly remind you just how trivial you are.”

Sophia smiled despite the Duchess’s spiteful words.

“That’s probably true. I’m prepared for that. Just like you, Duchess, are disregarding me now. Even though you’re my aunt… I don’t intend to confront the Wiscombe family. I wouldn’t dare. It’s absurd. You’re my opponent, Duchess. You were the one who dragged me into this situation, and today’s insults came from you.”

Sophia glanced toward the open window facing the garden, as if she knew everything.

“Prince Robert is likely meeting Isabelle right now. Do you think a single tear from Isabelle would make him return to the Wiscombe family and resolve any lingering resentment?”

“Of course not. They’re just clearing up some misunderstandings. What, are you worried? Afraid he’ll leave you and go back to Isabelle?”

“Yes, I am worried. Prince Robert wouldn’t be foolish like Prince Frederick, but what if Prince Frederick finds out about his meeting with Isabelle? He hardly gets to see her, after all.”

The Duchess sneered.

“Nonsense. You might think you’re clever, but you’re not at all. Just watching you act out in front of me shows you’re far from smart.”

Still smiling, Sophia replied.

“Consider this: what if Isabelle can’t get engaged to Prince Frederick? Or, even if they’re engaged, what if Prince Frederick can’t become Crown Prince? Could you handle that failure, Duchess?”

Sophia spoke in a suggestive tone.

“The Wiscombe family humiliated Prince Robert. Didn’t you say that even a duke has to do things he dislikes? What might be the true motive of the person who forced Wiscombe into that situation, even using threats? Did they act just because they had the power to? Or was there another plan in mind? Think carefully. It’s advice from a niece, after all.”

With that, Sophia finished speaking and stood up, leaving with an almost lighthearted step. Instead of looking for Prince Robert, she returned to Finega in the carriage she arrived in.

Left alone in the drawing room, the Duchess was bewildered.

“Does that country girl, who hasn’t even been in the capital for a few months, dare to give me advice? She says avoiding and disregarding are different? Is she acting so arrogantly because the engagement is real? Just over that? I suppose it makes sense. Coming from the countryside, she must think being engaged to a prince is something extraordinary. Is the engagement real? Or was she just bluffing? But Sophia doesn’t seem the type to have that kind of nerve.”

—

As planned by Duchess Wiscombe, Prince Robert happened to meet Isabelle in the garden. Isabelle pretended to be surprised as she emerged and saw Prince Robert, then greeted him.

Prince Robert returned the greeting and spoke.

“It feels like it’s been a long time since we last exchanged words. By the way, will Sophia be much longer?”

Isabelle replied.

“It’s been a while since she had been to Wiscombe, so her conversation with my mother has dragged on. There’s been a lot of misunderstanding between us. I’ll send someone for her.”

Isabelle sent one of her maids back to the house. Left alone in the garden with her, Prince Robert spoke coolly.

“Sophia didn’t seem to think she was that close with the Duchess.”

Isabelle gave an awkward laugh and replied.

“We’ve wronged Sophia, so it’s understandable if she resents Wiscombe.”

Prince Robert smiled and said.

“She only mentioned that she visited Wiscombe once during her debutante season.”

Isabelle gave a shy smile.

“Well, then I’m glad to hear that. Sophia seems to have a generous heart. I can’t even begin to compare myself to her.”

Observing Isabelle’s subtle condescension toward Sophia, concealed by her expression, Prince Robert couldn’t help but wonder how he’d missed this side of her before. He changed the topic.

“I hear Frederick is focused on his studies. Sudden, but impressive. The Emperor seems pleased. Do you keep in touch with Frederick often?”

Isabelle shook her head, though Prince Robert, knowing it was likely a lie, nodded in acknowledgment. He found himself absentmindedly gazing toward the direction where the maid had gone.

Watching Robert’s profile, Isabelle spoke.

“Congratulations on your engagement. I heard the palace is hosting a ball. Unfortunately, the Wiscombe likely won’t be attending. Considering what we did to you both, we owe you an apology. My parents made a very foolish decision. Still, I’m glad something good came of it.”

Prince Robert smiled and replied.

“We’ll discuss that matter another time. It was a wise decision not to attend the engagement celebration ball. After all, it would be awkward to see Wiscombe at a ball to celebrate my engagement to Sophia. Please pass on my thanks to the Duchess for her good judgment. I suppose I’ll have to find Sophia myself. Wiscombe seems to make even the simplest things difficult, dragging out something as simple as calling someone.”

As Robert left the garden, one of his attendants hurried over.

“Lady Sophia has already returned to Finega, Your Highness.”

Frowning, Robert replied.

“To Finega?”

“Yes, Highness.”

As she watched Robert leave the garden hastily, Isabelle couldn’t help but smirk subtly.

“Leaving without a word… such poor manners. So, Wiscombe is no longer needed, is that it?”

***

As soon as Prince Robert left the Wiscombe estate, the Duchess and Isabelle met. Isabelle spoke, almost mocking herself.

“He was rather cold. I had no idea Prince Robert had that kind of temperament. He even thanked you for your wisdom in choosing not to attend the ball.”

Hiding her own confusion, the Duchess replied calmly.

“It could be that he still has feelings for you. Prince Robert is becoming more and more arrogant. And to think, he used to wear down our doorstep to see you.”

Isabelle scoffed.

“Things didn’t go smoothly with Sophia, did they? Did she act bold? Like she’s truly engaged? So I was wrong in doubting it, then?”

“It’s not certain yet, but she certainly acted brazenly.”

Noticing the Duchess’s troubled expression, Philip spoke.

“Was it necessary to go that far with Sophia? Retaliation against Ariel is one thing, but we should still maintain our ties. Whether her engagement is real or not isn’t our concern, especially with Parma absent from the capital.”

Isabelle replied curtly.

“So, is the engagement real or not?”

The Duchess responded, “There’s definitely something between them, but there won’t be a marriage. Just wait and see.”

Standing up, Isabelle said, “It’s all going back to square one. We tried to confirm the engagement’s validity, but all we confirmed is that Prince Robert now opposes Wiscombe. As if we needed to check on that.”

After Isabelle left the drawing room, the Duchess’s brow furrowed deeply. Philip also stood up and remarked, “We can’t afford to lose Frederick. I might have said it was fine if Isabelle failed, but I’m starting to think otherwise. We need to handle Prince Frederick carefully.”

Alone in the drawing room, the Duchess laughed bitterly to herself.

“Does she think being engaged to a prince gives her the right to do whatever she wants? Daring to give me advice? As if things would stay the same forever?”

Yet, despite her words, the Duchess couldn’t shake Sophia’s statements from her mind. Sophia’s words echoed louder and clearer than anything she’d ever heard before.

***

Back at Finega, Mrs. Finega and Helen were concerned to see Sophia return earlier than expected. Sophia brushed off their worries with a smile and retreated to her room.

She was angry at the Duchess’s behavior, but leaving Robert behind like that was not something she’d normally do.

‘So what? Prince Robert has abandoned me before too.’

She collapsed onto the sofa, completely drained. Having stung the Duchess’s pride, Sophia knew that she would be seen as getting carried away with her engagement to Robert.

Wiscombe’s goal must be to position themselves as the imperial family’s maternal relatives, taking on exactly the role Cressida enjoys now.

“How can I ruin things between Frederick and Isabelle? No, getting Robert to become the Crown Prince is the priority. Their marriage doesn’t matter.”

Sophia wondered whose decision it was for Prince Frederick to retreat from the public eye.

“Did Frederick decide to withdraw himself? Or did the Empress confine him to appease Gareth?”

Sophia decided she would need to confirm this directly with Prince Robert.

Upon hearing a knock and learning that Robert was looking for her, Sophia stood up and straightened her disheveled clothing.

In the drawing room, Prince Robert was pacing. Sophia took a moment to study him anew. His faded brown hair caught her attention—far from the striking golden locks of Prince Frederick.

‘He’s tall, sure. A bit plain, but with the title of emperor… Well… not that it matters to me.’

Casting aside her idle thoughts, Sophia spoke in a deliberately cheerful tone.

“Did you have a good conversation with Isabelle?”

“Did you leave me behind because you heard I was meeting with her?”

Rolling her eyes, Sophia replied, “Let’s say so. It could serve as a nice reason to call off the engagement, don’t you think? Should I start spreading rumors now? That might stir things up between Isabelle and Prince Frederick.”

Noticing Robert studying her closely, Sophia asked, “What is it?”

“If not for Isabelle, then why did you suddenly come back alone, against plan? Were you getting back at me for the debutante ball?”

Sophia sat down on the sofa and replied, “I stormed out because I was angry at the Duchess. Sorry.”

“What did the Duchess do?”

“Setting aside that she kept me waiting, she gave me a cheap tea set while she used a high-end one, as if she wouldn’t touch the one I was using.”

“How refined of her. What nonsense. You’re my fiancée now, and yet she dares…”

“That’s why I’d like you to show your anger. Quietly, of course. Meet with Duke Wiscombe in front of the Emperor and protest about this incident. Even if you don’t grab him by the collar, you could at least make him feel humiliated. It would be even better if the Emperor believed that the Duchess and I have such personal enmity that we’d never be on the same side. Please let him know how deeply I was hurt.”

Prince Robert observed Sophia’s expression closely and spoke.

“Your words about helping Ariel a bit more while helping me suddenly come to mind.”

Sophia replied frankly.

“It’s a good thing for you, after all. If Ariel, your ally, gains a stronger position, it will benefit you as well. I’d like to secure the marquis title for Baron Ariel before the engagement ball. I need that title to comfort my wounded pride.”

Robert chuckled, as if finding it absurd.

“So you went to see the Duchess of Wiscombe fully intending to get hit?”

Sophia responded.

“No, I went intending to hit hard myself. The Duchess didn’t believe our engagement was real, but now I bet she’s having doubts. I’ve thoroughly gotten under her skin. I hope she thinks I’m so high on being the prince’s fiancée that I can’t see anything else. If Baron Ariel is granted the marquis title, the Duchess will go beyond doubting to believing it. That way, I’ll also be compensated for the insult I endured.”

“And if she still doesn’t believe it?”

“Well, I’ll still have the marquis title, so it won’t be a loss.”

Robert snickered, then burst out laughing.