Chapter 7 – Knighting Ceremony (1)
[Translator – Peptobismol]
Chapter 7 – Knighting Ceremony (1)
The Duke, who had maintained silence for a while, responded to me with a deteriorating expression.
“…Judgment is free.”
Judgment is free.
In other words, he doesn’t care, so I should choose as I see fit.
It was unexpected.
If it were the usual Velzer Winfred I knew, he would have inevitably assigned a Knight from the Duke’s faction to Kyle.
‘Looks like acquiring the Holy Blood was quite advantageous.”
I didn’t bother responding to his words.
In the stifling silence, I continued to push food into my mouth without pause, eager to finish the meal as quickly as possible.
The Duke did the same.
Whether our argument had stirred his emotions, he didn’t utter a single word throughout.
After a while, the Duke finished his meal and rose from his seat first.
Since it was breakfast, there weren’t many dishes, so the meal didn’t take long.
Leaving behind some food, I also rose from my seat, following the Duke.
“…”
With a darkened expression, the Duke glanced at me as I got up from my seat.
As I looked at his puzzled face, he spoke with a tired tone.
“Last night, a letter came from Count Yustia. They formally responded to the annulment request you’ve been so eagerly anticipating.”
I abruptly halted as I was about to walk towards the room, turning my head.
“A response?”
“Yes. It bore the seal of the Count.”
“What was the content?”
“They mentioned their daughter suffered significant emotional distress. Additionally, they expressed they do not wish for an annulment.”
I widened my eyes at the surprising news.
Their “daughter” undoubtedly referred to Isabel, meaning she still refuses to agree to the annulment.
‘Damn it.’
The back of my neck was itching from the rising irritation.
Soon, the Duke’s calm voice echoed in my ears.
“They also demanded compensation.”
That much was expected.
As breaking off an engagement unilaterally between noble families, it’s only natural to demand a substantial sum as compensation for tarnishing the family’s honor.
However, what followed was truly unexpected.
“They mentioned the Holy Blood as compensation.'”
Unable to hide my emotions, I expressed my disbelief plainly on my face.
Holy Blood. In essence, asking for that as compensation, was no different from directly rejecting the annulment request.
“You should be aware as well, Kyle. If the Count holds their ground…”
“…Imperial trial. I’m aware.”
“Yes, of course there is no need to worry. Even if it were, it’ll only delay matters.”
The outcome won’t change.
With a firm voice, the Duke spoke to me.
Yes, the outcome won’t change.
Demanding the Holy Blood as compensation is absurd.
Naturally, the outcome of the trial will be one in which an appropriate amount of compensation is given to the Count and the annulment of the engagement is acknowledged.
But there’s a separate issue.
‘Did I mess up?’
The Imperial trial is a trial for nobles, full of meaningless formalities and procedures.
In other words, the time taken for a trial to convene is excessively long.
For me, who needs to leave the mansion as soon as possible, this news is truly devastating.
“… ”
Should I just give in and offer the Holy Blood as compensation?
But unless the Duke has gone mad, he wouldn’t accept such an unreasonable condition over the easy route of an imperial trial.
Challenging such a provocation against one of the Empire’s Three Great Guardian Houses, the Winfreds, is unthinkable.
Surely, Isabel and the entire Count Yustia family have lost their minds.
As I swallowed my anger without a word, the Duke spoke in a calm tone.
“Other conditions were also included.”
“What are they?”
“Lady Isabel. They said if she can be persuaded, they would agree to the annulment with a modest compensation.”
The Duke’s eyes sparkled with interest, as if anticipating my next move.
There’s no choice.
I responded without hesitation.
“I will take care of convincing her.”
“As you wish.”
The Duke finished his words and turned away without hesitation.
A little later, two maids cautiously opened the door to the closed dining room.
.
The Duke, accompanied by the butler waiting outside, moved to the study, while I remained and slouched on the couch in the room.
“It’s still fine. There’s still plenty of time.”
All I need to do is persuade Isabel.
It shouldn’t be too difficult.
I just need to stage a situation where she has no choice but to agree to the annulment.
“Let’s set that aside for now…”
What’s important right now is the upcoming Knighting Ceremony.
The goal is to recruit Diana as Kyle’s personal Knight.
Since I’ve obtained the Duke’s approval, practically all the necessary preparations were complete.
After casually organizing my thoughts, I turned my head.
In my abruptly turned gaze, something caught my attention.
A sophisticated, brown case.
Inside it, a silver ring was stored.
It was the other pair of engagement ring Kyle Winfred had given to Isabel.
I narrowed my eyes and let out a short sigh.
[Translator – Peptobismol]
Then, with a firm voice, I muttered to myself.
“…Good.”
I need to go out soon anyway.
I should sell off that damn annoying ring first.
****
Knock, knock—
A maid gently knocked on the door a couple of times.
Her name was Erica, Isabel’s personal maid.
“Miss, it’s me.”
Erica had been working at the mansion since Isabel was born.
Her mother had also worked here, and Erica herself had been working here, and her future children would likely work here too.
Erica adored Isabel.
As the only daughter of one of the Empire’s most prestigious County families, possessing exceptional beauty, demeanor, and exemplifying nobility.
Having served the Yustia family for generations, Erica couldn’t help but love Isabel.
But the Young Miss has started acting strange since a sunny day after returning from the engagement ceremony held at the Winfred’s estate.
For some unknown reason, the Young Miss’s face was filled with indescribable sadness upon her return.
The Young Miss’s odd behavior didn’t stop there.
The engagement ring given to her by the bastard of Winfred, Kyle Winfred.
From a certain point, the Young Miss started treasuring that ring, which she had received from the man she despised so much.
She never took off the ring for a moment, sometimes gazing at it with a distant expression, and sometimes smiling bitterly.
How could she treasure a ring given by a man she loathed so much?
Erica couldn’t understand it at all.
And a few days ago.
The Young Miss went out in the evening and returned to the mansion in a terrible state, swallowing her tears in her room all night.
Since then.
A deep darkness descended on the face of the Young Miss who always had a bright smile on her face.
She had been unable to sleep at night, spending her days in a nervous state, jumping at the slightest thing, muttering to herself as if she had lost her mind, staring into space blankly.
And now.
“Miss, are you in your room?”
Erica continued to knock on the door persistently.
She was there to deliver the news about Kyle Winfred that the Young Miss had been emphasizing so much.
“…Come in.”
When Erica opened the door, she saw Isabel sitting at the table by the window.
With a side glance, Erica scanned the table.
It was filled with elaborately prepared food.
It was exactly the same as a few hours ago when Erica set it up for Isabel’s meal.
‘Everything’s the same again…’
For the past few days, Isabel had been skipping meals whenever possible.
It started from the day when the official annulment request came from Winfred.
“Miss, the Knighting Ceremony is coming soon.”
The Young Miss was still lost in thought, gazing out the window.
With a somewhat lonely expression, she gently caressed the ring on her ring finger.
Erica continued speaking.
“Um… Kyle Winfred will also be attending the ceremony.”
Rattle—!
Isabel, who had been indifferent all along, suddenly stood up from her seat.
“Kyle… what? Who?!”
“Kyle Winfred. Your fiance.”
“Kyle is coming to the Knighting Ceremony?!”
Isabel’s eyes widened in disbelief.
It was the most lively appearance of Isabel Erica had seen Isabel in days.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course! I heard it directly from the Head Maid. As you know, the Head Maid’s son is in charge of this ceremony.”
Numerous emotions flooded Isabel’s face.
To put it bluntly, she looked like someone missing something.
Erica didn’t know what to do and watched Isabel closely.
“Kyle… the ceremony…”
The Young Miss got up from her seat and started twirling in place, biting her thumb.
Erica, startled, was taken aback. Isabel, standing firm, spoke with a determined voice.
“I need to go see the Head Maid.”
“Huh? The Head Maid, what for?”
At Erica’s question, Isabel halted her steps.
After a moment, Isabel, who had been silent, spoke up.
“I want to go to the Knighting Ceremony too.”
She spoke calmly, but the corners of her mouth were slightly but clearly curved upwards.
[Translator – Peptobismol]
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