RBAR 21

“…Your Grace, the Grand Duke.”

Startled, I stared at him blankly for a moment. When did he get here?

“If that’s the case.”

Killian spoke in a cold, measured tone.

“Then wouldn’t this kind of behavior be dangerous for a relationship like that?”

Despite the smile on his face, his gaze was icy as it pierced the hand Caleb had placed on my arm.

Caleb flinched and quickly let go. Killian’s sharp eyes slowly swept over the entire situation.

“Grand Duke Orpheo.”

I recalled the situation and looked at Killian. It wouldn’t be good for Caleb and him to clash in such a public place.

But even though he sensed my gaze, Killian didn’t budge.

“Oh dear, it seems Miss Edith was quite displeased by what I said.”

He only smiled at me charmingly. I stared at him in a daze. As expected of someone likened to a devil, his gaze was irresistibly alluring.

“…Pardon?”

Only then did I register what he said and looked at him in confusion.

I was displeased with Killian? Not at all…

But reading his expression, I quickly caught on.

Ah! I see what’s going on here.

“Well… I was a little displeased.”

Suppressing a laugh, I hardened my expression as if I truly were offended. I could hear people around us quietly gasping.

“I apologize for my rudeness, Miss Edith Diel. Now then, I’m curious about the young duke’s response.”

The smile in Killian’s eyes flickered and disappeared.

His acting was far more skilled than mine.

“……”

Caught in our third-rate play, Caleb’s face flushed red and blue before he finally shut his mouth.

The Grand Duke, who had been silently watching, now had a lowered smile.

The air froze instantly.

“One should not say things in public that shouldn’t be said anywhere. Apologize.”

The Grand Duke—second only to the Emperor in power—had just apologized in front of me. There was no way Caleb could refuse.

To think I’d live to see him swallow his pride and apologize to me…

This is more interesting than I expected.

I barely suppressed the twitch of my lips and stared at Caleb. Feeling my gaze, he reluctantly spoke.

“…I’m sorry.”

“That’s enough. Watch what you say from now on.”

I deliberately smiled in an annoying way as I replied. Somewhere nearby, I heard the grinding of teeth.

With that, Caleb turned sharply and strode away.

I bowed slightly to Killian in thanks.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“Consider it an apology for being late.”

“M-Miss Edith Diel!”

At that moment, the investors who had been standing at a distance brightened and approached—only to stop short.

Killian was still beside me.

Seeing how they hesitated, I realized he was an excellent human shield.

“Your Grace, how did you obtain that piece of evidence?”

So I deliberately addressed him.

It had been something I’d been curious about throughout the trial.

Did he install some kind of recording device inside the Adelheit duchy?

If so, that could actually backfire legally due to security laws.

However, in a case that had already been lost, the chances of a successful countersuit were extremely low.

And if the opponent was the Grand Duke Orpheo—then even more so. It was practically a perfect example of a guaranteed victory.

At my question, he let out a low chuckle and whispered,

“Rather than ‘obtained,’ wouldn’t ‘created’ be more accurate?”

…What?

Then the duke’s claim about fabricated evidence was actually true?

Then why did he tell them to request verification from the Mage Tower if they doubted it?

And then I remembered something important.

Right. The owner of the Mage Tower is Killian Orpheo.

Even if the duke had requested verification, the result itself would have been manipulated.

So that was the source of his confidence.

Speechless, I stared at him until he asked,

“Do you dislike my method?”

If I wanted to preserve my moral dignity, I should say I felt guilty…

But contrary to my will, the corners of my lips kept rising.

“No, I think it was a great method.”

If this was the devil’s way, then maybe being a devil suited me after all.

I’d already been branded a swindler by the empire anyway.

Fabricating evidence is nothing.

Perhaps surprised by my answer, Killian looked at me with interest.

“Why do you think so?”

“They were the ones who played dirty first. There’s no reason we can’t do the same.”

Honestly, this felt far more satisfying than winning fairly.

How furious they must be to lose because of fabricated evidence.

Just imagining it is satisfying.

I caught myself smiling wickedly and quickly composed my expression.

Right—this wasn’t a place where I was alone.

But Killian was staring straight at my face.

“D-Do I have something on my face?”

“No. That expression you just made suits you very well, Miss Edith.”

“That’s an insult, isn’t it?”

“Not at all. That expression now suits you as well. I’ve seen it before.”

He smirked as if recalling something.

“It was the same expression you had when I was late to the trial.”

“…How did you see that?”

“I found your murderous expression—like you were about to push me off a cliff—quite amusing, so I deliberately made a late entrance.”

“……”

I did imagine pushing him off a cliff. Is he a mind reader?

“I’m joking. Today’s variables were unexpected even for me.”

His gaze shifted toward the princess.

“Do you happen to know why the princess is here?”

It was a reasonable question—her presence had played a major role in the early proceedings.

I answered quickly,

“Um, I’m not sure.”

There was no way I could confess that I had sent her a letter detailing the contents of the holy-power medicine because I didn’t trust him.

I firmly drew the line—but then I noticed the princess staring at me.

W-what is it…?

She was walking toward us.

No! Don’t come this way!

Apparently she didn’t understand my desperate gaze, because she soon stopped right in front of me and asked gently,

“Um… Miss Edith Diel, could I speak with you for a moment?”

“Your Highness, she—”

Rihardt, who stood beside her, tried to intervene.

“Sorry, but this is a personal matter.”

The princess’s firm refusal was unusual enough that Rihardt stepped back, startled.

But perhaps I showed too much satisfaction, because I felt a prickling sensation on my cheek.

Rihardt was glaring at me.

Petty little man.

While I was thinking that, the princess turned her gaze to Killian.

Why are you looking at him…?

“Grand Duke Orpheo, please join us as well. We’ve just received some beautiful flowers in the garden.”

What?

At her invitation, I immediately looked at Killian anxiously.

Surely he wouldn’t accept—

“If it is Your Highness’s request, how could I refuse?”

Killian replied elegantly, his eyes curving.

…This was going to be a very ominous tea time.

The princess’s palace garden was indeed full of blooming flowers.

The three of us—Killian, the princess, and I—sat around a round table for tea. Just looking at the garden made my stomach churn.

Damn those twins.

As I ground my teeth recalling what happened with the Cornelly twins, the princess spoke first.

“It must not be to your liking, Your Grace?”

Killian smiled faintly.

“Not at all. It is an honor to see such beautiful flowers.”

“Compared to the Orpheo Grand Garden, this is quite modest.”

That wasn’t humility—it was the truth.

Even the imperial garden, though vast compared to most noble estates, couldn’t compare to Orpheo’s.

We sat at a table in the center of the garden.

“It’s about this letter—I wanted to ask you about it.”

She got straight to the point.

Caught off guard without time to prepare an excuse, I quickly said,

“Regarding that letter, could we speak privately for a moment?”

“I’m sorry, but that won’t be possible.”

Princess Isabella blinked apologetically, though urgency lingered in her calm eyes.

“I would also like to hear an expert’s opinion. Judging by your familiarity, it seems you two are not strangers. If it’s alright, I’d like to know what the Grand Duke thinks as well.”

If we’re counting meetings, it’s only been a few days…

But seeing her expression, I couldn’t speak.

She reminded me of Stella.

And in truth, her actions made sense.

He’s the Emperor’s most trusted noble—and a great mage.

A war hero who appeared like a comet ten years ago.

He had steadily built achievements, rising to the rank of Grand Duke.

Not only was he a master mage, but he was also skilled in finance, earning the Emperor’s full trust.

Compared to my terrible reputation, it was only natural she would trust him more.

“May I read the letter?”

Though he asked, the letter was already in his hand.

It was so natural that no one even noticed.

No—don’t!

I froze internally.

The letter contained part of the formula for the holy-power medicine.

To Killian, it was practically proof of my betrayal