I unknowingly nodded my head.
“Yes!”
Ah, I didn’t plan to shout so lively, but I was so excited that I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm.
‘Is it because I’ve accumulated a lot of things against Liandro?’
Hearing my words, Liandro’s expression twisted.
“Now, you’re joking about a sacred duel—”
Thud!
John threw his glove at Liandro’s face without a word. The sound was even louder than before, indicating how well it hit.
Wow, I turned my head to dodge Liandro’s flying attack.
Considering that, it hit his face precisely.
A red mark appeared on Liandro’s face. The black glove slowly fell to the floor.
The air inside the salon froze coldly. Liandro looked at me in disbelief, as if he couldn’t believe he got hit not once, but twice.
“Good shot.”
John’s playful voice echoed in the quiet silence.
“If I had another one, I would have thrown it again. It’s a shame.”
“…Duke Blanchet. Do not mock the sacred duel of knights.”
Liandro gritted his teeth and picked up John’s fallen black glove. It seemed he was trying to protect his last shred of dignity by not responding to John’s provocation.
“Duke Blanchet, I also know how remarkable your abilities are.”
Though a bit annoyed, Liandro looked noble, like a chivalrous knight from a fairy tale.
“And my Black Night sword is not exactly light, either.”
Count Pelsis.
A prestigious family ranked among the top five in the empire.
If Duke Blanchet’s family was the proudest noble house, Count Pelsis was a family built more like a loyal knight.
They had served as the Imperial Palace Knights Commander for generations, protecting the royal family.
‘Of course, I was always told that Duke Blanchet’s family was number one, and they were second.’
After Duke Blanchet disappeared, Count Pelsis was called the only pride of the empire.
Among them, Liandro was a man who achieved more than anyone else and even earned the title of ‘Knight of the White Night.’
Liandro’s sharp blue eyes turned toward John.
“So, you should also be careful not to be consumed by arrogance.”
“If I could do that, I’d welcome it.”
But John didn’t flinch at Liandro’s intimidating presence.
“Rather, why don’t you bring the witness you said was so important?”
Liandro slightly raised his eyebrows and looked at Miryu, who was unconscious.
“What have you done to Lady Jutti?”
“I merely treated her with utmost care because she is an important person.”
“Can a lady Jutti, who was treated so carefully, really faint? That’s a ridiculous excuse.”
“Well, maybe she suddenly wanted to faint?”
John, smiling crookedly, gestured toward Miryu.
“If you have more questions, ask someone other than my wife.”
At that moment, Raymond threw Miryu, whom he was holding, onto the floor. Liandro quickly moved to catch Miryu, who was about to fall.
Liandro clenched his fists and gritted his teeth at John.
“Duke Blanchet, no matter how much you protect her, her evil deeds won’t be erased.”
“Then let’s reveal what those evil deeds are and talk about them.”
Princess Diana approached Miryu with a displeased expression, and as if to take Miryu from Liandro, she nodded.
I carefully examined the unconscious Miryu.
‘No matter how I look at it, that scar, there’s something there.’
Honestly, I only learned about Miryu’s scar from rumors in high society. It had nothing to do with me at all.
‘Probably she made it up and is talking nonsense by herself.’
I didn’t say it outright, but everyone could guess that it was me.
‘But why a scar?’
I understand that Miryu wanted to act as a victim and be treated well. The worse my reputation, the more her character would be appreciated.
‘There are plenty of better ways than a scar.’
Miryu, having found a good husband and in-laws who would understand her scar, would be appreciated, but in most cases, brides with scars are avoided.
‘Scar, scar…’
Suddenly, the thought led to my own scars.
Few people had seen my scars until now. Only the Duke and Duchess Libertan, the head maid of the Duchess, Betty, and my personal doctor, Mr. Henry.
‘Come to think of it, Miryu too.’
At that moment, memories of Miryu flooded in like a tidal wave.
‘Secrets shouldn’t exist among friends. Why doesn’t she tell me what’s going on?’
Although Miryu was unconscious now, the image of her childhood, frowning and alive before me, vividly appeared.
Ugh, what is this disgusting thing? Could it be…
How did it suddenly appear?
Really? The Duke and Duchess Libertan said they hated you so much. How could something like this appear out of nowhere? And if you didn’t care, there was no reason to send you back on the day you arrived—
Miryu persistently examined the scar on my thigh.
“Did anyone else see this scar?”
…No.
“So, how terrible a daughter are you that God made you have such a scar? Hide it forever.”
But Miryu, unlike earlier, kindly lowered my dress again.
“Estelle. I might forgive you for hearing the lies that you were abused and scarred in Libertan, but others won’t.”
Her voice, after a long time, was gentle—just like when I first saw her.
“And then, this disgusting thing? Ugh, you understand what I mean, right?”
If Miryu hadn’t slapped my cheek at the end, if she hadn’t gotten angry, claiming I was emotionally tormenting her over trivial matters…
“You think you’re special, don’t you?”
“Get a grip. You’re just lucky to be adopted into Libertan and living well. I find it pathetic that I am dealing with someone like you.”
I would have believed those words my whole life.
“Now you know.”
From the beginning, Miryu never saw me as a friend. She hated me and wanted to torment me. She was no different from the Libertan Duke and Duchess who abused her.
‘Until I realized the original story, I couldn’t even admit that fact.’
Fortunately, even while looking at Miryu’s sleeping face, I felt nothing.
‘Anyway, does seeing my scars and lying about them have anything to do with it?’
Honestly, there’s no connection, but because Miryu had been telling lies all along, I found it hard to ignore.
Noticing my condition, John enveloped my shoulder.
“Estelle, let’s go home now.”
As I turned my body under John’s escort, suddenly—
“Lady Estelle.”
Liandro called me sadly.
“Even if the author whispers like a demon, you must not fall for it.”
John tried to cover my ears and take me away, but I lowered his hand and smiled softly.
“Just a moment.”
John frowned but I turned my head to look back at Liandro.
“No matter how much time has passed, you cannot completely erase the sins you’ve committed. But people can change at any time. Of course, it starts with repentance—”
A strange thrill surged in Liandro’s blue eyes as we faced each other again.
“Count Pelsis, unfortunately, I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“You can’t apologize for sins that don’t exist.”
“If you don’t know, I will tell you. I will guide you to walk the right path.”
As expected.
“No. Don’t teach me.”
I grinned.
“Do as that proud Knight of the White Night would.”
…What do you mean?
“If you think I am a sinner, then do it according to Imperial law. Dig into my past, gather the crimes, and bring me to trial for punishment.”
Liandro, the hero of the original story.
‘The knight whose sense of justice remains unchanging even as the chivalry shifts.’
‘A noble sword of the empire with a noble heart.’
In fact, the only one who tried to save me from suffering in the original was Liandro. Looking at that, he truly was a noble savior.
“Stop bothering with trivial chances and just be quiet.”
But he was only the noble savior for everyone.
Liandro didn’t care about me. No matter who was in my place, he would act the same and demand repentance.
Perhaps he simply didn’t care about my circumstances at all.
“But just remember one thing.”
I looked past Liandro and made eye contact with Diana. Diana, holding Miryu in her arms, was staring at me blankly.
“Just because you don’t want to believe it, doesn’t make lies into truth.”
Diana flinched and trembled as if her eyes were filled with confusion.
“Truth doesn’t exist as you think it does.”
“…”
“Ah, maybe it’s too difficult for someone who is told to atone for sins that didn’t exist.”
~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~
Even as I got on the carriage with John, I couldn’t help feeling happy.
It wasn’t intentional, but I guess I was just too excited without realizing it. When I smiled and looked out the window, John chuckled softly.
“You’re in such a good mood?”
I felt awkward touching my cheek, fearing I was showing too openly how much I enjoyed.
“Are you that obvious?”
“It’s only visible to me.”
John gently brushed my bangs aside and met my eyes.
“I guess I’ll have to challenge you to a duel more often.”
“Why?”
“Then I can always see that happy face of yours. Do you dislike anyone?”
“If people hear, they’ll think I hate everyone—”
But suddenly, I wondered:
‘Could John really beat Liandro in a duel?’
John was extremely clever. If there was no chance of winning, he wouldn’t have even challenged him.
‘But Liandro is the Empire’s number one swordsman.’
The last time John was able to overpower Liandro was because he used magic.
…And that protective magic should be gone now.
Seeing my worried expression, John crossed his arms and asked.
“Why do you look like that?”
“Oh, I mentioned last time that the protective magic was broken. And my condition isn’t good either.”
I hesitated before adding,
“Would it be okay to duel Liandro?”
“Do you think I can’t beat that guy?”
“That’s not what I mean, but I worry about you getting hurt.”
The carriage jolted. Through the window, the sunlight streamed in at an angle.
“Don’t worry. My body is perfectly fine.”
“Really? Still—”
But my worries didn’t go away.
Since the duel was supposed to be to uphold the knight’s honor, using magic or any other sorcery was strictly forbidden.
“Magic isn’t allowed in a duel.”
“But he won’t beat me anyway.”
John winked with one eye.
“I have many other weapons besides magic.”
Unlike when I had to face Diana and Miryu alone suddenly, I was calm and composed.
My black shadow, always handling any situation with ease. I looked into John’s crimson eyes, contrasting with Liandro’s blue.
“Anyway, even if I win the duel, people won’t believe in me.”
The wind fluttered the carriage curtain.
“They probably think I erased Miryu’s scar as if it never existed. And that could tarnish John’s name even more.”
The slanting sunlight cast shadows on John’s face, like a sculpture.
“No, once I made him my wife, it was inevitable that John’s name would be dirtied. But I won’t get involved in such troublesome affairs anymore.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“…John, do you trust me?”
Without hesitation, the words slipped out.
“Everyone thinks I bullied Miryu so much that I even caused her scar—such lies. Besides, I am the infamous daughter of Libertan. An adoptive daughter who doesn’t even know her place.”
John still sat with his long legs crossed and arms folded. His expression was noble, as befits an upper noble.
“Do you also think I did that?”
“No.”
John quickly answered.
“I believe you wouldn’t do such a thing.”
“…Why?”
My heart started pounding wildly.
“I saw Miryu’s scar. Someone’s cut it with a knife. And I even heard witnesses saying they saw me commit evil deeds.”
My mind filled with impossible hopes.
‘This is too much.’
“Even so, you believe me?”
“I do. Despite all that.”
“You haven’t even seen it with your own eyes. Can you really just believe what I say?”
Somehow, my words became sharper and sharper.
“Ah, so because I am the Duchess of Blanchet, all those rumors must be lies?”
At that moment, John reached out his long arm and touched my forehead. He slowly brought his face closer to mine after relaxing his legs.
“Don’t cry.”
Strangely, I wasn’t shedding a single tear.
“John, I am not crying.”
“To me, it looks like you’re crying.”
John’s long fingers brushed my cheek. Unlike before, when tears flowed easily, strangely, no tears fell at all.
“How could you think I am lying like this?”
John whispered softly to me.
“No matter what evidence or witnesses they bring, I won’t believe anything. I only believe what you say.”
“Why?”
He slowly twisted his lips into a slight smile.
“Because you love me.”
My heart sank.
~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~
The day of the duel arrived.
Before the duel, Miryu’s fiancé, Crown Prince Hesen, came to see Liandro.
“Thank you, Lord Pelsis. For acting to honor my wife.”
“It’s nothing. By the way, weren’t you just engaged? Isn’t she still your fiancée?”
“We’ll be married soon, so calling her my wife isn’t wrong.”
Hesen the Crown Prince smiled gently.
“By the way, if you hadn’t stepped in, my sister might have been in trouble. I must thank you again.”
“There’s no need to mention it. Is Princess Loiem okay after what happened at the salon?”
Diana hadn’t gone outside since that incident. Rumors spread that she was deeply shocked.
“She was raised in the palace, but Diana is a strong girl. She’ll surely recover on her own.”
However, Hesen’s expression was not reassuring.
‘Brother, are you really sure that everything your new sister-in-law said is true? You’ve never even doubted it?’
Diana, who had been lying in bed all day, was deep in strange thoughts.
“If you don’t win the duel, my kingdom, Royem, will take responsibility too. It’s my wife’s matter.”
“Has Queen Isabella approved?”
“Yes. Mother also approved. She’s strict, but she doesn’t hesitate to handle family matters.”
At that moment, someone knocked and entered from outside.
It was Chancellor Ortega.
“Greetings, Lord Pelsis. Today, at the Emperor’s command, I came to judge the duel between the two.”
Chancellor Ortega bowed gracefully and then sat on the sofa, looking at Liandro.
“By the way, this is the second time I have presided over a trial involving Duchess Blanchet. This time, it’s a bit different because it’s a duel.”
Liandro’s eyes narrowed.
“Are you referring to Count Hetel?”
“Yes. I apologize for any malicious rumors about the Duchess. I wish I hadn’t spread such slander.”
“Malicious, you say…”
“The rumors that the Duchess intentionally defamed Count Hetel. Have you heard of such things, Lord Pelsis?”
~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~
Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉
Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
~~~Next Chapter~~~
Next chapter will be released Tomorrow.
See you then!!
