“What did you just say, Marquis?”
As soon as Sylvia stepped into the banquet hall, she saw the people holding their breath, and the Marquis of Seicrine standing in the middle of them. Despite his well-dressed appearance, Randall had a face so angry that the veins on his neck and chin stood out. In fact, the others were pale and could not even breathe properly because of the murderous intent he exuded.
The Marquis was flustered and struggled, but it was not enough to fight off three people alone. Considering that Randall alone could exert the same strength as three people, it was practically no different from fighting five people.
"Misunderstanding?"
“Does that mean that everything the Marquis said was a misunderstanding?”
“But the Marquis is not the type of person to talk nonsense without being sure...”
Because the Marquis's character was always so wonderful, people could not easily dispel their suspicions. It was Rubia who put an end to the confusion.
“I apologize for causing a commotion. I hope the misunderstanding is resolved.”
As she folded her fan and began to speak, everyone stopped talking. As always, Rubia straightened her back and neck, pulled her chin in, and continued speaking, surveying the crowd with an air of aristocracy.
“As you all have heard, the Marquis is currently experiencing a minor misunderstanding. As the host of today’s party, I will do my best to prevent any false rumors from polluting your ears.”
Several nobles who had been leading the way shrugged their shoulders at those words. Rubia’s meaning was clear. If there was anyone who was spreading false rumors, she would kick them out with the authority of the party host. The nobles who had confirmed that the Duke and Duchess were friendly to Counteas Glever wanted to avoid getting on her bad side if possible, so they quietly closed their lips.
As soon as Sylvia stepped into the banquet hall, she saw the people holding their breath, and the Marquis of Seicrine standing in the middle of them. Despite his well-dressed appearance, Randall had a face so angry that the veins on his neck and chin stood out. In fact, the others were pale and could not even breathe properly because of the murderous intent he exuded.
The moment Sylvia saw Randall’s face, she instinctively felt that he had also come across a scandal. However, Marquis of Seicrine continued to speak with a confident attitude.
“I told you, the Duchess, that she is not fit to be the mistress of the North. The wilderness is a sacred duty, passed down from generation to generation...”
“You’d better keep your mouth shut unless you want me to take off my gloves right here.”
Randall cut the Marquis off with a low growl. He ran a hand through his neatly knit hair, desperately suppressing his murderous intent.
'Damn. Why are you doing this all of a sudden?'
Even in this midst, he could not bring himself to say out loud that the Marquis had lost his mind. Randall wanted to immediately reveal that it was he who had refused his duty and clear Sylvia of the accusations against her. However, he did not know whether the northerners, who were always suspicious and wary of the royal family, would easily believe his words. He was also worried that rumors that there was something wrong with Sylvia might spread, so he could not open his mouth rashly. This was especially true considering that this was a banquet hall with many people gathered.
“I told you, the Duchess, that she is not fit to be the mistress of the North. The wilderness is a sacred duty, passed down from generation to generation...”
“You’d better keep your mouth shut unless you want me to take off my gloves right here.”
Randall cut the Marquis off with a low growl. He ran a hand through his neatly knit hair, desperately suppressing his murderous intent.
'Damn. Why are you doing this all of a sudden?'
Even in this midst, he could not bring himself to say out loud that the Marquis had lost his mind. Randall wanted to immediately reveal that it was he who had refused his duty and clear Sylvia of the accusations against her. However, he did not know whether the northerners, who were always suspicious and wary of the royal family, would easily believe his words. He was also worried that rumors that there was something wrong with Sylvia might spread, so he could not open his mouth rashly. This was especially true considering that this was a banquet hall with many people gathered.
While Randall seriously considered striking the back of the neck of the Marquis of Seicrine and knocking him unconscious, the Marquis persistently tried to belittle Sylvia.
“Think calmly, Duke. You should use the excuse of refusing the first night to expel the Duchess right now. And if you bring in a proper young lady like my daughter as your mistress and try to unite the North...”
The moment Marquis Seicrine mentioned his daughter, Philia, a similar thought crossed Randall and Sylvia's minds at the same time.
‘...At the banquet held at Belfort Castle last time, you strangely tried to link Philia and me together. Were you perhaps affected by magic, or by the power of the demons?’
'Come to think of it, among succubus... some can sometimes use abilities similar to brainwashing.'
The difference was that Randall was very close to the correct answer, while Sylvia was the one who knew the answer. Sylvia convinced that the Marquis of Seicrine was not in his right mind, took a step forward. Randall flinched and turned around when the people who had discovered her began to murmur softly.
“Sylvia.”
As soon as Randall took Sylvia in, the murderous aura surrounding him began to fade slightly. Sylvia stopped in front of the Marquis and Randall with a gentle smile.
“Both of you, stop.”
"Princess."
“It would be rude to make any more noise at a party that Countess Glever has prepared with great care. Wouldn’t you say so, Marquis?”
Sylvia cut the Marquis off with a strangely threatening smile. Taking advantage of the Marquis's silence, she looked around and continued speaking leisurely.
“It seems the Marquis has misunderstood something. We cannot ruin the party with a misunderstanding, so we will return to the castle and discuss it separately.”
"I am..."
“Randall.”
When the Marquis was about to object, Sylvia called out to Randall. Randall sensed her intention and grabbed the Marquis' shoulder tightly.
“Let’s go together. You look tired already.”
“I’m not tired...!”
“Auston. Return.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As Randall then nodded to Auston, Auston secretly moved his hand and magically covered the Marquis' mouth.
“Ugh, ugh!”
“Think calmly, Duke. You should use the excuse of refusing the first night to expel the Duchess right now. And if you bring in a proper young lady like my daughter as your mistress and try to unite the North...”
The moment Marquis Seicrine mentioned his daughter, Philia, a similar thought crossed Randall and Sylvia's minds at the same time.
‘...At the banquet held at Belfort Castle last time, you strangely tried to link Philia and me together. Were you perhaps affected by magic, or by the power of the demons?’
'Come to think of it, among succubus... some can sometimes use abilities similar to brainwashing.'
The difference was that Randall was very close to the correct answer, while Sylvia was the one who knew the answer. Sylvia convinced that the Marquis of Seicrine was not in his right mind, took a step forward. Randall flinched and turned around when the people who had discovered her began to murmur softly.
“Sylvia.”
As soon as Randall took Sylvia in, the murderous aura surrounding him began to fade slightly. Sylvia stopped in front of the Marquis and Randall with a gentle smile.
“Both of you, stop.”
"Princess."
“It would be rude to make any more noise at a party that Countess Glever has prepared with great care. Wouldn’t you say so, Marquis?”
Sylvia cut the Marquis off with a strangely threatening smile. Taking advantage of the Marquis's silence, she looked around and continued speaking leisurely.
“It seems the Marquis has misunderstood something. We cannot ruin the party with a misunderstanding, so we will return to the castle and discuss it separately.”
"I am..."
“Randall.”
When the Marquis was about to object, Sylvia called out to Randall. Randall sensed her intention and grabbed the Marquis' shoulder tightly.
“Let’s go together. You look tired already.”
“I’m not tired...!”
“Auston. Return.”
“Yes, my lord.”
As Randall then nodded to Auston, Auston secretly moved his hand and magically covered the Marquis' mouth.
“Ugh, ugh!”
The Marquis was flustered and struggled, but it was not enough to fight off three people alone. Considering that Randall alone could exert the same strength as three people, it was practically no different from fighting five people.
In the end, the Marquis could barely walk on his own and had no choice but to board the carriage heading to the Duke's castle.
***
The banquet hall where the Countess's party and the Marquis of Seicrine had left was filled with the confused chatter of people.
"Misunderstanding?"
“Does that mean that everything the Marquis said was a misunderstanding?”
“But the Marquis is not the type of person to talk nonsense without being sure...”
Because the Marquis's character was always so wonderful, people could not easily dispel their suspicions. It was Rubia who put an end to the confusion.
“I apologize for causing a commotion. I hope the misunderstanding is resolved.”
As she folded her fan and began to speak, everyone stopped talking. As always, Rubia straightened her back and neck, pulled her chin in, and continued speaking, surveying the crowd with an air of aristocracy.
“As you all have heard, the Marquis is currently experiencing a minor misunderstanding. As the host of today’s party, I will do my best to prevent any false rumors from polluting your ears.”
Several nobles who had been leading the way shrugged their shoulders at those words. Rubia’s meaning was clear. If there was anyone who was spreading false rumors, she would kick them out with the authority of the party host. The nobles who had confirmed that the Duke and Duchess were friendly to Counteas Glever wanted to avoid getting on her bad side if possible, so they quietly closed their lips.
At that moment when everyone was rolling their eyes and looking at each other, a cheerful voice gently eased the tense atmosphere.
“Oh my, could there really be someone so low-class and without common sense and manners? You are worrying for nothing, Countess.”
Of course, the content of the words was not soft at all. Philia, holding a fan in one hand, approached Rubia with butterfly-like steps. Rubia’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly. Philia seemed completely unaware of the gesture, sighing and shrugging her shoulders.
“My father said that he often gets confused and forgets things these days because he’s getting older.”
The words, “Are you crazy?” that even Randall could not bring himself to say, actually came out from his own daughter, Philia. However, Philia naturally covered half her face with her fan and smiled.
“I believe that no one would say such nonsense as ‘The relationship between our family and the Duke has deteriorated because of such a trivial misunderstanding.’ Right?”
It was a beautiful smile, but the eyes that were revealed above the fan clearly conveyed the meaning of 'If you speak wrongly, I will bite you all off', and it was extremely murderous. Following Rubia, even Philia expressed her opinion that the Marquis' words were a misunderstanding, and people began to waver little by little.
“If you even say that to your daughter, Marquis Seicrine...”
“Well, the Marquis is getting older. I already forget a lot of things.”
“Me too.”
When someone opened their mouth, everyone added a word. The banquet hall quickly became lively and noisy again. Rubia and Philia stood back to back, still smiling, watching the people. Philia covered her mouth with her fan and sneered softly.
“What’s going on? You’re stepping up and protecting others.”
Rubia also furrowed her eyebrows and responded.
“You, you must have picked up something wrong in the South. You’re beating the drum to the beat of my drum.”
“Anyway, I won’t say a word.”
“Who would say that.”
The two of them snorted at the same time, then frowned at the fact that they had done the same thing at the same time. Philia glanced behind her and said.
“I’ll go check to see if there’s any idiots who don’t understand what I’m saying, so you keep your mouths shut. Do you know that rumors are most often spread by word of mouth among servants?”
“I, the head of the household, know that better than you, a mere young lady.”
“Huh? Are you bragging about inheriting the title just a little bit before me?”
Philia got angry, but Rubia ignored her and left the banquet hall. Philia, who was ignored, stamped her feet and grumbled for a while, then soon started walking toward the nobles.
“Oh my, could there really be someone so low-class and without common sense and manners? You are worrying for nothing, Countess.”
Of course, the content of the words was not soft at all. Philia, holding a fan in one hand, approached Rubia with butterfly-like steps. Rubia’s eyebrows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly. Philia seemed completely unaware of the gesture, sighing and shrugging her shoulders.
“My father said that he often gets confused and forgets things these days because he’s getting older.”
The words, “Are you crazy?” that even Randall could not bring himself to say, actually came out from his own daughter, Philia. However, Philia naturally covered half her face with her fan and smiled.
“I believe that no one would say such nonsense as ‘The relationship between our family and the Duke has deteriorated because of such a trivial misunderstanding.’ Right?”
It was a beautiful smile, but the eyes that were revealed above the fan clearly conveyed the meaning of 'If you speak wrongly, I will bite you all off', and it was extremely murderous. Following Rubia, even Philia expressed her opinion that the Marquis' words were a misunderstanding, and people began to waver little by little.
“If you even say that to your daughter, Marquis Seicrine...”
“Well, the Marquis is getting older. I already forget a lot of things.”
“Me too.”
When someone opened their mouth, everyone added a word. The banquet hall quickly became lively and noisy again. Rubia and Philia stood back to back, still smiling, watching the people. Philia covered her mouth with her fan and sneered softly.
“What’s going on? You’re stepping up and protecting others.”
Rubia also furrowed her eyebrows and responded.
“You, you must have picked up something wrong in the South. You’re beating the drum to the beat of my drum.”
“Anyway, I won’t say a word.”
“Who would say that.”
The two of them snorted at the same time, then frowned at the fact that they had done the same thing at the same time. Philia glanced behind her and said.
“I’ll go check to see if there’s any idiots who don’t understand what I’m saying, so you keep your mouths shut. Do you know that rumors are most often spread by word of mouth among servants?”
“I, the head of the household, know that better than you, a mere young lady.”
“Huh? Are you bragging about inheriting the title just a little bit before me?”
Philia got angry, but Rubia ignored her and left the banquet hall. Philia, who was ignored, stamped her feet and grumbled for a while, then soon started walking toward the nobles.
***
Meanwhile, Sylvia and Randall returned to Belfort Castle, having practically kidnapped the Marquis. First, they lifted the spell that had silenced the Marquis and semi-confined him in the reception room. Sylvia and Randall got into a fight in front of the reception room door.
“I’ll talk to him first. He's the one who started the rumor.”
“No, it’s dangerous.”
“Then why don’t you just stand right in front of the door? I’ll yell if anything goes wrong.”
“...”
Randall hesitated whether or not he should tell her the uncertain fact that 'the Marquis may have been brainwashed'. Taking advantage of his silence, Sylvia quickly entered the drawing room.
“It’ll only take a moment. I have something to ask him, so please wait here for a moment.”
“Sylvia, wait...”
Randall reached out with a puzzled face, but Sylvia immediately locked the door. For a moment, there were sighs and the sound of fidgeting outside the door, but it soon became quiet. Sylvia, who confirmed that Randall was waiting quietly outside the door as she had said, took her hand off the doorknob and turned away.
“What is this? I have not misunderstood anything.”
The Marquis of Seicrine, who had been sitting on the sofa in despair after knocking on the door, made a face. Sylvia approached the Marquis without saying a word. The sofa was located in the middle of the living room, that is, some distance from the door. Sylvia walked to the sofa and lightly moved her hand behind her back. A small magic circle seemed to sparkle at her fingertips, and an invisible curtain appeared around her and the Marquis.
'You probably wouldn't have noticed from this distance.'
Sylvia glanced at the door, remembering Auston with Randall. As she had expected, it was quiet outside the door. The sound-blocking spell was so simple. The distance from the curtain to the door was quite a distance, so Auston didn't seem to notice the subtle movement of the magic.
'How can you possibly be called a great wizard like that?'
Sylvia clicked her tongue like an old man without realizing it and looked straight at him. The Marquis felt the sudden change in Sylvia’s usually gentle demeanor and stiffened his shoulders.
"What..."
“It’s clearer when I look at it up close. It’s darker than last time.”
The Marquis stuttered in embarrassment, but Sylvia ignored him and muttered what she wanted to say. The Marquis was almost certainly brainwashed, so he probably wouldn't remember this, and since she blocked the sound with magic, there was no way anyone would overhear. With that, Sylvia's face, which had no more hesitation, lost all 'humanity'. She asked in a voice without any highs or lows, with an extremely expressionless face.
“Who told you that I didn’t have a first night with Randall?”
“Duchess. If you have any interest in the Duke, you should divorce him now instead of threatening me. That would be the way to protect the Duke.”
“But you don’t answer my questions.”
“The first night is the duty of a couple. It is wrong to seek only rights without fulfilling the duty.”
Sylvia tried to talk to the Marquis several times, but the Marquis's answers were all strangely off-topic and repeated persistently. This made her certain that the Marquis was not in his right mind, and she raised the corners of her mouth.
“After all, conversation alone isn’t enough.”
As Sylvia finished muttering, she drew the darkness from under her feet. Her brilliant golden eyes slowly turned red from the pupils. As she fully revealed her status with a thick darkness that seemed to overwhelm even the Demon King, the air in the room became turbid in an instant. At that moment, the shadow of the Marquis, who had been staring blankly into space, began to ripple like waves as if frightened.
“I’ll talk to him first. He's the one who started the rumor.”
“No, it’s dangerous.”
“Then why don’t you just stand right in front of the door? I’ll yell if anything goes wrong.”
“...”
Randall hesitated whether or not he should tell her the uncertain fact that 'the Marquis may have been brainwashed'. Taking advantage of his silence, Sylvia quickly entered the drawing room.
“It’ll only take a moment. I have something to ask him, so please wait here for a moment.”
“Sylvia, wait...”
Randall reached out with a puzzled face, but Sylvia immediately locked the door. For a moment, there were sighs and the sound of fidgeting outside the door, but it soon became quiet. Sylvia, who confirmed that Randall was waiting quietly outside the door as she had said, took her hand off the doorknob and turned away.
“What is this? I have not misunderstood anything.”
The Marquis of Seicrine, who had been sitting on the sofa in despair after knocking on the door, made a face. Sylvia approached the Marquis without saying a word. The sofa was located in the middle of the living room, that is, some distance from the door. Sylvia walked to the sofa and lightly moved her hand behind her back. A small magic circle seemed to sparkle at her fingertips, and an invisible curtain appeared around her and the Marquis.
'You probably wouldn't have noticed from this distance.'
Sylvia glanced at the door, remembering Auston with Randall. As she had expected, it was quiet outside the door. The sound-blocking spell was so simple. The distance from the curtain to the door was quite a distance, so Auston didn't seem to notice the subtle movement of the magic.
'How can you possibly be called a great wizard like that?'
Sylvia clicked her tongue like an old man without realizing it and looked straight at him. The Marquis felt the sudden change in Sylvia’s usually gentle demeanor and stiffened his shoulders.
"What..."
“It’s clearer when I look at it up close. It’s darker than last time.”
The Marquis stuttered in embarrassment, but Sylvia ignored him and muttered what she wanted to say. The Marquis was almost certainly brainwashed, so he probably wouldn't remember this, and since she blocked the sound with magic, there was no way anyone would overhear. With that, Sylvia's face, which had no more hesitation, lost all 'humanity'. She asked in a voice without any highs or lows, with an extremely expressionless face.
“Who told you that I didn’t have a first night with Randall?”
“Duchess. If you have any interest in the Duke, you should divorce him now instead of threatening me. That would be the way to protect the Duke.”
“But you don’t answer my questions.”
“The first night is the duty of a couple. It is wrong to seek only rights without fulfilling the duty.”
Sylvia tried to talk to the Marquis several times, but the Marquis's answers were all strangely off-topic and repeated persistently. This made her certain that the Marquis was not in his right mind, and she raised the corners of her mouth.
“After all, conversation alone isn’t enough.”
As Sylvia finished muttering, she drew the darkness from under her feet. Her brilliant golden eyes slowly turned red from the pupils. As she fully revealed her status with a thick darkness that seemed to overwhelm even the Demon King, the air in the room became turbid in an instant. At that moment, the shadow of the Marquis, who had been staring blankly into space, began to ripple like waves as if frightened.
Sylvia stared at the movement with her eyes that were half-red. Perhaps feeling the pressure from that gaze, soon after, black, rippling snakes crawled out from the Marquis’ shadow and bowed their heads at Sylvia’s feet. They were nothing more than fragments of darkness, so there was no way they wouldn’t bow to the King. Seeing that, Sylvia gently opened her eyes and reached out her hand.
“Good. Come here.”
At that gesture, the snake that had been bowing its head in front trembled and slithered up her arm. Sylvia whispered, lightly tickling the snake's head with her fingertips.
“So... who is the master who sent you?”
“Good. Come here.”
At that gesture, the snake that had been bowing its head in front trembled and slithered up her arm. Sylvia whispered, lightly tickling the snake's head with her fingertips.
“So... who is the master who sent you?”
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