Ereka’s face stiffened completely.

As whispers started around her, she bit her lip tightly.

“That’s... nonsense. If you truly care about the Duke, how can you say such things?”

“What things?”

“Even without that, the palace people have come and the Duke must be busier than ever. Interrupting his rest time is something I can’t even imagine—it’s extremely rude.”

She looked down at me with a condescending gaze.

Without her saying a word, it was clear she was thinking, You know who’s keeping him busy, right?

It was a rebuke about the time I summoned the dragon at the Sun Society and caused trouble.

Trying to slip away so easily? No way.

“Isn’t it better precisely because the palace people have come?”

“......Yes?”

“It’s an opportunity to show Astra’s power before the palace people.”

“That’s...”

“Moreover, the emergence of a new ability user will be a great boon for Astra.”

“To me, the Duke’s rest is more important than such trivial benefits—”

“That’s strange.”

I cut Ereka off before she could make any more excuses.

And, determined not to give her any space, I pressed on firmly.

“Judging by how you say you can’t do it, I guess the rumors weren’t true after all?”

“......!”

Ereka froze, and the branch family members started whispering among themselves.

That figures.

She can act so boldly only because of those rumors.

That’s why the branches dare to be so insolent.

Ereka let out a bitter laugh.

“Even the great direct descendants believe the rumors.”

She’s been pretending not to know.

She had been subtly encouraging belief in those rumors until now.

Her approach to Conrad was probably for that reason.

Conrad was popular and attracted a lot of attention.

“You should pay attention to rumors related to the main family.”

“If only you cared that much about other rumors as well...”

She was mocking Liantin’s humiliation at the Sun Society.

I smiled.

“Don’t change the subject. So can you bring grandfather here? You, the ‘beloved one.’”

“......Direct descendants, what will you bet on the match? I need some merit too.”

I glanced sharply at my cousins.

They were very tense after the branch family’s insolence.

They won’t back down now.

As expected, the cousins looked positive.

Then—

“If you win, the branches will grant you one request, anything.”

Milan’s words made me jump in surprise.

Anything?

He must be more furious at the branches than I thought.

No one among my cousins contradicted Milan.

Loreina even agreed.

“We’ll grant whatever you ask, no matter what it is.”

“...Even if it means removing all of us from the family education?”

“What? What nonsense...”

“So was the ‘anything’ just a bluff? If the bet changes at the whim of the direct descendants, it’s not much merit to me.”

Joffrey clenched his teeth and shouted, “Fine! If Erilot loses, we pull out!”

“......!”

“......!”

“......!”

The branches swallowed hard.

The family education system was a way to find capable members to groom for higher positions in the clan.

If they handed that over to the branches, the power of the direct descendants would drastically decline.

Joffrey continued, growling,

“But if she loses, you also have to give up whatever she wants, understand?!”

Since family education was at stake, no branch would back down.

Pushing out capable direct descendants means a bigger chance for me.

Owning a large jurisdiction wouldn’t be just a dream.

And Ereka is talented.

If it weren’t for the dragon, they’d think Ereka had a better chance of winning.

If she even tamed the dragon in the match, it would be perfect.

The branches shouted loudly.

“A-alright!”

“Yes!”

In the end, Ereka couldn’t avoid the match.

She glared at me like she wanted to tear me apart.

Night.

Ereka returned to the guest room allocated by the main family for the “traitor hunt.”

As soon as the door closed, the branch family members who had followed asked,

“What will you do? A match with Erilot? Wasn’t everyone too excited just a moment ago?”

Ereka sat on the sofa, smiling calmly.

“The outcome is already decided.”

“What?”

“Erilot Astra can’t use the dragon.”

The branch kids’ eyes widened.

“That can’t be. Erilot Astra’s greatest strength is the dragon. There’s no way she wouldn’t use it in a match.”

“Think about why the palace people came.”

“Because of the incident where the Sun Society summoned a dragon...”

“Right. Everyone’s already afraid of Erilot Astra’s dragon. So would she really use it in a personal match?”

“Huh?”

“Unless she wants to pick a fight with the palace, there’s no way she’d use the dragon.”

The emperor was watching carefully to prevent the easy use of dragons.

But if she used it carelessly?

The emperor would think she’s opposing him and try to pressure Astra.

If she has any sense, she won’t use the dragon.

Ereka lightly touched her chin with her finger and chuckled.

“If she can’t use the dragon, then my victory is assured. Even if she tamed a monster of similar power, the difference will show in other abilities.”

“That’s right! Ereka’s other blessings, and , are amazing!”

“Yeah. But unlike Ereka, Erilot’s only ability is .”

If she can’t even use the dragon, then as Ereka said, the victory is already decided!

The branches’ faces brightened instantly.

Ereka played with her hair and glanced at them.

“Even if Erilot Astra is stupid enough to call the dragon again, it’s fine.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because I’ll tame the dragon again.”

“Can you really do that?”

“There’s no way I can’t do what Erilot Astra did.”

Ereka chuckled, and the branches nodded quickly.

“That’s right! Actually, Erilot Astra was the only one with the blessing until now, so we didn’t know if Ereka could tame a dragon too!”

“Maybe Ereka can tame an even greater dragon? Like the largest Sacred Dragon...!”

“Well, if I have time, I plan to find a Sacred Dragon’s rare.”

“Ugh... Ereka is really something.”

“So reliable and cool. If she gets into family education, she’ll surely be number one.”

The branch kids raved about Ereka.

Amid the sweet praise, Ereka smiled brightly.

The problem is the condition she suggested...

Ereka secretly bit her lip.

So clever.

She put forth that condition to avoid the match.

Wanting the Duke to watch?

The Duke wouldn’t bother to come watch kids fight; it was an absurd condition.

In the end, she lacks confidence in her skills.

One branch kid asked,

“But will the Duke really come?”

“What?”

“Well, the victory’s decided, but the Duke has to come for the match to happen, right?”

Several branch girls glanced nervously at Ereka.

“Miss Ereka, this is a great chance, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s an opportunity to push out the direct descendants and get family education.”

“We understand you don’t want to trouble the Duke, but... how about asking him to come watch?”

“The Duke cares so much for Miss Ereka. I think if you just ask, he might come...”

They all looked at Ereka expectantly.

Ereka hesitated, moving her lips for a while before answering.

“Well, I’m thinking of mentioning it to my father.”

“Wow, then the match—”

“If the Duke is busy, I won’t push it. You know how busy he is.”

“Ah...”

Ereka sighed and shrugged.

“The match itself doesn’t mean much to me.”

“Ah! That’s right. Miss Ereka will get family education anyway...”

The branches firmly believed the rumor that Ereka was actually the Duke’s beloved granddaughter.

“Hmm...”

Ereka let her words trail off /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ suspiciously.

Though she didn’t confirm the rumor, her expression and tone said it all.

“But you’re different, right?”

“Of course! If we can push out the direct descendants and get family education...! Ah, it’s like a dream.”

“We’ll try for your sake, but we won’t trouble the dear Duke...”

“True... but just taking a step like that!”

“Yes! Thanks, Ereka!”

The branches’ eyes sparkled.

Ereka smiled gently.

Later that night.

Ereka went to see her father.

Her father, Duke Gilarr, was staying at the main estate hosting palace guests.

He noticed Ereka while walking with his retainers.

“Oh, Ereka! What’s the matter?”

“Father, I have something to say. Could you spare a moment?”

“Not for long... I’m going to see the Duke soon.”

“That’s good. It’s about the Duke.”

“The Duke?”

Duke Gilarr’s eyes widened.

He sent his retainers away and moved with Ereka to a quiet place.

“What’s going on?”

“I have a match with Erilot Astra tomorrow, and I want the Duke to attend.”

“What?!”

Duke Gilarr flinched and looked at his daughter.

“I can’t say something like that!”

“Father, think about it. If I win tomorrow’s match, I could immediately gain the Duke’s favor.”

“That may be true, but...”

“If I show how excellent my ability is, the Duke will care for us even more.”

“Hmm...”

Duke Gilarr sighed deeply.

Ereka clasped her hands together.

“Please, Father.”

“I can try, but don’t expect too much. The Duke has been extremely busy lately.”

Ereka didn’t expect much either.

The important thing is that Father asked the Duke.

Once people hear that,

If Duke Gilarr dared to ask the Duke, there must be something between them.

Even if the Duke doesn’t come, they can just say he’s busy.

Ereka gasped and threw herself into her father’s arms.

“You brat, such a spoiled child! Hahaha!”

“I will crush Erilot Astra’s pride. I’m the best lady at the Astra manor.”

“Yeah! Of course, my daughter can’t be worse than some filthy blood.”

“Well then, please?”

“Alright.”

After Ereka left, Duke Gilarr headed toward the Duke’s office.

He knocked, and the door opened soon after.

After a moment, Marquis Debussy opened the door.

“What is it?”

“I’ll escort the Duke to the meeting room!”

“I’ll go myself, so you should focus on your duties.”

“But—”

“If you make mistakes again, I won’t overlook it. Will you spout unverified numbers again in front of the palace people?”

“Yes...”

Duke Gilarr sulked while Marquis Debussy sighed.

I wonder if he can keep his position without the Duke’s favor.

Hesitantly, Duke Gilarr asked,

“Um, about tomorrow... do you know the Duke’s schedule?”

“You know that the Duke’s schedule is confidential even to direct descendants.”

It was a precaution against surprise visits.

Duke Gilarr was sweating profusely.

“I know, but...”

“What is this about?”

“My daughter Ereka is having a match with Miss Erilot tomorrow.”

“A match between the two?”

“Yes. If the Duke attends, the children will be very pleased.”

“The Duke is busy—”

At that moment,

“Debussy.”

The Duke’s voice was heard.

Marquis Debussy quickly responded.

“Yes, Duke. You should go to the meeting room.”

“Yes...”

After sending Duke Gilarr away, Marquis Debussy closed the door.

Approaching the table, the Duke reached out his hand.

“How many Baek Su-jeong have applied to the palace this year?”

“That data is here.”

Marquis Debussy handed over documents, and the Duke skimmed through them with his glasses on.

“Why did that fellow come?”

“Yes? Oh, are you referring to Duke Gilarr? It was nothing serious.”

“What is the matter?”

“My daughter wanted to ask if you could attend her match with Miss Erilot.”

The Duke’s hand paused.

“Erilot and that girl?”

“Yes. Both have the blessing, so it will be worth watching, but the Duke must be very busy.”

“.......”

“Since they even came to ask for such a thing, it seems the Duke’s temper has softened a lot.”

“......”

“Haha, thanks to Miss Erilot, perhaps.”

“Am I really the kind of person who would change just because of a granddaughter?”

The Duke frowned, and Marquis Debussy chuckled.

“You are a cold one. If I had a cute granddaughter like that, I’d melt like snow.”

“......”

“Come to think of it, you haven’t seen the lady much even though you’re here at the estate.”

Erilot was busy with the traitor hunt.

Still, if it were any other time, grandfather would have made time to visit.

Grandfather was busy, so maybe he didn’t want to disturb her rest.

He was a considerate man.

“So, um... what time is the match?”

“Yes?”

“It’d be good to show Astra’s third generation abilities before the palace people.”

“......”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“People might think I’m a shy girl.”

I could have just said that I missed him after a few days.

How hard is it to visit a beloved granddaughter?

“Do you really need an excuse?”

“Do your work!”

“Yes, yes.”

“...Find out what time the match is.”

Marquis Debussy chuckled.

The next day.

All direct and branch children gathered at the grand training ground.

They all took places on the stairs overlooking the field.

Ereka and Erilot faced each other.

The branches whispered.

“So? Is the match really happening? The Duke is coming?”

“I heard there’s no news.”

“Gilarr Duke must have made the request.”

“Wow! The Duke? That’s amazing. For someone to be that bold, they must have some backing, right?”

“So the rumors are true...”

The direct third gens frowned hearing the branches’ talk.

“Making a fuss just because grandfather was informed...”

Joffrey grumbled while Milan shrugged.

“That is impressive. Even Uncle Balderic wouldn’t have dared to ask the Duke for a match between the third gens.”

Loreina’s face was cold.

She glared at the branches and shouted at Ereka.

“So?! In the end, you couldn’t bring grandfather here! Does that mean the match won’t happen?”

Ereka clicked her tongue.

I knew he wouldn’t come.

It was impossible with the Duke’s personality.

Though she’d won over public opinion, it annoyed her that people acted as if she had no ability.

Ereka twisted her mouth and looked at Erilot.

“Good for you.”

“For what?”

“You get to avoid the match. That impossible condition of bringing the Duke was the reason.”

“......”

“Oh, it’s lucky for you. To be honest, I was a little... sorry since I was sure I would win.”

The branches looked arrogantly at Erilot and the direct descendants.

A snicker burst out.

The direct descendants’ eyes flashed with anger.

“Can’t be helped. We’ll say you won this match~.”

“Sounds like mercy. You’re the one who canceled the match for not meeting conditions.”

“The condition was impossible in the first place—!”

“But you accepted it. You set the impossible condition. So the responsibility lies with you.”

“Th-That...!”

“So ‘we say you won’ isn’t fitting here.”

Ereka bit her lip tightly.

Annoying...!

Drunk on the illusion of being the Duke’s most beloved, she was arrogantly high.

Just as Ereka clenched her skirt tightly—

“Please come up, Duke.”

It was Marquis Debussy’s voice.

...The Duke?

Everyone’s eyes shifted at once.

The Astra Duke was really coming to the match...!!

The branches gaped.

“Wow, he’s really coming because of Ereka!”

Ereka’s eyes wavered.

Is he really coming?

Did he grant my request?

She covered her mouth with both hands and whispered, trembling.

“Could it be... the Duke came despite his precious rest time...?”

Just then, the Duke approached the platform, clearing his throat and began to speak.