Rika was the kind of person who did all sorts of despicable things under Silin’s command.

This time, she’d handle things just as ruthlessly.

‘It’s always satisfying when a bad person is caught by another bad person.’

I lightly tapped Rika’s cheek with a satisfied expression.

Even on the day I returned, there was a mountain of work.

The moment I came back from the meeting, a huge stack of documents was waiting on my desk.

Because of that, I spent the entire morning without once raising my head.

‘I need to appoint a Grand General... Without one, I’m doing all this work alone!’

Currently, the acting Grand General doesn’t understand military administration.

That’s because the previous Grand General was a nest of corruption and got immediately fired, leaving no handover.

‘I’d better choose someone who has experience as a Grand General.’

Then between Jowik and Kazin...

‘They’re young, so I thought it wouldn’t be so hard.’

Well, the Wonhwa knights are all from great noble families who’ve learned administration since childhood.

While I was thinking with a tired expression, there was a knock.

“Wonhwa, you have visitors.”

It was the voice of the guard watching my office.

‘Visitors?’

Just as I was about to ask who, a bright voice called out.

“It’s Catherine!”

“I was about to say that first—Lady Trang.”

“Well then Lady Paangte could’ve said it quickly!”

Hearing their bickering, I opened my eyes wide.

“Show them in.”

Almost immediately, the ladies entered my room.

“Hello, Miss Erilot.”

“You should call me Western Wonhwa here.”

“Oh my, this is the Wonhwa office! Wow, a tapestry with the royal army’s emblem! How magnificent.”

There were more than just Lady Trang and Lady Paangte.

Other noble girls accompanied them.

I stood and asked,

“What brings you here?”

Catherine Trang replied,

“I came with my mother to the Empress Dowager’s tea gathering, and hearing the Western Wonhwa was here, we came to see you.”

Lady Paangte quickly added,

“Of course, with the Empress Dowager’s permission.”

“Oh, I see.”

I nodded and told the attendant serving me,

“Prepare some tea here.”

“No need for snacks! We brought treats from the Empress Dowager’s palace. Their cakes are the best in the world.”

Lady Trang smiled brightly and pointed to the basket held by the attendant who came from the Empress Dowager’s palace.

“I’m looking forward to it. Now, please sit.”

As we sat and ate dessert, the tea was quickly prepared.

The office was filled with light laughter.

“So, watching how much the older and younger brothers compete is giving me a headache.”

“Succession battles are always like that.”

“Brothers fight that much, but how brutal must it be when competing with half-siblings.”

One lady covered her cheek and shook her head.

Then Rumelisa Paangte added, dropping a lemon slice into her tea.

“It’s lucky not to have half-siblings. Blessings are wealth, so heads of houses often have illegitimate children.”

The abundance of such scoundrels was this world’s tragedy.

Other ladies nodded, agreeing.

“I envy Lady Trang and Lady Paangte. Not only no half-siblings, but also only children.”

Catherine Trang’s eyes went wide.

“But I want siblings. Especially a younger sister. Older sisters are fine, but not brothers.”

“Having many same-gender siblings isn’t good. Especially for succession fights... ugh.”

Catherine groaned.

“Well, the Isiron Ducal House is like that too...”

‘Isiron?’

The Isiron family where Alexis was registered?

Before I could ask, another lady curiously inquired,

“Why the Isiron Ducal House?”

“My father said...”

At that, Rumelisa frowned.

“Stop it, ladies. You know the stories from the hunting club’s drinking party must not be spread.”

The hunting club was a gathering of great noblemen.

Duke Trang and Marquis Paangte were members.

I’d heard the second son of the Isiron Duke was also in that group.

“Oh, right.”

Catherine Trang popped a cookie into her mouth and fell silent.

‘There are a lot of rumors swirling only within the group.’

The youths had to be careful of the adults’ gaze, so it was hard to gather rumors.

“Hmm, these ginger cookies are delicious. Try some, Western Wonhwa.”

I took the cookie with an indifferent expression.

‘Still, if it’s about the Isiron family, I want to know.’

I was also worried Alexis hadn’t been heard from in days.

While sipping tea, news arrived around three o’clock that someone from the Empress Dowager’s palace was here and the adults were waiting.

“How sad. Let’s meet more leisurely next time.”

Lady Paangte said goodbye and left with the others.

Catherine hesitated and quietly asked,

“Um, how is little cat—no, Lord Richmond doing?”

She was still interested in my older brother.

“He’s doing well.”

“He’s not interested in parties much... I sent several invitations, but he always declined.”

“He’s shy around strangers.”

“Shy?! Kyaa, how cute!”

Catherine covered her mouth with both hands, excited.

I glanced down the hall and asked,

“About the Isiron family story you mentioned earlier.”

“Yes.”

“Could you tell me what’s going on?”

“Hmm? Ah, the new prince of Isiron is Western Wonhwa, right? It’s understandable to worry since we haven’t heard from him in days.”

They even knew about his absence?

‘The family gossip the second son mentioned was about Alexis.’

I definitely have to hear this.

I held Catherine’s hand and furrowed my brows.

“We’ve been longtime friends. I’m very worried...”

“Oh my... Well, you must be a dear friend to care so.”

Catherine groaned thoughtfully, then glanced around and lowered her voice.

“Though the eldest son of Isiron looks fine on the surface, when drunk he’s a downright savage.”

“A savage?”

“Yes. Apparently he gave the new Isiron prince a thorough beating while their father was away...”

“...!!”

“That eldest son has the blessing, doesn’t he? When the second son and the duchess heard and came to stop it, he was a mess.”

“...”

“Succession fights are really scary. Then it’s better to have no siblings─”

“He just took it?”

“Yes?”

“The new prince just took the beating quietly?”

“...Yeah?”

Catherine blinked.

I gritted my teeth and smiled.

“No, you should go. Duchess Trang will be waiting.”

“Y-yes...”

“Please be careful going home.”

“Have a good day, Your Ladyship.”

Catherine tilted her head and followed the attendant.

Left alone, I ground my teeth.

‘That idiot.’

Knowing he could easily suppress it, why did he just take it?

I shouted toward the outside.

“Han Jihyeok!”

Han Jihyeok peeked his head out.

“Why? Judging from your look, something happened.”

“...”

“Someone’s probably dead.”

“...Prepare the carriage.”

“Where to?”

“To the Isiron Ducal House.”

Because someone really has to be killed.

Han Jihyeok shook his head.

The Isiron Ducal House.

I bowed deeply to the duchess.

“Sorry to come on such short notice.”

The duchess replied kindly.

“Don’t say that. I wanted to meet you, so I’m glad we could.”

“I brought ginger cookies. I heard you liked them, so I got some from the Empress Dowager’s palace.”

“How lovely. Let’s go inside.”

I followed the duchess inside.

“The duke is away on business. He said he’d be back soon, so please wait.”

“Yes.”

“She will summon someone.”

The duchess left the room.

Since I came on official business, the host should be the head of the household or heir, not the housekeeper.

After a short wait, someone entered the parlor.

“You look like a proper young lord now.”

“What brings you here?”

It was Alexis.

He looked like a well-raised noble with fine pants, a neat shirt bearing the Isiron family crest, and a thick coat.

“Why the coat indoors?”

“It’s cold.”

“Take it off.”

“I said I’m cold.”

“Take it off.”

I said coldly, and Alexis sighed.

“Erilot.”

“Why won’t you take it off? Afraid your bruises will show?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then take it off!”

Alexis glanced outside the door.

“What if someone hears?”

“I’m not afraid of that at all. So take it off.”

“...”

He absolutely wasn’t going to take it off.

I strode forward and pulled the jacket sleeve along with the shirt.

“...Are you stupid?”

“No.”

“Then why do you let yourself get beaten?”

“...”

“I trained you strictly from childhood so you wouldn’t get beaten anywhere else. Why do you still get beaten? Why?”

“You’re just a civilian without proper training. It doesn’t even itch.”

“He has the blessing, but was a mess when the second son and duchess tried to stop it! Why do you get beaten?!”

I slapped Alexis’s chest.

I didn’t send him there for this.

For his safety.

So he wouldn’t suffer anymore from the Empress and Crown Prince Salvatore.

I sent him so he could breathe and live a little.

You lived only for me, so now live for yourself a little...

I got so upset my voice kept rising.

“You’re a rock, an object. Of course it hurts when you get hit. Why do you take it?!”

“Erilot.”

“I told you not to! I’ll think for you, so just live the way you want!”

“Eril.”

“Why do you get beaten here, too?! Why!”

As I shouted and pushed Alexis, he hugged me.

“It’s okay, stop it.”

I know why he didn’t resist the eldest son.

I’m quick-witted, and he’s too considerate of me.

Because I sent him there.

There must be a reason.

So he endured to avoid causing trouble.

“...If you get beaten somewhere else again, I won’t forgive you.”

“Okay.”

“Really. If someone hits you again, I swear I won’t forgive them.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t just answer!”

“Okay, okay.”

Alexis looked at me, whose eyes were red, and smiled.

Then he poked my eye with his knuckle.

“You should know how ugly you look when you pout.”

“Want to die?”

“You’re ugly and mean-mouthed.”

“Everyone says I’m pretty.”

I’m described as the most beautiful in the world in Possession.Dark.Hand after all.

Alexis grabbed my cheek and said,

“Yeah. You do look prettier when you smile, so just keep smiling.”

“You’re a brat pretending to be a man...”

“I am a man. What, you a woman?”

“Shut up.”

“You’re noisier, idiot.”

“You’re the idiot—”

We were bickering when hurried footsteps sounded outside.

“What are you doing letting an illegitimate child handle official hospitality?!”

It was the eldest son’s voice.

“So what? Your father is away, and neither you nor Cerian are here.”

“Even so, letting an illegitimate child in?! Doesn’t it anger Mother?!”

“Please lower your voice.”

I pushed Alexis away.

The pounding footsteps continued, then the door burst open.

“Sorry about this!”

A man strode in laughing.

“I’m Adelric Isiron. Sit °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° down.”

“...”

“What business does the royal army have visiting our house—”

“You’re rude, Isiron Duke.”

My words made the domestic abuser freeze.

“What did you say?”

“The duke and the personnel?”

“W-what?”

Then the duchess looked taken aback.

The servants who followed the domestic abuser swallowed hard.

I glanced at the abuser and said,

“I’m a Wonhwa appointed to public office; you’re a nobody with no title.”

“...!”

“Need I say more? Surely you’re not just without rank but also brainless.”

The domestic abuser’s face flushed red.

It was shameful for the duke’s eldest son to have no title at thirty.

It meant he hadn’t been recognized by his father.

The abuser gritted his teeth.

“I heard you were supposed to be a clever and polite boy, but you’re so reckless.”

“I never thought the eldest son of Isiron would be this dull.”

“...”

“So, your regards?”

The abuser glared at me fiercely.

Though pride stopped him from bowing, he couldn’t impose any sanctions.

The Isiron Duke had been pushed aside by my grandfather.

And I was the Astra Duke’s most beloved granddaughter and the pro-emperor faction leader’s daughter.

It was obvious who held more power.

The duchess looked at me and her son and said,

“Instead, I apologize, Ladyship.”

I smiled gently at the duchess.

“No need for that.”

“I’d be grateful for your understanding.”

“I meant I won’t understand, so you needn’t apologize.”

“...!”

The duchess was surprised, and the abuser’s face twisted into a scowl.

He ground his teeth.

“May I formally protest to Astra about this?”

“Since you can’t complain to the royal army, I’m glad you realize it’s my fault.”

“Hey—!”

“Do it!”

“W-what did you say?”

“If you want to protest, go ahead. I’ll formally protest your father.”

Then—

The door opened again.

The Isiron Duke and his second son Cerian entered.

The duke frowned upon seeing the situation.

“What’s going on, Adelric?”

“Well...”

The abuser hesitated briefly, and I took the chance to say,

“I’m taking Alexis away.”

“What?”

“You, Duke Isiron, broke your promise to me. So our deal is off.”

“What promise did I break?”

“I asked you to keep it, and you promised you would.”

“...”

“This child has been sick all her life... She’s suffered hundreds or thousands of times more than others, so please keep your promise.”

“...I was away at the estate for a few days; something happened.”

The abuser shouted desperately.

“Father, that’s—!”

I raised my voice as well.

“Since you broke your promise, I’m taking Alexis!”

“Calm down. On what grounds do you claim a child recognized as my son?”

“She will be betrothed!”

“...What?”