Honestly, I don’t want to see Gillian. I’m still afraid of him, and I resent him too……

But then why do you want to meet Gillian?

Hersia let out a deep sigh as if frustrated, before continuing her answer.

Mother said Gillian has hidden assets, and if we find that money, she will permit our marriage.

Hersia spoke of her mother without a trace of resentment, as if it were an ordinary, commonplace matter.

I know Gillian won’t easily hand it over.

Hersia hesitated briefly, then continued.

Mother knows I’m close to the Duchess, so she told me to ask the Duchess for help. She said if the Duchess threatens or persuades Gillian, he’ll talk……

So that’s the story.

So, if the Duchess accompanies me, it would be a great help. If you think it’s too much to ask, you can refuse……

Of course, I had no reason to refuse, so I readily answered.

Of course. Let’s go together.

Hersia, apparently having expected nothing, looked at me with tearful, grateful eyes.

M-me, really?

Yes. I’m not sure I’ll succeed, but I’ll try my best to persuade Gillian.

Duchess……

Don’t get emotional yet. I might fail to persuade him.

Even if it’s a difficult request, I’m grateful just for you coming with me.

Actually, it wasn’t that difficult a request. Gillian used to be frightening, but now? A toothless tiger isn’t scary anymore.

And since Hersia has been my companion all this time, I wanted to help her if she needed it.

They say Gillian’s residence is called the Seclusion Palace. I’d heard the security was strict, but it was even more intense than I imagined.

We had to pass through checkpoints three times on the way.

At the third checkpoint, I was even told that no one—not even the Duchess—could enter the Seclusion Palace without the Duke’s explicit order.

“His Grace the Duke has strictly ordered that no one be admitted.”

“No one? Not even the Duchess?”

When I pressed him, the gatekeeper seemed at a loss for words, then replied uncertainly.

He didn’t specifically mention the Duchess, but surely “no one” includes her as well.

I don’t think so.

“The deposed prince inside the Seclusion Palace is extremely vicious and dangerous. For your safety, Duchess, we judge it best you do not enter.”

I had anticipated this, so I brought my magic wand. I took it out and showed it to him.

I have a weapon too. And I wield it very well.

I smirked slightly and aimed my magic wand at the tree right behind the gatekeeper. The tree crackled as if struck by lightning, then split cleanly in two. The gatekeeper stared at the tree, then gaped at me in shock.

Is this proof enough? Need more?

N-no, it’s fine.

Since I stood my ground, the gatekeeper reluctantly let me in—but only after assigning ten guards to escort us into the palace grounds.

I could’ve asked Sikar’s permission or come with him, but I didn’t want to pull him away from his duties just to hear people say I manipulated him under my skirt. Better they think I’m just being a little stubborn.

Judging only by its name, the Seclusion Palace sounds like a ruined palace where a deposed prince lives in lonely isolation—but in reality, it was immaculate.

The palace looked like a newly constructed building, fully renovated. Not flashy, but perfectly refurbished throughout.

Hersia, apparently finding this bitterly ironic, wore a slightly gloomy expression.

Gillian seems to be living very comfortably.

There must be a reason they’ve done this much for him.

“There must be good reasons they’ve imposed silence about this fact to the outside world.”

“If it’s the Duke’s decision, surely there are.”

Exactly. Shall we go in now?

Yes. Duchess.

We didn’t even need to enter the palace proper—we encountered Gillian lounging in the garden, sipping tea and reading a book.

Spotting us, Gillian rose from his seat as if witnessing something rare, closing his book.

Who’s this? The Duchess and Hersia. Hersia—you couldn’t possibly have come here alone. I heard you were close to the Duchess; you’re using her quite conveniently. Did you whine to her to bring you here?

Gillian smirked at me. Hersia clenched her fists in humiliation, then lowered her head.

The gatekeeper behind us stepped forward and threatened Gillian.

Deposed prince! How dare you speak so disrespectfully before the Duchess! Shut your mouth!

Even toothless, Gillian wasn’t the type to flinch at a mere gatekeeper’s threats.

How dare a lowly soldier interrupt a conversation between nobles? If the Duke hadn’t specifically ordered you not to lay a finger on me, your head would already be rolling on the ground.

Apparently fearing Gillian might actually turn and decapitate him, the gatekeeper stopped threatening him.

But as a gatekeeper, he couldn’t back down entirely.

Show proper respect to the Duchess.

Gillian didn’t retort further. He turned to me, bowed slightly, and spoke politely.

If I was impolite, I apologize, Duchess.

I smiled, suppressing the urge to whip out my magic wand and burn off all of Gillian’s hair to make him bald.

You’re right. Hersia has a request for you, so I accompanied her. Since you seem to already know, I hope you’ll cooperate more with her plea.

Gillian chuckled amusedly.

The Duchess who couldn’t even meet my eyes before has grown quite formidable. Of course—you have the Duke, who holds the kingdom’s power and even adopted the king, as your husband. Nothing in this world frightens you anymore. Heh heh heh.

Gillian giggled as if something were hilarious, then looked at me, lifting his chin arrogantly and crossing his legs.

But Hersia, who has such a powerful friend—what could she possibly want from me? If she had a problem, wouldn’t telling the Duchess solve it instantly?

Hersia glanced at me, hesitated, then stared fixedly at Gillian with newfound resolve.

M-mother sent me to pay my respects to you……

Merely hearing that, Gillian burst into giggles again, snorted, and placed his book on the bench beside him.

Your mother truly hasn’t changed. Did she tell you to find my hidden assets? No—of course she did. Otherwise, why send you to someone who has nothing left to give? Right?

Hersia glanced at me again, hesitating. When I nodded, she lowered her clasped hands and stepped forward more boldly.

Yes. Mother said you must have hidden assets—property left by the late Grand Duchess.

Gillian pursed his lips upward and rested his chin on his palm.

True. I do have assets. But even if you find them, it’d be lucky if the kingdom doesn’t just seize them. Do you think the king will allow that wealth to go to his aunt?

Mother said any issues afterward can be resolved through trial.

You trust the Duchess beside you more than a trial, don’t you? If the Duchess pretends not to know, you won’t even need a trial.

Hersia waved her hands vigorously at me, as if to deny it absolutely.

No! Duchess, please don’t misunderstand. I never intended to ask you to keep it secret. If our assets suddenly increase, an audit will naturally follow. Mother said such matters can be settled in court.

I already knew Hersia wouldn’t ask for something like that.

Of course I know, Hersia. Don’t worry.

Hersia sighed in relief and glared at Gillian.

Brother. Please choose your words carefully in front of the Duchess.

For someone who came to ask a favor, you’re making awfully bold demands. With that attitude, I won’t cooperate with you at all.

Brother!

You seem to think it’s my duty to help you. But think—do I owe you any obligation? You have no right to demand anything from me, and I owe you nothing.

Hersia clenched her fists tightly.

Do you truly feel no moral responsibility toward me at all?

Yes.

You tried to sell me to Hamel the steward! You even used Sharin to try to kill me!

Gillian lifted his head dismissively, as if it meant nothing.

That too was simply your fate—to live bound by royal blood.

Hersia staggered as if deeply shocked. I gently supported her.

Hersia, don’t mind what the deposed prince says. He’s just using you to pass the time.

The Duchess speaks without understanding. Lately, my entertainment is none other than the Duke himself.

What do you mean, Gillian?

Gillian giggled again, sweeping back the long hair falling over one side of his face.

Curious?

Then explain what you mean!

I mean, until now, I hadn’t given it much thought.

I couldn’t understand what he was getting at.

But seeing the Duchess live so comfortably makes my stomach turn.

Your nature is already twisted—you’d be irritated no matter what anyone did.

Jin Yu Ra. Why do you think the Duke built this palace for me?

I was curious about that too, but since it concerned his affairs, I didn’t ask. So I gave Gillian the most sarcastic look I could muster.

I’m not interested.

Gillian grinned slyly.

Even if it concerns you—could you truly remain uninterested?