CHAPTER 45.5

"You probably haven't heard me, why aren't you answering? Or is it that you can't answer me?"

One of them barely managed to open her mouth.

"I know… well, it's…"

"I know? Is someone of your standing supposed to answer 'I know' to someone of mine?"

"Oh, her Highness the Archduchess, it's a misunderstanding about the Archduke."

"A misunderstanding? Then I'll ask. Which one of you called him a monster? I will accept your apology anytime now." I frowned at the women's humiliated state.

"Oh, that's…"

Once again, the speechless wife looked around, perplexed and confused. It was ridiculous enough to see that I made someone into a sacrificial pawn. But the way I saw it, it was quite amusing. The wife was looking around in panic. It wasn't enough to just apologize at this point, so she tried to lure someone into the mess she created. As I stared at her, she kept looking around for a while and then looked to her left. Seeing as her face changed colors, she seemed to have found a suitable bait.

'Okay, let's see how far that ridiculous lie goes.'

"Your Highness, Archduchess. I told the Baron over there…"

"All that matters. Why do you lie after looking his way? Did you think I didn't know you were glancing over there, hesitating in your deceit, trying to manipulate this situation to your will?"

Of course, I had no intention to put up with her deception for long. And I cut her off at the right time, she closed her mouth right away.

She flushed crimson in embarrassment. The other two had already given up, keeping their heads down. Obviously, their husbands were nearby, but no one came forward to help them. I could hear some of the guests snorting in derision. Well, that was enough. It was sure time to teach them a lesson.

"Listen very carefully you three. To insult my husband, the Archduke, is to insult me. And I don't know what kind of nobles you take yourselves for." I slightly lowered my eyes down at her, with a look, an expression that reflected my hatred "Keep in mind, the cost of your rash actions and words against the Romani Duchy will be great. I will remember this, and I hope disturbances like these will not occur in the future."

"No Riddel… There is no need."

Kyle's eerie voice that came closer at that moment. As he looked slowly sideways, I felt chilled to the point of apprehension. Kyle was beside himself.

"There is no need to show mercy on those women. You can just get rid of them here and now."

What was he saying now? Kyle's words continued even before I could stop him.

"…If you get rid of things that are insulting to you my wife, they will stop then and you won't be bothered by them anymore."

Kyle's amber eyes were gradually turning red.

'The ice flame in your hand must be an act of magic.'

When I saw those around us who froze with their hands full of food, those who collapsed helplessly mesmerized by his threatening words, I also became stiff. Just a moment ago, I was only trying to teach them a lesson, not commending them to their death… Yes, I could admit it. Death was right next to me. My head went blank.

'Honestly, even if I didn't like them and I was not in the mood for female bickering. I still didn't want to kill them. I didn't want him to commit an outrageous murder. I have to try something.'

"Wait, Archduke. We made a promise."

"…"

"Your silence is mostly positive. Isn't that right?"

"…"

Kyle who had a darker and sharper sense than before seemed strangely apprehending my observations. I inadvertently took a deep breath, feeling at the edge of my life. My head was spinning. I had to find a way to stop the dragon inside of him, or this unfamiliar Kyle from becoming a dragon as soon as possible.

"Kyle." I said softly, trying to redirect his attention to me.

"…"

"Stop it, Kyle. You promised me."

"…"

"Listen to me, Kyle."

I chewed on my lips while silence filled the room after calling out Kyle's name. It was a calm silence, different from the one before. I thought perhaps this was soothing to him. How can this be?

If this didn't work, I would have to call the knights escorting us. Knowing they were watching us from afar, they were probably only waiting for me to signal them and take over the situation…

"…uh?"

Kyle's eyes color was coming back. The red, which had been fluctuating violently, was gradually turning into their normal soft golden.

"I will."

The following words were so pure that I could hardly believe my ears. Perhaps I wasn't the only one who was surprised tonight.

***

After some time had passed, since the previous incident, the banquet hall began to be crowded again indicating the imminent beginning of tonight's event. It seemed as if the Spencer Family hadn't arrived yet.

'That's weird, normally they would've been here parading with a fake smile and a knife in hand.'

I couldn't believe that they would be arriving later than the Emperor for the imperial banquet. It was inappropriate behavior for nobles lower than the emperor to show up after him.

While waiting for the official beginning of the ball, few people greeted me. However, the few and far between nobles who came to greet me, seemed to be in a hurry. Greeting me and running away quickly. Is the previous incident already spreading to oppression? Well, I understood the situation they find themselves in. A situation probably scarier than they imagine while coming to the imperial palace for a ball, scarier than just the normal goosebumps. I would have been scared too if I hadn't arrived with Kyle.

"Goddess blessings to Arnold's sun."

Shortly after the emperor's arrival, the nobles bowed their heads. Among them, the lower nobles were so stiff while bowing they could have put their heads right into the ground.

'I would have done the same thing if I was Viscount Spencer. No, maybe even more.'

"Today, on this joyous occasion, I would like to thank all of you for joining us for the imperial ball…" the emperor's congratulatory speech immediately began after his opening.

I looked up at Kyle standing beside him while listening to the Emperor's busy boasting about himself. To be honest, I was quite surprised. I didn't expect his name to be some sort of keyword, bringing him back to a calmer state. On the other hand, I felt relieved. If this was the real keyword, Kyle would not have to kill innocent people while under the dragon's temper. As soon as we return back to the duchy, I'll be the first to tell Jean about it.

"Then I'll finish here. I wish you the glory of Arnold."

The emperor's congratulatory speech, while refreshing at the start, finally ended in a blatantly long turn of phrases. Kyle quickly glanced at me right at the end of the speech.

"I will talk to the emperor for a moment."

"All right. I will see you later Archduke."

"I'll be back soon."

While Kyle didn't ask me to go with him, I also knew it would not be a good idea to accompany him. They knew each other and I didn't need to introduce myself to the Emperor as a new couple since the marriage between Kyle and I was not a formal wedding, merely a contract.

The power of the duchy and the Emperor was dreamless. Nevertheless, it is an ironic setting that the Archduke was protecting the Emperor without any principality. Until the previous generation, there was a good relationship between the imperial family and the duchy, but the current Emperor hated Kyle, always walking on a tightrope around him. Under those circumstances, it would have been frowned upon to greet his Majesty as the new bride. Therefore, the wisest choice was not to greet the Emperor unless he approaches you first… Since I was not begging for scraps of attention, I didn't feel the need to greet him.

'There's something else I have to do.'

Having seen Kyle off, I quickly picked up the wine glass presented in front of me and looked toward the entrance. When will he decide to arrive? No one was coming any more. I glanced at the glass I was holding a few more times. How much time has passed since?

Thud.

I could hear footsteps coming from the entrance of the hall. The sound of it gradually getting closer. After a short moment, their shadows were showing at the entrance. Three people finally came in.

They were from Spencer's family.

Looking at their silhouettes, I grin victoriously, raising my wine glass to my lips. I didn't know why they were late, it wasn't to my knowledge what happened with the emperor for him to be conducting in such behavior.

'…Normally, the protagonist is the last to arrive at the ball.'

Wearing a pretentious mask, I walked without hesitation to the lovely ones who would be today's main characters. Walking towards the entrance, I gradually slowed down. The nobles who just noticed Spencer's family rushed in like a swarm. It was just as expected, being the main character of the day. As for me, it was better for them to be noticed first.

'Shall we start the game now?'

I looked and pretended to be indifferent at the situation. Leaning against a corner I was invisible to those around while members of Spencer's family were overwhelmed by the excessive interest of the nobles. They're all attention-seekers.

The Viscount looked around, clearly looking for the emperor, but couldn't not seem to be able to locate him. After thoroughly inspecting the room once again, I saw him hastily run to greet the newly found emperor, but quickly noticed him staggering upon coming closer. It seemed that the conversation between Kyle and the emperor was not over yet.

My stepmother and Vestia kept the conversation going with the nobles, and how nice the venue was. Hahaha, hohoho, chuckles, loud laughs filled the entire place.

'Since I can hear my name from time to time, I guess I started a decent new drama.'

After a while, the expressions of the nobles however gradually became more subtle. They were all trying to keep a straight face. The reason was obvious. I have found the perfect moment, timed it perfectly. I moved on to them, closer this time, and a little closer again, I could hear my stepmother's words clearly.

"Do you think our Riddel liked the red dress I gave her?"