Chapter 3: The Accusation

Raising his right arm sharply, Banaji, the heir of the Diner Dukedom, pointed at Fine.

“You brought a man in here? For indecent acts?”

Fine wanted to throw those words right back at him.

Banaji was claiming Fine had seduced Hawk and brought him to this room for an illicit affair.

Did he think she hadn’t noticed his own infidelity long ago?

“Sister! How could you do something so foolish?”

Crying out with a tearful face was a petite woman with pink hair and green eyes.

She was Reina Shot, Fine’s younger sister, Banaji’s mistress, and the one who told Fine her dress was undone, luring her to this room.

“I could forgive you for hating me and treating me harshly.

But to do something so cruel to Banaji-sama—”

Reina clutched her chest, tears streaming as she pleaded with Fine.

“Don’t cry, Reina. You’re too kind.

I’m glad I learned Fine is such a vile woman before we married.

Imagine raising a child whose father I couldn’t name.”

Banaji hugged Reina’s shoulders to comfort her.

‘Even amateur street plays are better than this.’

The performance was so poor, Fine couldn’t help but scoff.

Fine and Banaji, five years her senior, had been engaged since she was six.

She had endured strict ladylike training to marry into the Diner Dukedom.

In this world, some possessed special skills called “Divine Blessings,” gifts from the gods, making their bearers revered.

At five, Fine was found to have the blessing of “hearing the earth’s voice,” leading to her engagement with the Diner Dukedom.

From the start, Banaji, the ducal heir, often looked down on Fine.

It became undeniable three years ago when Reina, Fine’s sister, was revealed to have the rare Divine Blessing of “Green Hand,” a skill for nurturing plants.

The Green Hand promoted crop growth and bountiful harvests, making Reina highly valued.

She was soon adored by all, and Banaji grew close to her.

That’s when Banaji began belittling Fine’s blessing.

‘Hearing the earth’s voice? Doubtful if it’s even real.’

‘Such a dull, useless blessing is rare.’

‘Why not learn from Reina? Her blessing benefits this land so much.’

These were words Banaji had thrown at Fine directly.

‘Does he even realize how much his family benefits from my blessing?’

Clearly not, or he wouldn’t have orchestrated this.

A clear voice then rang through the room.

“I’ve been listening, and this is a misunderstanding.

Lady Fine and I kept a perfectly proper distance, sitting across from each other.

We haven’t so much as touched a finger.”

Hawk began calmly explaining the situation to clear the misunderstanding.

Fine was slightly surprised by his demeanor.

‘I told him to claim he’s uninvolved.’

His honesty wasn’t unwelcome.

At least Hawk was trying to protect her, not just himself.

Banaji snorted derisively.

“Everyone caught in an affair claims it’s a misunderstanding.

Do you think anyone would believe you?”

“Believe it or not, it’s the truth.”

“This is pointless.”

Banaji spat out his words, and the air around Hawk grew icy.

“Rather, don’t you think there’s a problem with your behavior, clinging to another lady while engaged?”

Hawk’s words were polite, but his suppressed anger was palpable.

Yet Banaji doubled down, provoking further.

“Unfortunately, Fine’s proven herself a shameless woman with no value.

Lord Rosaider, would you fully trust your fiancée if she were alone in a room with another man, doing who-knows-what?

That’s quite a generous heart.”

Banaji raised both elbows, palms up, as if dismissing the conversation.

Fine caught on.

‘Is he trying to provoke Hawk on purpose?’

It seemed the only explanation.

If Hawk lost his temper and struck Banaji, he’d be condemned as a man who stole a fiancée and resorted to violence.

Even a count would face consequences against a duke’s protest.

Beyond the open door, a crowd of nobles had gathered in the hallway, drawn by the commotion.

“What’s all this noise?”

“It seems Lord Rosaider and the Shot Marquis’s daughter were having a secret rendezvous.”

Whispers reached Fine’s ears.

‘This is bad. I need to separate them quickly.’

The scandal was enough to justify breaking the engagement.

Fine’s goal was achieved.

There was no need to stay here any longer.