Chapter 6: The Aftermath

The day after the ball, Fine and her sister Reina were summoned to their father, Marquis Shot’s, study.

Facing Marquis Shot, seated in his office chair, Fine and Reina stood.

In his hand was a fine letter, sealed with red wax bearing the Diner Dukedom’s crest.

“Fine, explain this.”

Marquis Shot questioned Fine calmly.

“I tried to stop her!

But she shook off my hand and went to the rest room—”

Reina spoke first, unprompted, trembling dramatically while spinning lies.

“Is that true, Fine?”

Marquis Shot fixed a stern gaze on Fine.

“It’s not true.

Reina told me my dress was undone and suggested I fix it in the rest room.

When I got there, Lord Rosaider, who was waiting for someone else, was already present.”

“Someone else?”

“Banaji-sama.”

Before Fine finished, Reina’s voice rang out: “That’s cruel!”

“Just to protect yourself, you’re blaming me and Banaji-sama—”

“I’m not blaming anyone. I’m stating facts.”

“Still saying that? You’re too much, sister. I misjudged you.”

Reina’s eyes welled up, as if about to sob.

“Misjudged? Right back at you.”

As Fine retorted, a dull thud echoed.

Marquis Shot had slammed his fist on the desk.

“Both of you, stop!”

Marquis Shot raised his voice.

“Regardless, the Diner Dukedom has sent a letter annulling Fine’s engagement and proposing one for Reina.

Do you understand what this means?!”

“Of course.

I understand our family cannot refuse a ducal house’s request.”

Fine answered solemnly.

She wanted to grin and say, “Gladly annulled! Be happy, you two!” but restrained herself.

“The Diner Dukedom is furious over Fine’s reckless behavior.

Are you okay with this, Reina?”

Marquis Shot looked at Reina.

“I’ll gladly accept if I can help.

Banaji-sama was deeply hurt by sister’s cruel actions.

I want to support him and bridge our families.”

Reina placed a hand on her chest, speaking fervently, as if sacrificing herself to clean up Fine’s mess.

Fine couldn’t help but marvel at her sister’s twisted nature—whose traits did she inherit?

“I see… Fine, are you okay with this?”

“I already told Banaji-sama last night I accept the annulment.

I apologize for reporting to you late, Father, as I returned home at midnight.”

Fine bowed deeply to Marquis Shot.

She wanted nothing more to do with Banaji and wished to end this quickly.

Marquis Shot looked between Reina and Fine, letting out a heavy sigh.

“Whatever the reason, it’s a fact you’ve displeased the Diner Dukedom.

Fine, you’re to reflect in seclusion for three months.”

“Yes.”

“Both of you, return to your rooms.”

Fine bowed deeply and left.

As the door closed, she caught a glimpse of Reina’s smirking lips.

*

Two weeks had passed since the rest room incident.

With the annulment officially accepted by the noble council, Fine, now free of her engagement, sat on her favorite sofa and sighed.

“Finally free of that engagement. What a relief.

What should I do now?”

Her murmured voice was unavoidably cheerful.

How could she not be thrilled to be rid of that wretched man?

‘But marriage can wait.’

At twenty, Fine was at prime marriageable age for a noble lady.

She knew staying single too long would burden her family, and she needed to find a match.

But her ex-fiancé’s impression was so awful, she wasn’t eager to engage again soon.

Given the reason for the annulment, securing a good match would be tough.

A concerned friend had told her Banaji was spreading distorted versions of the incident in social circles.

Recent letters from men—all married or engaged—proved it.

They likely saw Fine as an easy, disreputable playmate.

“Earl Brain, wasn’t he the one rumored to have fled naked through a back door after his wife stormed a hotel over his affair?

Some people never learn.”

Fine tossed a newly arrived letter into the trash.

“I hope Lord Rosaider hasn’t been too inconvenienced.”

Fine muttered to herself.

If she was in this situation, Hawk likely faced some slander too.

‘Truly, what a pity—’

Hawk Rosaider, the count guarding Vittore’s northern border, was a hero who repeatedly repelled invasions with unmatched prowess.

Yet his ruthless slaying of enemies, drenched in blood, earned him the fearsome title of Grim Reaper.

Despite his high noble rank, many noble ladies feared him.

Moreover, his territory was a dangerous land exposed to attacks from neighboring countries.