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“Sorry. Ahem, I was definitely the only one who knew back when I had acquired the information… Ack!”

Yelena stomped on Aendydn’s foot lightly as punishment and then turned back to the prince.

Crown Prince Bartèze de Libranté.

‘He’s going to be a headache to deal with.’

Yelena scowled softly. There was only one reason why she thought so.

‘He doesn’t look like he’ll listen to me…’

No matter how hard Crown Prince Bartèze tried to make himself look good, no one had a favorable impression of him. Honestly speaking, Yelena could use a common phrase of four syllables to describe the crown prince.

Useless bastard.

He was incompetent, with only a nasty temper to his name. Nobles would often gossip about how installing Bartèze as the crown prince was the King’s greatest mistake—privately, of course.

“Your Highness.”

Nonetheless, Yelena had to at least attempt to converse with him. She spoke up. Bartèze belatedly noticed her. His eyes glinted with recognition.

“Hm, who are you, Young Miss? Ah, I heard the count had a daughter… Are you her?”

‘So it’s true that he’s unintelligent and has a bad memory.’

Count Morgana’s daughter was 10 years old. On top of that, this wasn’t the crown prince’s first time seeing Yelena. They’ve never had a personal meeting, but they’ve exchanged greetings several times at official events.

“Hold on, you look familiar…”

“I am Yelena Mayhard.”

“…Mayhard?”

“You may call me Duchess Mayhard. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

It was only then that the crown prince’s gaze shifted from Yelena to Kaywhin, and then Aendydn. His face suddenly contorted specifically when he looked at Kaywhin.

Yelena raised an eyebrow at the crown prince’s blatant change in facial expression. Then, Bartèze spoke.

“All right, Duchess Mayhard. Why are you here? Are you closely acquainted with the count?”

Even after learning Yelena’s status, his domineering attitude and tone of voice didn’t change.

The duchess was a noble that should not be carelessly dealt with, even if you were a royal. Yelena could not call the crown prince’s behavior polite, even as lip service, but she paid no mind to it because it wasn’t important. There was a separate matter at hand that actually needed her attention.

“We have also come here because of the Holy Sword.”

“The Holy Sword?”

“And technically speaking, we were here first.”

Crown Prince Bartèze’s eyebrow twitched at Yelena’s remark.

“What did you say?”

“We have already received Count Morgana’s permission to excavate his territory, so I believe we have first priority when it comes to the excavation of the Holy Sword.”

A deep wrinkle formed on the crown prince’s forehead.

“Wouldn’t you agree, Your Highness?”

“Nonsense. It is only logical that such a relic as the Holy Sword be excavated and kept by the Royal Palace!”

“Why is that so? Is there a legal designation that decrees this?”

“It’s common sense for the Royal Palace to keep the Holy Sword! Do you only have common sense when it is legally designated?”

“I will not follow one-sided common sense that lacks legal enforcement, Your Highness.”

As their conversation continued, Yelena made a vow in her heart.

‘I will not hand over the Holy Sword.’

Yelena couldn’t trust that that crown prince would be able to properly store the Holy Sword.

‘My heart will be at ease if the Holy Sword is in my possession.’

There was a determined glint in Yelena’s eye. The crown prince’s thin lips twisted. He suddenly turned to Kaywhin after quietly observing that Yelena showed no hint of backing down.

“What do you think, Duke?”

“…?”

“Don’t you think that the Royal Palace should have the right to excavate the Holy Sword, no matter the circumstances?”

‘What the heck?’

Yelena found the confidence that showed on the crown prince’s face to be incredulous. The latter acted as if he solemnly believed that Kaywhin would give him the answer he wanted.

“I don’t think so.”

“…”

“I always follow my wife’s opinion.”

Of course, things were not going how the crown prince wanted them to. Yelena thought that that would be a given, but Crown Prince Bartèze widened his eyes as if he had been greatly betrayed.

“Duke, just now, you…!”

“Now, now, this won’t do.”

At that moment, Aendydn stepped forward. His voice wasn’t that loud, but it was carried by the wind and heard very clearly. It was as if he had spoken directly in everyone’s ears. Everyone’s attention focused on Aendydn.

Yelena realized that he had used the wind spirit.

‘He sure puts his powers to good use.’