[TKOSINM] 150 - Unexpected Obstacle

“As Count Rixis said, I have declared that if the Duke marries a woman whom I have recognised, he will succeed the Grand Duchy. And I recognise her. Therefore ...”

“Excuse me, Grand Duke. There is something I would like to ask.”

“...what is that?”

Just as the Grand Duke was about to announce Noel’s succession of the Grand Duchy, Ascardo intervened again. The Grand Duke frowned slightly at his sudden question. Noel also stared at Ascardo with cold eyes. No one here could read his heart. Nor what the hell he wanted.

“I wonder what kind of things about her earned Your Excellency’s approval.”

“...what?”

“If she is a great woman, recognised by Your Excellency, then she deserves to be the Madame of the Grand Duchy of Kristen. However, we do not yet know to what extent this recognition is at. Therefore, please let us know what you recognised about Miss Irene Chase here.”

He dared to use her former name ‘Irene Chase’ instead of ‘Irene Kristen’. That meant he did not acknowledge Irene in the slightest.

A look of embarrassment filled the Grand Duke’s face. Because he did not imagine Ascardo would make such a sudden request. However, the Grand Duke had already expected that they would stumble over Irene, and consider her an obstacle. Receiving someone’s approval may be subjective, but on the other hand, if the certain conditions were met objectively, one could easily receive the understanding of others.

Fortunately, Irene was not a person who lacked in her original status nor her personality.

“Indeed, everyone deserves to be curious about Irene. First of all, she is the eldest daughter of the powerful Count Chase. She is guaranteed to be consigned as the Grand Duchess, her sense of responsibility is strong, and her character is reputable, so I thought she was an appropriate match for the Grand Duchess of Kristen. Do you not agree that her qualifications are great? So I believe Irene’s nature will mean she will play an integral role in our family in the future.”

Having said that, the Grand Duke looked at Irene with a friendly gaze.

It would not be easy to take her side in this place full of hostility, but the Grand Duke did not seem to care much about other people’s gaze.

Silence befell the conference hall. He was not quick to respond to anyone. So, it seemed as if the problem with Irene was going to pass safely.

“I see. However, Grand Duke, the woman you speak of and the woman I know seem a little different.”

“What do you mean?”

The Grand Duke frowned at Ascardo’s provocative words. Irene also looked at Ascardo in surprise, but turned her gaze away when she felt an uneasy aura. While everyone was paying attention to Ascardo, only Irene looked elsewhere.

“She brought someone here to prove her true character,” he said. “Come on out, Miss Chase.”

Following his words, someone came inside. The conference hall began to rumble. Miss Chase. Was this not in reference to Miss Chase, Noel’s wife?

However, there was one more Chase daughter.

“Hello, Irene’s sister no, Irene Chase’s younger sister. Riel Chase.”

Riel, dressed in a pure white dress and shawl, stood in front of the meeting table, and greeted the vassals.

“Riel Chase?”

“The Grand Duke’s wife said that she was her eldest daughter, so she must be the second.”

“On the matter, why is the second daughter here…”

The voices were quite loud, but nothing came into Irene’s ears. Riel, who greeted her, turned her head to look at Irene and smiled.

“It’s been a while, sister.”

Her heart sank. Riel, her younger sibling, had appeared again to block her way.

“I brought Miss Chase. She is not feeling well, so please understand that she cannot stay for a long time.”

“Count Ascardo. To bring an outsider into such an important meeting without permission.”

The Grand Duke was quietly furious at Ascardo’s one-sided behaviour. The cold air seemed to freeze the inside of the conference hall.

Those who sat far away gulped down their saliva, but what about Ascardo? However, in order to achieve what he wanted, he silently endured the pressure and spoke with amicably.

“I’m sorry, Sir. I found out about it all of a sudden, so I could not inform you in advance.”

“You found out about it all of a sudden. So what is it that makes you question her even though I admit her?”

“It’s about the other side of her.”

“Another side?”

“Yes. Miss Riel Chase. Please tell.”

“Yes...”

Riel, who answered quietly, raised her head, and looked up at Irene.

“She is not the kind of responsible person you believe she is.” She began.

“What do you mean?”

The Grand Duke frowned at Riel’s words. Irene watched Riel without saying a word. But why?

I’m not afraid of her.

When Riel first appeared, she was bewildered and scared because she did not know what she was going to say. But as she looked down at her Riel from this high place, Riel felt infinitely small.

She did not appear arrogant in Irene’s perspective, thanks to her high status. Irene always looked up at Riel from afar. She envied Riel as she received the love of her parents, whom she did not receive. She felt as if she could not even reach Riel’s toes no matter how hard she had tried.

Now it’s the other way around.

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