The scheming mastermind behind the curtain.
Just as Lovell’s audience was wrapping up, Agiel—left out of the meeting—was throwing a tantrum in a side chamber with her daughter.
Lovell’s audience had been restricted to only the head of each household, due to the sheer number of nobles who’d tried to attend.
"Why can’t I be present?!"
Latching onto Agiel’s usual cry of "I’m the princess!", Amiel joined in, snapping at the maids.
"My father’s audience, and I’m left out? That’s cruel!"
Clinging to her daughter, Agiel comforted her, wailing, "Look how heartbroken she is!"
"I’m so sorry, but Lovell-sama’s audience was strictly for household heads only."
"What are you talking about!? I’m the princess of this nation!? It’s only natural I attend my husband’s audience!!"
The knight and maid, both flustered, exchanged glances at the word “husband.”
“…My apologies. The Head of the Household of the Vanklyft Family is waiting in a separate room and will not be attending Lord Lovell’s audience.”
“What?!”
Agier’s eyes snapped open in shock.
She bit her lip, thinking maybe she hadn’t been allowed to attend because she was still technically Sauvel’s wife.
She flung her fan onto the floor—she should’ve gone to the Judicial Office first to get divorced.
***
The Judicial Office official was summoned. Agier, waiting in a private chamber of the castle, was called in.
The adults froze as Amiel appeared behind Agier upon her entrance.
“Bringing a child to a scene like this…?”
“What are you talking about? That’s *exactly* why we’re here, isn’t it? Huh, Amiel?”
"Yes, Mother."
The two of them wore smug expressions, which made the other adults tilt their heads in confusion.
"Agier."
"Raviss-sama!"
"It's been a while, Amiel, huh?"
"Yes, Uncle."
Ravissel gently ruffled Amiel's hair. The scene looked just like a family visiting their hometown.
At that moment, a voice called out from the officials.
"Amiel, this is Agier and Sauvel's discussion space. Please come here."
"Yes."
Watching Amiel obediently follow Ravissel's instruction, the others could clearly see she'd always been this way—easygoing, naturally compliant.
They looked at her with pity, wondering if she’d be able to handle what was about to unfold before her eyes.
"Proceeding with the session."
At the official's command, Sauvel and Agier stood facing each other. The way they glared at one another made the onlookers feel, for the first time, the weight of their divorce.
“This court has been convened at the request of Agier Vanclift. Is that correct?”
“Absolutely correct.”
“Sauvel Vanclift, do you have any objections to this proceeding?”
“None.”
“Very well. Agier Vanclift seeks divorce from her husband, Sauvel. I’ve heard the reason is her desire to go to another man… Is that accurate?”
“Hmph. Exactly. Obviously.”
Agier says it like it’s nothing. The official frowns. But Agier doesn’t notice.
Every response Agier gave was being recorded.
“Agier Vanclift. Due to your breaking of a sacred oath made to the gods, you are now a criminal and may never again make any marriage declaration.”
“What… what do you mean!?”
You broke your vow to stand by your husband. You harbored feelings for another man, despite having a husband already. A child born of infidelity. Excessive spending—this is grounds enough to break the oath.
“What are you even saying!? I’m just returning to my fiancé!!”
“…Fiancé?”
“Lovell Vanclift!”
The official didn’t even bother hiding his disbelief.
“That’s been annulled. And I’ve heard Lord Lovell hasn’t set foot in this world in ten years…”
“I *know* he’s come to fetch me!!”
Agier’s bold claim made the official’s eyes widen.
“…Lord Lovell, this is—”
“I didn’t come to fetch Agier. I only learned, when I returned home, that Agier had married my younger brother.”
“Aah…”
So she’d heard the rumors about Agier, had she.
The official’s gaze toward Agier had shifted ever so slightly.
“What are you saying!? Lovell-sama can’t forget about me! You don’t even understand that!?”
By this point, Agier’s peculiar behavior was crystal clear.
Lovell and Sauvel received sympathetic glances, sighs escaping their lips.
“Don’t mind it. Just carry on.”
“Understood.”
Ignoring Agier’s claims, the official proceeded to read out Agier’s charges, one after another.
Agier’s face grew paler with each sentence.
“Therefore, the divorce mediation between Sauvel Vanklyft and Agier Vanklyft is hereby decided.”
“No way! Wait—what do you mean I can’t marry Lovell-sama!?”
Agier’s scream was swallowed whole by the vow magic activated by the official’s declaration.
Agier’s arms began to glow, the pattern rising like thorns—then shifting, turning into a dark, bruise-like mark that constricted her arms like a vise.
It gave off the unmistakable aura of manacles.
“What the hell is this!?”
“Judgment from the goddess Val. From this moment on, you won’t just be unable to marry any other man… you won’t even be able to touch one.”
“What?!”
Suddenly, Agier dashed toward Lovell.
“Lovell-sama!!”
She lunged, arms outstretched—then slammed into something invisible, crashing to the ground.
A tiny spark crackled down, snapping against her like a slap.
“Eeek!”
“Mother!!”
Lovell watched it all with a flat, unimpressed stare.
“Just told you not to get close… and here you are.”
The king and Lavisel, who had been silently watching until now, moved to Agiel’s side.
"Agiel... I never thought you'd be this foolish..."
"Father! This must be some kind of mistake!!"
The king ignored Agiel's claims and headed toward Sauvel.
The king bowed his head to Sauvel.
I’m sorry, daughter…
Sauvel couldn’t find words for that face, worn thin like old linen.
Sauvel was stunned by the sight of the king, who looked as if he’d aged ten years in an instant.
My fault... I foolishly assumed you'd grow up a bit if you married into your own household...
I’ll apologize too. I never thought my little sister could be so foolish.
"Father, elder brother!? What on earth are you saying!?"
"Agier, shut up. Sauvel, this girl will be under my control from now on. I’ve decided to step down from the throne and take responsibility for this chaos—just between us for now. I’m truly sorry..."
"Such a pity, Agier. You’ve driven Father this far..."
"...What on earth are you saying...?"
Agier stares around, utterly bewildered, still unable to grasp what’s happening.
But no one looks at her kindly—only cold, sharp stares. The only one who seems less hostile is the girl, looking confused.
"Father... are you really abandoning Amiel?"
Lovell smiles gently at Amiel, whose eyes are brimming with tears.
"I’m not your father."
"...Huh?"
"You’re not my son. You’re the child of some man Agier got involved with. If you want to know about your real father, ask your mother."
"...Huh? What...?"
"You're a child of royal blood, so from now on, the royal family will be taking care of you."
"...That's..."
Leaving Amiel stunned and speechless, Sauvel exits the room.
Following behind him, Sauvel casually says, as if just remembering something:
"Agier, I'll be billing you for the expenses you've run up on my household. Your personal belongings will be sent to you—don’t you dare show up here again."
Spitting the words out, Sauvel leaves the room.
＊＊＊
Watching from the water mirror, Mother and I both let out a sigh of relief as everything settled down.
"Turned out smoother than I expected, huh?"
"Mm-hmm..."
Mother frowns slightly, lost in thought.
"Something wrong?"
"Hmm... That Prince just stood there silently, watching everything unfold... Feels like there’s something brewing."
"Oh, so he’s the scheming type, huh?"
"...What exactly do you mean by 'scheming'?"
I mean it’s pitch black inside! Like someone scheming, you know? Or just a sneaky, spiteful sort of person.
She burst into laughter again, Mother.
＊＊＊
Lavissel poured wine into her goblet in her private chambers, then spoke to someone behind her—someone who shouldn’t have been there at all.
You drinking too?
...
You noticed me speaking to you, huh?
Just your reflection in the glass. You must know we royals can't borrow spirit power, right?
Saying that, Lavisel took a sip of wine.
"...Are you pleased with how things turned out?"
Lavissel let out a laugh at Lovell’s words.
I'm satisfied. Father and that bothersome little sister are finally out of the way. The only thing I didn’t get was you coming back late, huh?
Didn’t think I’d be coming back, though…
"Yeah, I heard. Seems he’s settled down with a family over there?"
Lovell’s words drew a frown between Raffilia’s brows.
"Been hearing about this really sweet girl. What do you say? Why don’t you let my son meet her?"
"Decline."
Lovell’s words were delivered without hesitation. Raffilia laughed.
"Still bitter about me giving Agiel to your brother? I tried to stop it, you know?"
"Who knows? I never imagined Agiel rolling into his brother’s room while he was drunk off his face. If I weren’t around, you’d probably wipe out the whole sisterhood, wouldn’t you?"
"Hahahaha!"
Raffilia laughed until she couldn’t breathe. It was instantly clear to Lovell that this brother’s misfortune was clearly orchestrated by his older brother.
"Guess I didn’t expect you’d be the son-in-law..."
"Such a pity, huh."
"Absolutely. I really wanted you as my brother-in-law."
The first time Lovell was invited to the castle at five years old, Lavissel immediately recognized his potential and promptly recommended to their parents that he be betrothed to her sister.
After that, she never let him out of her sight. From a young age, he’d been drilled into thinking he was to be her right hand.
"I’ve received your reward. Keep your family away from me."
"..."
Lavissel sighed at Lovell’s words.
"This time, I’ll step back. There’s Agiel to consider, after all."
"Going forward, too. Prince."
With that, Lovell vanished in a flash of teleportation.
Alone in the empty room, Lavissel laughed to herself.
＊＊＊
When Lovell returned to the manor, it was Albert who greeted him.
"Welcome back."
"Where’s Sauvel?"
"He arrived earlier. Said today’s a celebration..."
"Albert."
"Yes? What is it..."
"Whether it's for this house or not, I don't care. Don't touch my temper again."
"............"
"If you can't tell friend from foe, step aside from Sauvel. Stay out of sight for a while."
"...Understood."
Albert didn't move an inch, head still lowered, as Lovell walked past him and into the manor.