“No wonder I never really saw your face properly—you weren’t being acknowledged by the Valentines.”
“I thought it was because the current Duchess had issues. Then… could that be why the wedding wasn’t held in the capital?”
“They didn’t even receive a proper dowry. How is that possible?”
In noble society, infringing upon legally recognized hereditary rights was a highly sensitive matter.
Especially when there were no defects, arbitrarily interpreting and violating a child’s legal rights was strictly forbidden.
“So you found out something and are acting so recklessly.”
Kaidrich, who had remained silent, finally stepped forward.
“This was done with the matriarch’s permission. Don’t think a formal complaint will go your way.”
“You, as head of the Valentine family, should take responsibility for that statement.”
Of course, Iris expected Kaidrich’s response.
“That means you were fully aware of this fact.”
In other words, Kaidrich could no longer claim ignorance.
Moreover, Kaidrich’s words were spoken publicly at the imperial palace’s banquet during the Holy Rite celebration, making it an official statement.
Orchid, who was somewhat knowledgeable, arrogantly interrupted.
“Imperial law considers the special circumstances within noble houses. Not everything is subject to your interpretation.”
“Unfortunately, this does not qualify as such a case.”
Iris’s sky-blue eyes fixed on the proud Orchid.
“Article 12 of Edict 921 states that cases infringing on universal legal rights do not fall under the consideration of familial special status.”
Orchid had no immediate reply.
But soon he recalled a related law and smirked confidently.
“The family law of the great nobles grants them authority to override some imperial regulations—”
“Sir Valentine, Edict 918 was revised fifteen years ago with retroactive effect.”
The more Orchid got excited, the more Iris’s calm expertise shone through.
“If you understood the retroactive application, you wouldn’t say that.”
Orchid, confident in his legal knowledge, was publicly defeated.
How does she remember all of this?
His face flushed with humiliation, but he had no knowledge to match hers.
“More importantly, as stated in Imperial Law Edict 1, imperial law is the right protected by His Majesty’s sacred authority.”
Orchid’s attempt to elevate family law above imperial law only worsened the situation.
It bordered on an offense of insulting the royal family.
Iris glanced at Kaidrich expressionlessly.
“Congratulations. We have now further confirmed the Valentine Count’s oath to His Majesty.”
Kaidrich began to look uneasy at the mention of the Emperor.
Iris inwardly sneered as she watched him struggle.
They probably thought my inability to wield battle qi was a flaw.
That was an implicit family law only valid in the Valentine house.
No matter how much the Valentines birthed geniuses of battle qi, or how much I was looked down upon, it didn’t matter.
Imperial law would never recognize inability to wield battle qi as a special circumstance.
Having already studied precedent thoroughly, Iris was confident her protest would succeed.
This was a battle she was destined to win.
Even in the contest of will, the victor was clear.
The nobles admired Iris’s noble presence.
How can she have such deep knowledge of the complex imperial laws?
She’s still young. She seems more skilled than long-studied legal scholars.
Imperial law had been refined and amended many times over a long history, so many nobles did not fully understand it.
Thus, Iris’s profound grasp of imperial law appeared impressive indeed.
“Iris, you...”
Orchid’s face reddened with frustration.
“Did you part on good terms only to betray your family like this?”
Though Orchid feigned a dignified gentleman, impatience like his father surfaced when things went awry.
Just like now.
“Using imperial law like this—”
Orchid clenched his fist, drawing sharp breaths from the nobles nearby.
“I can tell exactly what happened in your house without seeing.”
“Sir Orchid, I didn’t think you’d treat a lady like that. How low.”
Whispers reached Orchid’s ears as well.
Iris is cowardly manipulating people.
Gritting his teeth, Orchid lowered his voice to warn quietly,
“Iris, please think rationally. The only ones who will stand by you until the end are your blood relatives.”
A warning that wasn’t even funny.
You’ve never been on my side.
“Sir Orchid Valentine.”
Grace born of noble blood could sometimes overwhelm others.
Iris maintained her elegant composure facing her family as before.
“Don’t mistake yourself as the center of the world.”
As time passed, Orchid found himself shrinking under Iris’s gaze calling his name without realizing it.
“I mean don’t think you’re suffering alone. I’m still tolerating you as much as I can, aren’t I?”
“...W-What?”
“The advice you gave me before was meant for you to practice first.”
Iris responded with a bright smile, and Orchid suddenly recalled his own words to her.
"Don’t delude yourself into thinking you're the only one suffering. Your family has endured plenty just putting up with you."
That was what Orchid always said whenever he turned down Iris’s requests.
In the present, faced with Iris’s overwhelming poise, Orchid’s pride suddenly flared.
Am I… being crushed by Iris?
He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to find the source of this humiliation.
I thought we needed her—but not enough to tolerate this level of disrespect.
Perhaps the sudden, almost trance-like thought came because Iris now looked nothing like the girl he used to know.
Tonight, she wore a deep navy gown woven from lustered spirit silk—something rarely seen at festive banquets.
Such dark colors were unconventional for joyous occasions, but against Iris’s pale skin, the effect was ethereal.
She exuded a calm, noble aura, refined to perfection.
Orchid, who had been searching for a flaw, found himself blinking in disbelief.
Was Iris… always this beautiful?
In his memory, Iris had always been a dreary girl, dressed plainly, never adorning herself properly.
She lacked the sweetness or charm Lilliana used so effortlessly. She was always cold—aloof.
When did she grow up like this?
Even when she left for her marriage, she hadn’t seemed so different. But now—
Now she stood like a phoenix risen from silence.
Orchid, lost in the nostalgia, felt his discomfort return when he met Iris’s frigid gaze.
Her elegant attire, which had just moments ago stunned him, now appeared to him as nothing more than a display of vanity.
“You’ve clearly drowned yourself in indulgence to the point where you can’t even see your own family.”
“That’s always been your problem,” Lilliana added, having stayed quiet during the earlier exchange.
“Why can’t you ever show some consideration for your family? Families are meant to sacrifice for one another!”
Iris responded evenly.
“Then tell me, Lilliana—what have you sacrificed?”
Lilliana blinked slowly.
I have to say something smart…
Surely, Iris had made things difficult in the past, but nothing came to mind.
“I-Is that really necessary?” Lilliana’s voice trembled. “I don’t want to fight you.”
“Iris,” Orchid snapped, “do you even know how long Lilliana has been waiting for you?”
“It’s okay, brother. I can bear it,” Lilliana said, clinging to Orchid’s sleeve, tears brimming.
“But Iris…”
She looked up at her elder sister—who stood tall, poised, and untouchable—and pleaded with a pitiful expression.
“Don’t treat Father and Brother like that… please…”
A single teardrop rolled down her porcelain cheek.
With her golden hair and delicate demeanor, Lilliana looked like a grieving fairy—and her tears were perfectly designed to summon sympathy.
“Lilli…” Orchid murmured, visibly moved.
“If this will soothe her anger, then it’s worth it…”
Touched by her resolve, Orchid felt pride swell in his chest, but Lilliana gently shook her head.
“I can endure even worse,” she said quietly, biting her lip as she looked at Iris.
That was how it always went—Lilliana would cry, and the world would rush to console her.
She didn’t need to explain. Her tears spoke for her.
Maybe one day, I won’t need to cry to make things right,
she thought.
But for now, no man had come forward to wipe her tears.
Don’t think sad thoughts. His Majesty will be here tonight. I need to greet him with a smile.
Brushing her tears away with practiced grace, Lilliana looked up again—only for her chest to ache anew at the coldness in Iris’s eyes.
…Even though it was Iris who took everything from me,
She couldn’t understand why her sister, the one who had hurt them, now acted like the wounded party.
“So please, Iris. Stop being angry… and don’t hate your family anymore.”
Lilliana’s voice was soft as falling petals.
But just as she finished—
“I can’t bear to watch this any longer.”
Suddenly, water came pouring down over Lilliana’s head.
Startled, swept out of her carefully crafted sadness, she screamed without a second thought.
“KYAAAAAA!”
Her elaborately styled golden hair fell limp and soaked, the curls crushed under the sudden deluge.
The layers of frilly silk and lace sagged, clinging wetly to her frame.
“Who did that?!” she shrieked, spinning around without any trace of nobility.
Behind her stood Cedric, casually holding a now-empty vase in one hand and a single drenched rose in the other.
“Oh dear. My hand slipped,” he said with a shrug, meeting her gaze without a hint of remorse.
“I saw something so revolting, I lost my grip.”
There wasn’t a soul in the room who believed it was an accident.
Chapter 61