Chapter 51

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Deacon came once in the morning and then again in the afternoon to my room.

“…… Dad? ”

“Yes.” I was temporarily in distress. It was not distress because of the Duke, for there was too much to explain, and before I was ready, I was to be summoned.

“A quarrel with Leonard? Or the one who made a scene in the Knights’ Field? …… Or bought a large shipment of weapons for Eryx with a check?” Actually the second time most likely. No one would have ever ratted out an older guy for arguing with his sister. Making me spend money on something that I’m just going to spend is something I really don’t know what to say.

“You don’t look so bad ……” Possibly worried by the way I was lost in thought, the butler hinted at my state.” Go ahead.” I got up without much thought.

“Father. You asked for me.” Walking into the office with a relaxed tension, the Duke, who was sitting on the sofa with his head buried in thought, looked over at me.” Well, sit down.” He said as he pointed to the opposite couch. The notable change that happened after I became a public daughter in the game was that I stopped ignoring the duke.

That meant that, unlike the first time, it was possible to not blindly beg on my knees. Without hesitation, I walked over and sat across from the Duke. He burned out the cigar he was smoking and asked.

“Would you like some tea?”

“If so, thank you.” The Duke rang the bell and the maid brought some simple refreshments and a steaming cup of tea.”

“You go out first,” the maid greeted respectfully and walked out.

An awkward silence filled the office once again. This seemed to be the first time that tea had been served with the debutantes.

The purpose was clear every time they came. Explain the mistake, beg for forgiveness, and quickly leave this place.

But unlike this mood of mine, no one treats me with equal personality.

An attitude that is only slightly better now, but at the same time bitter.

In the meantime, the owner of the mansion set an example, and I carried the kettle and poured tea into a cup

“…… Thanks.” I muttered my thanks while gladly carrying the cup of tea.

The Duke hesitated a little and spoke, ” Penelope.”

“Yes, father.”

“I heard something happened at the drill ground.”

As expected, the reason the Duke called was ‘Trick or Treat’. Was it lucky it wasn’t sung because of a fight with Leonard?

“There was some friction with the knights. Sorry.” I obediently bowed my head and took the thanks in my mouth like a chant.

The Duke put down his teacup and glared pointedly. “Please explain what happened.”

“You must have heard it from someone else. I don’t want to explain things that have to do with life and ask for forgiveness.” My answer didn’t seem to go over as well as it could have, and the Duke’s eyebrows began to arch again.

“You know what I heard.” Suddenly appearing on the practice field, I told Ikris to grab him by the neck.

“I don’t take it personally; there’s no doubt that they took their own mistakes out of the equation and gave testimony in their favor. Of course. How can an adopted daughter, though she is one, say as it is in front of the duke that she was caught for her invective against a male daughter?

“You called me here to confirm if it’s true, is that so.” I said with a straight face to the duke.

“As a duke’s daughter, if I have to respect myself if I can’t show maturity, I’ll accept it. Not participating in the hunting competition.”

Unlike usual, I didn’t say I was wrong. Because, it was an act that I made completely of my own will, and I didn’t think it was doing anything wrong.

But he was vaguely revealing the purpose. ”If you can avoid it, avoid the hunting contest!” I, who was completely sure that Eryx was bread, wanted to imitate the normal model heroine and raise his favorability by not participating in the hunting competition. When I heard about the hunting contest at the luncheon, I failed to think deeply about it due to the situation.

It was customary for the hunting competition to be attended as long as they were noble males. Therefore, isn’t that day the day when all the male lords gather, except for Eryx who can’t attend due to his slave origin? No matter how much I try to avoid it, the hunting contest is dangerous.

I don’t know if it’s a mouse or a bird that will be shot. And since it’s held at the palace, it’s with a high probability that I’ll meet with the crown prince. It’s like sending the invitations to me individually, with great concern for me.

If he comes out under the guise of hunting for no reason, it will be so hard to dispel that guy s curiosity to light the fire again …… No way!

I exclaimed with a shudder. “But I think I’m absolutely not wrong, Dad!”

“A …… cold silence swept over the office.

The Duke then asked in a low voice, “You did nothing wrong when you nearly killed a guard at the gate?”

“Yes.” I didn’t change my expression and made a direct reply.

The Duke sighed softly and said, “Alright. Then why did you let your guards, do that kind of thing.”

‘Why are you asking me so stubbornly today? ‘ I was a bit puzzled.

The Duke’s family has a very high trust in knights. Ignoring Elt’s affiliation is ignoring Elt.

To even commit such an ignorant act as strangling a knight’s neck, one must be prepared to receive punishment. I thought that by shamelessly saying that I didn’t do anything wrong, I would be furious.

”I need to be cautious, the Duke’s reaction was unexpected.” …… Aren’t the knights’ words more trustworthy than mine?

“Penelope Elt.” The duke called out my full name, eclipsing the words I had so painstakingly pondered.

“Carry the surname of Elt, and why you do so, you will have to answer carefully.”

shouldn’t say something like that for no reason.

“You’ve never been to the martial arts training grounds in all this time.” The Duke’s suspicion is justified. Of course, even though I’m the evil girl who’s as crazy as a mad dog, I won’t go and talk to the knights who train without any reason.

“Moreover, before leaving the house you asked the steward in detail about the treatment of the guards.”

“That, that ……” I jerked my head up at this duke’s words. Subconsciously, I wanted to ask him how he knew about it, but then I kept my mouth shut; the steward was the only one who was there when the question was raised, so of course the one who leaked it out was also him. ”Ehhh, what a pain in the ass.”

Blaming that butler, I could have solved this matter very well, but I messed it up all at once.

The duke saw my hesitation and looked at me angrily. “Any thoughts on what to say now?”

“It’s my fault, Dad. It was just a simple change of heart to go to the practice field, but the way the knights greeted me didn’t sit well with me …….”

“Listening to the testimony of the knights was related to the punishment of the slave you brought with you. The slave who caused trouble by not thinking of himself must be driven away from his seat as a trainee knight master before he speaks!” Anger grew in the Duke’s voice, and I felt frustrated.

Even if it was a “simple change of heart”, he didn’t believe it. I thought there might be another reason.

“Tell me all the details of what happened that day. Otherwise, all the blame will have to be asked of that slave down there.”

I opened my mouth hopelessly.” …… In order to go out, I went to the martial arts training ground to pick up my guards.”

“Mark made the absurd claim that he broke his wooden sword during training, and I saw him make an excessive punishment of my guard.”

Like an unintelligent child throwing a tantrum over something unrelated. The Duke’s eyes immediately crinkled sinisterly. He seemed to sense that this was the reason and immediately shouted.

“For the sake of military discipline, knights are often severely punished when it comes to up and down relations. It’s not too old to say that you don’t know.

“And at the same time, insulting the master of Eryx.”

“What …… what? “The Duke’s eyes, which were ready to reorganize me when he heard my answer, instantly widened, and he stuttered his words.

That must be what they call context.” My escort angrily retorted, and he actually tried to gang up on him with his colleagues.

“…… “So I sent Ikris to duel the knights who tarnished my honor.” To kill him, to be precise. I wasn’t stupid enough to say something like that with a straight face in front of the duke.

The duke was reticent about my words for half a day. I stared blankly at my teacup that I hadn’t even touched with a sip. The steaming thing had gotten cold without realizing it. But neither the duke nor I had a single desire for a new cup.

I kept observing the stiff Duke and suddenly got bored with the situation.

How many times do we have to do this over and over again until we run away?

It took a long time for the Duke to make a dull sound. “How did they insult you?”

“If he is thrown out, he is a false duke who can’t even handle his own affairs. Therefore, he hopes that he will soon realize that he serves a rotten rope.” Without the slightest exaggeration, the original answer came.

It’s not because I hate those who give away their crimes. If I know now, no matter what I do, I hope it will end quickly. But the Duke whose face slowly twisted was unexpected.

“Why didn’t …… you find me and Derrick right away? ” he asked with a deep breath like he was holding back something. If it had been Penelope would have barged into the Duke’s room and blurted out the Knight’s disregard for himself.

I pondered for a moment, but told him the truth. “…… I was like, it’s not worth it.”

“Unworthy? ” the duke raged as soon as he had finished speaking