Estella was writing a letter.
One night had passed since she had received Leonhardt's warning. She sat at the writing desk in her room, quill pen gliding across the paper. The letter was addressed to her father, Duke Viktor von Granzheim. Letters to and from the ducal fief and the royal capital would arrive on the same day if they were sent by the family's dedicated mounted courier.
She was updating him on the situation.
His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince has raised the matter of our engagement. He informed me of matters that I have no recollection about in the garden. The details are recorded in the attached document.
She didn't ask for help. It was, strictly speaking, an accurate report of the situation addressed to the head of the ducal house. This was proper etiquette for a duke's daughter and also because of Estella's own pride.
She had written down the event that had happened in the garden in the document she had attached with her letter. She wrote about what Alvin said, about Mille's presence, and about the reactions of those close by. She only reported facts without any emotional bias.
She pressed her wax seal on the envelope and instructed her lady-in-waiting to have it delivered by the courier.
Then, she wrote another letter. This letter was shorter.
I would like to seek father's advice on how to respond in the event that His Highness publicly declares the annulment of our engagement.
Her fingers were trembling slightly when she set down her pen.
She had intended to fight this alone. She wanted to use her past life's experience as a weapon and counter everything with her own strength, but Leonhardt's words lingered in her ears, "My brother's next move will come quickly." The next time Alvin strikes, he might not do it in a semi-private setting like in the garden.
Tears alone won't suffice if he ambushed her in public.
She needed the law.
She received a reply the next morning.
Duke Viktor's handwriting was calm and orderly as always.
I thank you for your report, my daughter. I understand the situation. The Ducal House will prepare a formal statement of objection to be submitted at the Royal Council in case His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince announces his wish to annul the engagement. As you know, my daughter, a unilateral declaration by His Highness holds no legal standing. We will rely on formalities. There is nothing to fear.
His hand was slightly heavier on the last sentence.
I will protect you. This is my duty as the head of the ducal house and my will as your father.
Estella read the last sentence twice, then quietly folded the letter.
There was a monthly event at the academy's great hall where the children of nobility attend a tea party.
It was more formal than a ball. The faculty members also attended and the academy knights patrolled the entrance and the four corners of the hall. It was a venue where the heirs of each house showcased their social skills while representing their house, and their words and actions were reported back to the court.
Estella entered the hall accompanied by her lady-in-waiting and curtsied at the entrance.
The aura was heavy in the hall.
Several days had passed since the incident in the garden. Rumours had spread that there was "Discord between the Crown Prince and the Duke's daughter," and the glances directed at Estella had changed. Some eyes held sympathy; others sought distance. It was clear that people were avoiding taking sides.
Estella paid it no mind. She had seen tables being empty next to a customer who'd caused a scene countless times in her past life. People distanced themselves from trouble. It was human nature and didn't have to do with what was right or wrong.
Alvin was at the far end of the hall.
Dressed in a coat that was close to formal wear, he was exchanging words with a handful of aides. Mille stood by his side, just a little behind him like always. Her eyes weren't red today. She didn't look like she had been crying nor did she seem like she was on the verge of tears.
Instead, she was clutching a thin piece of paper in her hand.
A chill shot through Estella's chest.
The tea party began. Alvin stepped forward into the centre of the room after some pleasant conversations.
The room fell silent. Having the Crown Prince speak at an official event was enough to draw anyone's attention.
"There is something I must tell you all," Alvin's voice was different from the garden. It was nearly void of emotion as he tried to maintain his dignity; he was conscious of his authority as the Crown Prince.
"I am annulling my engagement to Estella von Granzheim."
People around the room gasped.
"I am breaking off my engagement because Estella has bullied and threatened Millefeuille Elbach. There are witnesses."
Alvin's gaze turned to Mille. Mille stepped forward. She clutched the piece of paper to her chest and spoke while looking down. "Lady E—Estella threatened me when no one was around. She told me to stay away from His Highness. She said, You know what will happen if you disobey..."
Her voice trembled; the first sign of fear-induced tears. Her small frame hunched inward, and she looked like a trembling small animal. Her actions stirred the protective instinct of those around her.
People started murmuring and the young ladies' gazes turned towards Estella.
Estella did not move.
She steadied her breathing.
This is a public place. The teachers are here. The academy knights are here. This is a place where everything in reported.
Should I cry?
No.
She had cried in the garden since that was the best move to make at the time, but if she cried now at this event then she could be held responsible for disrupting the event.
She needed a different weapon here.
Estella stepped forward. She straightened her back and stared at Alvin.
"Your Highness. I am honored to receive your words," her voice was calm. It didn't tremble, she showed no anger and she didn't cry. Her composure was befitting of a duke's daughter.
"However, there is something I would like to confirm."
Alvin's eyebrows twitched slightly. He might have anticipated some form of objection from her, but he hadn't expected her to remain this composed.
"The engagement between Your Highness and the ducal house was established by the Royal Council through a contract. From what I understand, its annulment requires a formal agreement between His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and His Excellency the Chancellor."
The aura in the room changed.
The murmurs transformed into a different kind of silence. The young nobles present were processing the meaning behind Estella's words.
"I shall take your words as a proposal to break off the engagement, but isn't it proper procedure to leave the decision to the Royal Council?"
Alvin stiffened.
"I am the Crown Prince. For something like this..."
"Yes, you are the Crown Prince, and that's precisely why you should set an example and follow the law," there wasn't a trace of aggression in Estella's voice. She acknowledged the Crown Prince while placing the wall of procedure before him. She was applying the skills she had learnt in her past life working in the service industry. She refused what he had said without hurting his pride.
Alvin opened his mouth then closed it.
The weight of the surrounding gazes must have stung. He couldn't cement the impression that he was 'a Crown Prince who disregarded the law' right here.
Mille's new testimony about Estella threatening her also hung in the air. Mille didn't have the opportunity to debate whether her claim was true or not anymore since Estella had shifted the discussion to following the law.
And then, as if adding insult to injury...
An academy knight appeared at the entrance with a piece of paper in hand.
"Your Highness, Prince Alvin. An urgent letter from the civil official of the Royal Council."
The letter was handed to Alvin. The colour drained from his face after he broke the seal and read it.
Duke Viktor von Granzheim has submitted a formal objection to the Royal Council. The matter of the engagement annulment will be deliberated by the Royal Council. All actions are suspended until then.
The ducal house had already taken the initiative.
Alvin gripped the letter tightly and glanced at Mille. She was still wearing the mask of a frightened girl, but she had lost the chance to act out her performance.
"--- I shall leave this matter to the Royal Council," Alvin said before tucking the letter away. He turned his heel and left the hall. His aides followed after him and Mille followed them.
The silent young nobles remained in the hall and Estella stood there with her back straight.
Estella returned to her room after the tea party and sank deeply into her chair.
The aroma of the tea her lady-in-waiting had brewed filled the room.
I was protected.
Her father's objection had arrived in time. The wall of procedure had halted Alvin's plan.
She felt relief and at the same time a small thorn pricked somewhere deep from within her.
I was saved this time because father intervened. The ducal house and the law served as my shield.
But what about next time?
The Royal Council will be handling this now, and Mille's testimony will be formally examined. She accused me of threatening her and even claims that she has a witness.
The battlefield had shifted to a place where tears alone would not suffice; this was true for both Estella and Mille.
For the first time, that girl is about to be dragged into a place where tears alone won't work.
Estella took a sip of her tea and gazed out the window.
She couldn't rely solely on her father's protection.
She would need to stand on her own two feet in the next battle.
The Royal Council's meeting was expected to be announced soon.