Judge of Cosmos

CHAPTER 9

"Marquis Lamoure! What kind of insolence is this?!" Laila's voice cracked with indignation, her face flushed with anger as she confronted the disrespectful nobleman who had seated himself in front of the Grand Duchess.

Moraine maintained a gentle smile, carefully concealing the mockery simmering beneath. The man had been looking down on her from the very start, and now, his blatant disrespect was on full display, as transparent as glass.

"Oh, fear not, Lady Nubian," Marquis Lamoure said with a patronizing tone. "I am merely here to offer our dear Grand Duchess the assistance she so clearly needs. After all, the noble vassals are notoriously difficult to manage. They're quite upset, you see, because my Neria—who was expected to become the next Grand Duchess—ended up being relegated to the role of a mistress."

His olive green eyes flickered with a dramatic sadness, the sunlight casting a mournful glow on his face. He seemed to play the part of a heartbroken father, his expression steeped in a theatrical sorrow for his daughter's fate.

"Are you blaming the Grand Duchess, Marquis Lamoure?!" Tom's voice was edged with fury as he glared at the Marquis. His bravery in defending Moraine was evident, and Kana could see that his boldness had caught Moraine's attention.

'Ah, he is fearless. Tom is lucky to have piqued master's interest,' Kana thought, observing the gleam in Moraine's eyes—a sign that her master was intrigued by Tom's courage.

"No, no, why would I?" Marquis Lamoure said, feigning surprise. "Tom, you must understand how deeply I lament the fate of my daughter, who was promised so much only to see her prospects vanish like bubbles bursting. It pains me to think of her weak heart."

"Weak heart?" Moraine interjected, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Isn't a knight supposed to be the very embodiment of strength and resilience?"

Marquis Lamoure blinked, taken aback by the Grand Duchess's pointed question. Internally cursing, he struggled to maintain his composed facade in the face of Moraine's incisive probing.

It was clear that Marquis Lamoure had miscalculated his approach. His irritation simmered beneath a thin veneer of politeness as Moraine's pointed remarks exposed his missteps.

"Oh, Grand Duchess," he said with a patronizing tone, "you probably wouldn't understand, given that you aren't a respected knight like my daughter. You see, Neria—"

"Marquis, do I look like I'm interested in hearing about your Neria?" Moraine cut him off, her voice as cold as ice. "If you have nothing else to add, I suggest you leave."

"What? Me? Go out? Grand Duchess!" Marquis Lamoure's olive green eyes flashed with anger and disbelief. The sudden shift in Moraine's demeanor was bewildering. He had expected manipulation, not outright dismissal.

The Marquis had assumed that Moraine's earlier calm and polite demeanor was a sign of naivety. Now, he saw through the façade she had maintained, revealing her sharp and unyielding nature.

'She was so accommodating while I spoke, and now she's dismissing me like a child,' he thought, his anger boiling over. 'This woman has hidden her true nature well. I underestimated her.'

"Grand Duchess," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "you're aware that I lead the vassals of Vernize, correct?"

Moraine's expression remained indifferent, though her beauty continued to captivate everyone in the room despite her stern demeanor. "And?"

"Is this a threat?" she asked, her tone as icy as before.

"You don't have the Grand Duke's affection," Marquis Lamoure sneered. "It would be wise for you to take advantage of the opportunity I offer, rather than dismissing it."

Moraine's eyes narrowed, her expression unchanging as she regarded the Marquis. The tension in the room was palpable, the sharpness of her words contrasting starkly with his condescending attitude.

"Marquis," Moraine's voice was soft but carried a stern edge. Her face, previously calm, now twisted into an expression that took the Marquis by surprise. "Do you really think I'm a fool? The Grand Duke's affection means nothing to me. A lover is just a lover, but I am the Grand Duchess, recognized by the emperor and bound by a soul-stamped contract."

She crossed her legs, a wicked laugh escaping her lips. It was a melody of malice and mockery, but even with its venom, her voice remained hauntingly beautiful, like a siren's song. "Rest assured, the vassals won't be disappointed. I'll manage far better than your beloved daughter, Neria." Her eyes curved into a crescent-shaped smile. "Tom, please escort the Marquis out."

Stunned into silence, Marquis Lamoure was ushered out of the room without a chance to retort. As the door closed behind him, Moraine exhaled a long sigh of relief.

"You were magnificent, Madam!" Laila exclaimed with genuine admiration. "I'm truly impressed by how you handled that arrogant man. However, I'm concerned that your boldness might bring even more trouble. After all, he leads the vassals of Vernize."

Moraine's smile remained serene. "I'm well aware, Laila. Don't worry. I'm merely testing the waters. A greedy man is far easier to manipulate than a fool. Let him stir up more trouble; it will only give me more leverage and options. Humiliating him will be unnecessary."

Understanding dawned on Laila, and she beamed with pride. She admired the Grand Duchess's shrewdness and foresight, feeling confident about the future with Moraine at the helm.

"Ajax should arrive before eight, correct?" Moraine asked.

"Yes, madam," Laila confirmed.

"Then we should head to the barren south."

Tom's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he quickly nodded in agreement. "I'll prepare the carriage, madam."

Moraine addressed Tom once more, her tone resolute. "I'll be gone for a week to inspect the southern lands. Winter is approaching rapidly, and it's better to be proactive. If Ajax inquires about my absence, tell him, 'Mind your own business.'"

"I understand, madam. We'll make the necessary preparations for your departure," Tom said, ready to fulfill her command.