A few hours had passed since the trial ended.

For the first time that day, everyone could finally relax.

The accusations had been crushed.

The trial was over.

We were gathered inside one of the castle's private parlors.

King Valerius sat in the seat at the center of the room. Commander Kael stood quietly near the door while Vice Commander Ren leaned against the wall beside the fireplace.

Princess Luna sat on one of the sofas with Duchess Catherine beside her.

Father had just entered carrying tea and a plate of sweets for everyone.

As he started serving them, I stood up to help.

Before I could even take a step—

"Az, sit down."

I felt someone grab my arm.

The next moment, Luna pulled me back onto the sofa and wrapped both her arms around mine.

"Pri— Luna, I can't," I said awkwardly. "I'm still a servant. How can I sit here with everyone?"

"Don't be silly," Luna said immediately. "You're injured. Just sit still and rest."

"She's right, kid."

I turned toward my other side.

Duchess Catherine was smiling at me.

"For once, listen to what people tell you. The King doesn't seem bothered."

She looked toward His Majesty with a small grin.

"Though I have to admit, Azrael, Luna finally getting you to call her by her name took longer than I expected."

Even the King nodded.

"I was beginning to think it would never happen."

Luna's face instantly turned red.

"F-Father!"

A few chuckles spread through the room.

Father finished pouring tea before bowing slightly.

"Your Majesty, Duchess Catherine, Sir Kael, Dame Ren, Princess Luna."

His voice was full of gratitude.

"I don't know how to thank all of you for supporting my son today."

He lowered his head.

"Especially after everything that happened."

"There is no need to thank me, Uncle Reginald," Luna said immediately.

She tightened her grip on my arm.

"Az didn't do anything wrong."

Her expression became firm.

"I will always defend him."

"Oh?"

Ren's grin widened.

"Always, huh?"

Luna nearly choked on her tea.

"R-Ren! S-Shut up!"

Ren burst out laughing while Kael calmly grabbed another cookie.

"It was simply the right thing to do," Kael said. "Azrael was innocent."

"Those old geezers were just looking for an excuse," Ren said with a snort.

"They saw we couldn't fully prove the kid inherited Soul Art and tried to use that against him."

She spoke so casually about the nobles that it almost sounded disrespectful.

Yet the King didn't seem bothered at all.

Instead, he looked toward Catherine.

"Duchess Catherine."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Don't you think you went a little too far during the trial?"

Catherine raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Valerius gave her a look.

"I gave you permission to use any means necessary to prove the boy's innocence."

He took a sip of tea.

"That did not mean demonstrating Black Magic in front of the entire court."

He paused.

"Or using it on a Count."

For a moment, Catherine remained silent.

Then the smile disappeared from her face.

The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.

Even Ren straightened slightly.

Kael quietly put down his cookie.

For the first time since entering the room, I saw the woman feared throughout the kingdom.

The Iron Blood Duchess.

"That was the only way they would listen."

Her voice was calm.

Cold.

"Some people only accept reality when they are forced to experience it themselves."

A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.

"And they dared to accuse Azrael with lies."

The room fell silent.

Even the King didn't interrupt her.

I blinked in surprise.

Why was she so angry?

Why did she care so much?

Ever since becoming a Duchess, she had always been kind to me.

She treated me like a person instead of a servant.

She protected me during the trial without hesitation.

And now she seemed genuinely angry on my behalf.

I couldn't understand it.

To her, I was only a servant.

So why did she care this much?

Luna was still tightly holding onto my arm.

She looked between Catherine and me.

"Lady Catherine," she asked curiously, "why do you care about Az so much?"

I immediately looked toward the Duchess.

That was exactly what I wanted to know.

"Yes, Duchess. Why?"

The moment the words left my mouth—

Flick.

"Ouch!"

I grabbed my forehead.

Catherine narrowed her eyes at me.

"Boy, how many times do I have to tell you?"

She pointed a finger at me.

"Call me Aunt."

I hesitated for a moment.

"...Yes, Aunt Catherine."

The moment I said it, her entire face lit up with a warm, genuine smile.

"That's my boy."

She gently pulled my head against her shoulder and softly patted it.

"Listen carefully," she said.

"If you ever face trouble you can't handle alone... if you ever need help with anything..."

Her hand continued to gently pat my head.

"You can always come to me."

Her voice softened even further.

"This aunt will do everything in her power to protect you."

I didn't know how to respond.

A strange warmth spread through my chest.

I didn't fully understand it.

But it felt... nice.

Luna, who was still clinging to my other arm, puffed out her cheeks and glared at Catherine's hand.

Ren, leaning against the wall, grinned mischievously as she watched the scene unfold.

"Oh my..."

Her grin widened.

"This is even better than I expected."

King Valerius simply shook his head while Kael let out a tired sigh.

Even the King and Kael looked slightly surprised.

The Iron Blood Duchess was known throughout the kingdom for being cold and ruthless.

Yet right now, she was smiling so warmly while patting my head.

It was hard to believe this was the same person everyone feared.

More importantly...

Why did she adore me so much?

For some reason, that only made me more confused.