Time rewinds slightly.

It was when news reached the Royal Castle that the Crown Prince had picked a fight by challenging Li to a duel.

Upon receiving the information from the small bird shikigami, Li’s father snapped.

“I’ll kill that brat!”

Li’s father truly loved his daughter.

And yet that very daughter had been challenged to a duel.

Forgetting his position entirely, his blood boiled over in rage.

When the King learned the reason his younger brother had suddenly become furious, he too lost his temper.

“Don’t mess with me!”

From the King’s perspective—he and his brother had gone to great lengths to avoid splitting the country.

His brother had even relinquished his royal status and ceded the throne.

And now, to challenge that brother’s daughter to a duel—that was how he felt.

The King and the King’s younger brother were about to leave the castle and head for the academy.

The Chancellor desperately tried to stop them.

He tried to convince them that since the Headmaster was there, it wouldn’t turn into a duel.

Even so, if it truly came to a duel, the Chancellor had already decided he would stand without hesitation on Li’s side.

After learning why the men were in an uproar, the Queen rushed to the Karasebed Ducal House.

Because when Li’s mother—her younger sister-in-law—heard about this, there was a real fear that the Royal Capital might become a ruined city.

After all, she was the kind of person who would laugh while firing off forbidden spells at a horde of monsters.

To be honest, there was a terrifying unpredictability to what she might do.

That was why the Queen resolved herself—that if the worst were to happen, she would stake her own life.

The Royal Castle was thrown into unrest at the first crisis since the current King had taken the throne.

At that moment, the Headmaster arrived at the Royal Castle.

All related parties were gathered, and an explanation meeting was held.

And so, the disturbance caused by the Crown Prince was handed over to the adults.

* * *

Now then, putting that aside—“Honestly, seriously! How rude!”

The saint fumed as she continued healing the Crown Prince.

After all, the Crown Prince had been sent spraying blood from his nose by her furious punch.

Seeing that sight, the entourage rushed over.

“Stop. This was my fault.”

The Crown Prince spoke those words to his entourage.

His previously tense expression had softened—or so they thought.

“If Your Highness says so…”

Led by Red, the entourage stepped back.

However, they did not leave the stage.

They stood surrounding the saint, as if to ensure she wouldn’t act out of line.

“Alright. That’s done.”

After continuing to use healing magic for a while, the saint spoke.

“Thank you, Erika.”

“You’re welcome.”

The two of them stood up at the same time.

“Your Highness!”

Blue called out.

“It’s fine. There is something I must do.”

His steps were steady.

Where he headed was off the stage—toward Li, who was chatting with the noble young ladies.

As the Crown Prince and his group descended and approached, the young ladies clearly showed signs of caution.

As if to shield them, Li stepped forward.

“Erika, is everything alright now?”

“It’s healing magic from a saint! Perfect!”

After that exchange, Li looked at the Crown Prince.

“What is it, Your Highness?”

“I am sorry!”

At Li’s words, the Crown Prince lowered his head.

“I caused you trouble. Please accept my apology.”

Seeing that, Li was surprised.

When she looked at the saint, she was nodding.

“Understood. I will accept your apology for this matter. However, there will not be a next time.”

“Yes, I understand. I am truly sorry. I don’t think this is something that can be forgiven with just an apology. However…”

The Crown Prince looked toward his entourage.

“The discourtesy of these men was all for my sake. Please forgive them. I ask you. Li, if you wish, I will relinquish my position as Crown Prince.”

“I have no need for such a thing.”

“…No need, is it?”

The position of Crown Prince.

It was not something that could be transferred on a whim.

However, he had been prepared to appeal directly to his father, the King.

And yet, Li showed no interest whatsoever.

It was as if she was saying that the thing he had been so fixated on held no value.

Not long ago, that would have filled him with blazing anger.

But having been broken, the weight lifted from him, and he had changed greatly.

“Li… you are truly big.”

The one who reacted to those words was the saint.

“Well excuse me for being small! What the hell!”

She had become sensitive.

After all, things had been going well with the man she liked, only to have it disrupted by a comment about physical features.

The maiden’s heart burned quietly like embers.

Of course, the Crown Prince had meant her greatness as a person.

But it was like saying ‘fail’ or ‘slip’ in front of a nervous student before an exam.

In front of the saint’s delicate maiden’s heart, it was a forbidden phrase.

“N-no, that’s not what I—ugh!”

The saint’s kick landed squarely where it hurt most.

“How rude!”

“Your Highness!” the entourage shouted.

The saint fumed angrily.

Watching that scene, Li burst out laughing.