"..."
Altrouge Brunestud stiffened.
The icy expression on the girl's exquisite face did not change in the slightest, but in that moment of silence, under Roland's question, an astonishing intensity began to radiate from her.
Her reaction made Roland smile faintly.
-Altrouge Brunestud had performed remarkably well. She had even endured putting on a Maid Outfit, looking every bit the subordinate who resented her position but had no choice except to obey.
But Roland knew perfectly well that the girl had never relinquished the arrogance in her heart.
That did not mean her earlier behavior had been an act. On the contrary, the attitudes and emotions the Black Princess had displayed were genuine and pure, coming straight from her heart.
But those emotions stemmed more from a willingness to make sacrifices, like a student staying up late to study for an exam.
Although students might complain about their exhaustion and the hardship they had brought upon themselves, subconsciously, they considered the effort worthwhile, so it did not truly affect their sense of dignity.
That was how Altrouge Brunestud was now.
Her goal was to terminate the Contract binding her, then reclaim the power that belonged to her.
With Roland as her opponent, she also understood that she had no means of resisting, so she could accept paying a price to make a comeback.
After all, once she recovered her power, she would have plenty of options, whether she chose to give him a wide berth or gather her forces before deciding what to do next.
That pride was built from both Altrouge Brunestud's glorious accomplishments over the years and the depths of her bloodline.
Although her approach leaned somewhat toward the solitary style of the Ancestors born in the new era, as one of the oldest Dead Apostles, the Black