The answer to the duke's question was simple.

"It's simple. I would just stutter and fumble around like the ceremony department head did and wait until Your Highness gives an option to retreat and go along with that."

The ceremony department head did not make the wrong choice. Rather, it should be said that he answered correctly. At the moment, even if he was flustered and thought he would lose his head if he made a mistake, he was only chosen as a representative in the war of nerves anyway, so Duke Asteria would have fully understood the situation and let it go.

The duke laughed out loud as if he hadn't expected my answer. "Kuhahaha! I see. The ceremony department head's response was not wrong. I like you better now for that response.”

Of course, it was unknown whether the ceremony department head was trembling while aiming for that opportunity or was actually trembling with fear of the Duke Asteria. Somehow the latter was a little more convincing.

"It's an honor." I bowed lightly at the duke's praise.

Duke Asteria looked at me interestedly as I followed behind him and asked me in...