177 Chapter 177

"W-What's the harm in trying? E-Even my father must know… th-that a conflict with the Remdragon Knights would be to his disadvantage. If we t-took a step back… and offered him terms h-he'd be willing to negotiate—"

"I'm afraid we're past the stage for negotiations now, my lady. You must be aware of this yourself," Ruth muttered grimly.

Unable to think of a retort, Maxi bunched her skirt in her fists. The Duke of Croyso was a man who valued his reputation and the prestige of his family name above everything else. Never before had he experienced the humiliation of being beaten bloody and crawling on the floor. Nothing they could offer would quell his outrage.

Maxi was certain of this. She hugged her cold forearms as she trembled in the hopelessness of it all.

Ruth quietly regarded her for a moment. "Don't you want to make the duke pay for what he did to you? He may be your father, but… that doesn't pardon his atrocious actions."