But Duke Callisto wasn't the only one feeling uneasy, although in a different context.
Count Lazarus, sitting quietly further away from where the Dukes and Marquises were, glanced several times at the Princess.
He felt annoyed, sensing that Prince Rayne was offering attention and support that leaned more towards affection.
Even so, he managed to control his feelings and only occasionally ground his teeth in frustration.
He was quite pleased, however, when Duke Callisto finally stood up and spoke out against the Princess's proposal.
He plans to use the Duke as a way to capture the Princess's attention.
"Your Highness Princess Viana, while your dedication is commendable, I must question the practicality of your suggestion. Entrusting outsiders to oversee government processes undermines the authority of our institutions and invites instability!"
The room instantly filled with murmurs, as the Duke indirectly accused the Princess of potentially causing instability in the Kingdom of Elysia, especially among the nobles.
The King, Viana's father, simply observed Duke Callisto and a few others present.
He had already suspected that some members of the noble circle were involved, either directly or indirectly, in the kidnapping and slave trade. However, he had yet to find evidence.
Resting his elbow on the back of his chair and holding his chin, he watched Duke Callisto try to corner his daughter, all the while smiling.
This time, he didn't want to help her. She was the Crown Princess of the Elysia Kingdom, and she needed to handle this on her own.
Especially after observing her growth over the past few days, he felt she might be capable of meeting his expectations as his successor.
He then looked at his daughter, signaling her to respond to the Duke's objections herself, and Viana nodded respectfully to the King.
From her seat, with both hands resting on her lap, she replied, "Dear Duke Callisto, this approach is essential for dismantling a network as dangerous as the slave trade. We need highly committed individuals who are not influenced by personal interests or favoritism."
Prince Rayne, who had been quietly observing everything unfolding before him, smiled even wider upon hearing the Princess's confident and effective response to the Duke's objections.
"With all due respect, Your Highness Princess, are you implying that all the nobles here are incapable of overseeing this investigation fairly?" accused the Duke, his words causing the attendees to gasp in shock.
While the nobles continued murmuring and expressing their doubts about the Princess's plan and the Duke's audacity to make such a bold accusation against the Princess, Count Lazarus suddenly stood up.
He then calmly said, "With all due respect, Duke Callisto, the Princess has demonstrated far greater capability than many here, through her direct involvement in exposing the slave trade. Stability doesn't come from maintaining flawed systems, it comes from fixing them."
Everyone, including Viana, was taken aback by the Count's unexpected defense of the Princess.
She looked at her former husband in her past life with confusion. He had always underestimated her from the very beginning.
Once, she had mocked him during a noble's party, and perhaps from that moment onward, he had developed a grudge against her, resorting to various schemes to marry her and exact his revenge.
Now she saw him as someone truly terrifying, capable at any moment of striking her, pulling her hair, or dragging her forcefully.
When he glanced at her too, she had no choice but to nod and smile back.
"Yet transparency must not come at the cost of our sovereignty. Outsiders meddling in royal affairs could easily sow distrust and chaos!" Duke Callisto insisted, once again pressing his argument on everyone.
As Count Lazarus was about to respond, Prince Rayne suddenly interrupted them.
"Why don't we hold a vote now? After all, this doesn't only concern the Elysia Kingdom but also the Valendale Empire, since it's a joint operation," he said, sitting casually as though mocking the Duke.
Duke Callisto stared at Prince Rayne, his mouth open as if to say something, but held back. Meanwhile, Count Lazarus bowed slightly toward the Prince and returned to his seat.
The other nobles, especially those from Valendale, voiced their agreement with the Prince's proposal.
Everyone then prepared for the vote. A staff member was assigned to tally the votes, with King Clive and Prince Rayne overseeing the counting, each representing their respective realms.
Viana glanced at Prince Rayne, acknowledging his clever idea to hold a vote, and he accidentally turned toward her as well.
He gave her a sweet smile and winked.
'What the…' She quickly looked away, focusing instead on the nobles whispering amongst themselves about how they would vote.
Then King Clive's deep voice filled the room, "All right, everyone. Now we'll proceed to the vote."
"Who agrees with the plan to form an independent committee to oversee the investigation of the kidnapping and slave trade cases?"
Those in favor raised their hands, and the King and Prince Rayne counted the votes.
"Twenty-one people," the assigned staff member announced, followed by nods from both the King and the Prince to confirm the count.
The King then spoke again in his deep voice, "Now, who does not agree with forming an independent committee?"
Only four people raised their hands, including the Duke himself, whose face turned bright red.
He now sat quietly without protesting further, though his expression clearly showed his frustration.
Watching all of this, Viana silently let out a long sigh.
In her past life, she had never experienced anything like this, and it made her feel extremely tense and exhausted.
Although she often attended royal meetings because her father insisted, she had never been actively involved.
Even after her marriage, when she was supposed to become the Queen, it was her husband, the Count, who replaced her in attending state meetings.
As she scanned the room, observing everyone present, she noticed Prince Rayne glancing her way with a smile on his lips.
Above his head, there appeared to be a screen displaying a "Love Percentage," but it was too far for her to see clearly.
She simply looked back at the Prince with a look of despair, unaware that Count Lazarus was watching the two of them with a grim expression.