
When Bella went to hug that sad, limp excuse for an emperor, but as soon as she called him a real bastard -- CHILLS.
YOU GO GIRL.
REMIND HIM HOW MUCH HE FUCKED UP.
EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
HE DOESN'T DESERVE TO FORGET.
Also, the moment the other childhood friend said "How could you not recognize her?" -- no words, because that's true.
I have a strong, STRONG feeling that they will end up together anyway (NO SPOILERS YOU HEATHENS)... But I want the male lead (I don't even want to learn to remember his name at this point) to go through a LOT - LIKE A LOT. I will not accept if Bella just goes "oh well, I guess I could forgive him" without him showing so much sorrow that he almost drowns in it - this chapter gave me hope of that actually happening (AGAIN, NO SPOILERS).
ANYWAY - applause for Bella, for not being the weak MC, who automatically forgives any horrid things that the love interest has done to them, and others.

I kind of got caught up in fangirling about the Duchess, that I completely left out Sir Konrad Altera.
Such a good guy!
Like, I have no clue what he did to take away what the high priest did, but he was obviously hurt by it. He did it for Leslie - to protect her, and I am so proud of him for doing that.
If Leslie gets a love interest, I'm deeming it unacceptable that it'd be anyone but Konrad. They already showed some real nice chemistry, and now he does this -- I'm sold.

Do what all of us want to do, but only you can.
/ Fangirling about the Duchess /
SHE'S THE MOST BADASS CHARACTER IN ANY WEBTOON/MANGA/MANHUA I'VE SEEN SO FAR HOLY FU*K I LOVE HER SO GODDAMN MUCH. I'D SELL WHATEVER'S LEFT OF MY SOUL FOR A SPIN-OFF OF THE DUCHESS'S EARLY LIFE (INCLUDING MEETING HER HUSBAND).
AND SHE'S LESLIE'S MOM NOW!!!! LESLIE HAS A GOOD FAMILY NOW!!!! SHE HAS TWO FANTASTIC BROTHERS AND AMAZING PARENTS. HHHHHH
ε=ε=(ノ≧∇≦)ノ
I honestly could go on for hours.
The author ACTUALLY GAVE HER A TONED, LIKE -- BUFF BODY, LIKE A KNIGHT WOULD HAVE.
I love this MC so much.