"Your Majesty, wait a moment! Let me explain the situation, please!" Grand Duke Delroy prevented the leaving of Ares, who wanted to rush away from Scarfox's town hall.
Ares stopped before reaching the exit, and Grand Duke Delroy cut off his way out. "Explain what? You don't have to."
"I swear I had no idea about this. I apologize profusely." Delroy gasped for air, thankful as he breathed a sigh of relief that he still had time to talk to Ares. "I fear our relationship has deteriorated. I had no intention whatsoever of preempting you. I do not fathom why the late Emperor and Empress would do this."
"I know." Ares replied concisely but averted his eyes. "You don't need to apologize. This is just Father wanting to make things tough for me, and Mother can't do much to disobey him. I'm so sorry, uncle, as I ask you to fight in the battle of honor. I shouldn't have to."
