[There's a pause, and the sense of a sigh.]

Though the timing seems very convenient, given the political situation, the Rubeans speak of it as an annual event. Despite what many of our peers think, the Duchess does not operate as a tyrant, or even particularly as a ruler at all. It is the people who matter, and were she to try to force a second round, as you put it, she would not only overstep her place, but play into the perception the Blackguard established during this hunt, significantly strengthening their position.

She isn't a fool. Lay your concerns to rest, Nikolai.