Chapter 1 (1/2)

Beginning From a Cancelled Engagement

Formerly, I――Carol Ambrose was the fianceé of this country’s Prince, Reyford el Fureakisuta.

Even though we were engaged, there wasn’t particularly any love between us. I was the daughter of a duke, and Reyford-sama was royalty. This engagement was just made in the thoughts of『tying pedigree to pedigree towards the next line of royalty.』 Simply said, this was a political marriage.

Even so, at the very least, being aware that I would become the next Queen I attended cla.s.ses, making an effort to become someone worthy of being the Prince’s fianceé. At the academy I kept my grades at the top, and despite all that I gave up my holidays to take lectures on manners and decorum. I couldn’t shame myself at dance parties, so I also practiced dancing. I gave my utmost. To come even a little closer to what a Queen should be, I encouraged myself and persevered.

But, those days――Today, I was told they were to end.

「Carol! The engagement between you and I is cancelled as of today! Never show yourself in front of me again!」

Yes, while holding a woman who wasn’t me, the one who declared such was none other than my fiancé, Reyford-sama.

In the end we were only engaged, we never exchanged marriage vows, so to the most extent at the academy, I didn’t approach him. This was『to protect one’s purity until their bridal night』, my duty as a n.o.ble. In addition with that I desperately studied and learned etiquette, so at the academy I barely exchanged words with Reyford-sama.

So, the woman Reyford-sama was embracing, I had no idea who it was.

「……Your Highness, um–」

「I won’t listen to your excuses! Listening to a woman mad with envy ramble will only be unpleasant!」

「I don’t…… quite understand the meaning of what you’re saying, though.」

That, and please consider our surroundings.

Not only was this the royal palace, today was also an evening party. As the daughter of a duke, I received a written invitation so I attended together with my father, and I was currently in the middle of talking with my acquaintances.

I didn’t think that my engagement would be broken off so abruptly and in this manner.

「Silence! The numerous unjust things you’ve done to Mary, I know them! A person with such a filthy heart, as if I could let them be my fianceé!」

「……What…. have I done?」

「You, still trying to dodge the subject when it’s already gotten to this point……!」

”Tch,” Reyford-sama clicked his tongue.

Exactly what have I done to anger him so much, I completely have no recollection of it. This is also the first time I’ve heard of this Mary, and I have no idea who she could be. Though judging from His Highness’ att.i.tude, it was probably the girl who was hugging his arm.

I really don’t remember ever seeing her before.

Different from me, she was quite a cute girl.

With blinking eyes and sakura colored small lips. I vaguely felt a charm from her drooping gaze, and she was considerably short.

I’ll say it once more.

I really don’t remember ever seeing her before.

「Mary was drawing closer to me, and driven to madness by jealousy, I heard you performed many atrocious deeds! Especially today, before the evening party you tried to push Mary down the stairs!? If I wasn’t still a prince, your head would be gone!」

「……Hah?」

「Listen well, as of today our engagement is cancelled! Never show yourself in front of me or Mary ever again!」

Our conversation isn’t mes.h.i.+ng.

What in the world could I say to clear up this person’s misunderstanding? In such a social gathering and having my engagement cancelled one sidedly, I wish he would consider my standing.

Even so.

Just like that, while holding the woman next to him he left me.

「……」

「……Carol.」

「………………Hah. Excuse me, dearest Father. It was such a shock, I lost myself for a moment.」

The one who raised their voice to me, who was blankly staring at His Highness’ back, was my Father, Giliam Ambrose.

Since the host of tonight’s party was His Highness the King, I asked my Father to be my partner. Normally I would ask my fiancé His Highness Reyford-sama to be my partner, but as everyone saw my engagement being cancelled, I suspect he wouldn’t be my partner anymore.

Even though it was a misunderstanding, he threw aside our relations.h.i.+p of being engaged and cancelled it. It wasn’t strange that the n.o.bles who saw would say I was problematic woman.

Towards the gloomy future, a headache began to form.

「What was that just now, Carol?」

「……No, I don’t understand either.」

「You, towards that Mary girl…… I believe she’s the daughter of a Baron, Mary Hopkins……Saying you hara.s.sed that girl, what does that mean?」

「……I completely have no recollection of doing so.」