Chapter 1 (2/2)

「What about today, where you tried to push her down the stairs?」

「……How could I to push a person downstairs when I’ve been nowhere near them?」

Sighing, I wearily told my Father.

There was no evidence that I had hara.s.sed her or more, and even more so today, the case where I tried to push her down the stairs was without a question, not me. Coming to the royal palace the entire way in a carriage, and afterwards while holding the arm of my Father all along, I attended the evening party.

While in such condition, pus.h.i.+ng another person off the stairs, I couldn’t possibly do such a thing.

「Then, this is His Highness’ misunderstanding.」

「……That would make it so.」

「I wouldn’t say this in a loud voice, but……is His Highness really a person to make such thoughtless remarks?」

Sighing, Father held his head.

And, in the depths of his gaze, a cold anger burned with strength.

「Without a shred of evidence, while holding the wrong impression he denounces his fiancée, and while embracing another woman he forces an engagement cancellation. Furthermore in a place for everyone to see…… Carol, it’s a shame, but give up on this engagement with His Highness Reyford-sama.」

「Well, I suppose……」

It wasn’t as if I held a romantic inclination towards His Highness anyways.

Rather, if the heavy responsibility of becoming Queen was taken away, then it would actually make me happy.

Saying that though, since I was his fiancée, I wanted to support His Highness, but that just made the me who once thought that look stupid, so I became depressed.

The surroundings whispered indiscernible things towards us.

Well, that was only natural. We had been engaged since we were young, and our marriage was a set matter after we graduated from the academy. Since it was abruptly cancelled, of course it would become a topic of conversation.

「……Even if I’m told to marry him again, I would like to refuse.」

「I wouldn’t do such an impudent thing. Good grief……This marriage was brought forth from the royalty, so without a choice, I cooperated. To think it would be arbitrarily cancelled in this manner, and furthermore, to be groundlessly denounced in this sort of place…… How foolish. His Highness has made enemies of the Ambrose Ducal House.」

「Father, if you say it in such a loud voice, it will be treasonous.」

「Still……Carol, leave it to me. Without fail, I will make His Highness take responsibility.」

If Father said so, then I could be at ease.

As one would expect, having such a long standing engagement cancelled, saying I didn’t feel a thing would be a lie. But, being accused with such childish reasoning, rather than sadness I felt a sense of astonishment well up.

I never thought that he was a person who wouldn’t listen to people to such an extent.

「But……Carol, you may not get any more marriage offers.」

「……I am aware.」

On this day, I was affixed with the label of 『a n.o.blewoman whose engagement with royalty was cancelled』. I probably wouldn’t get anymore marriage proposals.

If someone were to marry me, there would be friction between them and the royalty. Such discord, n.o.bles did not wish for.

Seriously…… How did it become this way?

But, this was a good opportunity.

「Father.」

「Hm?」

「If it could be granted, then it would be splendid. If impossible, then it’s fine. I have a wish.」

While saying that, I stared at the person in the far distance.

Since childhood, the person I’ve yearned for. But the engagement to the Prince was already decided, so I thought I wouldn’t have a chance to be tied to him.

But since it’s come to this, then wouldn’t it be fine for me to live for true love as well?

「……Can I propose an engagement with Wilhelm Aibringer-sama?」

For the longest time, I thought I would have to hide these feelings in my heart.

If this was possible, then I wanted to fulfill it.

My beloved Wilhelm-sama.

From now on, Carol will live for true love.

Before my eyes, he was silent but he let off a kind aura, and while looking at the white bearded knight captain, I breathed out a hot sigh.

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