Chapter 3 (1/2)

True Love

「Mary! I told you not to come!」

Ahh, that’s what her name was. If I remember correctly, Father said she was the daughter of a baron or something.

Originally, since she was just a baron’s daughter she wouldn’t be able to attend the evening party sponsored by the King. A written invitation wouldn’t be sent out to someone only of a baron’s standing after all. Meaning, His Highness Reyford probably forced his way and brought her here.

Leaving that point aside, telling her not to come, just how much does he not think things through?

「Reyford-sama! But!」

「I’m currently having an important conversation!　If I handle this poorly and it gets more complicated, our future will be in jeapordy!　I’m sorry, but please don’t b.u.t.t in!」

「B-but, Reyford-sama……!」

Somehow, they arbitrarily spread out a harmonious atmosphere. How are you saying I should take in this situation?

Arbitrarily misunderstanding, arbitrarily breaking off the engagement, and arbitrarily leaving, I wonder just what kind of talk does His Highness want to have. Even if it was something like「sorry, Carol」, my Father or I wouldn’t forgive it.

「I-it’s fine so get behind me!」

「……Reyford, at this sort of venue, and with a position as a baron’s daughter, do you understand what it means for her to call out to a duke’s daughter?」

「Father! P-Please wait a moment more!　I-I will properly instruct her later!」

Grinding his teeth ”gugugu,” while I thought that if shame could kill a person then he would have died, his expression was anguished. Probably because he was born with the position of a Prince, he possessed cheap pride.

But enduring his shame, His Highness Reyford lowered his head.

To me.

「……I, I apologize, Carol.」

「……」

There were completely no feelings conveyed at all.

Frankly, I no longer held any feelings towards His Highness, and I truly wanted to return home quickly.

In actuality, he’d only lowered his head for a moment, and afterwards he glared at me as if he would go mad with anger. Did he really intend to apologize with this att.i.tude?

「……Excuse me, Your Highness.」

「W-what is it?」

「Those words, just what exactly are you apologizing towards?」

「……T-that is…」

His Highness’ speech faltered. Of course it would. His Highness probably didn’t even understand what he’d done wrong.

Certainly, I was grateful of the matter of where I could now able to be wedded with my beloved Wilhelm-sama, but that was just a personal matter. If the one in this situation wasn’t me, then it wouldn’t be strange for the girl to commit suicide.

「I……I was awakened to true love.」

「Haa.」

「When I’m with Mary, my heart feels at ease. If I can’t be with Mary, then I will never be satisfied again. If it’s not Mary, then I don’t want to be together……A partner I feel that way towards, it’s the first time I’ve met someone like that.」

「Your Highness……」

His Highness saying that, the cheeks of Mary who was behind him were dyed in color. By no means was it me.

In response to that, I stared at them with emotionless eyes.

「Carol……I want to be with Mary more that I want to be with you. That’s why……My will to break off this engagement will not change. Instead, I hereby swear to make Mary my fiancée.」

「Reyford!」

「No matter what Father says, I won’t change my mind!　I will walk together with Mary, I’ve decided!」

「T-this……Idiot son!」

What exactly is this.

Was this not supposed to be an apology? Rather, on top of reciting what a wonderful girl Lady Mary was, he’d even proclaimed his plans of engagement. That has absolutely no relation to my existence at all.

Glancing at him from the side, Father had a similar expression as the one I had over here. By now, he must’ve not had any feelings towards His Highness, with the exception of being appalled.

「Father!　I want to pursue true love……!」

「Do you understand!?　What being tied to the Ambrose Ducal House means to the Royal family!?　If you don’t even understand something of that simple extent, what have you been studying until now!?」

「I am not a political tool!　I want to choose the person I love by myself!」

「For a person of royalty to utter such nonsense……!」

Snapping, the King bit his lips hard.

If he yelled anymore, wouldn’t his blood pressure rise?

There――

「Your Majesty, please regain your composure.」

It was the sound of a low voice, but it held an air of intimidation, and sounded resigned.

With a jolt, my heart leapt. It was skipped about to the point where I thought it might explode. If my heart was connected with my throat, I thought it would fly out just like that.

That was a voice I’d heard countless times when I was young.