Vol 3 Chapter 34 (2/2)

“That can’t be, it’s well-known that Jared-sa for you, Katarina-sama,” I respond in surprise

Jared’s love for Katarina is well known in high society Jared looked incredibly happy escorting Katarina at his birthday party as well

“I’m so envious that he loves you so much”

Loved by Jared, and admired by so many others… in comparison, I’m…

“I’m truly envious”

The words slip from my mouth unconsciously

A failure like me can’t support her fiancé like the other fiancées do After that thought crosses my mind, I suddenly feel incredibly sorrowful

I feel so wretched and pathetic and before I realize it, tears were falling from my eyes

“S – Selena! What’s thetoher arms around my shoulders

“… Katarina-sama… to worry about me, even after what I did to you… you really are a saint, just like the rumours say In comparison, I… I’ me”

Katarina is called a saint at the academy She cares little for noble titles and treats everyone equally – soiveness

I thought that people were exaggerating things because she’s a prince’s fiancée and a duke’s daughter… but she’s so kind to her kidnapper, even though she’s probably the one ants to cry themy back

A saint – Katarina truly is a wonderful person, just as the rumours say

No wonder Jared loves a lovely person like her

I slowly calm down a little as Katarina rubs my back

“My apologies for losing my composure…I just became a little envious of how close you and Jared-sama are…”

“Envious?”

“Yes Hoonderful it must be to love each other and support each other… I’m not just envious of you and Jared-sama… Geoffrey-sama and Suzanna-sama, Alan-sa the kind of relationshi+p where you support each other on an equal level”

As Katarina rubs hts I had kept locked deep inside co out one by one

“Suzanna-saent wo a perfect exahter, and Katarina-sa saint-like”

They all have the talent and skill worthy of being a prince’s fiancée

“In co that ic is weak and I’m not that smart… I’m a useless fiancée who can’t support Ian-saht to him… So I wanted to help Ian-sa little… so I planned this kidnapping Katarina-sama, I’m so very sorry”

Right now, I can’t do anything but apologize But of course…

“I am naturally prepared to accept the consequences once everything is over and done with”

“What? Consequences?”

“Yes I will dissolve ement with Ian-sama, and turn myself in for my crimes”

That was so I had decided to do the ht to the throne, you can’t get it back – this is the way it’s been for a long, long tiht, even if e

And so, once everything’s over and done with, so long as I was able to help Ian out even a little… I’ve more than resolved myself to live out my life as a criminal

“W – why?! You did so like this because you love Ian-sa that you’ll dissolve your engageht with that?” Katarina exclai surprised

“Yes This was so I did independently due to my attachment to Ian-sama I’ve resolved myself,” I respond firmly

“Even if you did it independently, you two are still engaged, aren’t you?”

My heart aches at Katarina’s words That’s true, right noe’re still engaged However…

“… When I was young, I was chosen to be Ian-saic… but like I said before,In the end, even ht be better for someone else to be the prince’s fiancée It can’t be helped The other princes’ fiancées are all perfectly capable of helping their fiancés, but I’m no help at all – I’m just a burden”

I have no doubt that sooner or later, a more worthy candidate will be chosen as Ian’s fiancée

“And I’m sure that Ian-sama hates someone useless like me already”

Everyone says that Ian, who rarely meets me and is cool and detached e do, already hates his fiancée It’s unfair to Ian to tell him to fall in love with a failure like me compared to the other princes’ fiancées

And yet, I still wanted to help Ian After all, even if he hates me, I still love him…

“Hey, Selena-sama Have you ever asked Ian-sama about this?”

“What?!”

I was very shocked at suddenly being asked so I had never even considered before

“Have you ever asked Ian-sama about what he thinks about you?”

“H – how could I ask so like that?! But Ian-sama is always cold to me, and everyone around us says that Ian-sama probably already hates me…”

That’s right, it’s what everyone says so it has to be right… just what is Katarina saying?

“But that’s just what the people around you say, and not what Ian-saination that he’s cold to you, too”

“… But”

I’m at a loss I don’t kno to respond to this completely novel idea

Is it just ?

“Feelings are so that can only be understand by one person – the person who holds thes with Ian-sama himself!”

“… Confirs?”

“Yes, you need to talk with Ian-sama!”

You can’t know sos unless you ask the…? Would it be a good idea for someone like me to do it even if I could?

When I look up, Katarina’s pure blue eyes look straight at me

“Hey, Selena-sa this whole time that you’re a failure, but I don’t think so You worried about er – so h resolve to throw yourself in jail for the person you love Selena-sahtest You’re a lovely person,” says Katarina with a kind look

I’m not a failure… I’m a lovely person?

“… No one has ever said anything like that todumbfounded

Up until now, everyone always called me a failure I was barely ever praised, and even when I was, I could tell it was just pretty lies

But I could tell that Katarina wasn’t lying Her eyes, still looking straight at me, seem truthful… and her words slowly sink into my mind

“Then I’ll say it as many times as you want from now on So, won’t you please become my friend?”

I stare blankly at the hand held out to me

This woman may truly be a saint

“… To say such things to your kidnapper… Katarina-sama, you truly are just like the rumours say…”

My chest burns I feel like if I take this hand, I’ll be able to change things

“… If you’re alright with soladly beco Katarina’s hand It was a very warm hand I continue, “… Katarina-sama… I think I should properly talk with Ian-sa about the people around me, like you said”

Before now, I had never even considered it No one had ever suggested soht of the idea, I would have probably been too scared to actually do it Iso like that

But, now, I think I can do it I feel like Katarina is giving h our joined hands

“Yes, let’s start froht at me

“Yes,” I agree, suddenly feeling bright and happy

Katarina… loved by e person… I feel like her words and her straight gaze hold soe power

“But before that, I need to end this idiotic kidnapping I did I need to repent for the crimes I’ve committed thus far”

I need to start froement is dissolved, it can’t be helped I feel like if I talk with Ian properly like Katarina says, I’ll be able to change things

“I can keep it all a secret if you’d like”

The saint is so very forgiving However…

“Just how kind can you be, Katarina-sama? But I’m afraid I cannot take you up on your offer I must repent for the crimes I’ve committed”

I need to repent for my crimes, then talk with Ian

“Well then, I’ll io make preparations”

I head to the door I feel so refreshed –right now