𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓𝟒
At the same time, the royal aide, Reed, who had visited Eugene’s castle, made a clear statement.
“―Please disregard the engagement.”
Just as Mabel left the castle, they appeared as if it had been planned.
They claimed that they had something to discuss with Eugene alone, which is why Mabel-sama was asked to return to the palace.
“Indeed, His Majesty promised to reinstate you as her fiancée during that occasion. However, the parliament has reached a consensus that this engagement should not be recognized.”
“…”
“Fortunately, Mabel-sama also has a proposal for a new fiancé. Of course, it does not mean that you should simply step aside.”
With that, Reed gave instructions to the servant behind him. With a soft sound, a thick wooden box was placed on the table, and when the lid was lifted, a large number of gold coins peeked out.
After glancing at it, Reed continued with a solemn voice.
“If it’s not enough, please let us know. We would like to settle this matter.”
However, Eugene stared at it contemptuously, “It’s not necessary. It holds no value to me.”
“In that case. . .”
“I have no intention of breaking off the engagement.”
Staring at each other, Reed trembled slightly. But perhaps thinking that he couldn’t show any hesitation at this point, he spoke to Eugene with determination.
“This is also for Mabel-sama’s sake.”
“What do you mean?”
“Currently, do you know what the common people say about Mabel-sama? They say that the pitiful youngest princess was sacrificed for the sake of the country, and was given to the mages. That’s what they whisper.”
Eugene stared at Reed without blinking, as he let out a deep sigh.
“We were saved by you during the Wiski invasion. However, not many people know the details. Many citizens speculate that some secret agreement was made in exchange for the engagement.”
To actually have aimed for that, but now that peace had arrived, they acted as if they had never intended it. Eugene’s anger began to boil at the attitude of the parliament.
But they couldn’t cause a commotion and worsen Mabel’s position. Eugene desperately tried to restrain themselves.
“If we allow the engagement to proceed, we will be condemned as a parliament that is subservient to the mages, a pathetic one. At that time, our―and the king’s position―will not be stable. Above all, the people fear you, someone whose background is unknown.”
Eugene couldn’t say anything in response to the final words.
Seeing that, Reed lowered his gaze to the table and spoke calmly.
“Mage-dono, our lifespan is too different. No matter how much you love her, you cannot become a human.”
“…”
“If you truly care about Mabel-sama’s happiness, could you please consider breaking off the engagement?”
Eugene quietly looked at Reed, who deeply bowed his head.
As if enduring something, Eugene lowered their eyelashes quietly.
Having finally returned to the castle, Mabel felt a different atmosphere.
It wasn’t something specific that had changed, but rather a subtle difference that couldn’t be expressed in words, a stagnant or gloomy feeling.
First, Mabel went upstairs to meet Eugene and knocked on the door to his room.
After receiving a response, she entered the room, and Eugene was sitting at the desk as usual.
“Sorry for being late.”
“No, don’t worry about it.”
It was then that Mabel noticed that Eugene was wearing a mask.
Since they often took it off in their room, she was slightly curious, but she continued the conversation without consciously paying attention, thinking it was just a coincidence.
“I was called in a hurry, but when I went, it turned out to be Kathleen-onee-sama’s dress fitting. Don’t scare me like that.”
Eugene silently watched Mabel puffing up her cheeks.
Feeling a slight sense of loneliness in their appearance, Mabel felt a hint of unease.
But Eugene quickly changed their expression to a smile and asked Mabel.
“That must have been tough. Was that all you needed?”
“Y-Yeah.”
It was Mabel who nodded, but the talk of breaking off the engagement from the secretary-general crossed her mind.
She didn’t want to cause unnecessary worry to Eugene.
But if she lied here, Eugene might see through it. Above all, Mabel didn’t want to keep any secrets from Eugene. With a short exhale, she quietly began.
“I’m sorry, but there’s actually something else I need to talk about.”
“…?”
“They told me to break off the engagement…”
Silence filled the room.
Unable to bear the atmosphere, Mabel quickly denied it.
“Of course, I have no intention of doing that. I’m trying to persuade them somehow, but…”
“Did they say something to you?”
Perhaps noticing that Mabel was struggling with her words, Eugene quietly spoke up.
Mabel could feel her eyes welling up again at his gentle voice.
“No. It’s nothing.”
“…Really?”
“…”
From behind his mask, Eugene was gazing at Mabe with his beautiful amber eyes, and firmly sealed lips.
Although Mabel could only see that expression, she painfully understood just how much Eugene was worried about her.
That’s why Mabel forced herself to smile and answered,
“Um, Eugene-san, If I were to disappear, would you find someone new to love?”
“. . .”
“Since I’ll die before you, I don’t want to leave you alone. So I was thinking, maybe it wouldn’t be so lonely if you found someone else to love.”
As she spoke, Mabel felt a sharp pain in her heart.
Her body was screaming, realizing that her feelings and words were not in sync, unlike when she blocked the magic.
‘But, it’s because of me that Eugene-san will be left alone’
Their lifespans were different. Mabel accepted that she would be gone and that Eugene would live with someone else. Without that resolve, she couldn’t protect this engagement.
“Are you telling me to find someone else to love?”
But what Mabel heard was Eugene’s strained voice.
Startled, Mabel raised her head and was speechless when she saw Eugene’s face. His slanted eyes looked pained, and his mouth was tightly shut.
Seeing Eugene’s pained expression, she realized how terrible her words had been and quickly shook her head.
“I’m sorry, that’s not what I meant.”
“I understand. I’ve been struggling with it too. Wondering if it was really a good thing for me to be engaged to you.”
“…What do you mean?”
“You and I are not the same. Even if we’re together, we can’t be happy. In that case, it might be better to pretend it never happened.”
Before Eugene could finish his words, Mabel couldn’t help but ask why.
But the tears that she should have held back in the palace began to flow uncontrollably.
Yet, even in front of Mabel like this, Eugene never uttered words of correction.
Feeling lost, Mabel ran away from the scene, escaping. She hurriedly descended the corridor and stairs, but there was no sign of Eugene following her.
‘Why, why did this happen?!’
Her throat hurt.
Her tears distorted her vision.
It was already dark outside, and it would be difficult to return to the palace now.
Where should she go at this hour?
‘But I don’t want to stay here…’
While choking on her silent tears, Mabel pushed the entrance door with all her strength.
To her surprise, it opened much lighter than expected, and Mabel’s unbalanced body was thrown outside. But then, strong arms caught her.
“―Oh, I was surprised. Where are you going at this hour?”
“Row-san…”
Looking up, Mabel saw Row’s beautiful face, and once again, she cried with a pitiful voice.
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