𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒: 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭?

“You’ve come, Viara.”

“Good day to you, Your Highness.”

When I arrived at the church, there stood Prince Roque, with his red hair flowing, in his usual arrogant stance.

I instructed Cid to enter if he sensed anything unusual and had him wait in front of the church.

As soon as he saw me, the prince arrogantly declared the dissolution of our engagement.

How rude, pointing at someone like that.

“I am breaking off our engagement!”

“Understood.”

“. . .Don’t you want to know the reason?”

Oops.

I was too happy and blurted out “Understood” with a bit of an air of indifference.

And today is a memorable day, so I came in a crimson dress. I came dressed to express my joy to the fullest.

I cleared my throat and decided to ask for the reason, just in case.

“Can you please tell me the reason?”

He probably wants to say it.

I should listen quietly here.

The prince snorted and declared with a triumphant face.

“It’s because I have awakened true love for Annette!!, who truly admires me from the bottom of her heart, she is more suitable for me than an uncharming woman like you!”

“Well! Congratulations. You have found true love. I suppose I should step aside then.”

Ah, I’m so moved that tears are about to come out.

My eyes were getting moist.

Since I want to spend this memorable day with a smile, I held back my tears.

“Do you have any objections?”

“I have none. Please, pursue true love. That’s what makes you, Prince Roque!”

I will support you from the bottom of my heart!

Feeling overwhelmed, I almost cried, but I cheered for the prince. 

And then, for some reason, The Prince suddenly became quiet and lowered his gaze, scratching his cheek with his finger.

“You must be frustrated that I couldn’t respond to your feelings.”

Huh? Why does it seem like I was in love with The Prince? He’s quite good at acting like a fine man. Well, he is a fine man, at least in appearance.

“Your Highness, let’s dissolve the engagement immediately!”

“Ah, yes.”

I smiled and turned my gaze to the familiar High Priest who was standing near The Prince.

“Shall we perform the ceremony here, Noah-sama?”

The silver-haired, blue-eyed High Priest is Lord Noah, an acquaintance of mine. Despite his innocent aura, he’s obsessed with antacids.

Noah-sama, who was informed today that the engagement would be dissolved, came all the way from headquarters.

“The two of you will have the ceremony over there, in the room.”

Noah-sama calmly directed his gaze towards the direction with a golden-framed door.

“Now, please bring the Holy Grail.”

As instructed, prince Roque held the silver Holy Grail in his right hand.

Then, he opened the door and entered, placing the Holy Grail on the stone table in the center.

Patan. . .

The door closed, and The Prince and I faced each other with the Holy Grail between us.

I chanted the spell that Noah-sama taught me, and immediately the Holy Grail began to glow, enveloping the room in beautiful swirling light.

“Roque Von Lauding, and Viara Emery Marcus. Under the name of God, swiftly release the contract we made.”

The Prince’s low voice echoed in the sealed room, and at that moment, something like smoke slipped out of our bodies.

It was the moment the engagement ritual was released.

“Now, finally. . .”

Sighing with relief, I felt a weight lifted off my chest as the long-standing anxiety was resolved, and I felt a profound sense of relief.

I wanted to run out of the church right away and dive into Cid’s arms.

Just because I dissolved the engagement with The Prince doesn’t mean I will be with him, but today I feel like it’s allowed.

“Your Highness, thank you for everything until now.”

I said a formal greeting, gathered the hem of my skirt, and elegantly bowed.

Truly refreshing. Today is a commemorative day!

However, The Prince slowly approached me, as if thinking about something.

“Your Highness. . .?”

Prince Roque, who stood in front of me, looked down at me intently.

To my surprise, he reached out his hand towards me and lightly grabbed a strand of my pale blue hair.

And then, in the next moment, he said something outrageous.

“It would be pitiful if it ended like this. At least let me embrace you once.”

“. . .Huh?”

What did he just say?

I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. Anyway, it gave me the creeps, so I wanted him to let go of my hair.

When I brushed his hand away, The Prince furrowed his eyebrows for a moment but quickly regained his arrogant smile.

“To think you still maintain that attitude even after being abandoned by me. But I suppose proud Viara wouldn’t cry and cling to me, right?”

“Huh?” 

“Don’t worry, I was only attracted to your appearance. Once the engagement is dissolved, there won’t be any suitable marriage proposals for you, so it would be a waste to just discard you. I am a merciful man, so I’ll allow you the privilege of being embraced by me, considering your resilience.”

The smirk on his face was so repulsive, it sent shivers down my spine.

What is he saying? Everything in front of me went dark. I deserve praise for not throwing up right now.

“Viara.”

The Prince gently places his hand on my right shoulder.

Disgust, hatred, and discomfort rushed through my entire body all at once.

“The Duke Marcus family is useful. How about becoming my mistress?I can even make ‘that dog’ you have as my subordinate.”

Snap. A sound echoed in my head.

Not only does he demand my submission, but he also plans to take away the power of my family and Cid from me.

I absolutely cannot forgive this scum.

No matter what my fate may be, I couldn’t bear to stay silent and obey after being told such things.

Along with my anger, a mass of magical power swirled within me.

“Your Grace. . .”

Crack!!

I gathered almost all of my magical power in my right hand and deliver a powerful blow to Prince Roque’s abdomen.

“Ugh!!”

Filthy drool dripped from the Duke’s mouth.

“Aghhhh!! Ahhhhh. . .!!”

Following that, a large amount of fresh blood flowed from his mouth.

Prince Roque, groaned like a beast, clutched his stomach and sank to the floor.

From my disdainful gaze looking down on him, I could only see his red hair and back. 

“Stop this nonsense, you pervert!!”

Since I enhanced my fist with magic, he must have suffered severe internal injuries. He might even have broken his spine, bypassing his internal organs.

But it’s okay. High Priest Noah-sama will heal him with magic, so he won’t die.

Probably. Yeah, probably, right?

“Seriously. . . I can’t stand being with you anymore!”

I brushed away the pale blue hair that fell on my shoulder and glanced at the crouching prince before opening the door.

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