Chapter 1: Broken Engagement
“Wilhelmina Ulla Periknen!”
My name echoes in the palace hall. Under the chandelier reflecting the light from the magic stone, the voice belongs to none other than the prince of this kingdom.
“I hereby break my engagement with you!
The numerous misdeeds you have done to Baron Madetoya’s daughter, Ina, is unforgivable!
It is unacceptable to allow such a person into the royal family. I, Elias Sipi Patrikainen, break my engagement with Wilhelmina and propose to Ina as a way to atone for my fiancé’s sins!”
The hall erupted with noise at those words, but soon became silent as everyone listened intently to the unfolding events.
Elias, the prince, who just declared my guilt, was my fiancé until now.
Next to him is a young girl with peachy hair, dressed in a lapis lazuli dress of the same color as his eyes, which must have been given to her by the prince. She still has a vague smile on her face, unsure if she understands the situation.
Yes, quite a show, isn’t it?
I closed my peacock feather fan that I had opened with a snap and took on the etiquette of a lady.
“Greetings to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Elias, the Dawn of the Kingdom. May I have your permission to respond in person?”
“Hmph, impolite. I’ll allow it.”
With the prince’s permission, I stand up and speak.
“I understand that you have called off our engagement. However, may I ask the reason for the unilateral statement to break it?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. Do you think you can make amends for the barbaric things you did to Ina?!”
I nod my head and let out a sigh.
The prince, who calls a woman who should not yet be a formal fiancé by her first name.
…Ah, how foolish.
“Isn’t it natural to get rid of women who approach your fiancée?”
“Do you mean it’s okay for a lady of a higher rank to do such a thing?!”
“I am not harassing her in any way.”
“Did you have your followers do it?!”
I open my fan and hide my mouth as I laugh.
“Hohoho, what are you talking about?”
“What’s so funny!”
“It’s not something that would be ordered. If the higher rank are feeling uncomfortable about it and they voluntarily don’t do anything about it, that would be considered neglect.”
“Why didn’t you stop it then!”
“I have a different opinion. I have repeatedly advised both His Highness and Lady Madetoya both orally and in writing that a man and woman who are not engaged should not be overly familiar. Of course, you remember, don’t you?”
His Highness Elias had a sullen expression and Baron Madetoya’s daughter shook her pink head nervously.
“Y-Yes.”
“But you all did not accept it. His Highness, in particular, did not even listen to my words. Why do I have to endure this annoyance when you all do not stop it?”
Baron Madetoya’s daughter, who was standing as if hiding from His Highness Elias, lowered her head with a peep.
“I’m sorry!… but I fell in love with Elias-sama!”
Close the fan and point to her, Pachiri.
“I don’t need your mealy-mouthed apology. I can’t talk bad about the past anymore, but please do something about that rude etiquette.”
“Apologize to Ina, Wilhelmina!”
“I dislike backbiting. Even Your Highness can understand her lack of etiquette, can’t you?”
I was drawn to that natural aspect, but you should know that a future queen who can’t run the country like that.
“We can teach her that from now on! But you did something you shouldn’t have done!”
“You mean that I tried to kill her?”
The words that His Highness was about to say, his nose whitened, and the face of Baron Madetoya’s daughter turned blue.
The hall was abuzz.
“Kill…?”
“Of course, if you won’t listen to my advice, it would be better to kill you, wouldn’t it? You’re not fit to be queen.
If His Highness was competent and his position was solid, it would have been fine even if he was playing a love game with her.
“Arrogant woman.”
“Arrogant? I am just acting in a manner appropriate to my status.”
Upon saying this, Prince Elias chuckles.
“Well, then it’s good to fall to a lower status.
The Crown Prince has ordered you, Wilhelmina, to marry a commoner!”
The position of crown prince is naturally a political one. I have assisted him in that.
His Majesty and Her Majesty are absent to attend a ceremony in a neighboring country. That’s why the power is given to His Highness. However…
“Do you think such tyranny is allowed?”
“I am the representative of His Majesty.”
When His Highness raises his hand, the guards approach me and reach out. I was forced to kneel violently and was pressed to the floor.
Screams rose from the ladies in the hall. I glared at His Highness Elias without saying anything.
“You’re going to give mercy to someone who tried to kill someone without putting them in jail. Do you have any complaints?”
I have nothing to complain about. But I didn’t feel like talking anymore.
No matter what words you throw at this fool.
“By the way, I heard that some commoner researcher is going to be awarded a medal for his achievement at the upcoming award ceremony. I’ll give you as a reward for that!
He would cry if he could take the former daughter of the Duke family as his wife!”
That’s unlikely to happen.
However, His Highness is saying that knowingly. In other words, he is trying to trouble the commoner and further defame me.
“I will file a complaint later! You’re confined to your house!”
