It Seems I’ve Been Misunderstanding a Lot of Things — Part 2

Everyone thought she might be better suited for bureaucracy than statecraft. Ixcia’s flustered demeanor made it clear that her accusation was likely false. What would happen if they really began compiling the report?

“As long as the engagement is annulled, I don’t care who stands beside the prince. Congratulations on your engagement, Sister. It’s beyond my wildest dreams that the prince has discovered true love!”

The prince flinched at Freesia’s gentle yet patronizing smile, as if she were watching an incompetent grandchild.

“To think that my love-stricken sister would ever discover a one-true-love! I never imagined it! Everyone will be moved, and who knows, it may even be turned into a play someday.”

“…No, it won’t.”

On one hand, there was the older sister who stole her younger sister’s fiancé, and on the other, the prince who pursued the older sister despite being engaged. It was nothing more than a sordid tale of a couple lacking any decency, but in Freesia’s hands, even such a story could become a tearjerker about love.

“Are you serious? A sister who endured her wicked younger sibling’s bullying to find true love! A prince who, seeing his beloved suffering, fell in love and rescued her! There’s romance everywhere!”

“…Are you actually convinced of that?”

The phrase “manipulating information” flashed through everyone’s minds.

“And since they’re such a passionate pair, surely they’ve secretly crossed the line and… a new life might even be on the way…”

Freesia’s outlandish speculation sent a chill through the room as cold stares landed on the couple.

“Perhaps you should cool off a bit?” Happiana suggested, sensing that if Freesia was left unchecked, the conversation would spiral further out of control. At that, Freesia turned to her, feigning a look of sudden realization.

“Come to think of it, doesn’t Ixcia already have a fiancé?”

Freesia’s words caused Happiana’s complexion to pale.

“Yes, Baron Manteira Yadok of the frontier.”

The entire room gasped.

The prince had stolen the baron’s fiancée. This was no longer a trivial matter.

What had once seemed like an innocent story of two sisters from the Marquis family vying for the prince’s affection had suddenly transformed into a situation that could spark civil war. This was no longer just an amusing spectacle.

What would happen if the baron of the frontier, upon learning of this, were to abandon the royal family?

What if he stood up to reclaim his fiancée?

As the audience murmured, Freesia, with a carefree expression, posed a question to Happiana.

“Oh, I see. So, Happiana, which would you prefer—taking over the marquisate or marrying the frontier baron?”

“Huh? Freesia, what are you talking about?”

The room fell silent in an instant. Everyone swallowed hard and focused intently, not wanting to miss a single word. Depending on what was said next, this could either end in peace or civil war.

“Since it’s a political marriage, the roles can be swapped. As an apology for bullying you over a misunderstanding, I’ll let you choose whichever you prefer.”

It was a somewhat condescending offer, but she wasn’t wrong. Despite her casual tone, Freesia clearly had a sharp mind, thinking ahead even in such an excited atmosphere.

“Our father might think it’s better for you to stay with the family instead of me,” she added.

“And what will you do, Freesia?”

Happiana couldn’t help but feel unsettled. While Freesia’s logic wasn’t flawed, it seemed like everything was moving according to her will.

“I don’t mind going to the frontier. I considered a slow life hunting magical beasts, so it’s one option.”

How could magical beast hunting be considered a “slow life”?

“Freesia… did you really never have feelings for me?” the prince finally stammered, having rebooted himself. His voice was shaky and uncertain, but his question came too late.

Freesia nodded vigorously.

“Yes. I don’t have the kind of personality that enjoys being neglected or mistreated, so I’m not suited to be your partner. I’m not your mother, and I have no intention of taking care of you from A to Z, much less cleaning up after you.”

The realization of the prince’s troubling tendencies, and Ixcia’s apparent willingness to accept them, cast a different kind of gaze toward the stage.

Happiana, torn between shock and disbelief, wondered whether Freesia was being naturally blunt or intentionally calculating. The prince, realizing he was now perceived as not only incompetent but also harboring questionable tendencies, was horrified. Meanwhile, Ixcia, sensing that a heated reaction would only raise more suspicions, stayed still. And Freesia, with a smug look, seemed quite satisfied with herself.

As they each wore different expressions, the thought crossed the minds of everyone present:

How on earth do we handle this situation?

The awkward stillness was finally broken by a single man’s voice.

“Is the conversation over?”

The deep, resonant tenor cut through the frozen air, snapping everyone out of their stupor. A strikingly handsome man stepped forward with a calm and measured stride. His long, flowing orange hair rippled softly, standing out against his all-black attire. He was tall, with a muscular build that was evident even through his clothes, and his sharp cobalt-blue eyes gave him a commanding presence. Despite his noble demeanor, he carried the air of a soldier, and his overwhelming presence left everyone breathless.

“Y-you… you’re the Red Reaper!” the prince stammered, blurting out the man’s title in a fit of childish excitement.

The man sighed, slightly annoyed at the overly dramatic nickname. Why “red,” when his clothes were black? That thought seemed to cross his mind as he let out another sigh. Even that small gesture exuded a mature, masculine charm, causing those nearby to blush faintly.

“When will you finally learn to call me by my proper name?” he quipped, his words dripping with sarcasm. The prince, intimidated by his presence, could only quiver, while Ixcia blushed at the sight of the ruggedly handsome man.

Meanwhile, Freesia and Happiana exchanged glances, trying to make sense of the sudden turn of events. It was clear that things were getting out of hand, but neither of them knew what to do.

“Why are you here, when you’re supposed to be in the frontier?” the prince demanded.

“I came to fetch my bride, who was to join my family upon her graduation…,” the man replied coldly, his sharp gaze landing on Ixcia.

“No way… he’s the frontier baron…?” Ixcia murmured, seeing her fiancé for the first time.

In political marriages, it wasn’t uncommon to be betrothed without ever meeting in person, especially for someone from the frontier. Ixcia, assuming her fiancé would be a rustic, uncouth old man, had set her sights on the prince. That’s how this whole debacle began. But now, seeing the stunningly handsome man before her, she could only regret her earlier actions.

“If only I had known sooner…,” she thought, but it was too late for regrets.

“It seems things have taken quite a strange turn,” the man remarked, eyeing the situation with amusement.

The baron shifted his gaze away from the two and focused on Freesia and Happiana.

Feeling as though they were being stared down by a wild beast, both girls instinctively straightened their posture.

"I need to have a word with the marquis. I’ll be heading there now. What will you do?"

"The discussion has concluded, so I need to explain everything to our father. It's more efficient to handle all the procedures at once, so I’ll accompany you. Isn’t that right, Happiana?"

"Yes."

Not wanting to be left behind in such a tense situation, Happiana quickly nodded. The three of them swiftly exited the venue.

As they left, the royal guards rushed in and escorted the prince and Ixcia out.

Naturally, it would raise questions about the prince’s ability to lead if it was revealed that Freesia had been handling his duties despite not even being married to him yet. As for Ixcia, she had disregarded her engagement to the baron and tried to marry the prince—something Freesia had blocked—thereby putting the Marquis Indushi in a precarious position. A mere reprimand wouldn’t suffice for her actions.

The prince and Ixcia had also incurred the baron’s displeasure and were responsible for nearly causing civil unrest. While it was unclear how they would be punished, it was certain that by the next time they were seen, neither would still hold their current titles.

After the storm had passed, the headmaster, pressing a hand to his stomach, climbed the stage and announced the end of the graduation party.

* * *

The Marquis of Indushi, having been informed of the baron’s arrival, warmly welcomed Manteira. However, he was puzzled by the absence of Ixcia, the graduate who was supposed to be married off.

“I’ll explain everything once we’re seated in the guest room.”

Not wanting anyone to faint from the shock, they moved to the guest room as Freesia had suggested. Once there, the marquis was left dumbfounded by Freesia’s explanation.

"Ixia… with the prince…?"

To make matters worse, Manteira had witnessed the entire incident from the start, leaving no room for excuses or deception. The situation couldn’t have been worse. The marquis even felt like fainting himself.

“Given the circumstances, if it’s acceptable to you, would you consider taking either Happiana or me as a bride instead?”

Since it was a political marriage, it didn’t matter which of the three sisters became the baron’s wife. Both Freesia and Happiana had already come to terms with this reality. With Manteira having seen everything unfold, it was impossible to keep things within the marquis family. The choice now lay with Manteira, not them, and the marquis nodded in agreement.

The baron cast an appraising look at both sisters before turning his gaze back to Freesia, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"Can you hunt monsters, young lady?"

"Yes. In preparation for what might happen after my downfall, I’ve picked up a variety of skills."

"Picked up skills?"

"The fate of a condemned villainess is usually exile abroad, banishment to the frontier, or life in a convent. It’s a well-known pattern."

"It's not set in stone. You're talking about story clichés."

Happiana seemed to have fully embraced her role as the one who corrects others.

"I’ve worked hard so that I’ll be fine no matter where I end up," Freesia continued, cheerfully elaborating on her preparations.

For the convent path, she had mastered cooking, childcare, prayer, and needlework. For exile or life as a commoner, she had trained for an adventurer’s life, practicing hunting, camping, and butchering game. As Freesia proudly listed her skills, the marquis cradled his head, while Happiana looked somewhat exasperated.

“What exactly are you aiming for, sister?”

“A carefree, self-sufficient life where I don’t have to worry about survival,” Freesia declared.

For some reason, this amused the baron, who now gazed at Freesia with growing interest.

“In that case, come with me so your efforts won’t go to waste.”

“You mean… you’ll take me?”

"You’re more suited to life on the frontier. Besides, I’ve taken a liking to you."

Freesia’s heart pounded loudly as her gaze met the baron’s, which held a predatory intensity, as though he had found his prey.

“Thank you! I will make sure to put all the skills I’ve acquired to good use!”

“…Freesia, a frontier baroness doesn’t need adventurer skills,” Happiana muttered quietly, but her words never reached her sister.

Completely misunderstanding the situation, Freesia continued in her delusions. And so, with an extraordinary set of skills that no frontier baroness would ever need, she became a one-of-a-kind figure, forever etching her name in history. 

[The End]

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