How convenient it is for him to suddenly change his tune. Does he really think I’ll break down and cry, begging for him to take me back after such a poor excuse?
“I cannot trust you. Even if I were to grant you the benefit of the doubt and accept it as the truth, it is far too late now. There is no way I could continue to follow someone who declares the annulment of our engagement in front of an entire crowd.”
“And do you intend to annul our engagement twice in one day? Please stop being so dishonest and live happily with Lady Lilian.”
To not even understand something so basic… I want my ten years back.
I turned my body toward Lady Lilian.
“For ten years, as His Highness’s fiancée, I have studied various subjects, including royal etiquette, diplomacy, languages, and royal history.”
Lilian remained with her head bowed.
“Lady Lilian, how many languages have you mastered?”
In a voice barely audible, Lilian replied, “I haven’t started studying languages yet.”
“Haven’t started yet,” I thought, wondering when she plans to begin.
“If I may offer a piece of advice, it would be wise to start learning soon. I have spent ten years studying, and with Lady Lilian’s intellect, I doubt you’ll catch up even by the time you're thirty.”
I’m so kind, aren’t I? How generous of me to offer such basic advice.
“The two of you, so lacking in ability, are expected to govern this country. A half-hearted approach would only burden the citizens. I hope you both strive to improve.”
Finally, it seemed like the Crown Prince had returned to reality. There was no way Lilian could fulfill the duties of a queen. He would be the future king. Iris had been chosen for that purpose. Realizing this, his face paled.
He knew he had to salvage the situation and win Iris back, no matter what.
“Iris…” the Crown Prince began, but—
The Duke finally spoke up in his deep voice.
“Iris, that’s enough.”
“Stiary-oniisama (older brother Stearry),” Iris responded in a sweet, gentle voice, so different from the biting tone she had used moments ago.
“But it was under His Highness’s orders. I didn’t want to say these things, but I couldn’t go against His Highness’s command. He explicitly said I must speak honestly, and that he wouldn’t hold any disrespect against me. So, I had no choice. Still, I didn’t even say a tenth of what I wanted to. I feel somewhat unsatisfied. Please listen to the rest of my complaints later, Stearry-oniisama.”
Iris’s sweet voice and her radiant smile were in such contrast to her previous sharp words that the nobles in the hall blushed and looked down, captivated by her fairy-like presence.
The Crown Prince and Lilian, meanwhile, were entirely left out of the scene.
All attention was now focused on the affectionate atmosphere between Iris and the Duke.
The Crown Prince, unable to let go, spoke to Iris once more.
“Iris, I have taken your feelings to heart. However, our marriage was decided by His Majesty the King. It will not be so easily annulled.”
You’re the one who unilaterally broke off the engagement, yet now you say that?
Once again, the Crown Prince was trying to use his authority to return Iris to her position as his fiancée.
But Iris, unconcerned, walked over to Lilian and handed her a brooch, a gift she had prepared for today’s party.
“Lady Lilian, I present this brooch to you as a keepsake.” Then she placed Lilian beside the Crown Prince.
“You two make a truly wonderful couple. I wish you happiness.” Iris curtsied flawlessly to them both.
And then, she turned on her heel and walked toward the Duke.
“Stearry-oniisama, I have just been released from my engagement. I am now truly free.”
The Duke, who had been Iris’s childhood friend and was five years her senior, had always adored her greatly.
At long last, my chance has finally arrived. The opportunity to make a bold move toward Stearry-oniisama, whom I’ve loved since childhood. I couldn’t help but smile.
“Stearry-oniisama, please marry me.”
Iris proposed.
The Duke gently patted Iris on the head and gave her a strained smile, unable to say much. But the look in his eyes as he gazed at her was filled with warmth.
Iris was certain: if she kept pushing like this, Stearry-oniisama would marry her.
She smiled confidently.
[The End]
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