I’ll simply step down from my role in the story. Both Lyzectus and I were meant to disappear early on anyway. If the existence of Princess Elise and her guard Lyzectus vanishes altogether, everything should resolve itself.
For that—I need to…
One hour later.
To Christoph, who had just declared our engagement annulled, I bowed my head and replied:
“As you wish, Christoph.”
Christoph’s attendant handed me the prepared document.
The annulment document, already stamped with the royal seal, bore Christoph’s signature. Without hesitation, I signed my name below his. Seeing me obey, as always, without resistance, Christoph sneered and said:
“You’re not even going to ask for a reason? A cousin who obeys like a dog is hardly something to boast about. It was a dull engagement, decided solely for the sake of appearances.”
A reason?
It’s for “true love” with the heroine, isn’t it?
And the king, in his desire to use me, permitted Christoph’s true love and approved the annulment.
Although my rank places me in the royal line of succession, my children would have no claim to the throne under kingdom law. In other words, I’m incredibly convenient for political maneuvering.
The kingdom has been in a truce with the neighboring country—a country that was an enemy only a few years ago. Talks of a political marriage to maintain the truce have emerged.
The king, of course, doesn’t want to send his own daughters, the princesses, into a dangerous nation with a 100% risk factor. And so, the ever-useful me comes into play.
No one—neither my father, my brother, nor anyone else—cares whether I live or die in that neighboring land.
Even if I were to bear children, they would have no rights to succession. If they tried to claim the throne, it would be dismissed outright.
How very convenient.
Christoph smirked in satisfaction as he looked at the signed document.
“With this, I’m free from a loveless fiancée.”
How foolish, I thought, just as I was until yesterday.
You’re not the one who’s free. It’s me who’s been set free. You just don’t know it. You don’t even realize you’ve opened the door of my cage, but for that, I will thank you.
Thank you.
Christoph, paying no attention to me, didn’t notice the faint smile curling at my lips beneath my bowed head.
Should I repay him for this freedom, as though watering a dying flower? Perhaps I’ll give him a single drop of poison in return.
To Christoph, who was so arrogant and short-sighted, I said:
“Christoph, since our engagement is annulled, I can no longer assist you with your work. The documents with deadlines…”
Christoph snorted, looking down on me.
“The work you were capable of? If I were serious, I could finish it easily.”
He turned on his heel and left.
I know Christoph’s nature well. I know what he doesn’t want to see, hear, or acknowledge.
And because I know, I had never spoken of it.
He must have found my remark irritating. From his personality, I predicted he would leave his duties for the day and go off to play out of spite. His entourage, incompetent yes-men, would never advise him otherwise. I had been the only one supporting his work.
Those are important documents due today. Tomorrow, the crown prince—who is a perfectionist—will rain down a monumental scolding for the oversight. Christoph, shallow as he is, will refuse to take responsibility, insist it’s not his fault, and act even more rebelliously, spiraling downward in a vicious cycle.
It’s obvious he will fall—after all, Christoph is nothing more than the prince who serves as a stepping stone for the heroine.
The heroine of “Blue Rose Garden” is ambitious.
She will stop at nothing for revenge.
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