He delivered his judgment with cold precision.
“Lady Hina, I have observed both of you since you arrived in this world. Despite being suddenly summoned, Lady Maiko worked diligently to resolve the problems presented to her. In contrast, Lady Hina, you falsely claimed to have solved problems yourself and spent your time frivolously.
Your actions in this world amount to nothing more than reckless spending. You lack the qualities necessary to become the queen of this country. —Please return to your original world. You may, however, keep the jewelry you’re wearing as a memento. …Now, this way, please.”
Ellis gestured to a marked spot, indicating where Hina would be returned to her original world.
A servant standing nearby approached to guide her to the designated area.
It had all seemed to be going so well.
Every time Maiko finished solving a document, it was Hina who personally delivered it to the princes. They always greeted her warmly, with smiles.
They had taken her alone for tea, dinner, and even shopping trips to the city. Every time she admired a dress or jewelry and said, “How lovely,” they bought it for her without hesitation.
And yet, the princes didn’t choose her.
“Another one is complete,” she would say while delivering the documents. Though she never specified who had solved them, it wasn’t technically a lie.
Sure, she had once claimed, “I helped solve this too.” In the beginning, she had tried to work on them herself. But since every attempt was wrong, Maiko had to correct her work.
It wasn’t outright deception.
These princes were awful.
Prince Louis and Prince Arthur, who spent so much time with her, had kept quiet about their inability to make her queen.
Prince Ellis, the true first prince, had disguised himself as an escort without ever explaining his actual status.
“They must have been testing me all along,” she thought bitterly.
If she’d known from the start that they wouldn’t accept someone without the necessary skills, she wouldn’t have let herself hope.
Behind their princely facades, these men had shown her their unpleasant sides—just like the strict teacher and mean-spirited girls back in her original world.
“I don’t need a world like this!”
Fueled by anger and frustration, she called for Maiko to leave with her.
But Maiko chose to stay.
During the week Hina had spent enjoying the princes’ company, Maiko had grown close to Ellis, the so-called escort, and ultimately chose to marry him.
But Hina couldn’t let Maiko remain in this other world. She couldn’t stand the idea of Maiko becoming a princess.
“Come on, let’s go home together. Maiko, a prince like him doesn’t suit you,” Hina pleaded desperately.
And then—suddenly—she was back in her original world.
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