The history of this kingdom, which I learned through my queen’s education, is steeped in blood. For generations, brothers have engaged in brutal battles over the throne.
To prevent further strife, the reigning king decreed that the right of succession would be granted according to birth order.
His Majesty is a strict ruler, and unless something truly extraordinary happens, his decision will not be overturned.
Yet, at the graduation party of the Royal Academy of Advanced Magic—an event attended even by the stern king himself—everything began to unfold unexpectedly.
“Rosie, I am annulling our engagement! The evidence of your wicked deeds has been uncovered! You discriminated against Lady Tiara for being a commoner and harassed her!”
The First Prince, with his golden hair and blue eyes, stood on the stage and pointed at me.
In his arms, Lady Tiara—delicate, with long pink hair—trembled, her eyes filled with tears.
“Harassment? What are you talking about?”
Under the intense stares of the party guests, I almost faltered, but I straightened my back and calmly asked in return.
The First Prince glared down at me with hatred and shouted:
“Don’t feign ignorance! The truth is already known! You threw Lady Tiara’s textbooks into the trash! You pushed her into a well, causing her injury! Lady Tiara herself tearfully testified that you were the culprit!”
“I… I was so scared…”
Lady Tiara clung to the First Prince, her voice trembling with tears.
From where I stood, I could see her lower her gaze as if suppressing her sobs—then, just for a moment, the corners of her lips curled into a smirk.
“…I never did any of that.”
My hoarse voice barely reached the First Prince.
A crushing sense of frustration and sorrow filled my chest.
Even if there was no love between us, I had at least believed we shared a bond of friendship.
He often invited me to the theater.
…Though we never exchanged a single word before or after the performances.
As children, we used to play together frequently.
…But after we entered the middle academy, he never invited me to anything aside from the theater.
Then, in the spring of my third year in the advanced academy, Lady Tiara transferred in. From that moment, the First Prince spent all his time with her. I often saw them deep in conversation in the secluded garden.
My friends were outraged by Lady Tiara’s audacity, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel anything beyond friendship for the First Prince, so I had no jealousy toward her. What unsettled me was how much the First Prince had changed.
After Lady Tiara arrived, his gaze toward me became different.
At social gatherings, when he was forced to spend time with me, he observed me as if searching for faults, his sharp eyes scrutinizing my every move.
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