“I want to become Reina’s knight.”
“Just as I expected, Aike. You always exceed my expectations.”
Leon couldn’t help but chuckle in delight.
If anyone else were to see this side of Leon, they would be surprised, but fortunately, there was no one else in the room.
“Then I guess it would be better to change the approach a bit.”
Leon had initially planned to settle things quietly.
In noble society, broken engagements weren’t exactly uncommon.
Strategic marriages were influenced by factions and vested interests to begin with.
In other words, even a slight deviation could easily lead to a broken engagement.
Of course, if it involved the imperial family or the second-generation ducal houses, things might be a bit different.
“What would be the best way?”
It was only natural for a scandal to arise if it’s not a typical broken engagement.
No, even if it were a standard broken engagement, scandals were the norm in high society.
Leon knew this fact better than anyone.
When he was young and suffering from a fever that left him unable to live a normal life,
How many scandals arose from just being sick?
The notion that he was hiding due to a lack of talent as a Crown Prince would be a light subject compared to the fallout of announcing his broken engagement with Reina.
But Leon had already resolved himself, so it didn’t matter at all.
And he had prepared things to some extent already.
“…That seems to be the best option.”
A method that suited the end of this story the most.
With that thought, Leon lowered his head and smiled.
★
“Reina. I’m sorry, but when the second semester starts, you’ll have to break our engagement.”
I was left speechless upon seeing His Highness state this with a calm smile.
The reason I had come to see him today was to request a broken engagement.
I already knew what that entailed.
If His Highness were to rage and seek my father, it would be beyond the point of no return.
So whatever request His Highness made, I thought I would do my best to assist.
But for it to be a request concerning a broken engagement…
“…Your Highness, could you explain what you mean?”
Perhaps I should consider it lucky.
It was like having a burden lifted from me.
The problem was that I could somewhat guess the motives for His Highness’s suggestion of breaking the engagement.
I had diligently attended classes in preparation for being a Crown Princess.
I had also participated in various banquets with His Highness.
But that was all.
The number of times we had met alone was so few that I could count them in my head.
Even at banquets, I merely engaged in obligatory tasks and returned home.
To be honest, I felt more like an acquaintance than a betrothed, and this sense of distance had not significantly changed since enrolling at Arcana.
And the reason for this distance was entirely mine.
Of course, there had been various incidents.
However, I knew better than anyone that I couldn’t use those as excuses.
“It’s just as it sounds. When the second semester starts, I’m asking you to break our engagement.”
“I’d like to know the reason.”
It might have been easier to nod quietly.
But I didn’t want to divert my gaze from my faults.
I thought I needed to hear the reason clearly and apologize to His Highness.
Yet, what came from His Highness was unexpected.
“The reason? Honestly, I’m not sure myself.”
“…What do you mean?”
“To be frank, Reina. Do you have any romantic feelings for me? Just to clarify, I don’t.”
“F-Forgive me.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s fine to say it honestly.”
Could I really trust that statement?
While I bore that doubt, I answered honestly.
“I don’t have any.”
“See? Our engagement was originally a political marriage, so that makes sense. We weren’t close as children, nor did we meet frequently, so it stands to reason that we wouldn’t develop those feelings.”
His Highness spoke quietly and slowly.
“First off, I apologize. Recently, I’ve looked into what kind of family environment you grew up in and how you’ve been since the Martial Arts Tournament when you stopped meeting Aike.”
Hearing those words made cold sweat trickle down my back.
During the time I had turned my back on my family and others, I occasionally imagined how I might appear to others.
Every time, I never received good results.
What could His Highness possibly have to say about me?
Could it be that he’s suggesting a broken engagement because he saw me during that time?
If that were the case, what would happen to my family’s reputation…
“After seeing the results of that investigation, I became certain.”
It was His Highness’s incomprehensible statement that pierced through those thoughts.
“Breaking our engagement is the way for you to attain happiness.”
“…Huh?”
“What I said earlier is true. I’ve never felt romantic feelings for you. But aside from that, I consider you a friend.”
Friend.
That oddly awkward term spilled from His Highness’s lips.
“I think that if our engagement continues and we were to marry, it would likely lead to a fairly decent life. A relationship where we make the best of our work with a reasonable distance between us.”
However, His Highness continued,
“I don’t think that’s happiness.”
It was an assertion so clean it could seem cruel.
Yet, part of me resonated with His Highness’s words deep down.
“I want you to be happy as a friend, Reina. This is a proposal for your happiness in breaking our engagement.”
“…”
“I’ve already taken care of some groundwork, so it shouldn’t be a huge problem, but regardless, if this gets out, you and I will both face scandal. But I’m telling you this knowing that.”
His Highness wore a smile, yet his gaze was serious. It was clear he was being genuine.
Seeing that, the hesitation I had felt until then began to fade away.
In that moment, the last piece of my hesitation completely burned away.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
I stood up and bowed my head.
“It might be unfortunate news, but please don’t rush into an engagement with Aike right away.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
I felt heat rise to my face.
“You like Aike, don’t you?”
While that was indeed true, I hadn’t given a single thought to an engagement.
How could I presume to say such a thing?
What right did a woman who would abandon her family’s reputation to pursue her feelings have?
Even if I desired it, the Akses Duke House likely wouldn’t accept me.
“…I have no such intentions.”
“Well, if that’s what Reina wants, then so be it. Oh, and one more thing. I have another request.”
“Yes. I shall comply.”
There was no choice for me to refuse.
As His Highness had said, however much I had prepared, a scandal was bound to arise with a broken engagement.
Involving both the imperial family and the second-generation ducal houses, the scale of the scandal would only grow larger.
His Highness likely predicted the reason I had come to see him today.
It was clear from his lack of inquiry about what my request was and that he knew I liked Aike.
If he knew all this but still proposed a broken engagement first, there was no way I could refuse.
“I had initially thought to handle this broken engagement quietly. Naturally, that would be more convenient for us.”
You thought so?
“Does that mean your thoughts have changed now?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry, but I’m planning to scale things up a bit. I overheard something Aike said to Duke Ricard back then.”
What Aike had said to my father.
Among those conversations, there was one line that could influence the broken engagement process.
“I want to become Reina’s knight.”
That statement had to be the only one that fit.
And if His Highness knew of that statement, it meant that this conversation had already spread among high society.
The earlier mention of an engagement with Aike was likely due to this as well.
Although I had no intention of doing so, if after breaking off my engagement with His Highness, I quickly became engaged to Aike,
Surely that statement would be even more heavily gossiped about.
“I plan to challenge Aike to a duel when I return to Arcana. The reason will naturally be related to this broken engagement.”
“…Will Aike accept that duel?”
“He will. No doubt about it.”
His Highness’s eyes held firm conviction.
“So when you express the duel to Aike, Reina, please don’t interfere. I’ll handle the conversation.”
“…Understood. Can I ask one final question?”
“Of course.”
“What is the connection between what Aike said to my father and your plans to scale things up by challenging him to a duel?”
“…Reina, you must already have some inkling, right?”
His expression was eerily impassive.
“Right now, Aike is acting strange.”
And with that, I had no choice but to nod in agreement.
★
“It’s been a while.”
Overcoming the stiffness in my waist, I disembarked from the carriage, my eyes landing on the massive building—the Arcana dormitory.
“Master. I’ll be heading back now.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Noelle.”
Even though it would have been fine to rest for a night at Raynen’s inn, Noelle was adamant about returning home immediately.
“…There are quite a lot of people.”
Even though there were three days left in the break, a considerable number of students were wandering around.
Well, I couldn’t see any familiar faces, so I might as well relax at the dormitory.
A four-day carriage journey was something I could never seem to get used to.
“Aike.”
Having finished organizing my room and lying in bed, someone knocked and called my name.
The idea of feigning sleep crossed my mind, but later problems would be more troublesome, so I had no choice but to get up.
“…Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while.”
As I opened the door, the Crown Prince stood there, smiling.
“How did you know I had arrived at Arcana?”
“I told the people around to let me know when you were back because I had something I wanted to discuss.”
Something to discuss?
I had no idea what it might pertain to.
Perhaps it was simply about the declaration I made to Duke Ricard last time.
It seemed that it was gradually spreading in high society.
Ah, I guess it could feel unpleasant that he was unintentionally unaware of rumors regarding his betrothed.
“Would you like to come in?”
“Sure, thanks. I’m fine without refreshments. It’s just a quick conversation.”
“Understood.”
I took a seat and examined the Crown Prince’s expression.
He was smiling brightly, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
And it was the Crown Prince who spoke first.
“I’ll get straight to the point. I’m planning to break off my engagement with Reina.”
…Huh?
