Chapter 9

"Well, Lucy, you may speak."

The queen, undeterred by the frozen atmosphere, said calmly as usual.

Feeling as if her words had been ignored, Miria glared at me even more intensely. Please, give me a break... My stomach is already churning!

"Thank you. Then I will say it. With all due respect, what the daughter of Baron Bloomis said earlier is true. I have been hearing about it from His Highness for some time."

I knew it all along! I supported it! I wasn't abandoned...!

At that moment, the queen, who had been so calm and smiling, suddenly opened her eyes wide and glared at His Highness standing next to me. The pressure was so intense that His Highness shuddered.

Oh no! This is scary! I'm sorry!

But of course, the queen didn't expect me to corroborate Miria's words. No one would have thought that, right? I thought for a moment. Maybe it would be better to somehow dismiss Miria's poor joke and talk about it later. But if I did that, it would likely be impossible for Miria and His Highness to get engaged. Miria's actions were extremely disrespectful. At worst, she might be banned from approaching His Highness or even from entering the palace.

So many people have heard this. There's no going back now.

"Jack, is what Lucy is saying true...?"

"......Yes"

After a long silence, His Highness finally answered. Upon hearing his response, the room erupted in chaos.

The tea party ended shortly after that.

***

After the tea party, His Highness, Miria, and I were taken to a separate room to be questioned individually. Since I didn't know what had been discussed between His Highness and Miria, I only mentioned that I knew His Highness's feelings and had been consulted about it before.

Well, I'm not lying. I'm just keeping quiet about the time travel. After all, I had promised to help Miria get engaged.

That's all I said. After that, my father spoke with the king and the queen, and they both left the palace together in a carriage.

When we were leaving the palace, Baron Bloomis and Miria were seen chatting excitedly by the carriage.

"Great job, Miria! What you said was true!"

"I told you, Papa!"

"Then, is that all over now?"

"Yes, it's over. Forget about it. By the way—"

Surprisingly, my engagement to His Highness seems to be dissolving quite easily.

What? Really? No problem? I thought it would take a lot of effort to dissolve it! Honestly, I was quite taken aback. It feels a bit anticlimactic... Of course, it's better than suffering and not being able to dissolve it.

"Lucy... You must have been through a lot, haven't you? I'm sorry I didn't realize it..."

"No, Father, don't worry. I'm fine."

In the carriage, I felt a pang of guilt seeing my father apologize with teary eyes. Maybe I was unnecessarily tense? Maybe I was too focused on trying hard. Perhaps, even the first time, I could have consulted my father and dissolved the engagement much earlier.

My father, still with teary eyes, dropped a bombshell.

"I've officially dissolved the engagement with His Highness! You don't have to worry about anything anymore!"

"What!? It's already dissolved!?"

My father, looking proud, said, "Let's go home and tell everyone," and patted my head with a smile. He seemed in a much better mood than when he had teary eyes.

I couldn't help but laugh at my father's cheerful demeanor. Thinking about how he would die a year later in the first timeline, it felt like a bad dream. This time, I'm determined not to let that happen.

"Lucy! My poor child! You must have suffered so much...!"

"Sister! Are you okay? That stupid prince...!"

When we arrived home, my mother and Marcus rushed out to greet us. By the way, Marcus, if anyone hears you, it could be considered disrespectful and you might be punished! Only say such things in your heart!

"Did the engagement dissolution go well?"

"Of course, Lulina! I couldn't refuse the royal engagement at first, but now I won't accept anyone who doesn't love you as much as I do!"

"Oh, not more than you?"

"My love for you is too heavy to expect anyone to surpass it."

"Oh, you!"

They are such a lovey-dovey couple.

Thinking back, it's amazing that I accepted a loveless marriage after growing up with these parents. I was quite jaded about love. But if I aim for a marriage with love, these two will be my role models...! I must have the potential, after all, I'm their child!

As I was mentally preparing myself, Marcus approached me.

"Sister, are you okay? Are you hurt...?"

My little brother, looking timid and concerned, raised his eyes to me. What a good boy, Marcus!

"Marcus, you should always stay the way you are...!"

"Uh, okay...?"

As Marcus and I entered the house, Mimirin rubbed against my feet.

"Meow!"

"Mimirin! You're so cute! Are you here to comfort me? What a lovely cat! Cuteness is divine! I'm almost overwhelmed by how cute you are."

"Sister, you're not really upset, are you?"

I'm not upset, so I'm sorry!

"Alright, let's announce the results."

When the whole family gathered around the table, my father began to speak. The maid Yuria and the butler Mord stood by the side.

My mother and Marcus swallowed hard.

"His Highness was a cheating scoundrel."

Oh no! My father's words were so harsh!

"Of course! It was a good idea to investigate His Highness's behavior right after the family meeting. It's insane to fall for another woman while you have a fiancée."

"But no other woman was found, right? It was clear that he was neglecting Lucy."

"Either way, it's not an issue."

After hearing my father's words, my mother and Marcus started whispering to each other. What are they saying?

"The king and queen were somewhat reluctant to dissolve the engagement, but Father won the battle!"

My father raised his fist triumphantly. He looks so cool...!

"Ah! Just as I expected!"

"Lulina is right! The investigation and the report I submitted about His Highness neglecting Lucy did the trick. Once I presented the report, they couldn't refuse."

"Of course, evidence is important in everything."

Huh? Investigation? Report?

"Wait a minute, what are you talking about...?"

"Sister, you don't need to worry. Look! I bought your favorite Madeleines. Let's go eat them over there."

"Madeleines! I'll eat them! What flavors are there?"

"Plain, chocolate, and caramel."

"This is a tough choice...!"

My parents were excited, and Marcus and I ate the Madeleines together. We ended up eating two of each flavor. I admit, I probably ate a bit too much.

"Meow!"

And so, the night of our engagement dissolution passed peacefully.

---

The next day, His Highness and Miria came to our house together.

After yesterday, don't come to the house so suddenly...! (They did send a messenger, though.)