「Lillina, please pretend that your engagement with me never happened.」

After receiving the summon from my fiance, Leon-sama, I came to the garden of the royal palace, which was also his home, and saw a lovely woman stuck next to him.

「Lillina, I’m thinking of marrying Ange.」

Hmmhmm, which means I don’t have to continue receiving that severe queen education huh?

It was originally a promise made between the two families.

Since Leon-sama, this country’s first prince, said he wanted to break off the engagement, then it’s all good, isn’t it?

So as not to show my pleasure at having slipped out of the queen training in my expression, I answered while looking down slightly.

「Leon-sama, I understood what you said. Well then, please excuse me.」

Once I said that to Leon-sama, I immediately left the garden behind me.

Ok! First, I’ll bring the news to Father and the King.

Since Father serves as the prime minister of this kingdom, if it’s at this moment, he should be at work with the King.

Although I normally don’t do things like interfere with work, being what it was, it should be fine right?

Conveying to the person guarding outside that it was something urgent, I relied on him to immediately convey the message to Father.

Father – maybe since he was surprised by his daughter’s rare, or perhaps I should say, first visit – quickly let me in as well.

When I entered, sure enough, Father and the King were both inside.

「Lillina. What on earth happened? For you to come as far as my workplace…」

「Aah, Miss Lillina. Tell us, what’s wrong? Have you got a problem?」

The pair seemed perplex with how different my conduct was from the usual.

For now, I should probably explain.

「I’m truly sorry to intrude during work. However, there is an incident that I must inform you immediately」

Father looked my way anxiously.

「Earlier, I’ve received recommendation from Leon-sama to break off our engagement」

Trembling, the king stood up from his chair while Father stared at me with eyes wide open.

「It seems Leon-sama found a woman he wanted to marry besides me. So, I told him I understood and came here immediately」

「M-miss Lillina. Could there have been some mistake?」

The king trembled as he posed this question to me.

「No, earlier, when I was summoned to the garden to be told this, Leon-sama had a lovely woman by his side and he declared that he wanted to marry her.」

The color drained from the king’s face upon hearing my words.

In contrast, my own father had on a smiling face. An extraordinarily evil one at that.

「…My King. May I ask, what is the meaning of this?」

The King, who was asked by my smiling father, flinched.

「W-wait just a moment! There must be some kind of mistake! Something like breaking off the engagement isn’t possible. First of all, there’s no way Leon would do such a thing」

I think I didn’t make a mistake about it, though….

He told even told me in person.

「My King. Honorable Father. I have accepted the cancellation of the engagement. If Leon-sama can be together with the person that he, from the bottom of his heart, loves, then I’m fine with it. If possible, I’d like to return to our territory and rest. Since I was known as his fiancee, wouldn’t I just be an inconvenience? If the two of you permit it, I will immediately depart as is.」

Upon my words, the king turned from blue to white.

In contrast, Father was smiling meaninglessly.

「A-approving such a thing is something I canno..」

「Aah, do as you like.」

Father gave me his acknowledgement covering the King’s words.

「No, wait just a moment, as I said, there must be some kind of mistak…」

「There is no reason for a mistake, is there? After all, my own daughter heard the words herself.」

Even though Father has been cutting off the King’s words since a while ago, is that really okay?

「Lillina. It must have been tough for you. But, you did your very best to receive the queen’s training. A daughter that will never shame me no matter where you are shown. Now, take your time resting in our territory, this time for sure, I’ll immediately find you a wonderful marriage partner.」

While saying this, Father gazed at me gently.

The King was freezing under the absolutely frigid look that Father staring at the King with.

Although I didn’t receive the King’s approval, it looks like it’s been worked out.

「Well then, pardon me for having come here. I’m sorry to have intruded on your work.」

With a flawless gesture fostered from my queen training, I left the office behind me.

For now, I have to bid my friends here farewell before I head off to the territory.

Had there not been a summon from Leon-sama, I would’ve been drinking tea with them right now as promised though. If memory serves me right, it’s supposed to be at Catherine’s place.

Shall I make an appearance there now?

「Oh. Lillina. What business did His Highness have with you today?」

Catherine inquired with keen interest.

Beside her, Rosalind turned to look at me with the same expression as well.

After taking in a deep breathe, I began to talk about the prior events.

「Well, to put it frankly, he broke off our engagement」

*Crash*

*Rattle**Rattle**Rattle*

The pair simultaneously dropped their cups and rattled the chairs.

「W-wait just a moment. Could you have made some sort of misunderstanding about it?」

「T-that’s right! Really Lillina, isn’t it that you just misheard?」

The pair’s flustered behavior resembled the king and my father.

I wonder why they keep saying I misunderstood.

「I didn’t misunderstand. Besides, Leon-sama even had a lovely girl beside him. It looked like they were going to marry at all cost. Since I heard it directly from the person himself, there’s no room for misunderstandings, is there?」

Upon my words, the two exchanged a look then started a whispering to each other for some reason.

「*whisper*… undoubtedly\, His Majesty had…..This is why………really a wimp….」

「………, isn’t he? What can we……… with this matter….」

Somehow, the two have gotten lively.

It can’t be helped, so I’ll drink black tea or something.

Ah, this black tea is delicious. I’ll try asking them where this is from later.

Not only that, this cake is delicious as well.

It seems like the pair’s conversation ended while I was relaxing.

「Lillina, please heed my words. Quickly go back and discuss this again with His Highness」

「That’s right, by now, His Highness has… it’s only my guess, but it’s probably that, isn’t it? That’s got to be it… he’s fallen into depression」

Ehh, why were they siding with His Highness?

Even though I’m fine with it since I got to escape from the queen training.

Still… sorry you two, but I won’t meet with His Highness anymore.

「Catherine. Rosalind. I’m happy that you’re concerned for my welfare, but, I’ve met with the king and my father right after Leon-sama broke off our engagement. Naturally, I’ve told them about this as well, and I’ve received Father’s permission to return to the territory. So I’m planning to set out to the territory by tomorrow. That’s why I came to say my farewell to the two of you today」

The two froze.

How spectacularly they froze.

This behavior, which was unbefitting of respectable young ladies, was one that I normally cannot imagine coming from the pair.

「E-eh…jus…uhm… d-did you really tell the prime minister and the king?」

「Yes, I told them immediately. Probably within 5 minutes after I bid Leon-sama farewell」

The two started to mutter to each other for some reason.

「The situation is really bad this time…….. what the heck is His Highness…… that idiot..」

「Certainly…… that wimp is really……」

Um… some reckless remarks were mixed here and there, but I wonder if that’s okay.

It’s only a guess, but those seemed like insults directed towards Leon-sama.

「Lillina, are you really going to your territory? It wouldn’t be particularly bad if you stayed in the royal capital, right?」

「T-that’s right. The people here are fun」

The two are really kind.

Being kind to me whose engagement had been cancelled.

But, that’s no use.

「You are so kind. But, it’s no use. Leon-sama cannot be happy with her while I’m here. No matter how much I think nothing of it, there will still be many people who’ll talk about it. That’s why I’m going to the territory immediately.」

「Lillina… saying you think nothing of it…His Highness is way too pitiful.」

For some reason, the two began pitying Leon-sama.

Huh? I’m supposed to be the one who got her engagement cancelled though.

「Well then, Catherine, Rosalind. Thank you very much for getting along with me. Since I have things to do in preparation for my return to the territory, I’ll take my leave. I’ll write letters, so please send me your replies, alright?」

I gave an elegant bow, then, leaving the pair dumbfounded behind in the room, I departed from Catherine’s residence.

Now then, what shall I do once I return to the territory?

If memory serves me right, a festival should be approaching soon.

Moreover, it’s been a while so I wanted to work out to the fullest.

I wonder… shall I go demon hunting?

Come on… that should pique someone’s interest right? Any translator out there willing to pick this up? Adopt it~

Following my visit to Catherine’s residence, I returned to my own quarters. I settled in and called on our butler and my personal maid, Sebastian and Sana.

「Lady Lillina, why have you called us here?」

Sebastian’s voice shook. Sana stood behind him, anticipating my words like the swing of an executioner’s ax. She fixed her gaze on me and I could see the worry in her eyes. There was no use keeping them in suspense and I announced the truth once again.

「Today, Prince Leon broke off our engagement.」

Sebastian uttered not a single word nor drew a sharp breath, but the shock still crept over his features. In sharp contrast, Sana nearly choked on her own tongue.

「Because of that, I immediately told the King and Father what happened…」

I thought they were surprised the first time, but I was wrong. Stoic Sebastian lost his composure and Sana shrilled with abandon. I didn’t understand their reactionsーit’s only natural to inform all parties involved when an engagement has come to an end, right?

「And that’s why I’m returning to our territory for a little while to unwind. It goes without saying that Father gave his permission.」

I reached the end of my brief retelling of events and Sebastian coughed into his hand, prepping for his turn to speak.

「Di-did his Majesty agree to the annulment?」

It was such a strange sight to see Sebastian stumble over his words. The news must have had a greater impact on him than I realized.

「His Majesty? Yes, he did.」

I paused.

「Now that you mention it… Father did maneuver the conversation so that His Majesty couldn’t voice his opinion. He was allowed to send me back though. Speaking of Father, there’s still something that I need to tell him. Sana, please make haste and prepare the materials for a letter.」

「Right away!」

She rushed off to complete her task and Sebastian took the liberty to speak.

「Lady Lillina. When will you depart for the territory?」

I hummed in thought.

「It would be unreasonable to head out today, so I’ll just leave tomorrow.」

His eyes bulged, ready to fall out of their sockets and roll onto the floor. I quirked my browーwhat’s the reason for that expression? It’s similar to the ones I’ve received back at the Royal Capital.

But I didn’t ponder over the reason for too long. After all, my true goal is to live out my new found freedom in the best possible way that I can!

「Lady Lillina, whatever the circumstance may be, tomorrow is too soon.」

It was clear he was troubled; was he concerned about the time it would take to make all the necessary arrangements on such short notice? There’s no need to go to such lengths and prepare all the bells and whistles, like the horse-drawn carriage and personal escortーespecially since I’m no longer the Prince’s fiancee.

Sebastian is right to be concerned. Those preparations require much time which I believe could be better spent elsewhere. It’s too much of a hassle just for one person riding horseback.

While I was thinking of such things, Sana came back with paper and pen in hand.

「Thank you, Sana.」

She gave me the materials and I began to write. My hand cascaded down the sheet of paper and I finished writing the letter in less than three minutes.

I sealed and handed it over to Sebastian.

「Sebastian, please send this to Father at once. I think this will reach him in time, but…」

He bowed and took his leave to fulfill my order.

Once Sebastian was gone, it was Sana who caught my attention.

「Lady Lillina, is it really true that the Prince broke off the engagement?」

It’s not common for maids to question those they serve and it’s even frowned upon for them to speak out of turn, but Sana has been with me since we were children, so we are close to each other.

She must be anxious about the whole situation.

「It’s true. All those that heard what happened can’t believe it, but it’s not a mistake. How can there be any room for doubt? There was a lovely woman by Prince Leon’s side. We were engaged, but it was merely for political reasons. What he truly desired was a marriage born from love.」

With a faraway look in her eyes, Sana huffed and cursed under her breath in a way not befitting for a lady. The moment passed in an instant. She returned to her senses and looked at me with determination.

「Lady Lillina, if I may say… the Prince wants to marry for love. At least, that’s my humble opinion. But as for who he wants to marry…」

Before Sana could finish, the door slammed open with a deafening bang. I’m surprised that it didn’t shatter from that raw amount of force.

「Li-Lillinaーーー!」

A voice screamed out my name and it was my very own older brother Ricardo that stood in the doorway. His knight uniform was in disarray, so he must have been in a hurry. This is the same man who is the commanding officer of the knight order. His rank was bestowed upon him at a relatively young age.

「Calm down, Brother. You’re in an absolute tizzy. When you visit a lady’s room, do remember to knock on the door. A hedge between keeps friendships green, as they say.」

「How can you speak so lightly in a situation like this? The engagement between you and Leon no longer…」

So he knew about it already? That’s Brother for youーalways quick to know the latest news. Although, it’s more probable that Father told him what transpired between Prince Leon and I.

「Did you hear about it from Father? He must have contacted you as soon as possible. But, it’s just as you say. The engagement is over and I’ll be returning to the territory tomorrow.」

Brother was trying to catch his breath, but I didn’t know if it was because of his rising anger or his mad dash to my room.

「Listen, Lillina. You are Prince Leon’s fiancee. How can you just slither back home at the drop of a hat!」

「Brother. There isn’t a problem if I go back. The engagement was temporary from the start and what little meaning that had is now gone. In case you didn’t know, it just so happens that Father approves of my course of action.」

Brother grumbled to himself.

「Someone needs to reign in that reckless behavior of yours.」

‘How rude! I’m not being reckless.’

I could see the start of a never-ending stalemate; neither of us would back down and I decided to put an end to this conversation.

「If that’s all you have to say, then I would like to rest in my room. Please see your way out, Brother.」

I didn’t wait for him to refuse.

「Sana, you have some unfinished work that needs your attention, yes? I’m going to lie down for a bit, so I’ll call for you later.」

And like that, the two left me to my own devices.

I drew in a deep breath and as I let it out, I was relieved of my duties yet crushed by new troubles at the same time. I was worn down like a road. But, despite everything, I still found this the better alternative to the queen training.

What I need now is some good old-fashioned sleep. I laid down on my bed and closed my eyes.

\~\~\~\~