Chapter 2

"Lily! We're moving!"

I burst into the room assigned to me within the castle and called out the name of the waiting maid. Lily, who had been keeping the place while I was away, looked surprised to see me return in the middle of the night. Lily, who had taken care of me since I was born, had never looked so shocked before.

"Miss, moving...?"

"Right now, I've been dumped by the prince! We're packing up and leaving right away."

I entered the wardrobe room and pulled out a trunk. The trunk I brought when I came here was a magical bag that could hold more than its appearance suggested.

Then, I started putting in only the things I brought when I came here, not the things given to me as the prince's fiancée.

"Don't just throw them in!"

Lily snatched the trunk from me with a scream. She took out the clothes I had thrown in and began to fold them neatly.

"Thank you. I don't think they'll be angry if I take the daily necessities, right?"

I intended to take undergarments and small items that no one else would use.

"I don't understand, but why the engagement was broken off again?"

"Because I'm even more incompetent than they imagined."

"Eh?"

Lily's hands stopped. She looked at me with a face that said she couldn't believe it, so I smiled.

"I can't blame them. My work always piles up and never gets done."

"What does Her Majesty the Queen think? That work is for the Queen and the Prince, not for you."

"Hmm, it seems Her Majesty also thought I was a hard worker who didn't produce results."

A sharp pain pierced my heart, but it was the truth. I had worked hard, but a feeling of futility welled up. But I had been recognized for my efforts, so it must be my fault that I didn't produce results.

"That's... But what will happen now that the engagement is broken off? There is no other young lady with more magic than you."

"I thought so too, but it turns out I was wrong."

"Does that mean they've already found someone?"

"Yes. Don't be surprised. My replacement is Amelie!"

I told her this special information, and Lily's eyes widened to their limits.

"That's impossible! The amount of magic you have is due to your mother's bloodline, right? Your father's bloodline is empty, isn't it?"

"I know, but the prince is convinced that the daughter of the same earl's family has the same potential. Maybe she has more than me? Plus, she says she can do better than me. So, I thought, 'Well, it's fine.'"

"It's not fine! This is a disgrace that will affect your future!"

Lily's face showed she didn't agree, but she didn't stop packing.

"Being called an incompetent princess is also a disgrace. If I can get plenty of sleep, I'm fine with the engagement being broken off."

Lily, who had seen my tired state every day, was speechless. I continued to pack up the things I was taking with me.

"Well, that's all for me. We need to pack up your things too."

"I always carry my things with me."

She tapped the pouch attached to her apron. It looked like a small bag that a maid would carry. I was surprised to hear that she always carried her things with her.

"Have you not unpacked since you came here?"

"I take out what I need. The things in the room are provided for the maids."

"I see."

For Lily, this castle seemed to be an untrustworthy place. After finishing the packing, we both checked our rooms to make sure nothing was left behind.

"It doesn't look like we've left anything behind."

"Where do you plan to go from here? Returning to the earl's house is not recommended."

"I know. I'm thinking of getting a room at an inn for now."

"If you're going out, you should change out of your evening dress."

Lily reminded me that I was still in my evening dress.

"Which one is the most comfortable?"

As I thought about the dresses I had, a knock sounded. We looked at each other.

"Who could it be at this hour?"

"Is it the prince? But he's never come to this room during the ball."

"I'll go see who it is."

"Whoever it is, tell them I'm in shock from the engagement being broken off and I'm sleeping."

Lily nodded and headed for the door. After watching her go, I sat on the sofa.

I wondered who it could be at this hour. Usually, people came to me. Since I couldn't think of anyone, it might be a maid or a servant.

I hugged a cushion and slumped when a familiar voice reached my ears. I lifted my head from the cushion and saw a troubled Lily and Lord Liam, who was dressed for the ball. Lord Liam was my work assistant and teacher for princess etiquette, and I had learned many things from him, including the duties of the royal family.

Lord Liam approached without hesitation, took my face in his hands, and forced me to look up. His face was close, which surprised me.

"I thought you'd be crying."

"... Lord Liam, even though you're from a ducal family, it's improper to enter without permission and touch me."

"It's fine. Even if someone sees us, it's not a problem."

"That's not the issue."

I frowned, and Lord Liam smiled. He released my cheeks and gently stroked my head.

"It's good that you're okay. I can't understand why he broke off the engagement like that."

"He" refers to the prince. I thought it wasn't a good way to refer to him, but Lord Liam is the heir of a ducal family and a cousin, so he seems to be allowed to some extent.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Oh, right. If you're leaving, why don't you come to my place? My parents are in the territory, so you won't have to worry about them."

His casual invitation left me speechless. Lord Liam continued without waiting for my answer.

"If you want to retract the engagement, you should stay here. If not, you should leave quickly before you're used up."

"Being used up doesn't sound very peaceful."

Lord Liam laughed.

"Right? That woman, your half-sister, has no magic at all."

"... There seems to be a possibility, but I don't know since I've been here since the engagement."

"Possibility. Either way, she doesn't seem to have the strength, so you should escape soon before you're left to clean up the mess."

I understood that too. I couldn't linger here.

"I plan to leave the country."

"A young lady without a sponsor can't escape the country. You'll end up being sold by some slave trader. Come to my place."

"Ugh. I understand what you're saying, but wait a minute. I have no reason to go with Lord Liam."

I hesitated, even though he seemed to be inviting me naturally. Lord Liam was indeed the most comfortable person to be around. He often said harsh things, but they made sense. However, it felt wrong to rely on him in an emergency.

"The reason is simple. Now that you don't have a fiancé, I can take you."

"Take me?"

"Yes. You are attractive as a woman. Your complexion is always bad, and you have dark circles under your eyes, but you have a beautiful face."

I was taken aback by his somewhat insincere words.

"Really?"

"Your hair is dry and rough, but that's not a problem. Our maids can make even the roughest skin and hair beautiful in no time."

I instinctively touched my hair. It was dry and damaged. No noble lady had hair as damaged as mine. I understood a little why my ex-fiancé, the prince, had said what he did. But it was true that I had no time for daily care. My chest began to ache.

Lord Liam took my hands in his. I looked up reflexively. Lord Liam, who had inherited the beauty of the former princess and duchess, looked down at me with a gaze that was more passionate than usual.

The different atmosphere made me uneasy.

"Most of all, I like your character. I didn't intend to get close to you as the prince's fiancée, but now that the opportunity has come, if you don't have anyone else in mind, let me court you."

He whispered and kissed my fingertips.

"It's fine if you don't return my feelings now. I will love you with all my heart from now on."

I couldn't nod, nor could I push him away. To escape this situation, I let my consciousness drift away.