Chapter 47

The music began, and as Galibert started to move, Elina also began to move her body. Galibert is taller than Alvis. Inevitably, she had to look up to see his face. However, Elina wasn't looking at Galibert's face. She directed her gaze to his neck, trying not to make it too obvious.

Perhaps wanting to draw Elina's attention, Galibert deliberately cleared his throat. Elina slightly raised her face.

"I'm quite good at dancing, and it seems Elina is also a skilled dancer. It's very easy to dance with you."

"Thank you for your kind words."

As a noble lady, dancing is one of the basic etiquettes. Being able to dance is taken for granted, and above all, Elina had been educated from a young age to become the Crown Princess. She had practiced diligently to be a model for other noble ladies. While she didn't feel bad about being praised, she didn't think it was something to be proud of.

Still, Galibert didn't have any ill intentions. Elina pasted a social smile on her face and expressed her gratitude.

"In my country, parties are held frequently. There are many opportunities to dance. Among them, I'm probably one of the better dancers."

Then, Galibert started to talk about what kind of events take place in the Kingdom of Marana. There were tea parties and grand parties. According to Galibert, such events were held several times a month. Elina was skeptical about this. Galibert is the Crown Prince of Marana, just as Alvis is in Rubelia. As far as Elina knew, both Gerard and Alvis held many official duties. Sometimes, they even left the capital. While she wasn't informed of the details of their work, organizing a single party required a significant amount of funding and time, which came from the national treasury, essentially the taxes of the people. It wasn't something that could be done frequently.

Holding such events several times a month—what did that mean? Galibert was proudly talking about the glamorous side of Marana in front of Elina. In terms of national power, there wasn't much difference between Marana and Rubelia, as Elina had heard from her father. If that was the case, why were events held so frequently in Marana?

Elina decided to ask a little.

"Managing the state while holding so many events must be quite challenging for His Highness, the Crown Prince of Marana."

"Hmm? Yeah, maybe... But we have an excellent prime minister in our country. Most things can be left to the prime minister."

"Uh...?"

"I'm not good at complicated things. It's about putting the right person in the right place. Besides, Carianne is good at such things, so I often just watch over her."

Elina didn't understand Galibert's answer at first. If she hadn't misheard, Galibert was saying that he didn't handle state affairs. Even if that were true, it wasn't something he should be telling Elina, a noble lady from another country, especially since she was the fiancée of the Crown Prince of Rubelia. If Elina were to tell Alvis, it could be a problem. It wasn't something he should be discussing, considering Marana's interests.

"So, Elina, why don't you come and marry into Marana?"

"..."

"I've heard that you were treated badly by the former Crown Prince of Rubelia. You no longer need to follow the Rubelian royal family. It would be better to forget about it and come to me. I won't let you suffer, and we can spend our days having tea parties."

At that moment, Elina was grateful that she continued dancing. Even when her thoughts were about to stop, her body kept moving. Unaware of Elina's lack of response, Galibert continued talking.

"Do you remember? We met a long time ago. It was at Prince Gerard's birthday, I think."

"..."

The content of his talk seemed to be from before Elina became Gerard's fiancée. Galibert, who had been invited from Marana, had seen Elina, who had come to celebrate Gerard's birthday, and was smitten with her. However, after Elina was designated as Gerard's fiancée, he had reluctantly stepped back.

"If I had acted sooner, you wouldn't have been hurt... I'm sorry, Elina. I came to fetch you too late."

Galibert's tone made it seem like he was coming to fetch a lover who hadn't been able to be with him. The one-sided nature of his talk made even Elina step back. The music had just ended, and she felt she had fulfilled her duty. She tried to escape from Galibert.

However, as she tried to move away, her arm was grabbed. Elina didn't have the strength to break free from Galibert, who was a man.

"Let go."

"Then, will you come to my country?"

"I decline."

"Regarding the engagement, it's not a problem. If Elina requests it, the Rubelian royal family will have no choice but to accept. After all, they have already hurt you. You can rest assured."

There was no option of refusal in Galibert's mind. No, in his mind, Elina already liked him and was only engaged to Alvis out of obligation. Elina's smile faded, and she looked at Galibert firmly.

"I admire Lord Alvis. Even if it's a political marriage, I am here by my own will."

"!"

Elina's sudden change in attitude, from a polite listener to someone who bit back, took Galibert's breath away. She knew it wasn't appropriate to act this way with a prince from another country, but she couldn't just let it go.

"Do you prefer him over me? Why? He doesn't love you. But I love Elina. That should make you happy."

A woman is happier when she is loved. Elina also believed this. A modest woman is more loved. Men prefer a quiet, obedient woman over an active one.

That's why Elina had endured. Even if Gerard didn't love her, she tried to be a desirable woman. She believed she should accept everything. The result was the engagement cancellation.

Gerard had chosen an active and proactive woman. Elina, who had just waited, wasn't the one he wanted.

"I don't deny that. But I've decided not to wait anymore. If I just wait and regret it, I want to act to avoid regret."

"Wha...?"

"Therefore, I decline."

"B-but... If Lord Alvis were to tell you to marry me, what would you do?"

Elina lowered her eyes to think about this question.

What would Alvis say? Over the past few months, she had come to understand Alvis's character a little. If something were to happen and Alvis were to tell her to marry Galibert, what would she do?

She opened her eyes and looked at Galibert, then gave her answer.

"If it were a decision made by Lord Alvis as the Crown Prince, I would follow it. I am a noble of Rubelia."

"Then, with me—"

"Can we stop this?"

As Galibert tried to tighten his grip on Elina's arm, his hand was pushed away from the side.

The story has taken a dark turn, and I apologize if it has caused discomfort. Please bear with me a little longer...

And thank you always for pointing out typos and conversion errors.