Chapter 8

"Don't imitate this, good children."

I was finally released.

Lying limply on the sofa and looking outside, I saw that it was already dark.

Lord Clark talked endlessly, and I mean endlessly, about what he liked and found attractive about me, and since it didn't end by dinner time, he had dinner here. After dinner, he whispered all sorts of things that were very bad for the heart, like how beautiful my eyes and ears were, and eventually seemed satisfied and left.

What is this? Was he really in love with me?

I thought he never showed any signs of it until I tried to escape, but apparently he had been courting me properly all along.

I don't remember any of it, but he apparently courted me every day during our tea time, which was always scheduled between my princess education sessions. I wasn't interested, so I never listened to him. I just nodded along.

When I said that, he looked sad, but back then, I was only thinking about how to get back to my old life and how to break the engagement, so I can't blame him.

"Right, you can't blame him, can you? Don't you think so?"

"No, I think the prince is the one who's pitiful."

When I asked Maria for agreement, she immediately disagreed.

By the way, Maria came back during dinner service. She said she couldn't leave because it was her job. Being a maid is tough, isn't it?

"Being ignored every day for ten years is quite something, isn't it?"

"Well, I just thought he was talking about something, and I didn't pay attention to the content at all."

"You really weren't interested in the prince, were you?"

"Back then, I was only interested in freedom."

"You're quite straightforward, aren't you?"

"Thank you."

When I thanked her, she made a strange face. I get it, you're not praising me, I get it!

"Didn't your brother say anything about the prince?"

"No, he said the prince still loves you, but I thought he was just saying it to make me marry him, so I ignored it too."

"......"

Maria, please stop looking at me silently.

"I thought you were pitiful, but now I think it's your own fault."

"Why? I'm pitiful, right? Sympathize with me!"

"No, it's your own fault."

"Okay, I admit I was a bit mean, but isn't imprisonment worse?"

"Based on what I've heard, I can't say anything yet."

"But, you know, usually there are things before imprisonment, like whispering love and expressing affection, and all sorts of things... all sorts of things..."

When I made a "ah" face, Maria pointed it out.

"You were being whispered to, weren't you, by the prince?"

"...I was being whispered to, I guess."

"He was expressing his love, wasn't he?"

"......I guess so."

"And since it was no use, he tried to prevent you from escaping."

"......Yeah."

I nodded involuntarily, but that's not right!

"No, that's what's strange! Yes, I didn't care about the prince and only thought about breaking the engagement, and I couldn't even have a proper conversation, but surely there were other ways!"

There must have been other ways besides this situation. Something to draw my attention... something... must have existed, right...?

Desiring agreement, I looked up at Maria, but she shook her head.

"Perhaps he tried all other ways."

"No, there must not have been... right?"

"No, I don't know."

Cold.

"Why are you being so strict with me after being so kind just now?"

"Well, I'm seventeen and in the age of falling in love. So I wanted to support Lord Clark's love."

"Wait, why?"

"Because it was too pitiful."

"I'm pitiful enough, right?"

"From my perspective, not really."

"Harsh!"

I pretended to cry and glanced at Maria, but she just stared at me silently. She saw through my fake crying. I stopped pretending to cry and looked up.

"Then, if it's all my fault, can you stop calling me 'Lady'?"

"You are the Lady."

"We're not married yet."

"Once you're married, you'll be called the Crown Princess, so until then, you're the Lady."

"Who decided that?"

"The prince did."

"See, it's not Lord Clark!"

I slammed my hand on the table.

Maria, ignoring me, checked the clock on the wall and bowed to me.

"Then, Lady, I'll take my leave now. Please rest well."

"I'm not the Lady."

"Good night, Lady."

"Good night..."

She left the room without correcting me.

Why is everyone on Lord Clark's side? I have zero supporters, isn't that unfair?

I sighed and looked out the window. I saw the stars twinkling in the darkness and the moon shining even more brightly among them.

"Full moon, huh."

I muttered and turned my gaze back inside.

Huh?

I looked around.

"I'm alone right now..."

There was no guard in the room.

"I can escape!"

Saying that, I immediately took action. First, I confirmed that no one was near the window. I secured a thick book from the room and wrapped it in my nightgown, swinging it around.

Yeah, I can do this!

I swung it at the window.

The window shattered with a crash. I quickly leaned out. I had to hurry before the soldiers came!

The frilly nightgown made it hard to run, but I ran with all my might toward the exit.

"Hehehe, I'm free!"

As I shouted, an arm wrapped around my waist from behind, hugging me. The arm pressed into my stomach, making me feel like I was being squeezed.

I covered my mouth to stop myself from gagging, and as I felt a familiar sensation, I hesitantly turned around.

"Retti"

It was the person I expected, and I thought, "Of course," while my face twisted.

I couldn't help but think that a handsome face in the dark is really scary.

Lord Clark leaned in close to my ear.

"Which do you prefer, a diamond or a pearl necklace?"

I don't think that's what we should be talking about right now.