Chapter 1

"Rivia, what are you doing to Charlotte...!"

The red-haired young man glared at me, shielding the girl he had just pulled out of the shallow pond on his back. I thought we were in a bit of a bind, but I decided to speak my mind anyway.

"I haven't done anything, you know? That lady fell into the pond on her own, didn't she?"

--- And she did a sideways leap.

I was incredibly surprised.

After all, while crossing the bridge over the pond, she had run in with incredible speed and, with a short cry of "Hup!" had jumped into the pond herself.

Even though the pond was only knee-deep, a huge splash of water rose up.

I thought it might have splashed my dress a bit, so Rivia glanced down to check her canary yellow dress. ...Ah, it was fine.

"Where are you looking, Rivia!"

I raised my face at the young man's still-angry voice.

"Rather, why don't you believe my words, Felix?"

I replied calmly.

After all, this Felix is my fiancé.

Until just half a year ago, we had only met at parties, but after our engagement, we had exchanged letters once a month and had built a rather peaceful relationship, chatting amicably when we met.

I knew that a plain-looking woman like me wouldn't make him fall in love or feel affection right away, but I had judged that he wasn't the type to dismiss my opinions completely without listening to them, even after half a year of dating...

It seems that if a girl he liked was in trouble, he would toss someone like me, who was engaged to him through a family agreement and for convenience, aside.

Because Felix's voice was seeping into my heart.

"Oh, my cute little golden bird, I'll save you now."

"Defeat the evil witch and let's talk alone soon..."

--- Wow.

I almost groaned but closed my mouth and said nothing.

After all, the fact that I can hear other people's thoughts—albeit within a limited range—is a secret to everyone.

This ability is called a 'blessing'.

It seems to be a special power given by God.

But my 'blessing' was a useless ability.

After all, it only transmits the poems that people in love think of in their hearts... I was embarrassed, so I kept it hidden.

But this makes me worried about our married life.

He is completely infatuated with Charlotte and doesn't want to listen to my words.

On the other hand, Charlotte, who caused the problem, was cowering behind Felix, covering her mouth with her hand.

With her translucent golden hair and beautiful blue eyes, most men would naturally want to take care of her.

I, with my average sandy hair and ash-blue eyes, recognize that I can't compare.

I just think, "She's just being a coquette."

To begin with, I don't hear any love poems from her. In such a situation, it would be strange if she wasn't at least a little intoxicated, right?

So Charlotte might not like Felix that much and is just using him.

(Anyway, Felix must have liked this kind of girl.)

At that moment, I remembered the words the ladies I know had told me: "Men love coquettes."

They apparently like cute gestures and being cajoled, even if it's fake.

When I heard this, I thought I should try a bit harder, but I quickly gave up, thinking, "If I try to be a coquette now, I'll get tired of it after marriage."

Still, Felix's actions are puzzling.

It's strange for him to protect Charlotte, and it's too quick for him to rush here. After all, Felix flew over right after she jumped into the pond.

It's incomprehensible.

"Whether you believe it or not, I saw you push Charlotte with your own hands!"

"Oh..."

Felix might know and is condemning me.

Did he get tired of our marriage?

In any case, I realized I was involved in a troublesome situation, so I sighed and spoke my true feelings.

"No, I wouldn't do something so troublesome."

"Trou...!?"

Charlotte's eyes widened, and she was speechless. Why?

"Why would you push someone just because you passed by? It's troublesome if the other person gets hurt, but it's also troublesome to do such a thing."

"Troublesome..."

The young man muttered and was dazed for a few seconds, but then seemed to pull himself together and said,

"S-Such an excuse won't work! You must have done this out of jealousy for the delicate Charlotte—"

"Yes... But what exactly should I be jealous of about her?"

She is the daughter of a baron's family, of higher rank than mine.

However, she was adopted in a hurry by a viscount who had lost his heir, and sometimes she seems emotionally unstable and acts strangely because she is not well-versed in etiquette.

The noblewomen who initially tried to talk to her have gradually distanced themselves.

I have never envied her.

From the outside, it might look like my fiancé's heart has been stolen, but I didn't like Felix enough to be jealous...

My attitude also didn't sit well with Felix.

"How can you act like this after hurting Charlotte!"

"Stop it, Lord Felix! Don't be so hard on Lady Rivia for my sake! It was my fault. I must have done something to upset her."

Charlotte stopped Felix, who was about to take a step forward.

If she's upset, she's currently causing me trouble...

I muttered this in my heart, but I didn't want to say it to them, as it would only make things more complicated.

Then, a voice from another direction came to my aid.

"I saw it too, but Lady Rivia didn't touch her even with a finger."

The person who approached was a woman who had been standing in the shadows of a tree, having crossed the small bridge over the pond.

The brunette, with her hair beautifully tied up, had a bewitching face that could rival the large, ornate flowers of jewels.

This is Princess Alecsia, the first princess. She is only 19, a year older than me, but she exudes so much charm that I can't help but be captivated.

I bowed to Princess Alecsia.

Seeing this, Felix, who was standing next to Charlotte, hastily placed his hand on his chest and bent his knee.

"May the Princess be in good spirits..."

"Actually, not in good spirits. After my tea party, you caused a strange commotion."

Felix fell silent.

He must have realized that if he continued to say I was at fault after the princess said she saw it, it would be to his disadvantage.

"I am very sorry."

Felix bowed to the princess again. Even Charlotte, who was usually so bold, said nothing. She must have realized that it would be bad to argue with the princess.

So, is Felix looking down on me because of my family's lower status? The baron's family might have decided it would be better to connect with a baron's family...

In any case, the situation was resolved with the princess's appearance. Charlotte left to change her clothes.

It would be strange for Felix to accompany her, but I didn't care anymore.

"Are you okay?"

My friend Elise, who had come over with the princess, gently asked me, worried.

"Yes, thank you. I was almost involved in something strange, even though I didn't do anything."

"Still, why did this happen..."

Elise's question was valid, but I could only shrug my shoulders.

And a few days later.

The baron's family sent a message saying they wanted to cancel the engagement.