Chapter 3

Ada's father, with a cheerful expression, surveyed the villagers gathered in the square and said,

"This marriage has been officially recognized by His Majesty the King. If anyone objects, it might be considered an act of disrespect. Please, be careful not to say anything unnecessary."

It seemed unlikely that what was said in such a rural village would reach the ears of the King.

Unless someone reported it to someone who could meet the King.

(Don't say anything unnecessary, it's a threat.)

Rane let out a sigh without being noticed.

If Ada had a fiancée, the Holy Maiden might be upset. There was even a possibility that the marriage itself might be canceled.

Worried about this, Ada's father threatened the villagers.

Don't say anything unnecessary.

If you do, you will be punished.

No one would defy such a warning.

Ada is a Sword Saint, and her fiancé is a Holy Maiden, and their marriage has been recognized by the King.

"Congratulations. As expected of Ada."

"She is the pride of the village."

Everyone was offering their congratulations.

Before she knew it, no one was around Rane and her parents.

When she felt a gaze and looked up, she saw Ada's mother, who had always been kind to her, staring at her with cold eyes.

"Since Rane will be my daughter-in-law, you can call me 'mother' instead of 'aunt.'"

Five years ago, she had said that, but now she seemed to have forgotten.

Rane was more saddened by the change in Ada's parents and the villagers than by Ada marrying someone else.

She left the square without saying a word.

Her father, holding her mother, who looked like she was about to cry, followed Rane.

While walking home, Rane recalled the face of her fiancé, whom she hadn't seen in five years.

Jet-black hair, a tall and slender figure, and black eyes.

Her childhood friend had grown so strong that it was hard to believe he used to be a crybaby.

Rane asked the him in her memory,

(Ada, why? I understand that your position has changed. If you had at least told me directly that you wanted to end the engagement, I would have responded properly.)

She had liked him.

She had always dreamed of their future together.

But when Ada was chosen as a member of the party to defeat the Demon King, she felt that their worlds had changed. Even if he defeated the Demon King, he might not return to the village and might live in the capital instead.

If he had proposed a breakup, she had planned to accept it with a smile, without clinging to him.

But Ada not only chose the Holy Maiden, who had been summoned from another world and possessed the power of purification, but also had his parents threaten Rane not to say anything unnecessary.

It was clear that he found her repulsive.

To Ada, Rane was no longer a fiancée but an obstacle to his marriage to the Holy Maiden.

Unlike her mother, who was sobbing, Rane couldn't cry anymore.

Once she got home, she kept herself busy to avoid thinking about unnecessary things.