Chapter 4

And then, while hanging out the laundry, she was subjected to unpleasant remarks from her childhood friend, Meg.

Until she heard about Ada’s engagement, her friends had been sympathetic to Rane.

It had been quite some time since the successful defeat of the demon king. They had been indignant on her behalf that her fiancé, who had been waiting for his return, hadn’t even sent a single letter.

But everything changed after the conversation with Ada’s father this morning.

Ada, after marrying the holy maiden, was to be granted a title and land. If he were to glare at this small village, no one knew what might happen. Everyone was afraid and stopped interacting with Rane and her parents.

(We’ve lived in this village all our lives. I can’t say anymore that he wouldn’t do something like that…)

Being born and raised in this small rural village, and having a childhood friend as a fiancé, might be a past he wants to erase.

Escaping from her mother’s lament, she left the room and headed to the kitchen, intending to prepare lunch using the vegetables harvested yesterday.

(What should I do from now on…)

While cooking, she thought about her future.

Surely, it would be best to leave this village.

After what happened, no one would want to marry Rane, and it would be easier for her parents if she were not around.

However, Rane had never left the village where she was born and raised. She was also anxious about the outside world and the loneliness of being separated from her parents.

Still, it was clear that staying in this village would not end well.

She might even be told to leave.

Before that happens, she decided to leave on her own.

Rane had made this resolution, but in the afternoon, Ada’s father called only the childhood friends to the square and said:

“The Holy Maiden Akki has expressed a desire for Ada’s friends to attend the wedding. It is a great honor. A carriage will come from the castle tomorrow morning, so please prepare yourselves.”

“Huh…”

The other childhood friends also seemed shaken by the sudden announcement.

“What do you mean by ‘carriage’?”

Therese, the village chief’s granddaughter, cautiously asked.

“Members of the Royal Magic Guild will teleport everyone to the capital. It seems they can move everyone at once, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Royal Magic Guild…”

In such a rural village, they had never even seen a mage. Yet, the Royal Magic Guild, which served the country, was willing to transport the attendees of the holy maiden’s wedding.

She was once again reminded of the significance of the holy maiden.

Ada’s father repeatedly said that everyone was included. While the older generation might be exempt, it seemed that everyone close to Ada’s age had to attend.

Of course, this included Rane, Ada’s ex-fiancée.

Ada’s father kept looking at her, and naturally, the others’ gazes also turned to Rane.

(Inviting an ex-fiancée to the wedding is such a cruel joke.)

She couldn’t even sigh deeply, fearing it would be misinterpreted.

Is he planning to flaunt their wedding to make her completely give up?

The holy maiden’s wedding would surely be grand and splendid.

Or perhaps he expects a jealous Rane to interfere with their wedding, making it easy to punish her for disrespect.

She couldn’t understand Ada’s and the holy maiden’s true intentions.

However, it seemed that she had no choice but to attend Ada’s wedding, no matter what.