Chapter 1

I have started a new series.

＿φ(￣ー￣ )

Please look forward to it.

If it were in the language of the island nation to the east, it would be described as "displaying one's own praises," but I am an exceptionally talented person.

Not only am I from a noble family at the pinnacle of the aristocratic system in a monarchical state, but I also possess silver hair that shines, eyes that reflect the vast sea, and skin like sunlight on a snowy plain, a beauty that all 100 out of 100 people would acknowledge. My talents in academics, etiquette, martial arts, and magic are so remarkable that it would be reasonable to say I am favored by the gods.

Even before I could understand the world, I was betrothed to the Crown Prince of my age, destined to become the future queen of the country.

I have no complaints about this.

As a noble, I was prepared to dedicate my life to the happiness and peace of the people, a duty that comes with the privileges of my status.

Until this day.

"Elisabeth, your numerous misdeeds can no longer be tolerated!"

On a night when the royal orchestra played elegant music, a man's voice, trembling with anger, interrupted the music, creating a silence in the dance hall of the palace.

The silence spread like ripples on water, and within seconds, the eyes of all the nobles in the dance hall were fixed on the man and me—Elisabeth Reistone.

Despite finding their gazes unpleasant, I showed no sign of it and spoke to the man who had suddenly started to denounce me—my fiancé, Crown Prince Fried of Haldoria—calmly.

"Your Highness Fried, this is a gathering with many guests from other countries. Please refrain from such jests."

Today is the anniversary of the founding of the kingdom.

The party has many high-ranking nobles and officials from neighboring countries as guests.

The host of the founding anniversary party should be the king, but His Majesty is away at a meeting regarding the recent dungeon stampede and the monster disaster.

In his absence, the Crown Prince, who is acting as the host, suddenly started denouncing his fiancée.

This is more than just a scandal; it is a disgrace.

Regardless of the Crown Prince's true intentions, this situation must be handled smoothly.

"Come, Your Highness Fried, let's end the joke and dance a song..."

To defuse the frozen atmosphere, I extended my hand to the Crown Prince with a smile, but it was Robert Arte, the son of the Knight Captain standing beside him, who took my hand.

"What are you—"

Before he could finish, Robert twisted my arm and pinned me to the ground.

"…!?"

"Elisabeth, I have heard of the numerous misdeeds you have committed against Sylvi.

Until now, Sylvi has protected you, but I cannot overlook what happened the other day."

My gaze shifted to the girl standing behind Fried, surrounded by several noble sons.

Sylvia Rockeet, the daughter of the Rockeet baron.

However, she is the illegitimate daughter of the baron and was only recently taken into the baron's household.

She is a year younger than me and the Crown Prince, and she is often close to the gentlemen, which makes her unpopular among the noble ladies. Yet, her frank and candid manner has won her many admirers, including the Crown Prince and Robert.

To me, it didn't matter who the Crown Prince chose as his second queen or as a mistress.

It is part of the royal duty to have many children.

However, there must be order.

The struggle for the next throne could divide the country, and those who have a relationship with the king must have the appropriate etiquette and character.

I have told her this several times and advised her to be more discreet with the gentlemen, but it seems my message did not get through.

"…What exactly do you mean by 'the other day'?

I have no recollection of deserving such treatment."

I asked calmly, trying not to escalate the situation.

However, the Crown Prince became even more agitated upon hearing my words.

"You! How dare you speak such nonsense!

It is said that you, driven by ugly jealousy, tried to harm Sylvi by pushing her down the stairs the other day!"

"…Please calm down, Your Highness, I did not—"

"Silence! I have heard everything from Sylvi.

Sylvi is kind.

She has always protected you.

But I can no longer bear it!

Guards! Take this woman to the dungeon!"

The guards approached me, but their faces showed confusion.

"What are you waiting for! Take her away quickly!"

"Y-Yes, but—"

The guards looked back and forth between me and the Crown Prince, clearly troubled.

Of course, they would be.

I, who usually help the king and my father while covering up the problems caused by the Crown Prince, have a deeper relationship with the guards than the Crown Prince, who does little work and spends his time playing.

However, it would not be wise to further escalate this situation.

"It's fine."

"Huh?"

"You are a guard; you cannot disobey the prince's orders. Come, let's go."

"Y-Yes, my apologies."

The guard took my hand from Robert and started walking towards the dungeon.

From the party hall behind me, I could hear the Crown Prince loudly declaring that he was breaking our engagement and betrothing himself to Miss Sylvia.

Truly, how does he plan to clean up this mess?

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