Chapter 1

――Finally, this moment has arrived.

"Garnet Fregier, I hereby declare the annulment of our engagement!"

In the ballroom of the palace, a place that should have been no different from any other, the young noblewoman—Garnet—inhaled to calm herself and straightened her back.

Many nobles from across the country were gathered here.

No matter what kind of disaster might occur, she could not afford to lose her composure and display an unseemly appearance.

"…Could you tell me the reason?"

She was relieved that her voice did not tremble.

Maintaining a resolute expression, she lifted her head and looked directly at the man who had been her fiancé just moments ago.

—Narcissus, the First Prince of Genowaise.

The person who had been engaged to Garnet since the age of eight and was supposed to remain her fiancé until she turned sixteen.

Beside him, a petite girl clung to him, looking anxious.

…Even without asking, the reason for the annulment was clear.

"…I have come to know what true love is. Isabelle taught me this. To repay Isabelle's sincere love, I cannot continue our engagement."

With a feverish look, Narcissus embraced the girl beside him.

Garnet watched the scene with a detached gaze.

…There had been signs.

It was already known to Garnet that her fiancé was infatuated with the viscount's daughter, Isabelle, who had come to the castle as a lady-in-waiting.

She had given both of them subtle warnings.

However, it seemed to have only fueled their "true love."

If it were just a fleeting infatuation, she did not intend to criticize it too harshly. She had only suggested, in a gentle manner, that they be more discreet.

She had planned to allow him to keep a mistress or a concubine after they were officially married.

But she never expected him to announce the annulment of their engagement in such a public place, with the intention of making Isabelle his queen.

—He must really want to humiliate me…

This performance in front of everyone. It was clear that Narcissus had a deep-seated resentment towards Garnet.

What did he plan to do next?

Would he list nonexistent crimes of hers?

Would he denounce and condemn her, and even exile her from the country?

…If that were his plan, she was prepared to counterattack.

But the words spoken to the resolute Garnet, who lifted her head without hesitation, were unexpected.

"However, you have supported me well until now. Even though it wasn't true love, I have always thought of you like a sister."

"…Huh?"

The small gasp of surprise that escaped her was drowned out by Narcissus's smug voice.

"To repay your years of dedication… I will allow your engagement to my younger brother, the Second Prince Lazulis!"

—An engagement to the Second Prince…?

Garnet stared at her former fiancé in shock.

He still held the viscount's daughter by the waist, a mocking smile on his face.

It was clear that his words about thinking of her like a sister were not genuine.

Behind him, the First Prince's close advisor and his birth mother, the queen, wore serene smiles.

—This must be the queen's doing!

Garnet maintained her resolute expression, taking a small breath to hide her agitation.

—The queen must have known everything… If my engagement to the Second Prince is part of her plan…

Narcissus was impulsive and willful, a prince who did not listen to others.

If he were to announce the annulment of their engagement, it was predictable that he would denounce Garnet, fabricate nonexistent crimes, and order her exile on the spot.

She had prepared for such a scenario.

She had planned to navigate the situation skillfully.

—…I must remain calm. If I show any agitation, it will play into his hands.

Garnet slowly exhaled and smiled calmly.

Narcissus clearly showed signs of being taken aback by her smile.

—He must have thought I would refuse.

It was understandable why he thought so.

The Second Prince, who had been proposed as Garnet's new fiancé, was frail and rarely appeared in public, almost like a ghost.

He was rumored to have no powerful backing and could die at any moment.

A normal noblewoman would naturally be reluctant to be engaged to such a person, with no hope of a happy future.

But Garnet did not react that way.

Garnet did not seek love in marriage.

Marriages among nobles were merely political alliances. She should consider the benefit of her family and the country as a whole, rather than personal feelings.

—Prince Narcissus is trying to discard me… and my marquis family. I need to reconsider my strategy.

Garnet knelt before Narcissus and bowed deeply.

"I am grateful for Prince Narcissus's generous consideration. I humbly accept the engagement to Prince Lazulis."

When she lifted her head, both Narcissus and the viscount's daughter, Isabelle, wore expressions of disbelief.

Garnet looked at them calmly and said in her usual composed voice,

"I sincerely wish for your future happiness."

This would make her appear to the onlookers as a noble lady who, despite being told of the annulment of her engagement, did not utter a single complaint and wished for the happiness of the other party.

If she could maintain the reputation of the Fregier Marquis family, it would be for the best.

Garnet bowed again and quietly resolved herself.

—This cannot continue…

Narcissus, the First Prince, was currently the most likely to succeed to the throne. However, he was selfish, tyrannical, and short-tempered, not a person fit to be king.

Garnet had intended to support his shortcomings as a queen.

But he had discarded her and chosen "true love."

If they were to ascend the throne, they would surely engage in self-serving politics, leading to the country's decline.

As a noble of the kingdom, Garnet could not stand by and let this happen.

—Something must be done…

Even after being abandoned by her fiancé, she did not utter a single word of resentment and smiled calmly.

…Behind this mask, Garnet had already begun to devise a plan to pull her former fiancé from the throne.

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