Chapter 5

To cut to the chase, it was a failure.

After that, I managed to escape the maze somehow, but it was only because a patrolling servant I encountered along the way guided me to the goal.

When I reached the goal, Lilia Auria had already been taken to the infirmary, and Nicholas was being guarded by the Duke of Audel's ironclad security.

I was so mentally and physically exhausted that I hardly remember how I got home, which was a rather pitiful ending.

However, although I didn't achieve my original purpose, I did meet the two of them, so perhaps it was for the best.

I do want to dissolve the engagement as soon as possible, but now is a crucial time for the difficult Nicholas to open his heart to Lilia, so I can't interfere.

If it were Martina, driven by jealousy, she would meddle in every way possible, but I have no intention of doing so, so the two of them can deepen their relationship even more, and from now on—

Just thinking about the events they will continue to unfold, I hurriedly shake the thought from my mind.

For now, I should focus on myself rather than them.

I found myself with free time again.

Having too much free time is not good; it makes me think about things I don't want to think about.

By the way, the flower seeds I received from the apprentice gardener have grown quite a bit. I wish they would start to bud soon, but I'm not sure when the right time is.

The gardeners must have finished their work at the palace.

If that's the case, I'd like them to come by once.

I immediately ask a maid to contact them.

However, unfortunately, it seems they received another request right after finishing their work at the palace.

I tried to find something else to pass the time, but as if anticipating my needs, I was once again pushed invitations to tea parties and evening gatherings by my parents.

Moreover, more than half of them mentioned the presence of the Second Prince.

Given that Martina is widely known for repeatedly snubbing the Second Prince, I found it strange, but recently, the Duke of Audel, a very powerful guardian, has been assigned to Nicholas.

They might want to quickly establish a connection with the Second Prince.

Out of both parental pressure and a desire to pass the time, I attended a few of the invitations that did not mention the Second Prince.

Needless to say, I didn't have a good time.

Part of it was because I was invited out of obligation and ulterior motives, but I was also hesitant to engage in conversation, fearing I might hear about Nicholas and Lilia's recent developments.

Additionally, I was thoroughly annoyed by the numerous men who tried to hit on me.

I thought Martina seemed like a venomous woman, but perhaps to men, she appeared to be a cheap and easy target.

This made it impossible for me to relax, and of course, I couldn't enjoy the parties.

After about a month, having attended such evening gatherings and tea parties five times, an unexpected situation suddenly arose.

It happened at a ball I attended out of habit.

I was waiting for a maid to return with my coat in the bustling entrance hall filled with guests.

I had no intention of entering the dance hall, as I didn't feel like dancing, but my gaze naturally turned to the entrance, and there I saw them.

Nicholas and Lilia Auria together.

I didn't understand why they were there.

If it had been just Lilia Auria, it might have been a coincidence, but I was surprised to see Nicholas.

Nicholas and Martina are engaged. If they were both invited, they should have been encouraged to attend together, but there was no such mention on the invitation. I had checked it multiple times, so I was sure it wasn't a mistake.

However, all my doubts vanished the moment Nicholas turned to look in my direction, and I fled without a second thought.

To be honest, I didn't want to see Nicholas with Lilia.

If I caught a glimpse of him in love with another woman, I wasn't sure I could remain calm.

It might be better to break down and have the engagement dissolved, but I would surely cry like a little girl. I couldn't show such an unseemly side.

I fled to a secluded place, and before I knew it, I had wandered into the courtyard.

To catch my breath, I rested on a bench in a pavilion.

I had left my attendant behind.

She might be running around looking for me. I wanted to go home, but I had to figure out how to retrieve her. I was lost in thought.

"Excuse me."

The sudden voice made my heart leap.

Turning around, I saw a girl with long pink hair and emerald eyes, Lilia Auria.

"Are you Lady Martina Olbrant?"

"……"

I couldn't answer immediately.

What about Nicholas?

He doesn't seem to be with her now, but he might be nearby.

Even if that weren't the case, I was afraid of what Lilia Auria was doing here and what she might say.

"……If you're the daughter of the Count of Linsel, then I am."

"I am the adopted daughter of the Viscount of Trent, Lilia Auria. I came to speak with you, my lady."

She spoke with a firm attitude, without waiting for my permission.

"I have heard about you from Lord Nicholas."

Nicholas told her about me, he did?

"……What did he say?"

I struggled to keep my voice from trembling, and my words were brief.

"He told me about the things you do to Lord Nicholas behind closed doors. You pretend to be nice in public, but when you're alone, you shower him with cruel words. How can you do such terrible things? It's unforgivable."

"……"

If Nicholas has revealed that much, his relationship with Lilia Auria must be going well.

Feeling unusually dejected, I looked at Lilia Auria, and my gaze caught a figure moving behind her. I followed it without realizing it.

I managed not to gasp.

Nicholas was there, listening to our conversation.

Lilia Auria, seemingly unaware, continued loudly.

"Just because someone is inferior to another, it doesn't give you the right to belittle them. If you keep hating people for no reason, you'll end up being hated yourself, even a child knows that."

"……"

I swallowed a sob.

I agree with you. What you say is right.

But being confronted with this in front of Nicholas is incredibly painful, and tears welled up in my eyes.

But this is a punishment I should accept. I won't cry.

"I know I'm being rude. If you want to use your family's power to punish me, go ahead. But I believe I'm saying what is right as a person."

I saw Nicholas move from behind Lilia Auria.

"If you have even a shred of regret, please release Lord Nicholas as soon as possible. I'm sure if you do, he will—"

"What are you doing?"

"Lord Nicholas!"

Lilia Auria, finally realizing Nicholas was behind her, let out a shocked cry.

"Um, it's nothing. I just wanted to talk to Lady Martina a bit… Um. You didn't hear our conversation just now, did you?"

She twisted her body in embarrassment, but Nicholas said nothing and looked at me.

Not wanting to see the two of them standing together, I quickly turned away.

"…You were having quite a deep conversation, but I don't understand why."

"No, our conversation is over. Your Highness, your intervention is unnecessary."

I interrupted Nicholas's words. Then,

"Lady Lilia Auria, I understand what you've said. I swear, as you advised, I will never approach Lord Nicholas again."

Saying this, I stood up from the bench.

"Huh? …You understand? Huh, are you serious?"

I ignored Lilia Auria's shock, tried to walk slowly to appear composed, and passed by the two of them with my back straight.

"…Wait. Martina."

I shook off Nicholas's hand, which tried to grab me, and after putting some distance between us, I turned back and performed a ladylike curtsy.

"Good evening."

My smile was flawless.

Smiling, I started walking again, determined to keep moving forward.

Even without a promise, I have no face to show Nicholas.

I've come this far because things haven't gone as planned.

But I want you to be reassured, I will accept my punishment.

The next day, I started making preparations.

Actually, at one of the evening gatherings I had reluctantly attended, I had picked up some useful information.

Apparently, the Kingdom of Wisteria is currently receiving a marriage proposal from a new country far away, which wants to incorporate the culture of a historic noble family.

The Kingdom of Wisteria sees this as a good opportunity to establish trade routes with a new country that lacks resources in many areas, and the proposal is being considered.

The negotiations are still in the early stages, but I decided to volunteer for this political marriage.

If Martina Olbrant, who is disliked by the Crown Prince's faction, volunteers to marry abroad, the engagement will surely be dissolved.

Even if the engagement is dissolved, there's no guarantee I'll actually be sent abroad.

In fact, the likelihood is low.

The Crown Prince's faction will probably see Martina Olbrant as trying to escape punishment for her misdeeds by fleeing the country.

If I act as if I'm trying to escape, it will make it easier for them to judge me.

In other words, I will deliberately cause trouble to make it easier for Martina Olbrant to be judged.

However, since this is just a rumor I heard, I decided to write a letter expressing my desire to discuss the matter rather than volunteering outright.

I was afraid it might be intercepted by my parents if I went through a maid or servant, so I might need to deliver it directly to the palace.

Thinking about this, I considered who to address the letter to.

Noblewomen are not supposed to be involved in politics. If they are, it should be through their father or male relatives.

But Martina, as the future wife of the Second Prince, had studied the structure of the government and political science to gain the necessary knowledge.

As a countess and the fiancée of the Second Prince, it would be appropriate to address the letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

No, Martina Olbrant should be despicable and insolent.

The Prime Minister, or even—Crown Prince Albert.

That's better. The bigger the issue, the more convenient it will be.

All letters to the Crown Prince are inspected, so it might take a few days for it to reach him.

I might be summoned by the Crown Prince later.

It's natural for a ruler to suspect a plot when someone engaged to a royal wants to marry abroad.

Even if I'm not summoned, I'll go to him.

If that happens, I'll vent my frustrations about the country and Nicholas.

I was a bit scared, thinking I might be arrested on the spot, but I don't think they would treat a noblewoman's daughter so harshly. Probably.

I have some doubts, but I'll take the risk.

First, I'll write the letter without letting anyone know its contents and head to the palace the next day.

Fortunately, I was used to going to the palace. Since I had been visiting Nicholas every three days to vent my frustrations, it had been about three months since my last visit.

As usual, I was led to the White Lily Room in the Sun Hall, the reception room in the palace's main hall.

The official who greeted me was familiar, so when I told him I had business with Crown Prince Albert, not Nicholas, he was quite surprised.

Following the plan, I handed the letter to the official and was about to leave, but I was detained.

I was told to wait because Crown Prince Albert would receive the letter directly.

I was taken aback. Why wasn't the letter being inspected? Even if we were close, I was Martina Olbrant, an enemy of the Crown Prince's faction.

Despite the many questions in my head, I tried to compose myself, but the official returned much sooner than I expected.

He said that Crown Prince Albert wanted to see me immediately.

I was dizzy from how quickly things were moving.