Chapter 5

"Princess, that's impossible!"

Teti shouted loudly.

"What is it this time, Teti? I came here honestly thinking of getting back at Laila, but before I could even devise a plan, it seemed like he was showing signs of suicidal tendencies from afar, and I'm exhausted.

What happened this time?"

"Despite it being your welcome party today, that man didn't even send a single dress. It's his duty as a fiancé!"

"Yes, I knew that. I expected as much. Don't worry; I've already prepared for this. I've had a dress made and sent over by the transfer machine."

Teti, who was already angry at the state of this country, went to the transfer machine in my room and fetched the dress.

"Oh, Princess, you look wonderful! It will surely suit you. Of course, a dress chosen by you would suit you better than one sent by such a man, but it's still frustrating."

And of course, Allen made no mention of escorting me, and as the time to head to the venue approached, he still hadn't shown up.

"Princess..."

"It's fine, Teti. I have everything under control."

As I said this, there was a knock on the door. Standing there was my dear cousin, Tristan, Laila's brother.

"Hey, Reti, it's been a while. I'm glad you're here. After all, this country is completely rotten. It's a place where living amidst corruption is painful."

"It's been a while, Stan. I'm glad to see you too. I'm especially glad you're here. At least I don't have to rely on that man.

But the king and this country, who allow such things, are beyond redemption."

"Of course, I'll do whatever I can, Reti."

"Oh, you always say such kind words, Stan. But today, it's a simple task. Just stand by my side amidst all these enemies. That's all I need."

With that, I entrusted my escort to him and headed to the palace. Of course, my makeup today is in Laila's style. It might be tough for Stan, but he said he's fine with it.

I thought it would take longer, but a rotten fruit falls quickly. Even without my intervention, it was highly likely to fall, but I can't let my revenge on Laila end without being completed.

"Princess Letitia Clemen德尔, Lord Tristan Elmont."

We entered the venue as our names were called. I had waited until the last possible moment, so I was the last to enter. Allen, who had entered earlier, was seated next to Lila. The king and queen had not yet arrived.

"Princess Letitia, you're late. Isn't it impolite for the guest of honor to be late?"

Allen said with a sneer.

"Yes, that's true. My fiancé didn't even send a dress or offer to escort me. It's really frustrating to deal with someone so lacking in common sense, isn't it?"

"No, no, you often say, 'Just like Laila.' So I treated you the same. Wasn't that appropriate?"

"Well, then, did you not escort Laila or send her a dress?"

"Yes, Laila is the daughter of a duke. She must have plenty of dresses and jewels, as should you, a princess from a neighboring country.

Besides, escorting you might have dirtied my hands."

"So, you don't send dresses or offer to escort your fiancée, but you do for a public courtesan?"

"Yes, that's right. She is a public courtesan, but she is my true love."

At that moment, the king and queen were announced, and the trumpets sounded as they entered. Despite their ongoing argument over the public courtesan, they were now putting on a cheerful facade, which was odd.

They sighed as soon as they saw us.

"Allen, today is the debut of you and Princess Letitia. Why are you escorting the daughter of Baron Dolsen? Show some propriety."

"Father, I agreed to marry Princess Letitia for the sake of the country, but I didn't sell my heart. The woman I truly love is Lila alone."

Allen's statement caused a stir among the guests. Some of the young women were even saying, "True love! How romantic!"

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, how amusing. You say true love is beautiful, and even noblewomen agree.

I've said it countless times, but this country takes political marriages too lightly. What's wrong with marriages that enrich the land and territories?

I can't tell what's true and what's false, but Allen claims to uphold true love while making his lover a public courtesan. Is that still true love?"

My question silenced the crowd.

"Finding comfort elsewhere to fill the void left by a political marriage? How foolish. Look at the history books of any country. Regardless of rank, the issues of succession have always led to scandals, hatred, and tragedy.

I can't let this continue.

Ladies and gentlemen, since I came here, I've been belittled as 'Allen's political marriage partner.' And everyone, including Allen, has repeatedly told me to treat his 'true love' as if she were the crown prince.

While engaged, he was infatuated with another woman and used the term 'true love' to justify his infidelity. But think about it. A man who cheats once will cheat again."

As I said this, about 70% of the women in the room glared at the men, who looked uncomfortable and turned their heads away.

"Yes, that's right. Lady Elizabeth of the Mildred family, you don't get along with Lady Dianna of the Rigret family, do you?"

Lady Elizabeth, surprised to be called out, nodded.

"That's right. What if Lady Dianna became Allen's true love tomorrow?

She might be executed for 'insulting the future crown princess' as Laila was. The same would apply to Lady Dianna. If Lady Elizabeth became his true love...?"

Lady Elizabeth and Lady Dianna turned pale, but I moved on to another woman.

"Lady, one of the maids in the palace, Ivet Chari, do you use the same tea leaves for the queen and the baron's daughter when serving tea? Of course, when they are together, you would use the same leaves, but what about when serving them individually?"

"No, I use different leaves. It would be disrespectful to serve the queen and the royal family the same tea as a baron's daughter."

She turned pale as she realized the implications and couldn't continue.

"Yes, you understand well. If the baron's daughter suddenly became Allen's 'true love,' you might be executed for 'insulting the future crown princess.'

Do you understand? 'Awakening to true love' is a terrifying thing. Do you still find it romantic? What is the purpose of a title?

A 'crown prince's fiancée' should be treated with respect as a quasi-royal. But if you continue to apply the charge of disrespect based on past actions, you can eliminate your political enemies and obstacles at will. In the end, no one will be left in this country."

"You, are you saying I love someone other than Lila?"

"I don't know. But Allen's 'true love' couldn't become the 'future crown princess.'

My Laila was executed for 'disrespect' on false charges. She can't come back, but can someone dear to you come back?"

As I said this, a knight standing near the king threw down his knight's badge and bowed at my feet.

"May I speak?"

"You may."

"My fiancée was a friend of Laila. She continued to plead for Laila's innocence until the prince deemed her a 'fool who sided with a wicked woman' and exiled her from the capital. Please, for her sake..."

"That's right, a friend of Laila. I apologize for not having dealt with it yet. Of course, Laila's honor has been restored. I would like to meet those who supported her."

With that, several people rushed to my side.

"Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this? You said Laila's honor was restored. Is that a lie?"

"No, it's not a lie. It has been restored. I have allowed her to be buried and mourned."

"But you didn't do anything else, did you?

I've felt a sense of unease from the beginning. Your Majesty, you've been compliant with me since I arrived.

I thought you felt guilty, but you didn't protect your own knights or citizens and followed my orders to execute them.

You respected my opinions as a princess from the suzerain country, but you always tried to deceive me. You taught Allen how to cover up the public courtesan, didn't you?

You also secretly guided Allen to not escort me today, and you introduced him to Lila, sending Laila on a diplomatic mission to ensure her execution, didn't you?"

The king's face grew pale. Yes, before I came, I only thought it was a foolish prince's foolish affair.

But the more I looked at Lila, the more she seemed just a fool. There was no way she could manipulate the prince, Nader, and Dilak. Someone was behind it. If asked who, the only ones more powerful than the prince were the king and queen. I considered other nobles, but none of them fit.

Besides, the loose-lipped fools around me said the king knew, leaving no room for doubt.

"I investigated, Your Majesty. You wanted your courtesan's son to inherit the throne, not Allen, right?

So you tricked the foolish baron's daughter into seducing others. Then, you brought me here as Allen's fiancée to condemn him and send me back to Clemen德尔, right?

And then, you planned to have Richard inherit the throne, didn't you?

The only regret was that Tristan, who had the right to inherit the throne, couldn't be swayed by Lila. So, by killing Laila, you planned to alienate the Elmont family from this country and make them move to ours?"

"I don't understand what you're saying. Queen, what does Princess Letitia say...?"

"Yes, I understand. She's right. She told me to investigate your courtesans, so I did. None of them were sterilized.

And I know that a child named Richard Funt was recently taken in by a marquess's family!

I'm tired of it. No matter how I try to guide Allen, you always interfere! I can't do this anymore. I will divorce you. Please remove me from the royal family!"

The queen, her face turning from white to red, threw her tiara to the floor.

"You, how dare you."

The king, who was usually meek and submissive, glared at her.

"You should have been just a foolish woman who would condemn Allen and return to your country. You would have told your father about this country!

If that happens, this country is finished! At least I can kill you, who brought about my downfall.

There's a transfer machine, so you can escape. But in exchange, I'll kill all the people around you and the maids! Knights, attack!"

Stan, standing next to me, immediately stepped in front of me to protect me.

While silently thanking him, I, who had anticipated this, operated the transfer machine without hesitation.