Breaking Off the Engagement
“Lady….”
Michael Lux Rampas's blue eyes clouded over. No matter how wounded he looked, it didn't faze me in the slightest. It was Abigail who loved the crown prince, not me.
“The lady thinks differently from the duke, doesn't she? He must be the only one who wants the engagement broken off, right?”
“……”
The crown prince was convinced that I—no, Abigail—didn't want the engagement annulled. Of course he was. No one knew better than him how deeply Abigail loved him. And yet, despite knowing that so well, he'd never once returned her feelings. He'd only ever used her. Then, in the end, he met the person he truly loved and discarded Abigail.
Shaking off her clinging hand, he'd said with a cold expression,
'I've never once loved you. I've only ever found you repulsive.'
That was the truth.
I met the crown prince's gaze squarely and asked, “Why do you think that?”
“…Pardon?”
“Why do you believe I don't want the engagement broken off?”
“That's…”
He couldn't answer easily. Of course not—he could hardly brazenly claim it was because I loved him. But the one who had craved his love was already gone.
“It was I who told Father I wanted the engagement annulled, Your Highness.”
“…Pardon?”
“I'm telling you, this is my will, not Father's.”
He looked utterly shocked, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. His eyes stared at me as if asking, 'Why?'
I had no desire to explain my reasons to him.
“I've sent the annulment request out of consideration for the imperial family's dignity. If it's not approved, I'll request a trial. I hope you won't make this more difficult than it needs to be.”
“L-Lady.”
“Then, enjoy the Magic Festival, Crown Prince Michael Lux Rampas.”
I curtsied before he could grab me and left the VIP lounge.
My pounding heart had already settled. I hoped it would never race for him again.
Heading to the stands, I approached the duke with a smile. He scanned me worriedly, but I gave him a gentle smile to say I was fine.
The crown prince would understand if he had any sense. He'd seen my sincerity. I wished he'd stop harboring any expectations toward me.
As I neared the stands and caught sight of the Colosseum's interior, I flinched in surprise. It was packed like a baseball stadium, filled to the brim with spectators buzzing with anticipation for the Magic Festival.
The ancient Colosseum had once been an irrational place where slave gladiators fought each other or beasts. Now, it had transformed into a wholesome cultural space for grand events, plays, concerts, sports, or outdoor theaters. For the time being, it would serve as the venue for the Magic Festival.
“…Whew.”
Calming my startled heart, I took my seat. The duke and I occupied the highest seats in the Colosseum. Below us sat commoners, then nobles, and the top tier was reserved for ducal houses and the imperial family.
Once I sat, the pale-faced crown prince took his seat as well. Whether by the duke's consideration or sheer luck, our spots were quite far apart. And with the lavish opening ceremony starting right away, I had no more attention to spare for him.
“Thank you for waiting! Now, let the 12th Magic Festival begin!”
The host's voice, amplified by magic, echoed through the Colosseum. Cheers incomparable to before erupted, filling the air. At the same moment, the mages' magical fireworks exploded into the sky all at once.
Bang! Boom! Kaboom!
“Woooow!”
Admiring shouts poured not just from inside the Colosseum but from the crowds gathered outside without tickets. I watched the spectacle with wide eyes.
Abigail had skipped these events all this time because she had no interest in magic—what a loss.
“Impressive.”
“With the Magic Tower Master here in person this time, they've put in extra effort.”
The duke watched the opening with satisfaction.
After the colorful fireworks, it was time to introduce the VIPs. The crown prince in the upper seats got the spotlight first—as the highest-ranking person present. His image appeared magnified on the image stone conjured by the mages.
“We are honored by the presence of a most noble guest: the empire's little sun, Crown Prince Michael Lux Rampas!”
The crown prince smiled shyly and waved at the image stone, drawing cheers and the shrill screams of women. The young northern ladies would surely spend the night swooning over him.
“I'm honored by the north's invitation. Enjoy the festival.”
His clear voice, carried by the mage's amplifier, reached every ear. Praise for the crown prince followed endlessly.
“Long live Crown Prince!”
“Your Highness, you're so cool!”
“He's so handsome!”
I felt a twinge of bewilderment watching them. I'd be introduced as a VIP too—did that mean speaking into the image stone where everyone could see? It might be routine for Magic Festival veterans, but not for me. With no memories from Abigail of attending, I was completely flustered.
The duke, utterly at ease, showed his face on the image stone and offered blessings. Then it was my turn.
No one told me about this. A heads-up would have been nice.
Steadying my trembling heart, I stood. Sitting might make it impossible to keep my composure. But as I rose and my image appeared on the stone, the surroundings fell silent.
What?
The cheering crowds now just stared at my projection.
Were the territory folk I'd just met today already prejudiced against me? Worried, I forced an awkward smile and took the amplifier from the mage.
“I'm honored to enjoy the festival with you all today. The Magic Tower has poured their hearts into this, so please enjoy.”
I handed back the amplifier and sat. I'd never spoken before so many people—it was nerve-wracking. But I'd pulled it off without showing it.
Only after I sat did explosive cheers erupt belatedly.
“Woooah! Lady!”
“Lady! Goddess!”
“You're so beautiful!”
Even after my image faded from the stone, the cheers continued, so I waved awkwardly at the crowd.
Phew. They didn't hate me after all.
Relieved, I took in the sight of my cheering subjects.
* * *
The opening ceremony ended successfully, and I returned to the mansion. The crowd from the stands recognized our carriage and swarmed, making our departure a hassle—but it wasn't unpleasant. The duke and I exchanged embarrassed chuckles at the scene.
“They seem even happier now that you've come, my lady,” the duke said with a pleased smile.
Would they have cheered this much for the real Abigail? Hard to say. But even if she had come, the territory folk would have cheered. Rumors of Abigail's extravagance and venomous nature had spread far and wide, even in the duchy. Only the mansion servants and a few nobles knew her true character, but people's love for gossip had amplified her infamy.
Still, to commoners, Abigail was a lofty figure on a pedestal. They could gossip about the rumors over drinks, but genuine hatred? No—they hadn't been slapped by her personally. Rumors were just rumors.
Even I had to admit today's Abigail looked like an angel descended from heaven. The deliberate primping suited her perfectly. The subjects were clearly awestruck by the real sight of their lord's daughter looking so heavenly. How proud would they feel?
If they dismissed her personality as “worth the face value,” that would be ideal.
The debut far grander than any socialite ball left me quietly pleased.
“Have a good time, miss?”
May greeted me with a smile. I glanced at her.
“Yeah, it was fun. The magic was amazing.”
I looked around. The maids who usually chattered around me were absent, leaving the space empty. I'd given most of them time off for the festival.
As May took my outerwear, I asked, “But didn't you go out? They say the first day is the best.”
I'd given vacation and bonuses to my closest maids first, assuming May would join them.
Seeing my puzzled look, she beamed innocently.
“Nah, it's fine. Even if I went, I've got no family or boyfriend to hang out with anyway.”
“Oh, really?”
It was surprising. Among my maids, May was the brightest and most cheerful—I'd never dreamed she was an orphan like me.
Noticing my awkward expression, she smiled even wider.
“Yeah. And I like being with you way more, miss.”
“A-hem.”
Embarrassed, I cleared my throat softly. Changing out of the stuffy dress, I said to her, “Alright. Then let's have strawberry shaved ice—just us tonight.”
“Really?!”
“Yeah. Don't tell the others.”
“Yay!”
Excited about the shaved ice, she started humming loudly. Now in more comfortable clothes, I asked, “Oh, right. What about Ian? Is he awake?”
“Uh, that… um, yeah?”
May averted her eyes with a reluctant face. Unfortunately, the maids didn't like Ian much. The general prejudice against Servbo folk was bad enough, and it worsened after I brought him to the Tentamen. Plus, his passing out mid-trial and arriving at the mansion before me hadn't helped. I'd insisted he did well, but they weren't convinced.
That meant I had to hide how he'd lost control and gone berserk, attacking me.
“Miss, are you really keeping that boy around? Having such a scrawny kid as a guard seems dangerous.”
“Ian's not scrawny.”
If they'd seen him take on the count's knights, they wouldn't say that. Unable to tell the truth, I just gave a wry smile.
Still, I couldn't leave Ian as he was. Turning berserk when unconscious? Indiscriminately rampaging without distinguishing friend from foe? That would cause bigger problems down the line.
“They say Servbo clansmen are so strong, but it seems like nonsense. You ended up handling everything alone, miss.”
May grumbled as she combed my loosened hair.