How to Perfectly Break Up with You

Only then did she realize that Declan’s words were a continuation from the banquet hall. It wasn’t the answer she had expected, but it wasn’t wrong either.

There were no kingdoms with pure goodwill towards the Empire, which had rapidly expanded its territory across the continent, and Parma was no exception.

Although they maintained an outwardly friendly attitude, underneath lay the anxiety that they, too, might be devoured like neighboring countries at any time.

In the midst of this, they couldn’t possibly be pleased about an Imperial Princess coming to be their queen.

Moreover, Parma’s old king had a grown son. In a situation where the succession was already clearly established, the presence of a young stepmother would only create uncomfortable tension.

If by chance Sienna were to bear a child with the old king, it was obvious that Joseph would try to use that child to target Parma.

Of course, there was no guarantee that Sienna’s life would be safe in that process. Once a child with mixed blood of the Imperial family and Parma’s royal family was born, Sienna’s existence would have already served its purpose.

Even if the king were to die without children, it was clear that Sienna would face difficulties. Belonging to neither country, she would be thoroughly used by either Joseph or Parma.

If she became the Queen of Parma, her life would be tumultuous one way or another. And Sienna knew this better than anyone.

But what could she do? If she obediently went to Parma, whatever happened would only affect her life.

But it was different for Declan. She couldn’t let him get involved again and ruin his life.

As Sienna remained silent, Declan spoke in a low voice.

“I know I’m not a particularly interesting man to Your Highness.”

His voice trembled slightly at the end of that statement. Although he tried to sound nonchalant, he couldn’t help feeling miserable.

He had never placed much importance on how women viewed him. It was partly because he had spent his entire life on battlefields filled with men, and even during his brief stays in the capital, the flood of invitations to the Grand Duke’s residence only caused fatigue.

The interested looks women gave him were just annoying.

That was certainly true, but she was the exception. He always hoped to be at the end of her gaze. He wished she would allow even a little bit of her heart for him.

But her cold gaze always pushed him down into the mud. Sometimes there were moments more piercing than words filled with venom.

For instance, the look in Sienna’s eyes when she gazed at him. Standing before those blue eyes filled with deep regret made even him feel terrible about himself.

Despite hating him so much. The reason she had stubbornly stayed by his side was clear.

“But what I have will surely be of help to Your Highness.”

“Even so, you won’t be able to gain anything from me.”

Only then did Declan’s gaze turn towards her. Meeting her blue eyes, he thought.

If Sienna takes my hand, I will have her.

That would be enough.

“…If I were to welcome the Imperial Princess as the Grand Duchess, that alone would be honor enough.”

At this utterly conventional response, Sienna laughed silently.

It was his achievement that the Grand Ducal family, which had been on the brink of extinction, regained its former status. Taking a woman from a noble family as his wife would certainly help in restoring the family’s standing.

“In that case, wouldn’t it be better to look for someone else? It seems like an offer the First Imperial Princess would snap up immediately if she heard it.”

She spoke in a clear voice, but there was no reply.

Instead of speaking, he slowly removed the handkerchief he had been holding against Sienna’s ankle. Due to the heat from the injured area, the ice had already noticeably shrunk in size.

Declan reached out and gently gripped her ankle. As he slightly pressed the swollen area with his thumb to gauge the extent of the injury, he felt Sienna flinch.

Judging by the swelling, it didn’t seem to be a severe injury. Declan habitually massaged her ankle as he spoke.

“What I said at the banquet wasn’t a joke.”

The blue eyes that had been looking at the point of contact turned towards him. He also raised his head to meet her gaze.

“I just wanted to let you know that I, too, am one of the options you can choose from, Your Highness.”

His gaze was steadfast. There was no sign of mockery in it.

At his words, which came across as quite sincere, Sienna found it difficult to speak. Only her blue eyes, filled with complex emotions, wavered quietly.

Just then, there was a steady knock from outside, and the maid who had gone to call for a healer entered the room. Only then did Declan’s gaze leave her.

“Your Grace. I’ve brought the healer.”

“Bring him in.”

He stood up, straightening his legs. As the maid entered with the healer by Sienna’s side, Declan naturally stepped back.

The room, which had contained only the two of them, quickly became busy with the arrival of the healer and maids. But for today, Sienna welcomed the visit of others.

“Excuse me for a moment, Your Imperial Highness.”

The healer approached, knelt before her, and examined her ankle.

It was a more unrestrained touch compared to when Declan had held it earlier, but somehow she didn’t even feel the pain from when he had gripped it. As Sienna calmly watched the healer treating her, she turned her head slightly.

She saw Declan watching the treatment process from not far away. As if he felt her gaze, his purple eyes, which had been focused on her ankle, turned towards her.

After looking at her for a moment, he silently bowed his head and turned away. It was a clean exit, as if he had fulfilled his duty. Sienna’s dazed gaze followed his retreating figure.

“It seems you’ve injured your ankle ligament, but judging by the swelling not being too severe, it doesn’t appear to be completely torn.”

The healer spoke as if it were nothing serious, reaching for the tray he had brought and taking out a white bandage. He unrolled it and wrapped it around her ankle.

“Is the pain not too severe?”

“It’s fine now.”

“It seems you’ve been applying ice to your ankle, which has probably helped. But there’s still some swelling, so please continue to manage it in the same way for the time being.”

Sienna silently nodded. After adequately wrapping the injured area with the bandage, the healer concluded the examination, saying he would immediately prepare medicine and hand it over to the maid.

The maids also left the room, following the healer to receive the medicine.

Left alone in the room, Sienna reached out and felt her ankle, tightly wrapped in bandages, then pressed it firmly with her thumb as he had done.

Although she felt intense pain, Sienna pressed even harder. Her head tilted slightly.

The gentle touch that had carefully handled her ankle was still vivid. Even with the healer’s bandage and Sienna deliberately causing herself pain, the soft sensation didn’t fade.

She knew what this fact implied. And she wasn’t unaware of how this feeling would end.

Her eyes, gazing at her ankle, gradually turned red.

“Your Imperial Highness. Excuse me for a moment.”

The maid who had left the room with the healer returned, carrying a silver tray. She placed the medicine prescribed by the healer and a glass of water on the shelf by the bed head. Sienna’s empty gaze turned towards it.

Just as the maid who had finished her task was about to turn and leave.

“As soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, deliver a message to the Emperor.”

The words were too polite to have come from the Princess who usually spoke rudely to the Emperor. The maid turned to look at the Princess with a surprised face. The Princess’s gaze was fixed on the medicine bottle she had just put down.

Hesitating at this strangely incongruous sight, the maid asked:

“When you say message, what kind of…”

“Tell him that I formally accept the marriage proposal from the King of Parma.”

Unlike her empty expression, her voice was clear. Her gaze, which had been focused on the medicine bottle, shifted diagonally towards the window.

The rain seemed to have stopped, but the sky was still dark as if more was left to pour. Looking at the gloomy, overcast sky, Sienna muttered:

“Tell him that I will follow all of His Majesty’s wishes… Please say it like that.”

****

The events of that night’s banquet spread throughout the capital in an instant.

Although it was the first banquet since the Emperor’s ascension, that fact was completely forgotten as all attention focused on the Grand Duke and the Princess. Not just socialites, but even marketplace merchants gossiped about the two with excited faces.

The Grand Duke, respected by all, and the Princess, scorned by all, were opposites in every way, but they did have one thing in common: they were both young and attractive.

Until now, no one had paid attention to this fact, so the impact of this banquet was enormous. This small intersection actually stimulated people’s imaginations.

Some clicked their tongues, saying, “So the Grand Duke is just a man his age after all,” but for the socialites who had been bored without any good topics for a while, this was undoubtedly excellent fodder.

While rumors that could bring honor to no one spread from mouth to mouth, morning faithfully dawned. The morning that came after the scandal had swept through like a storm was as peaceful and quiet as any other day.

However, the Duke’s mood as he left his quarters on this Saturday morning was not as peaceful as the morning scenery.

Saturday mornings at the Imperial Palace had long been a tradition where all members of the Imperial family gathered for a meal.

While the Lowell ducal family was staying at the Imperial Palace, the Emperor had been quite generous, inviting even his sister who wasn’t officially registered in the Imperial family registry and the Duke to join the morning formal meal. It was an implicit acknowledgment that Dahlia and the Duke were part of the Imperial family.

The Duke had considered this fact quite honorable until now, but not today.