* * *
It was the next day, at the banquet hall.
“Your Highness, are you sure this is okay?” Allice was extremely nervous. “This banquet is meant for Sister Dana. If we hold an engagement ceremony here…”
“You’re considerate of Dana until the end,” Raios answered nonchalantly while sipping his wine. “Dana doesn’t show you the same consideration. So, you needn’t bother either.”
Allice nodded somberly but couldn’t shake off her unease. Today is Sister Dana’s award ceremony. So why hold the engagement ceremony here, of all places?
It’s because of me. Because Sister Dana hit her, insulted her, and mistreated her. That’s why he’s punishing Sister Dana.
To ensure sister wouldn’t bother me again… he’s punishing her. This thought made Allice’s heart flutter.
He’s really, really cool.
Is this what god would be like? Sitting leisurely, Raios radiated overwhelming dignity and refined beauty.
To think this man loves me.
It was then.
“Oh gosh, it seems Lady Danae has been robbed of the crown prince’s love.”
A man’s voice, seemingly drunk, was heard nearby.
“Honestly, if it were me, I’d pick someone like Lady Allice too.”
“Shh, Henry, keep it down.”
“Why? It’s true. Let’s be honest—Lady Dane is kind, but her reputation is too high. She’s the kind of woman who overshadows men.”
“Shut up, Henry.”
“Hurry, take Henry away!”
His friends quickly dragged him away, but it was too late. Everything was heard.
His Highness must have heard it too. Allice sneaked a glance at Raios and was struck with shock. My goodness.
Raios was sipping his wine nonchalantly as if he hadn’t heard anything. If it were before, he would have cut that man’s tongue out without hesitation—
He’s changed.
The realization brought tears to her eyes. She felt sorry for Sister Dana.
This was the same Raios who once beat up any man who dared approach Sister Dana. He had loved her so much that his jealousy was uncontrollable. But now, he just sat idly by, unmoved.
“Allice? Why are you crying?”
“Sob, sob, I-I’m just sad for Sister Dana, sob.”
“Lord Henry stain didn’t even insult you. Why are you crying over his words?” Raios wiped away Allice’s tears with an affectionate expression. “Anyway, you’re a crybaby.”
“Sob… don’t tease me.”
“Forget about everything else and just think about the engagement ceremony coming up. Today, you’re the main character, Allice.”
“M-Me, the main character?”
“Yes.”
Main character. Allice mulled over those words. Those words always suited Sister Dana. But now, it was hers.
Now, I’m the main character.
At that moment,
“Lady Danae Windsor is entering!”
* * *
“Lady Danae Windsor is entering!”
As Dana entered, all eyes were on her. She walked proudly through the hall, her chin held high, as though nothing could touch her, nothing had happened, and no one could bring her down. Then, she stood before the frozen Raios.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
Silence lingered. After a moment, Raios asked in a subdued tone. “What are you doing here, Danae Windsor?”
“As you see, I’m attending the banquet.”
“Yes, I see. You’re entering without an escort.”
Ignoring his sarcasm, Dana simply smiled.
An escort. She didn’t need such a thing.
This works perfectly. I was planning to declare my intent to remain unmarried after breaking off the engagement anyway. Of course, she had no intention of explaining this kindly to Raios.
“Have you forgotten our conversation yesterday?”
“I haven’t forgotten. I clearly told Your Highness yesterday. That I’d attend my medal ceremony.” Dana glanced at Allice. “You heard it too, right, Allice?”
“Si-Sister Dana.”
Allice’s face flushed bright red. She was such an easy girl to fluster. Once, Dana had thought of her as a cute, lovable younger sister.
“Stop it, Dana.”
But who would have thought Raios felt the same?
He pulled the now-sniffling Allice into an embrace, patting her shoulder. “Allice, it’s okay. Don’t cry.” Then, he glared at Dana fiercely. “Does it make you feel better to make her cry?”
“Did I make her cry?”
“Then who do you think did?”
“All I did was attend my medal ceremony. I can’t imagine why Allice would be crying. Does she think today’s banquet is for her?”
Allice’s face turned a fiery red as though she had been struck. Clearly, Dana had hit the mark.
“Shut your mouth.” Raios spat out angrily. “Your jealousy is revolting, Danae.”
Dana frowned. Jealousy? What nonsense.
“You must have gone to great lengths to try and stop my engagement ceremony. I hear you even went to see the emperor last night.”
Raios’s wary gaze bore into her.
“Even knowing my relationship with the emperor, you dared to do that? How reckless. Do you still call yourself the future crown princess?”
The future crown princess. The words made both Dana and Allice’s expressions harden. But Raios didn’t seem to notice as he continued to berate Dana.
“What did you say to him? Did you beg him to stop the ceremony?” Without waiting for an answer, Raios nodded to himself. “Of course you did. What other reason would you have to visit the emperor at such an hour?”
“…”
Having come to his own conclusion, Raios smirked. “Foolish. Did you think the emperor would involve himself in such a trivial matter? For something as petty as mediating between us?” He looked utterly confident.
There was a reason for Raios’s confidence. The emperor was an extremely conservative believer. He was a man who avoided alcohol, music, and entertainment, which made him rarely attend such social events.
“Nothing will change. I will hold the engagement ceremony with Allice here, so please leave now. I’m saying this for your honor.”
Pfft, a laugh escaped Dana. Her honor? Honor?
“Don’t pretend to care about me. It’s for your own honor, isn’t it?”
“…Fine. If you insist on witnessing my engagement ceremony, suit yourself.” Raios’s eyes darkened. “If you’re so desperate to humiliate yourself, I won’t stop you.”
He took Allice’s hand and walked past me, making their way through the nobles. As they ascended the dais, all eyes were on them. Everyone had been watching the fierce battle between the three unfold.
“I would like to thank all the nobles for attending this banquet today.”
Thus, Raios began his speech so naturally.
“Ten years ago, the lands of this continent began to rot. It was the Besman Empire—your homeland—that halted this calamity. You should all be proud.” Then Raios smiled smoothly.
Dana suddenly thought. I used to like that.
Raios had a face that looked fierce, but it turned out boyish when he smiled. Once, she really liked that smile.
“The talent of the Empire who is present in this hall purified the Rotten Land. Let’s us raise a toast to her efforts.”
No, she loved that…
“And there is one more thing to celebrate today. Two lovers will hold their engagement ceremony here.”
But all of it—every feeling—was in the past. The Raios she once loved no longer existed in reality.
“High Priest Ricksmon, please come forward.”
Watching Raios call the priest, Dana thought again. Right, there’s no need to be hurt by this man’s actions. Because this wasn’t the man she had loved.
“M-My goodness. Engagement ceremony?”
“Engagement ceremony, in this banquet?”
“But Lady Danae is here.”
“Oh gosh. Poor thing.”
“So what if she purified the land? She’s been abandoned by her fiancé.”
“Henry, keep your mouth shut.”
The man who reduced her to this pitiful state couldn’t possibly be the Raios she had loved.
“My name is Ricksmon, the high priest of the temple of Ramun, the god of the sun.”
Therefore,
“With the god authority, I will now conduct the engagement ceremony.”
Therefore…
Bang―!
“Your―!”
She didn’t need to feel sorry for him.
“Your Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”
Dana didn’t feel sorry at all for dealing with his uncle, whom he was so wary of.
“…!”
The hall froze in shock. Breaking through the silence, the emperor strode in.
Thank you for the chapter!❤️🔥
thank you for the update! cant wait for the next chapter and I hope that prince suffers in the future.