I'm Trying to End This Possession

It was the next day, at the banquet hall.

 

“Your Highness, are you sure this is okay?” Allice was extremely nervous. “This banquet is for Sister Dana’s award ceremony, and if we hold our 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. Why insist on having the engagement ceremony here?

 

It’s because of me. Because Dana hit her, insulted her, and mistreated her. That’s why he’s punishing her.

 

To ensure sister wouldn’t bother me again… he’s punishing her.  

 

This thought made Allice’s heart flutter. He’s really, really cool.  

 

Like a god of summer? Raios sat relaxed, exuding an overwhelming dignity and noble beauty. Such a man loves me.

 

Then, a comment from a nearby drunken man.

 

“Looks like Lady Danae lost the crown prince’s love.”

 

“If it were me, I’d choose a woman like Lady Allice too.”

 

“Shh, Henry, keep it down.”

 

“Why? Honestly, Lady Danae is nice, but her reputation is too high. She’s a woman who intimidates the men’s spirit.”

 

“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 peeked at Raios and was shocked. Unbelievable.

 

He was sipping his wine nonchalantly as if he hadn’t heard anything. If it were before, he would have punished that man for his words. He has changed.

 

The realization brought tears to her eyes. She felt sorry for Sister Dana. Raios, who used to beat up men approaching her sister, loved her so fiercely. But now, he just stood by, indifferent.

 

“Allice? Why are you crying?”

 

“Sob, sob, I-I’m just sad for Sister Dana, sob.”

 

“Henry Stain, the young master of the Count family, didn’t even insult you. Why are you crying over his words?” Raios tenderly wiped her tears, looking at her with affection. “Always a crybaby.”

 

“Sob… don’t tease me.”

 

“Just focus on the upcoming engagement ceremony. You’re the star today.”

 

“M-me, the star?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The star. Allice mulled over the word. It always suited Sister Dana. But now, it’s her. Now, I’m the star.

 

It was then.

 

“Lady Danae Windsor is entering!”

 

* * *

“Lady Danae Windsor is entering!”

 

As I entered, all eyes turned to me.  I walked in proudly, unbothered by the piercing gazes. As if nothing had happened, as if no one could bring me down. And I stood before the frozen Raios.

 

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

 

Silence lingered. Then, Raios asked in a subdued tone. “What are you doing here, Danae Windsor?”

 

“As you see, I’m attending the banquet.”

 

“That’s right, I saw. I’m talking about you entering without an escort.”

 

Ignoring his sarcasm, I simply smiled.

 

An escort. I didn’t need such trivialities. Good. I planned to declare that I wouldn’t get married after breaking off the engagement anyway. Of course, I had no intention of explaining this kindly to Raios.

 

“Have you forgotten our conversation yesterday?”

 

 “I haven’t forgotten. I clearly told you I’d attend my award ceremony.” I glanced at Allice. “You heard it too, right, Allice?”

 

“Si-Sister Dana.”

 

Allice blushed deeply. Such an easily flustered child. And I loved that. I thought she was such a lovely little sister.

 

“Enough, Danae.”

 

But who knew Raios would feel the same. He had already embraced the weeping Allice, patting her shoulder. “Allice, it’s okay. Don’t cry.”

 

Then, he glared at me fiercely. “Happy to make her cry?”

 

“Did I make her cry?”

 

“Then who did, in your opinion?”

 

“I can’t see why Allice is crying because I attended my award ceremony. Maybe she thought today’s banquet was for her?”

 

Allice’s face turned even redder, apparently hitting the mark.

 

“Shut your mouth.” Raios spat out angrily. “Your jealousy is truly ugly, Danae.”

 

Jealousy? What nonsense.

 

“It seems you’re trying in many ways to prevent my engagement ceremony. You went to see His Majesty last night, right?” He asked suspiciously.

 

“You do that even though you know the relationship between me and His Majesty. You’re truly careless. Did you still believe that you would be the future crown princess?”

 

The future crown princess. At those words, Allice and I froze at the same time. However, Raios continued his words as if he couldn’t see how we were reacting.

 

“What did you talk about? Did you go to the emperor last night to prevent my engagement ceremony?” After asking that question, he nodded without even hearing an answer. “Of course you did. Otherwise, why would you visit His Majesty in the middle of the night?” He nodded without waiting for an answer.

 

“…”

 

Raios, who came to his own conclusion, smiled crookedly. “Foolish. Did you think His Majesty would attend this banquet for something trivial like mediating between you and me?” He believed the Emperor wouldn’t intervene in such matters. And his belief was based on something.

 

The emperor was an extremely conservative believer. Avoiding alcohol, music, and entertainment, he rarely attended such social gatherings.

 

“Nothing will change. I will hold the engagement ceremony with Allice here, so please leave. I’m saying this for your honor.”

 

Pfft, it made me laugh. My honor. Honor, indeed.

 

“Don’t pretend to care. It’s for your honor, not mine.”

 

“…Fine. If you insist on witnessing my engagement ceremony, I won’t stop you.” Raios’s eyes darkened. “If you want to be miserable, so be it.”

 

He took Allice’s hand and walked past me, making their way through the nobles. As they ascended the dais, all eyes were on him. Everyone had been watching our intense fight.

 

“I thank all the nobles who attended today’s banquet.” Thus, Raios began his speech effortlessly. “Ten years ago, the land of the continent began to rot. It was the Empire – your motherland – that stopped this almost apocalyptic phenomenon. Take pride in that.” And he smiled smoothly.

 

I suddenly thought. I used to like that. Raios usually looks stern but boyish when smiling. Once, I really liked that.

 

“To the empire’s talents present here who purified the rotten land, let’s toast to their efforts.”

 

No, I loved that…

 

“And one more celebration for today. Two lovers plan to hold their engagement ceremony here.”

 

But all that’s in the past. My beloved Raios didn’t exist in reality.

 

“Priest Ricksmon, please come forward.”

 

Watching Raios call the priest, I thought again.

 

That’s right, there’s no need to be hurt by his actions. He’s not the man I loved.

 

“My name is Ricksmon, the high priest of the temple of Ramun, the god of the sun.”

 

Therefore. 

 

“I will conduct the engagement ceremony with the authority of the god.”

 

So…

 

Bang―!

 

“Your―!”

 

So, I don’t need to feel sorry for him.   

 

“Your Majesty the Emperor has arrived!”

 

There’s no regret in dealing with his uncle, whom he’s so wary of.

 

“…!”

 

The hall froze in shock. The emperor walked through the silence. 

 

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