Chapter 6: The Proposal That Failed

Why had I been so obsessed with His Highness the Crown Prince before?

Certainly, he always placed his duties as Crown Prince first and worked tirelessly for the people and the nation.

And on top of that, he was absurdly handsome.

I had foolishly allowed myself to be swept away by that gentle smile and mistaken it for love.

But now I understand.

That was absolutely nothing more than a polite social smile.

When I think back, his eyes had never been smiling.

It was the same expression he wore when surrounded by squealing noble girls.

It is embarrassing to recall how I tried to eliminate every woman who approached him.

And when our classmate was recognized as the Saintess after receiving the blessing of the Spirit King of Light, my behavior afterward was dreadful even by my current standards.

To bully the Saintess and even attempt to poison her.

Of course, a woman like that was unfit to become a future queen.

It even seemed that His Highness showed genuine smiles only toward the Saintess.

With me, he spoke only during our obligatory weekly thirty-minute tea gatherings as fiancés.

With the Saintess, he often spent time happily in the courtyard along with Ernesto and Cyril.

That was precisely why I was driven mad by jealousy.

I had convinced myself that I alone was his special woman.

This time, however, my body is in this condition, and I have cleanly cast away any lingering feelings for him in the past.

Very well, let us dissolve the engagement amicably.

If I, the fiancée he secretly finds troublesome, request to end it, he will surely be delighted to deepen his bond with the Saintess.

Knock, knock.

As I renewed my resolve, the door opened and Father peeked in.

“Ah, Rashel, you’re awake.
His Highness, Ernesto, and Lord Cyril have come to visit you.”

Sarah helped me sit up and placed a large cushion behind my back.

Behind Father stood His Highness with his usual smile, along with Ernesto and Cyril.

Wait, he looks the same as always.
Has he not heard about my condition?

I wondered that, but Ernesto and Cyril’s expressions were stiff.

Ah, so they have heard.
And yet he maintains that usual expression.
As expected of the future king.

I could not help but admire him.

“Is it all right for you to sit up?”

“Yes, I lack strength, so please excuse me for remaining in bed.”

“I only wished to see your face, so I will not stay long.”

“I sincerely apologize for taking your time despite your busy schedule.”

I had intended to imply that he should leave quickly, but His Highness acted as though he had not noticed.

On the contrary, he said, “You may wait downstairs,” and had Father and the others leave the room.

He even told Sarah, “If anything is needed, I will call for you. Please wait outside.”

Though she glanced at me anxiously, she had no choice but to obey the Crown Prince.

The room was left with only His Highness and me.

This is… awkward.

He pulled a nearby chair beside the bed and sat down.

If you have seen my face, you may return now, you know.

Of course, I could not say such a thing and could only offer a weak smile.

“I heard from the Marquis about your condition.
It is unfortunate.
You must be suffering greatly, Rashel.”

“No, I believe it may have been for the best.”

Perhaps my answer was so unexpected that His Highness widened his eyes in surprise, his usual smile gone.

Oh, what a rare expression.
So he can make such a normal face as well.

The fact that I could calmly observe him like this truly meant my feelings for him were gone.

“Why?”

“Only now do I realize that I had overestimated myself.”

“Overestimated?
Even without magic, you possess status and a brilliant mind.”

“No, not in that sense.
I have come to understand that, as a person, I lacked so much.”

“Is that so?”

His Highness dropped his smile and narrowed his eyes, studying me.

He crossed his long legs and prompted me to continue.

“I was Your Highness’s fiancée.
Yet I only saw the surface of who you were.

As for the nation itself, I never even tried to learn what kind of people lived here or what they desired.”

“And you regret that?”

“Yes.
Though I have lost my magic and my body does not move as I wish, I have discovered the kindness of others.”

“You are remarkably quick to accept it.”

“I realized immediately that my magic had vanished, and I have my own thoughts regarding the cause.

Though I feel sorry for my parents and those who assist me.”

“May I ask what that cause is?”

“…I am sorry.”

“I see.
Then tell me when you are ready.”

He nodded once, seemingly satisfied despite my vague answers.

I raised my gaze to meet his eyes and steeled myself.

“Your Highness, I believe there is no need to keep someone like me as your fiancée.

Therefore… regarding this engagement—”

“Very well.
Then from now on, I shall visit you frequently.”

“…What?
I was speaking of dissolving the—”

“It is unfortunate that we cannot attend the academy together, but I have student council duties and my responsibilities as Crown Prince, so it cannot be daily.”

“Your Highness.”

“I shall tell you about life at the academy as well.

You said earlier that you saw only my surface, but I believe the same applies to me.
From now on, let us deepen our bond by speaking more.”

He cut me off repeatedly, nothing like the past when he would smile and pretend to listen—rather, ignore—my trivial chatter.

I almost wondered if this truly was the same man.

Leaving my confusion behind, he stood as though the matter were settled and strode toward the door.

With his hand on the doorknob, he turned back and smiled.

It was unlike any smile I had seen before.
It was genuine and filled with amusement.

“Oh, and one more thing.

You referred to yourself as my fiancée in the past tense, but you are still my one and only fiancée.

As for dissolving the engagement, such premature talk will not be entertained again.
Remember that.”

With a casual, “Until next time,” he left the room.

I was left behind, stunned in bed.

What?

He will not dissolve the engagement?

What?!