Days in
the Jilgista Kingdom 4
And yet, the evening banquet I arrived at had already
finished the reward ceremony, and light music was playing.
Beneath the dazzling chandeliers hanging heavily from the
ceiling, people were taking each other's hands and stepping happily.
「Ah, I didn't make it in time, did I.」
A sigh of disappointment naturally spilled out. I'm useless
no matter what I do, huh. I just worked hard so that the people living in this
country could become even a little richer, and above all, for Carter-sama's
sake.
「Layla, you came.」
「Carter-sama!」
Carter-sama came
to greet me as I stood near the entrance. With just that alone, my sunken
feelings surfaced.
「I apologize for keeping you waiting.
The reward ceremony has already ended, hasn't it.」
「Yeah, and because of that, I have
something to tell you. Follow me.」
「Yes.」
Carter-sama
turned on his heel and began walking briskly. In an unfamiliar dress and shoes,
just chasing after him was difficult. Pinching the hem of my dress and jogging
as I followed behind him, Carter-sama stopped in a place where many
people were gathered.
「Your Highness, I have brought her.」
Tension ran through me at the words "Your Highness".
The silver-haired young man visible beyond Carter-sama was unmistakably His
Highness the Second Prince of this country.
Ah, so Carter-sama had acknowledged me after all. I
don't mind if the research results are credited to Carter-sama. But,
even so, I still wanted words of appreciation for my labor.
「It is a pleas……」
「Layla, I am breaking off my engagement with you and marrying Aisha.」
My attempt to greet him with a curtsy was interrupted by Carter-sama's
words. Eh? What did he just say?
「Breaking off the engagement……?」
Looking at Carter-sama, wondering if I had misheard
something, Aisha smoothly appeared and entwined her arm with Carter-sama's.
「U-Um. What does this mean……」
「This engagement was originally
arranged by the royal family for the sake of my Raybeen Earl Family,
which works on medicinal herb research. I had endured until now, thinking I
couldn't break it off on my own, but this time, His Highness the Second
Prince has given his approval to change my fiancée to Aisha.」
Aisha snuggled
up to Carter-sama as if leaning on him, floating a smile that incited a
desire to protect her.
「Could you please let me hear the
reason?」
Suppressing my trembling voice, I kept up an appearance of
calm as much as possible. In truth, I felt like crying and screaming, but if I
did such a thing, I would smear mud on the Wilbas Viscount Family.
Besides, His Highness the Second Prince was right in front of my eyes.
As I tightly gripped my hands and braced my trembling legs
inside my dress, I was called out to from an unexpected direction.
「I see, it is indeed just as Carter
says. Not changing your expression in the slightest in such a situation, you
are a truly cold-hearted young lady.」
「His Highness the Second Prince……」
「I have heard about you from Carter.
Even though you are inefficient at your work and a hindrance to the research,
you do nothing but state your opinions and assertions despite being a woman,
lacking any charm. And on top of that, I hear you claimed Carter's
research results as your own?」
「That's…… With all due respect, I
never did such a thing……」
As if telling me to shut up, His Highness the Second
Prince directed his palm towards me, restraining my speech, and shot me a
cold gaze.
「And the only things that come out of
your mouth are words of self-defense like 'but' and 'because'. Even now, it is
exactly like that.」
His eyes and attitude were saying that he would not permit
me to speak any further. Due to the intimidating aura emitting from His
Highness the Second Prince, the blood drained from my face, and cold sweat
ran down my back.
「His Highness the Second Prince has acknowledged that Aisha, who supports me in the
shadows, is more fitting as a fiancée than you, who only thinks about standing
out.」
「Oneesama, I am sorry.」
「There is no need for you to
apologize, Aisha. It is all because Layla is inadequate. I will
explain it to Viscount Wilbas, so do not butt in.」
The two of them exchanged passionate gazes right in front of
me. I had thought in the corner of my mind that a day like this might come
eventually.
I don't care anymore.
Emotions that could be taken as either resignation or
disappointment welled up in my chest.
No one is looking at my efforts. No one will listen to my
words. If I state my own thoughts, I am told I lack charm or that it is
self-defense, and I no longer have the will to say anything.
His Highness the Second Prince of this country who unilaterally decided I am the bad guy
and wouldn't give me room to explain, the fiancé who only uses me, and my
younger sister—I don't need them.
「Understood. I accept the annulment
of the engagement.」
「I'm glad you understand.」
「And I am also quitting the
laboratory.」
「Wha—, you!」
My words seemed to be something completely unexpected for Carter-sama,
and he looked at me with wide eyes.
「I am inefficient, and I cannot
support you, Carter-sama. Staying here any longer will only make me a
hindrance, after all.」
「You, that is exactly what I mean by
you lacking charm. Sulking, maliciously troubling me, and enjoying it; your
personality is twisted beyond belief.」
「That's right, if you turn over a new
leaf, Oneesama, Carter-sama will forgive you for everything up
until now.」
Suddenly, the two of them started to panic. Of course. Those
two actually realize it as well. Who does the research, and who does the
chores. What will happen to the laboratory if I am gone.
「If you think that way, wouldn't it
be even better to get me out of the laboratory? There should be plenty of
people to replace someone like me. Your Highness, could you not arrange
for someone more fitting than my inadequate self for the sake of Carter-sama
and my sister?」
「I see, despite being a woman, you
rebel against a man's words one by one. It is certain that you will be of no
use to Carter. Do not worry, there are many capable personnel who are
far more excellent than you.」
His Highness the Second Prince threw a gaze of contempt at me. This person is the same as Carter-sama.
He doesn't have the mind to listen to opinions from both sides.
「Then, if you will excuse me.」
I did the best curtsy I could manage and left that place.
And then, I headed straight for the door and left the venue.
The click-clack of my footsteps echoed in the sparsely populated hallway. I am not thinking about what lies ahead right now. Father and Mother will probably be happy that Aisha has become the fiancée. Because the only one important to the two of them is Aisha.
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