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.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Tbaum56
Xavier O'Donoghue
Anton Lim
Baelee
Christopher Feliciano
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
SD Fox
Sébastien Dionne
Z
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----