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Valentin's
expression did not change, but Hugo unusually raised his voice.
（The White Palace is short on
maids, after all! It's perfect.）
Candice
looked proud to have been able to voice the idea she had thought of yesterday.
At times like this, it was better to act as a selfish Imperial Princess
who didn't understand the circumstances. Doing that in front of Valentin
was terrifying. But right now, Monfa was the priority. Besides, this was
atonement for having continuously made a fool of Hugo's clan in the
past.
（The opposite of continuously making
a fool of them is…… the opposite is, I don't really know, but it's saving them!）
However, Hugo showed no signs of swaying to Candice's
words. Candice was hesitating on what she should do, but she sent a
glance at Valentin, who had been watching the exchange the whole time.
（Now that it's come to this, it's all
or nothing……!）
Hugo
must have understood what she was about to do from Candice's gaze. It
was when he reached out his hand as if to stop her.
「Otou-sama, I beg of you!」
「………………」
At Candice's voice, her gaze met Valentin's.
While flinching at the expressionless Valentin, as Candice waited
for an answer…….
「No.」
「Eh……?」
Candice
was astounded that her request had not been granted. Completely unable to
accept it, Candice asked while keeping her eyes fixed on Valentin.
「Why is that?」
「It is Hugo's decision.
Besides, it is still too early for you to go outside.」
「……!」
Unconsciously, she had thought Valentin would take
her side. At the same time, she felt like she was going to be crushed by shame.
（As expected, I am not loved by
Otou-sama…… I knew that, but why did I misunderstand?）
Being confronted with reality once again, Candice's
heart ached.
「Candice, are you listening?」
Valentin
reached out his hand to Candice, who was looking down.
──Smack
Candice
shook off that arm with all her might. Precisely because she thought things
might have been going well up until now, Candice was unbearably sad and
pained.
「Otou-sama always says no, no,
nothing but that……! Why won't you understand!」
「…………!」
Tears streamed down Candice's cheeks. She couldn't
control her emotions well. Even though she thought she shouldn't say it, the
words flew out of her mouth on their own.
「──I hate you, Otou-sama!」
After shouting that, Candice turned her back on Valentin and the others and ran off.
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