Chapter 44: The Engagement Annulment at the Ball
“L-Lucas! Do you even know where you are!?”
“Of course. We’re at the Duke Lecherie’s mansion, in the midst of a ball organized by the faction trying to make Prince Slay our king. Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I wandered in here by mistake. I apologize for the interruption. Please, continue the ball without worrying about me.”
“Wha—g…”
Prince Slay appeared to be biting back his emotions, visibly struggling to contain himself.
Even if I were to give the order to remove Lucas from here, he is still a prince of this kingdom, just like Prince Slay. No one would dare to treat him roughly, even if he belongs to Slay’s faction.
Prince Slay had no choice but to tolerate Lucas’s presence.
But with this, it would seem as though Prince Slay had been outmaneuvered by Lucas. The disappointment in the eyes of the surrounding nobles as they looked at Slay was palpable.
Prince Slay was revealing his weakness of being unable to improvise in unexpected situations. If the roles were reversed, Lucas would likely handle it better. If I think so, then the seasoned nobles must be picking up on it as well.
“Damn it… Silence! There was an unexpected guest, but it’s not a problem. Allow me to introduce again! The treasure of the Marquis Puridi family, the lady Lily Puridi, who has connected us with Duke Lecherie!”
With Prince Slay’s introduction, a spotlight illuminated a single point in the venue.
Standing there was an unparalleled beauty clad in a deep crimson dress.
Lily Puridi gracefully bowed with perfect poise and began to walk slowly toward the front of the stage.
Many nobles gasped in awe at her beauty. The atmosphere, previously stirred by Lucas, tightened under Lily’s every move, and now she commanded the room.
With Prince Slay’s support, Lily ascended the stage and stood before the gathered nobles.
“I am Lily Puridi. I would like to take this opportunity to make an announcement to everyone gathered here.”
Lily cast a brief glance at Duke Lecherie. The Duke, mesmerized by her beauty, wore a lewd grin as if imagining how he could manipulate her to his will.
Little did he know that such a future would never come to pass.
“I, Lily Puridi, hereby annul my engagement to Duke Lecherie.”
The declaration of the annulment froze the air in the venue.
Everyone doubted their own ears, and soon after, they questioned Lily’s sanity. She appeared relieved, even smiling as she placed a hand on her chest.
“W-what… are you saying!?”
The first to raise his voice was Prince Slay.
“Do you even understand what you’re saying!?”
“Yes, of course, Your Highness Slay. I am annulling my engagement to Duke Lecherie. I have no intention of marrying into the Lecherie family.”
“W-what…?”
Lily’s clarity left Prince Slay momentarily speechless. Instead, it was Duke Lecherie who raised his voice in anger.
“You insolent girl! Are you mocking me!?”
Duke Lecherie stormed toward Lily, who glanced back at me.
“After all the attention I’ve given you! An engagement annulment!? How dare you! Do you even understand what an honor it is to become my wife!?”
“Honor? My worth is not determined by such things, Duke Lecherie. No matter how beautiful the dress, how exquisite the meals, or how high the status of my partner, none of that aligns with my idea of honor. My honor is something I earn through how I live my life!”
“Silence!”
As Lily turned and retorted, Duke Lecherie raised his right hand, preparing to strike her cheek, just as he had done before. Realizing this, Lily leaned back, as if to throw herself off the edge of the stage.
“Watch out!” someone shouted. But Lily remained unfazed.
She believed wholeheartedly that I would catch her below.
“Don’t do anything reckless, my lady.”
“I believed my knight would catch me.”
With that, Lily wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled softly. Though, to be honest, it was quite a close call…
“Therefore, Your Highness Slay, please don’t mind me and continue the ball.”
“Continue? How can we continue!? Marquis Puridi, what is wrong with your daughter!?”
“What do you mean by ‘wrong’?”
Marquis Puridi, who had been nearby, shrugged in response.
“Well, she’s still my beautiful daughter, just as she always has been.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about! This is not the agreement!”
“Not the agreement? That’s a strange thing to say. The engagement between my daughter and Duke Lecherie was something he pushed for forcefully. You were troubled by it, weren’t you, Your Highness Slay?”
“W-what are you talking about!?”
Prince Slay’s eyes widened as he turned to Marquis Puridi. This exchange was not part of the plan. Slay was bewildered by the sudden, unfamiliar topic, and both Lily and I were at a loss regarding Marquis Puridi’s intentions.
Amidst this, only Prince Lucas managed to respond to Marquis Puridi’s improvisation.
“That’s good to hear. I was actually worried about my brother. I thought perhaps he was too close to Duke Lecherie.”
“Lucas too…? What on earth are you talking about!?”
“Actually, the reason I came here today was to speak with Duke Lecherie.”
“You wish to speak with me…!?”
Duke Lecherie, still seething with anger, shouted at Prince Lucas. Unfazed, Lucas nodded confidently and pulled out a piece of parchment from his pocket.
“Duke Greed Lecherie, you are hereby charged with the abduction of citizens of the kingdom and selling them into slavery to other countries. A warrant for your arrest has been issued in the name of His Majesty the King. I must ask you to accompany me to the Royal Castle.”