CH 3

James was surprised to see her daughter crying, as this was unusual for her, so immediately got up, stopped by her side, and hugged her gently.

I’ve been hugged like this before in my childhood memories, but ever since I became the crown prince’s fiancée. This is because the opposite sex is not allowed to touch the crown prince’s fiancée, even if they are father and son.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that, Mariabelle…”

Her father’s nostalgic warmth made Mariabelle cry aloud, unable to hold back her tears.

“Oh, Father…”

Mariabelle didn’t fall in love with Edward, but ever since they first met, she had been trying hard to be a suitable queen for him.

She studied hard, and even reduced her sleep hours, so that she could make up for what Edward lacked.

Even though I was exhausted from practicing dances until they were perfect, I continued to study even after those sessions by being whipped on the back of my hand when I was about to fall asleep.

That wasn’t love, but she worked hard to become a family and to support Edward, because she had feelings, even if it wasn’t those of a couple.

I believed that one day it would become love… by staying close to him.

Mariabelle’s parents were also united by a political marriage, but from their daughter’s point of view, they are a close couple. She hoped to create a peaceful family like her parents, even if it wasn’t a love marriage like the king and queen.

Edward, who was two years older than Mariabelle, was always kind to her, and that’s why she thought those peaceful days would continue forever.

And yet, those days were taken away by ‘true love’ in a heartbeat.

The days that Mariabelle had spent had come to nothing.

“What—? Is there… something wrong with me?”

The uncertainty of love has taken away Mariabelle’s efforts.

I will never go back.

“Did you hear from His Highness about the woman?” James, who was gently stroking Mariabelle’s head until she stopped crying, looked anxiously into her face as he asked this.

Shaking her head, she let out a heavy sigh, “I don’t…”

“She’s the daughter of a commoner.”

“…a commoner?”

Mariabelle’s eyes widen in surprise, and James gives her a pained look, wondering if she didn’t know.

Edward’s partner is a commoner, a tavern girl he encountered as he was passing by.

He met her when she was operating as a daytime diner; they started walking when her parents told her it was time to work as a waitress, and that’s when Edward realized he couldn’t let that happen.

Even though she was a commoner, she was the daughter of a tavern owner, not the daughter of one of the leading merchants in the country. She had no backing.

When James heard this on the way to the mansion, his eyes turned red with anger.

He broke off his engagement to his daughter who had no defects or flaws and chose the tavern’s daughter as his new fiancée. His actions were enough to make a fool of the historic Marquisate of Berkeley.

If he loves her so much, he should have taken her as his mistress after marrying Mariabelle, avoiding losing a great asset having gained nothing.

As a tavern girl, that would be an honor too small for her position.

However, Edward insisted on having her as his queen, and he never doubted that his opinion would be unconditionally accepted.

That is probably why he directly asked Mariabelle to break off the engagement, without any kind of preliminary agreement.

The king was surprised to hear this. However, he forgave Edward when he heard that he had obtained Mariabelle’s approval as well.

James, who had just arrived at the palace, was immediately informed by the king that the engagement had been broken off, and he was so angry that he was speechless.

He tried to protest, but the king, who had a soft spot for the heir to the throne, simply said that it was all right as long as Mariabelle was satisfied.

Moreover, he even told his son that it would be preferable for him to marry someone who would love him as much as he loves her.

What on earth was the purpose of Edward and Mariabelle’s engagement? Wasn’t it for Edward’s sake, who had no backing?

James left the king’s presence and hurried home.