CH 4

"Yes, His Highness said he had found true love with a commoner... Just like you said."

Mariabelle was taught that a lady should not show her joys, sorrows, and feelings to others, but in this room, she was only with her father.

Therefore, she thought it would be okay to at least confide a bit of what was going through her heart.

"So that's the reason he wants me to be the one to end the engagement..."

Stupid... thing, James thought bitterly.

Perhaps Edward thinks that since the king and queen were also married in love, there is nothing wrong with breaking off his engagement with Mariabelle and taking the one he loves as his wife.

However, the king's marriage to a queen without backing weakened the royal family's power years ago.

It was his marriage to Mariabelle that was going to compensate for this...

Certainly, it may have been pitiful for Edward, who, unlike his parents, had to enter into a political marriage.

But the royal family not only had the Marquisate of Berkeley, but also the daughters of balanced families as candidates for the crown prince's betrothed.

And it was Edward himself who chose Mariabelle at a tea party held when she was a child.

From her father's point of view, he didn't think there was anything wrong with their relationship.

Even if it wasn't a fiery love, the two, who together bore the future of the country, would have developed a gentle affection for each other.

With their engagement, the authority of the royal family was preserved, and the country was supposed to be at peace.

"But now that His Majesty has given his approval, there is nothing we can do about it. This is not your fault. I'm sorry for not being able to help you," James apologized as Mariabelle wept silently in his arms.

The next day, Mariabelle began to prepare for her return to the estate.

She received many invitations to tea ceremonies and balls, perhaps to hear the details of her broken engagement, but she was certain she would feel uncomfortable if she attended.

She took her father's word that she could refuse all invitations, and wrote letters of refusal to all of them.

Some of her friends invited her to meet new people, but she couldn't bring herself to go.

Mariabelle wasn't sure---since she had broken off her engagement to the crown prince---that she would receive another marriage proposal. Most men of the right age and status were already engaged, so she might not be able to get married.

But Mariabelle saw this as an opportunity, since if she gets married and then her husband finds true love, that would be more difficult.

So Mariabelle is beginning to think that it might be a good idea to join a convent, instead of getting married, because she doesn't know what true love is.

She has been taught that it is the duty of nobles to enter into political marriages, but now that she has been told that she can find someone to love, it seems unlikely that she will be able to do so.

If I went back to my estate, my mother would be there. If I asked her, would she be able to tell me what true love is?

However, even though they are now deeply in love, her mother was bound to a political marriage to her father.

I wonder if she will give me the answer I want...

The family attendant came to Mariabelle, who was anxiously preparing to return to her estate, with a sullen look on his face.

"Thomas, what's wrong?"

"Miss, you have a visitor..."

"For me...?"

After breaking off her engagement to Edward, the people whom Mariabelle had considered friends left her in the end, leaving only a few behinds.

They had remained as Mariabelle's friends because of her future as the crown prince's wife and eventually the queen.

When she was reminded that she was no longer engaged to the royal family and would be returning to her estate, she felt that she was worthless, and her heart, which had already been broken, was hurt even more deeply.

However, she told herself that everything would be okay and asked the attendant about the visitor, hoping to know who was the friend who took the trouble to look for her.

Was it Lady Emilia from the Marquisate of Santos? Or Lady Euphemia from the County of Haubstadt? Or who is it...?

"Who came, Thomas?"

"That's..."

A hesitant Thomas makes Mariabelle realize that the visitor is probably an unwelcome guest for her.

So, no friend wants to comfort her wounded heart.

It's probably because Mariabelle---who has always been proud of her self-disciplined life as the crown princess---has no appeal of any sort.

That is why Edward fell in love with a commoner girl and not Mariabelle.

Her heart was heavy because she felt that everything about herself was worthless.

My parents told me to find someone I loved.

She never doubted the love of her parents and brother, and she is also cherished by the servants who work for the Marquis's family. However, isn't that because they are her family and employers?

If Mariabelle was just Mariabelle, would there really be anyone who would love her...?

"I'm not feeling well, so please, refuse," she said, unspeakable despair creeping up from beneath her feet.

However, even though Mariabelle really wanted to go back to her room right now, the attendant words stopped her.

"I can't do that, miss. The crown prince has secretly come to visit you."