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"Here you go".
"Thank you."
The Duchess of Ewell and I spoke to each other in emotionless tones and stared out of separate windows in the carriage with blank expressions on our faces.
'".......""
There is no conversation, and we can sense that we are both in a sour mood.
This bitch, whether parent or not, resist to the end, look, there's a guy staring at this carriage from a distance, that's probably the protagonist, and run towards there.
Although I'm not actually speaking, I'm swearing in my own mind.
How did this come to be? It goes back to the time when I arrived at the ducal residence.
ーーーーー
'Hello Count Dickaman, I've been waiting for you!"
"Thank you for welcoming me, Duke Ewell."
'Just take it easy."
As I approach the duke's residence, I gradually become more and more depressed, but encouraged by Mina and the guards who are accompanying me, I am somehow able to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
Now, what should we do?
My daughter is already ready, but it's a little early for the party."
Is he insane?
"No, I have a few things I want to do in the capital, so if His Excellency the Duke of Ewell is ready, I'll head to the capital as soon as I possibly"
There was no way I would stay in a place like this where I would not be able to sleep for fear of assassination.
The duke's territory is full of natural born assassins who don't have good feelings for the count family, so of course they want to leave as soon as possible.
What does he think I've arranged to arrive at the duke's residence in the morning for?
In case of emergency, I am protected by accessories from the temple, but there is a possibility that the servants who have arrived may be in danger.
Aside from Mina, who has recently trained and has a strong bodyguard, the maids and the servants are in danger because I don't know if they can even resist.
"I'll need a couple of hours to prepare."
"Yes, of course.'
I see the duke back to the house and return to my carriage.
"Welcome back."
"Ah."
This space is a great comfort to me after a long day of talking to the Duke, a man I don't trust.
"Shall we leave now?"
No, I'll wait a couple of hours for the Duke to get ready. Everyone should get some rest."
"Yes, of course."
I was glad that we could rest for two hours, even though it was for the Duke's convenience, since he had made me get up a little early today.
I approach Mina, who is sitting and relaxing in the sun.
"How are you feeling?"
"Mmm, still a little sleepy. ......"
The Spartan education of Naamis made it impossible to get a good night's sleep at the Count's mansion, and Mina, who spent most of the trip sleeping, is in a constant state of light fluff.
"But it is getting much better."
I can remember some things, and I think I'll be able to return to normal in about two more days. ......
"That's good."
"Yeah."
It's a mixture of honorifics and normal tone of voice, something that makes me feel at ease with the distance between us.
"Then, you can have a good rest".
"Thank you. ......"
Now, if it were true, I would have been happy to just sit here with Mina in a daze,
"What is it?"
I noticed that my fiancée was watching me from a little distance away, and I realized that this was bothering me and I couldn't relax, so I approached her and spoke to her.
'Why did you come?'"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean to the Duke's house."
Even if you ask me why, I think it's normal for me to visit my fiancé's house for a party that I'm required to attend with my partner.
'A party hosted by the royal family requires a partner, and it's normal to visit your fiancée's house, no?"
I don't want to be with you, I'll find someone else and so should you."
That's all well and good, but will the duke, who seems a bit strange, allow it?
"I would appreciate it, since I have to greet the king with my partner, and it will be more difficult to break off the engagement once I am introduced as your fiancée."
"!"
"I am ready to accept the request for renunciation as soon as it is made, so the duchess of Ewell should also inform His Highness the duke that she wishes to renounce."
"...... Okay!"
She's trying to act normal, but it's obvious that she's pleased.
I don't know what the Duke will make of it, but it is difficult to change the fundamentals, no matter how little they have changed.
If the daughter tells him in her own words that she wants to break off the engagement, perhaps he will ......
'Then we will go to the royal capital in a different carriage, shall we?"
"Of course."
"Yes, then, if you'll excuse me."
I don't want to fall in love for a while, even if it's for political purposes.
I'll have to get together with someone in the future, but I'll take it easy for a couple of years.
"This may be the last time we speak, so goodbye."
I won. ......!
If the duke gives up now and asks for the engagement to be broken off, 90% of my hard work will be saved.
"It's the most refreshing feeling I've had since I acquired the knowledge."
I am so happy that I really want to start dancing. To maintain my dignity, I will not actually dance, but at least allow me to mutter something.
The duke was smiling as he returned to the count's carriage, talking with the guards and servants and having a good time.
Unaware that my mood would drop drastically with a word from the duke after he had finished his preparations,.......
"You two engaged couples should go in the same carriage."
What ......?