As the Villainess Who Was Dumped, I Am Saved by My Childhood Friend from a Noble Family and Spoiled in the Frontier - Chapter 25

“What do you mean, Nina? You’re not the type of person to smolder away in my territory. The path to glorious success in the royal capital suits you much better.”

Lord Franz looks surprised.

I’m surprised myself by the words that suddenly spilled out.

“But…”

“Didn’t His Majesty the Emperor say it himself? You’re a victim. Certainly, there might be some strange rumors circulating in high society. But you shouldn’t concern yourself with people who use such dirty tactics. You’re a splendid woman. Just be yourself. If you do that, smiles will naturally gather around you. That’s the kind of person you are.”

Lord Franz passionately urges me to retract my statement. He’s speaking from the heart, thinking of me. It makes me incredibly happy. I’m so praised that my face grows hot with embarrassment.

“Margrave Franz. Shouldn’t we hear Duchess Nina’s reasoning? You must know she’s an intelligent woman. If she wants to remain in your territory, there must be some reason, right? Won’t you tell us, Nina?”

His Majesty the Emperor gazed at me gently and nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. During my period of reflection, I was assisting with Lord Franz’s work.”

“Ah, I’ve heard about that! Apparently, you were quite active as an expert in Wolfsburg language!”

“Yes, thank you. I was allowed to help with interpretation work and office duties.”

“I see, I see.”

“And I ended up falling in love with that work. When I was in the royal capital, I was the Crown Prince’s fiancée and Duchess Nina. I was a person whose status and position came before anything else. In fact, the moment my engagement to the Crown Prince was broken off, I lost everything. I became a person with nothing.”

“……”

“……”

Both of them fell silent.

But this preface is necessary to convey my true feelings.

“That’s why my life in the margraviate saved me. Lord Franz, Maria, the townspeople and government officials, the citizens who come with petitions – they didn’t see me as the Crown Prince’s fiancée or Duchess Nina. I was able to live as a human being, simply as Nina. Through my life in that land, I was reborn as a person. And I want to continue that life even more!!”

His Majesty smiled gently and nodded in agreement.

“I see. You’ve grown even more, Nina. I know it’s not my place to say this. But since this might be the last time, I want to say it properly. Will you listen?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’ve been watching you since you were little. I still think of Nina as if she were my own daughter. That’s why I understood perfectly well that your earlier words came from your true heart.”

His Majesty gently patted my head.

“What father wouldn’t listen to his daughter’s selfish request? Margrave Franz, I’m counting on you to take care of my daughter.”

“Understood.”

Then His Majesty whispered in my ear.

(“I see, so you’ve found your place, Nina. I’m sorry we couldn’t become a real family, but be happy with Franz. I can’t take responsibility beyond that. If you want something, win it with your own strength, okay?”)

I slowly absorbed the words of the other father who had always supported me.