I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 15

After Father left, the entrance hall fell completely silent. My sister’s ladies-in-waiting stood frozen with pale faces, and Mother looked troubled, unsure whether she should follow Father or remain here.

The one who broke the silence was my sister, who had been pressing her lips tightly together.

“…Your Highness Edith, I have a request. Would you allow me to speak with Dahlia?”

“Didn’t you already say your farewells?”

“We’re about to be separated. Isn’t it natural to want more time? Though we’ve talked before this day came, I want to speak properly with Dahlia, Mother, and myself – the three of us together.”

My sister pleaded with tear-filled eyes. Lady Edith heaved a heavy sigh before silently looking at me.

Understanding that she was leaving the decision to me, I shook my head.

“I have nothing more to say to my sister.”

“I see. Then—”

“It’s not you who wants to speak. It’s Ramula who wants to talk!”

At Mother’s sharp interruption, both Lady Edith and my brother reacted by furrowing their brows. Before either could speak, my sister took action.

“Please, Dahlia. I want you to hear me out.”

With those words, my sister dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to the carpet.

This is underhanded. If I refuse my sister’s request in front of all these maids and soldiers, I’ll be seen as a terrible person.

—That’s right.

The days of trembling with fear of being disliked more are over.

The current me needs neither love from my parents nor kindness from my sister.

“Sister, please raise your head.”

“…Thank you, Dahlia. Let’s talk somewhere else.”

My sister, helped up by Mother, gave a fragile smile and urged me to follow. A nearby soldier seemed captivated by my sister’s expression.

I don’t know if it’s because he likes her face, but I have concerns about a soldier guarding the castle entrance behaving this way.

After thinking this, I returned my attention to my sister before me.

“Sister, I apologize, but I wish to depart now. If you insist, please send me a letter.”

“Wait! I want to speak with you face to face properly!”

“Then please speak briefly right here.”

“…Fine. But I don’t want Lady Edith and the others to hear.”

Lady Edith and my brother exchanged glances before silently moving away from us. When Nana, the soldiers, and maids similarly distanced themselves, my sister began speaking in a low voice.

“Dahlia, I’ll return Loin to you. So please yield Lady Edith to me.”

“I don’t need you to return Loin. Furthermore, yielding Lady Edith is impossible.”

“Lady Edith seems like such a kind person. If you asked her, I’m sure she would agree to marry me.”

Looking at my sister clutching my hands and pleading, I wondered:

Where does such confidence come from?

It’s also puzzling that she genuinely believes such a thing would be permitted. Moreover, she seems to have forgotten about the document she just signed.

“Are you finished talking?”

“Yes!”

Responding cheerfully to Lady Edith’s question, my sister released my hands and declared without hesitation:

“I apologize for the confusion. Your Highness Edith, I shall marry you!”

“…What?”

Lady Edith asked back with a dumbfounded expression. My brother was pinching the bridge of his glasses and sighing.

Well, that’s to be expected.

My sister placed a hand on her chest and appealed:

“I am the one worthy of being your wife.”

“You seem to have forgotten, but you said you didn’t want to marry me, and you signed a document stating you wouldn’t seek reconciliation.”

“Th-that was because Lady Edith was being mean. I consider it invalid.”

“I wasn’t being mean. Once a contract is made, it’s natural to honor it.”

“We can just cancel the contract.”

“…Would you please stop this?”

Lady Edith’s tone lowered, and her previously gentle expression turned cold.

Her manner of speech was no longer polite either.

“Let me be clear. I don’t want to marry someone who tries to easily break contracts they’ve made. Therefore, me marrying you is impossible.”

“That can’t be…!”

My sister’s smile vanished instantly, and tears began pooling in her eyes.