I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 22

After staying at the villa for two days, we headed to the royal capital by carriage. It took three days from the villa to the royal castle, but since we stayed at inns at night, it wasn’t as grueling as the sea voyage, and the days passed in the blink of an eye.

The investigations into Father and the others, as well as Loin, were at a standstill with neither side willing to concede. Since there was no physical evidence, both testimonies lacked decisive proof, making it difficult for the knight order to reach a judgment.

After arriving at the royal castle, I greeted Their Majesties of the Rofeus Kingdom and apologized for the trouble I had caused.

Their Majesties said that it was only Father and the others who lied who were at fault, and that I had done nothing wrong.

They also requested that I spend some time as a fiancée, deepen my relationship with Lord Edith, and then consider marriage.

Given the ongoing dispute over Father and the others, I don’t think it’s the right time to be discussing marriage.

His Majesty took the opportunity of my stay in this castle to order Lord Edith to stop hiding his face. At the same time, it was decided that he would reveal his true face in public at the upcoming engagement announcement party.

As I left the audience chamber and was being led to my room by a maid, Lord Edith asked me, “Why would your mother protect her husband?”

“I can only speculate, but I think it was said to be for my sister’s sake.”

“Was the Queen particularly fond of Princess Ramula?”

“Yes. It’s not that Mother dislikes my brother, but I don’t think she was particularly fond of him either.”

“Could it be because Prince Rix didn’t dote on Princess Ramula?”

“I think so.”

If he had pretended to dote on my sister, even if it was a lie, my brother might have had an easier life. But he didn’t do that probably because his pride wouldn’t allow it.

Seeing me nod, Lord Edith made a troubled face, so I asked, “Is something wrong?”

“No, I’ll tell you the rest when we’re alone. Though it might be too soon for us to be alone in your room.”

“We’re engaged, so I don’t mind.”

“Then let’s talk in your room.”

As I smiled, Lord Edith gave an embarrassed grin.

The room I would be living in from now on had a fireplace and sofa at the far end, an armchair by the window, a large canopy bed, a writing desk, a dresser, a bookshelf, and more—it was even more luxurious than the room I had in the Yusers Kingdom.

“Wow!”

“I’m glad you like it,” the maid said with a smile, quickly prepared tea, and left the room.

As we sat side by side on the sofa, Lord Edith began to speak.

“According to a message from Nana, it seems the King has started saying that Prince Rix isn’t his son either.”

“…Why would he say that? I’ve heard that my brother’s features resemble Father’s from his youth.”

As I expressed my surprise, Lord Edith answered with a wry smile.

“My parents also knew about the dispute over your hair and eye color being different. During our journey, my father contacted me, saying they had secretly investigated it back then.”

“Is that so? Um, by ‘investigated,’ do you mean whether my mother was unfaithful?”

“No, not that. It’s the opposite.”

“…The opposite?”

“They investigated your father.”

“Father?”

Why would they investigate Father? Even though it was Mother who gave birth to me.

“Dahlia, didn’t you think it was strange that the King stubbornly suspected the Queen of infidelity?”

“I did. My brother said the same thing.”

“Right. So, my parents thought there must be something that made him suspect infidelity. Apparently, other royal families from different countries thought the same.”

He paused there, took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, and then continued.

“As a result of the investigation, it was found that the King had been frequently traveling abroad around the time Prince Rix was born.”

“So, he assumed she was unfaithful during the times he was away?”

“That’s right. Do you understand why he would think that?”

The fact that he’s frowning means it’s not good news.

The reason he stubbornly suspected infidelity.

…Could it be?

“Because he was unfaithful himself?”

“Exactly.”

So, he felt guilty because he was unfaithful, and that’s why he assumed Mother was too!

If that really was the reason, I’m too stunned for words!