I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 23

More than ten days had passed since Dahlia departed on her journey.

Since the investigation began, even when speaking with Father or Mother, knights were present to monitor me. The only time my heart could find peace was when I was alone in my room.

My life had always been smooth sailing.

I was loved by many, and my smile alone could make people happy. But now, things were different. Some people were avoiding me, and the knights were looking at me with cold eyes.

Rix’s attitude was the same. Until now, he had always treated me with a harmless, neutral demeanor. Yet now, I felt like he was looking at me with scorn.

Why do I have to be blamed?

I did everything for Dahlia’s sake. I even sullied myself because Father told me to. He said it would make Dahlia happy.

I’m the victim here. Deceived not by Father, but by Mother!

While I was stewing in my frustration, Rix visited without warning. I invited him into my room and asked him to sit on the sofa, but he declined. The maid Dahlia had been fond of was apparently still here, standing expressionlessly behind him.

“I have something to report to you, Sister.”

“What is it?”

I hoped that perhaps his suspicions of me had finally cleared. But that wasn’t it.

“Prince Edith and Dahlia’s engagement has been officially recognized, and an engagement party will be held soon. Preparations for the ceremony are also underway behind the scenes, so please send a congratulatory gift if you wish.”

“Wait a moment!”

I stopped Rix as he tried to leave after saying what he came to say.

“Prince Edith is choosing Dahlia? Not me?”

When I asked, Rix looked at me with exasperation.

“Sister. You were the one who disliked the idea of marrying Prince Edith, weren’t you? Even if we pretended the documents you signed never existed, no ordinary person would choose someone who disliked them, would they?”

“That’s because I didn’t know anything back then! Anyone would hate marrying someone who looked like a monster!”

“Dahlia didn’t hate it. Precisely because of that, Prince Edith decided to make Dahlia his wife. I believe his judgment is correct.”

“Rix! Why are you being so cruel!? This is the first time I’ve ever felt like this! Couldn’t you at least support your sister’s love?”

When I pleaded through tears, Rix pushed up the bridge of his glasses and smiled.

“Father and the others are supporting your love, aren’t they? I’ve decided to dedicate myself to ensuring my younger sister’s happiness.”

“This is awful! Too awful!”

My crying and screaming were in vain. Rix had said what he came to say and left the room with the maid.

Dahlia is so sly!

She’s trying to push Loin onto me and be the only one to find happiness!

—That’s it.

I should use Loin!

Loin might be my enemy, but when it comes to not wanting Prince Edith and Dahlia to marry, we’re allies.

Dahlia loved Loin. She isn’t the type to abandon her feelings so easily, so if Loin persuades her, she might give up on marrying Prince Edith.

If I approach Prince Edith while he’s heartbroken over Dahlia’s betrayal, make him fall for me, and have him destroy the document I signed, I can become Prince Edith’s wife. If I become the wife of such a wonderful person, many people would rejoice. That would mean making many people happy.

If things work out between Dahlia and Loin, she’d be happy too, and the people of the Rofeus Kingdom would surely be happier with beautiful me as the bride rather than Dahlia.

Even if I were carrying Loin’s child in my womb, I could just not let it be born.

Anyway, I should talk to Loin.

At that time, I didn’t want Prince Edith and Dahlia to marry.

That was all I could think about. So, I had completely forgotten that I had lied about being assaulted by Loin and had angered him.