I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 28

By the time I finished preparing, Lady Edith had already changed and was waiting for me in the vacant room next to mine.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting.”

“…You seem different today.”

Today I was wearing the crimson dress Lady Edith had gifted me. I’d worn party dresses before, but since I had plain features, Loin always said warm colors didn’t suit me and would only give me cool-toned dresses.

I never thought cool-toned dresses looked bad on me. But when I slipped into this deep crimson dress today, I was surprised at how dramatically it changed my appearance.

“Does it look strange?”

“Not at all. It suits you. You look absolutely beautiful.”

“I’m glad. Thank you. You look wonderful today too, Lady Edith.”

This was the first time anyone had ever called me beautiful. Even though I knew it was probably just polite conversation, I couldn’t help but smile simply because of the compliment.

“Thank you. Shall we go then?”

“Yes.”

Escorted by Lady Edith, we headed to the venue by carriage. Using Lady Edith’s authority, we had Nana join us despite her initial reluctance. As soon as the carriage started moving, I spoke to her.

“Are you my brother’s partner for today?”

“Yes. I’ve received permission from His Majesty of the Rofeus Kingdom as well.”

“So, you couldn’t make that decision on your own since you’re the partner of another country’s crown prince?”

“That’s not exactly it, but reporting such matters is important.”

“…I see.”

It might be different from reporting, but informing them beforehand might prevent any strange misunderstandings.

“Lady Edith, today I intend to confront my sister about matters related to my former fiancé. Please remember that whatever feelings I had are in the past, and they don’t exist anymore.”

“Yes. I thought as much, but I’m still glad you told me.”

“I’m glad I told you then.”

As we smiled at each other, Nana cleared her throat loudly.

“I’m truly happy to see you two getting along so well. But for now, please focus.”

“You’re right. My apologies.”

Just as I apologized to Nana, the carriage came to a stop, having apparently arrived at the guest palace.

We parted ways with Nana at the entrance and entered through the back door. A maid informed us that my father and sister were already in the grand hall. While the engagement party would feature words from His Majesty of the Rofeus Kingdom, today’s event was a pre-celebration party; essentially a condemnation party.

The grand hall wasn’t as large as a ballroom, but it could accommodate about fifty people.

Since only royalty and dignitaries from neighboring countries and nations with close ties to the Yusers Kingdom were invited, we were to sit at a large oval table for discussions.

We greeted both Their Majesties of the Rofeus Kingdom, who had been waiting in the preparation room. Though it was earlier than the scheduled start time, since all attendees had gathered, we entered the grand hall together with Their Majesties.

My father and sister were seated right near the door, and my sister stood up and cried out.

“Dahlia! I truly feel terrible about what happened to you! But please listen! It was all Loin’s fault!”

Not only was this a setting that would make even a duke nervous, but with both Their Majesties of the Rofeus Kingdom standing by, my sister whom I hadn’t seen in so long continued without any regard for the surroundings.

“We used to be such close sisters, didn’t we? There’s no way I would betray you!”

“You might want to blame someone else now that you know Loin’s true nature, but the ones at fault are Loin and your mother who gave the orders. Please forgive Ramula.”

My father said with a furrowed brow.

Your mother… huh.

Now that he mentioned it, I’d never heard my father call my mother by her name.

All I’d ever heard was ‘the queen’ or ‘my wife,’ or sometimes even ‘hey.’

My father never loved my mother.

If only I’d realized this sooner, I might have understood that my father had no affection for her.

What did my mother hope to achieve by clinging to this man?

Just as I yearned for my family’s love, did my mother yearn for my father’s love too?

Is that why she sacrificed herself for the sister he doted on?

“Dahlia?”

Lady Edith’s voice brought me back to myself.

…Now isn’t the time for such thoughts.

I took a deep breath and then curtsied.

“My apologies. Everyone, what you are about to witness may be unpleasant. I beg your forgiveness.”

Since this outcome had been anticipated and explained to the guests beforehand, everyone seated nodded in agreement without objection.

Both Their Majesties of the Rofeus Kingdom also nodded silently and took their designated seats.

Lady Edith didn’t sit down but merely stepped back slightly, likely indicating she was leaving this to me.

“Thank you.”

After bowing once, I addressed my sister, who was watching me with clasped hands.

“If there was ever a time we were close sisters, it was before you seduced my former fiancé.”

“I never seduced anyone! Loin was the one who came onto me!”

“Enough of this. Have you forgotten about the day burglars broke into my quarters?”

“Th-that… I remember because I was scared. I was afraid of being alone and stayed locked in my room. That’s when Loin came…”

“I was attacked by the burglars and lost consciousness. You were able to return to your room because they were caught, but if you were so afraid of being alone and claim we were such close sisters, why didn’t you stay by my side?”

At my question, my sister fell silent, her words catching in her throat as she stared at me with a frightened expression.