I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 3

After crying so much, it gradually began to feel foolish to grieve for people like that. Instead, what came to mind was how the Kingdom of Rofeus would react.

If they heard that my sister was supposed to marry him, but it was suddenly changed to me, what would they say?

Even if I can marry, as an unwanted wife, will I be disliked by everyone? I’ve heard that my sister’s reputation is good even among the people of Rofeus Kingdom. If a plain person like me becomes the bride, they’ll be disappointed, won’t they?

And what kind of reaction would Lord Edith have if I were the one?

There are mountains of worries and problems, but they’re not things I can resolve by thinking about them. By now, the royal family of Rofeus Kingdom has probably been contacted, and there will be some reaction from their side.

I was told to rest quietly, so breakfast was brought to my room, but for various reasons, my head hurt and I could barely swallow anything. Just as the maid finished clearing away the untouched meal, Mother entered the room as if taking her place.

Mother is a slender beauty with the same hair and eye color as my sister, but unlike my sister’s gentle demeanor, she gives off such a cold impression that you’d think she emits a chill from her body.

Nana and other maids were also in the room, watching Mother warily as she approached me. As if she didn’t want them to hear, Mother spoke in a low voice.

“Your engagement with Loin has been canceled.”

“I thought so.”

Just like Father, she shows no sign of concern even though her daughter is injured.

“Have you heard about making Loin take responsibility and become Ramula’s husband?”

“…No. I only heard that my sister and Loin were involved.”

“I see. Then let me explain in detail.”

Mother showed a cold smile and ordered Nana and the others to leave the room. When we were alone, she began speaking with a pleased expression.

“This is the scenario His Majesty and I came up with. We’ll tell the people that Ramula was attacked by pirates and can no longer marry Prince Edith, so you will marry him instead. Ramula, shocked by the pirate attack, will seclude herself in the castle. Loin, whose fiancée married a prince from another country, and the kind Ramula, who laments that her sister had to marry because of her, will fall in love. Then the two will marry.”

What a ridiculous scenario that anyone could write. All’s well that ends well, I suppose?

Do they dislike having me marry Lord Edith, or do they dislike sending my sister to another country? Was marrying Loin what my sister wanted?

Questions kept popping up one after another, making me sick of it. Paying no attention to how I felt, Mother continued.

“We’ll demand compensation from Rofeus Kingdom for failing to control the pirates and damaging Ramula.”

My head hurt so much I couldn’t tell if it was from the injury or a headache. I think I understood why my brother started saying he would involve himself in state affairs when he was fifteen.

“What do you plan to do if that angers Rofeus Kingdom?”

“Make sure that doesn’t happen. Unless you want your precious friends killed.”

Even Mother is taking Nana and the maids who sympathize with me hostage—

Maybe I should consult with my brother. He wouldn’t allow such foolishness.

“If you tell Rix, the maids will die.”

Only at times like this is her intuition good. Well, anyone would think of that.

“Until now, you were unnecessary to me. If I say this, will you think I’m a cold mother? But what can I do? Because of you, I suffered. However, this is the first time I’ve thought giving birth to you was a good thing.”

Mother laughed and spun around as if dancing.

I knew I wasn’t loved, but hearing it put so bluntly was shocking enough to bring tears to my eyes. But crying would be meaningless. I didn’t react to Mother’s words and instead appealed.

“I don’t mind marrying into Rofeus Kingdom. But I can’t possibly serve as my sister’s replacement, so what will they say?”

“Don’t state the obvious!”

Even though I was still speaking, Mother’s smiling expression instantly changed as she glared and shouted.

“As if you could replace Ramula!”

“You told me to marry in her place, didn’t you?”

“I’ll correct that. We’re foisting you off on them.”

I suppose that’s still instead of my sister, but whether that’s in a good or bad sense is another matter.

Mother pulled my hair and continued.

“Because your eye and hair color are different from ours, I was suspected of infidelity. I’ll never forget the pain of that time, and I’ll never forgive you for making me go through that.”

After saying what she wanted, she left the room without waiting for my reply.