I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 38

The foolish incident my father orchestrated in his desperate attempt to keep my sister by his side became a topic of discussion not only in the Kingdom of Yusers but worldwide.

It was decided that the trial would begin in ten days.

While many commoners had wished to attend my father’s previous trial, this time the defendant was the king himself, so the attendees were primarily selected from royalty and high-ranking nobles.

We had entered the Kingdom of Yusers the previous day and stayed at a luxury inn together with Lady Edith and the others.

Though we were engaged, we still had separate rooms, and I shared a room with Nana.

It felt like a sleepover, which made me a little excited and eased my tension perhaps that was why they had me share a room with Nana.

As a princess, I could have stayed in the royal castle, but since my father was on trial, the king was absent. The castle was in a state of chaos and didn’t seem to have the capacity to accommodate guests.

Besides, my sister, who had been released after paying a fine, was apparently in the castle, so I had even less desire to return.

Just as I thought it was about time to sleep, Nana, who had been reading a book in the adjacent bed, spoke to me.

“I forgot to mention earlier, but it seems Princess Ramula has declared she will marry Lord Zerath.”

“Is that so? Since it’s certain they’ve been physically intimate, it might be good for him to take responsibility.”

“The Zerath ducal family doesn’t seem enthusiastic, but His Highness Rix appears unwilling to let Princess Ramula remain in the royal castle, so he’ll likely force her upon the ducal family.”

“Even if he couldn’t defy a royal decree or was seduced by my sister, there’s no doubt he did something reckless. He should just steel himself and accept it.”

If their physical relationship had been only once in a single night, it might have been different, but there was no need for it to happen multiple times. I simply couldn’t bring myself to sympathize with him.

“It seems Lord Zerath still can’t give up on Lady Dahlia.”

Hearing Nana’s words, I gave a wry smile.

He’s merely infatuated with the idea of the prince from fairy tales.

A brave and wonderful prince who rescues an oppressed princess. Born into a ducal family, even if he couldn’t become a prince, he probably wanted to be that kind of person.

Weak and needing someone’s protection to avoid getting hurt immediately, I must have stirred his protective instincts.

In that case, let him be the hero who rescues the pitiable princess that is my sister.

…Though that doesn’t necessarily mean a happy ending for the princess.

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The next morning, the sky was clear. The morning air was a bit chilly, but it felt just right for me, as I was slightly sleep-deprived.

Accompanied by Lady Edith and the others, I headed to the courthouse. Since I had been called as a witness, I was to wait in the waiting room instead of the gallery.

The trial turned out to be more heated than I had imagined.

“I’ve done nothing wrong! It was all my wife’s scheme!”

“No. I was ordered by my husband.”

The voices of my father and mother arguing could be heard even outside the courtroom.

A courthouse isn’t a place for quarreling, is it?

Just as I was feeling exasperated, I heard what sounded like the presiding judge sternly reprimanding them, and it suddenly fell silent.

They’re not children, so I wish they’d act properly. Well, I suppose they can’t, which is why we’re in this situation.

Later, when I took the stand as a witness, I swore by the god I believe in and told the truth.

My father glared at me, and my mother made a face as if she’d bitten into something bitter, but I didn’t feel the same fear as I used to.

As expected, my father was found guilty.

Not only did he try to pin the blame on my mother, but he also coerced his vassals into covering up his actions, fabricated incidents that never happened, and even attempted to extort compensation from the Kingdom of Rofeus. It was truly malicious.

The sentencing will be announced after further deliberation, so I’ll wait for notification on that.

Testifying in front of so many people and the prolonged trial had left me mentally exhausted.

But I couldn’t afford to show such weakness.

I was scheduled to meet my mother at a café in the garden near the royal castle.

The appointed time was 3 PM, but we finally met just before 5 PM, as the sky was gradually darkening.

The café was reserved for us, and my mother and I were seated on the terrace, while Lady Edith and the others, who had accompanied me, waited inside.

The wind against my skin felt colder than in the morning. As the waiter brought warm tea, my mother spoke.

“You must think I’m a fool, don’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Not only was I betrayed by my husband, but I even doted on a daughter who isn’t my own! I’m asking if you think I’m a foolish woman!”

“What’s wrong with doting on a daughter who isn’t your own?”

“…What?”

When I asked, my mother looked puzzled and questioned me in return.

She’s so proud—that must be what’s bothering her.

I voiced my thoughts.

“I’m not saying blood ties aren’t important. But even without a blood connection, there are people who can become family. After all, before marriage, aren’t spouses strangers? Even without blood ties, they connect emotionally and become husband and wife. Blood relations aren’t an absolute requirement for loving or caring about someone.”

Some people love their spouse’s stepchildren. Others choose to become foster parents to children abandoned by their parents and build a life with them.

I don’t believe love can’t blossom in such relationships.

Take Silcott, for example.

She doesn’t know her child was switched. But knowing her, even if she learned the truth, she would surely continue to love the daughter she raised, just as she always has.

“Now that you know the truth, have you stopped loving Princess Ramula?”

When I asked, my mother looked startled and stared at me with tear-filled eyes.