I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 40

Previously, through Lady Edith, I had my brother return this poison powder to me.

Since I’ve been using it for research, the amount has decreased considerably. Even if he drank it, it probably wouldn’t kill him. That’s precisely why I absolutely wanted to return it to him with my own hands.

“Why are you giving this back to me?”

“Because I received it from you, I’m simply returning it to you.”

“What if I drink it!?”

“…Do you understand now?”

When I asked in a cold tone, Lord Zerath looked surprised.

“Understand… what do you mean?”

“I’m asking if you now understand how someone feels when they’re given poison.”

“…Th-that’s…”

I gave a bitter smile at Lord Zerath, who was stumbling over his words.

“There are things I’m grateful to you for too. If you hadn’t done something so foolish, I would have continued hating myself.”

“Isn’t Dahlia supposed to be obedient and crybaby-like? Didn’t I say I would protect you!”

“I don’t need your protection.”

Since he wouldn’t take it easily, I pressed the package against his chest. He accepted it as if cradling it, then showed a hurt expression.

Why do I end up looking like the villain here?

“I won’t tell you to drink that poison because I don’t want to say the same things you did. No matter who the other person is, the one who gives something like this is in the wrong!”

Even receiving it from someone who doesn’t care about you feels terrible, but how would it feel to receive poison from someone you loved? I wonder if he could understand that.

Just as I thought that, Lord Zerath opened his mouth.

“What should I have done instead?”

“…You were planning to make it seem like I was trying to commit suicide by drinking poison because I hated the idea of marriage so much, and use that time to find a replacement, right?”

I asked, remembering that he had mentioned such a plan to my brother.

“That’s right. If you had just obediently done as I said…! And officially, it wasn’t me who gave you the poison but Princess Ramula. I could have even framed her for tearing us apart!”

“…That’s true. It was Princess Ramula who gave me the letter and poison.”

After nodding, I glared at him and continued.

“Your plans don’t matter to me. The me who loved you died the moment you gave me that poison.”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! But giving this to me now isn’t right either.”

I felt irritated at Lord Zerath’s whining.

“You dare say that after giving it to me when I was mentally broken?”

Nana, who had been silently listening, spoke up.

“Lord Zerath, you really only think about yourself, don’t you?”

“That’s not true! I’m always thinking about Dahlia!”

“Yet all your actions seem to be the opposite of what someone who cares about Lady Dahlia would do?”

“What would you know!”

As Lord Zerath tried to grab Nana, she pressed the edge of her silver tray against the tip of his nose.

I couldn’t tell if the intense killing intent was coming from Nana or from the silver tray.

…It couldn’t be from the silver tray, right.

To Lord Zerath, who had frozen in place, Nana said:

“You claim to be a knight, but you seem to be a weak knight who can’t even beat me. If you don’t want to feel any more miserable, why don’t you quietly withdraw?”

“I-I’m not weak…!”

To Lord Zerath, who denied it with a flustered expression, I asked:

“How long have you been neglecting your sword training?”

“…Since Dahlia went to Rofeus Kingdom.”

“You stopped doing what you used to do every day. Can you really blame Nana for calling you weak?”

“Dahlia…”

Lord Zerath stared at me with eyes that looked at something unbelievable.

Let’s end this for good this time.

“I don’t need you. There must be someone else who does need you. Be happy with that person.”

After smiling and performing a curtsy, I spoke to Nana.

“Nana, we’re done talking here, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Nana nodded, gave Lord Zerath one more glare, then lowered the hand holding the silver tray. Lord Zerath slumped to the ground and sat there limply.

“Dahlia, I…!”

Lord Zerath seemed like he wanted to say something, but without looking back at him, Nana and I headed toward the carriage where Lady Edith was waiting.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

About thirty days after my conversation with Lord Zerath, I had grown accustomed to life in the Rofeus Kingdom and was busily spending my days as the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

Meanwhile, there had been various developments in the Yusers Kingdom too.

The former king’s sentence was finalized, and my brother ascended to the throne.

The former king was assigned to manual labor at a quarry in an enclave managed by Silcott’s husband.

They had considered putting him in a prison for nobles, but Silcott’s husband volunteered, saying, “If he must do labor, please let it be in my territory.”

Manual labor alone would be tough enough, but being ordered around by the husband of a woman he once loved seemed to be quite humiliating. I heard he’s being pushed to his limits both mentally and physically.

The former queen was expelled from the royal castle and now lives in a detached residence within the grounds, but she’s effectively under house arrest and can’t even see her beloved daughter.

That beloved daughter married Lord Zerath.

It was arranged by the Duke of Zerath, who granted the former princess’s wish to marry at all costs.

However, simultaneously with permitting the marriage, the Duke disinherited Lord Zerath, provided him only with a place to live, and expelled him from the ducal house.

The former Lord Zerath and former princess are now treated as commoners, without jobs, and apparently live fighting every day, so divorce might be possible soon.

If that happens, I doubt my brother would allow the former princess, likely trying to return, back into the royal castle grounds.

There are also pirates who hold grudges against the former princess, so I hope she’s careful about that.

On a clear afternoon with a refreshing breeze, while strolling in the garden, Lady Edith gave a wry smile.

“In the end, I wonder if he ever reflected on what he did.”

“…It seemed like he had regrets, but I don’t think he felt he did anything wrong.”

It seems the former queen and my former fiancé are beginning to realize that this is what happens when you do whatever you want, following only your own whims.

Still, their realization comes too late, doesn’t it?

“I believe my becoming happy will be the greatest revenge against them.”

“Is that so? Well then, you must become so happy that not just them, but everyone else will envy you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I promised to make you happy, didn’t I?”

Saying this, Lady Edith, wearing a confident smile, stopped and took my hand.

“Please marry me. I can only offer common words, but I will absolutely make you happy.”

“…Lady Edith.”

I was so happy that tears suddenly overflowed, making Lady Edith look flustered.

“W-was it that unpleasant!? B-but, I’ll truly cherish you! Ah, no, if I’m to cherish you, should I perhaps step back?”

“That’s not it! These are tears of joy!”

“…Thank goodness.”

Watching Lady Edith sigh in relief, I thought:

Why did you come to love someone like me?

Thinking that way is probably proof that I still don’t love myself yet.

For the sake of those who value me, I must work hard to learn to love myself.

“Thank you. I’m still quite weak, but I will strive to improve from now on, so please take care of me.”

“Likewise, please take care of me too.”

We started walking hand in hand.

“By the way, it seems Prince Rix is looking for a wife. I was thinking of recommending Nana. What do you think?”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

The flowers blooming in the garden swayed in the wind, and their sweet, gentle scent enveloped us as we smiled at each other.

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