I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 9

My brother said he would call for my sister and left the room.

Perhaps because I was plotting something bad, my heart started pounding, so I pressed a hand to my chest.

Unable to stay calm, I was about to speak to Nana when I noticed her expression seemed dark, so I asked her.

“Nana, is something wrong?”

“…No. It’s nothing. The tea has gone cold, so I’ll make a fresh pot.”

She answered with a smile, but I felt like her demeanor was different from usual.

Thinking she might not want to be questioned, I considered not saying anything more when Nana spoke to Prince Edith.

“It’s difficult for me to say it myself. Please tell her, Prince Edith.”

“Why? If you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to. Dahlia isn’t the type to force you.”

“I know! But I hate feeling like I’m keeping secrets.”

“…Fine then.”

Prince Edith brought his mouth close to my ear and told me.

“Nana has feelings for Prince Rix.”

“Whaaat?!”

I let out a voice louder than I expected, and as I hurriedly covered my mouth, Nana spoke shyly.

“As we talked, how should I put it? I came to think he’s an awkward person.”

“…I see.”

I had never seen my brother and Nana together before, so I hadn’t even imagined it.

I think there are reasons why people fall for someone that can’t be easily put into words.

You’re just drawn to them.

That happens sometimes, doesn’t it?

“For these past three days, His and Her Majesty’s people have been lurking around Prince Rix, so I could barely manage to inform him about recent events, let alone greet him properly. So, I thought I had to say it now.”

“If the Rofeus Kingdom permits it and Nana wishes to stay, I think you should stay. My brother knows the circumstances, so he should protect you.”

Our parents think my brother doesn’t know the truth, and since they believed he had no way of learning it unless I told him, they could threaten me.

But that’s not actually the case. If Nana or the maids who’ve been kind to me were in danger, my brother would help them. That’s just the kind of person he is. If anyone tried to harm Nana and the others, he’d probably force our father to abdicate.

“I want you to be happy, Lady Dahlia. You need someone to talk to. There must be things that are difficult to discuss with men. Please, allow me to stay by your side.”

Nana said this with a smile, then mentioned she would ask a fellow maid in the hallway to bring hot water and left the drawing room.

During that time, I spoke to Prince Edith.

“I want to say I’ll be fine, but you probably won’t believe me, will you?”

“It was Nana who decided she wants to be with you. If you don’t mind, why not let her do as she wishes? Besides, by the time Dahlia gets used to life in the Rofeus Kingdom, Prince Rix might have become king. It might be difficult for him to reciprocate Nana’s feelings.”

I wonder what my brother thinks of Nana. He has no fiancée, and I don’t think he has anyone he likes. My brother is so preoccupied with himself and the kingdom that I get the impression he has no interest in women.

Thinking that Nana might get hurt gives me an indescribable feeling.

A knock-knock sound came from the door, and just as Nana returned, we were informed that my sister had arrived.

After Prince Edith hid his face, we let my sister enter. She stood before the door, her eyes moist, and began to speak.

“Dahlia, Father and Mother said they wouldn’t say goodbye to you, so I came alone to bid you farewell.”

“Thank you. I thought I never wanted to see you again, but if I can say goodbye, I felt I must.”

My sister doesn’t know about Nana’s connection to my brother and Prince Edith. So, I refrained from telling her to be happy with Loin.

“Dahlia, I’m truly sorry it’s because of me. Please be happy.”

“Yes. I intend to be happy in your place.”

“You’d forgive someone like me? You really are kind, Dahlia.”

I didn’t say I forgive her. I’m a little envious of my sister, who can interpret everything to her advantage.

My sister is a pure-hearted person who believes that if she’s happy, everyone else will be happy too. But that leads her to justify acts lacking in consideration.

If the majority becomes happy, my sister’s usual pattern is to overlook and pretend not to see the misfortune of the few.

It was my sister’s mistake to label Prince Edith a monster without meeting him to see what kind of person he really is.

…Well, I also considered dying before meeting Prince Edith, so I can’t really talk.

“You were attacked by pirates, weren’t you, Sister? This isn’t about forgiveness.”

“Th…that’s right. I’m pitiful, after all.”

My sister nodded, then turned to Prince Edith with tears streaming down her face.

“Messenger, they say Dahlia is going in my place, but she’s a much better person than I am. Could you please convey to Prince Edith that I want him to treasure her?”

“Of course. I understand.”

My sister still hadn’t seen Prince Edith’s face. I was wondering when he would reveal it when Prince Edith spoke to her.

“Your former fiancé was worried when he heard you were attacked. What should I tell him?”

“…That’s right. All I can say is that I’m truly sorry, but as I said earlier, Dahlia is a much better person than I am. I, who have been defiled, am no longer worthy of being Prince Edith’s wife. Could you please tell him to make Dahlia happy?”

She certainly couldn’t say she was glad she didn’t have to marry him.

After hearing my sister’s answer, Prince Edith whispered in my ear.

“I’ll reveal my identity when we part. And sorry if I couldn’t make her fall for me as you wished.”

“It’s fine.”

Even if he wasn’t my sister’s type, once she realized he wasn’t the monster prince, she would definitely regret it.

When I nodded, Prince Edith removed his hood and spoke to my sister with a smile.

“Understood. Princess Dahlia will undoubtedly become a happy bride, so please don’t worry.”

“Wh… wha, ah, y-yes!”

My sister gave a spirited reply, her eyes wide as she stared at Prince Edith.

In no time, my sister’s pale cheeks turned pink, and her mouth fell open slackly.

I understand why she’d react that way from shock. I get it.

“Sister, are you alright?”

“Ah, um, what is your name?”

Ignoring or perhaps not hearing my question, my sister spoke to Prince Edith with a captivated expression.