I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 27

Lady Eliene Cerullion, the Duke’s daughter, is eighteen years old, the same age as me.

At eight years old, she became engaged to His Highness Crown Prince Odilon, who is three years older.

She is the future Crown Princess, set to marry next spring and to be perfectly honest, Duke Cerullion is the King’s younger brother.

In other words, he is the man whom the current Marquis Levesius’s sister married, making Lady Eliene a cousin to both His Highness the Crown Prince and Lord Fevan.

Why would such an exalted personage invite someone like me—the second daughter of a humble Count’s family—to her tea party?

I’ve seen Lady Eliene at a few parties, but we’ve never spoken, and our eyes have never even met.

We have so little connection that I doubt she was even aware of my existence in this country until very recently.

Lady Eliene’s tea party was scheduled for twelve days after the invitation arrived, so during that time, I consulted with Lord Fevan as well.

I couldn’t possibly decline, but I wanted at least a convincing reason, and I thought that as her cousin, he might be able to guess.

When Lord Fevan came to my house on his day off, he made a troubled face.

“Probably… I think it’s because of that rumor. You know, the one where someone unnecessarily said I like men. Lady Eliene still seems bothered by it. Umm… that my partner might be His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“So, in other words, she’s trying to sound me out?”

“Probably. I think it’s become a rumor in some circles that you and I are dating, and maybe even that I proposed. So, she probably wants to know the truth. …I think she suspects that if she asks me or His Highness the Crown Prince, we’d just cleverly dodge the question.”

“That’s so troubling! Even if she tries to sound me out, I won’t know what to say!”

“Just tell her we’re dating. The only thing Lady Eliene wants to know is whether or not His Highness and I are in an unusual relationship.”

“Are you sure that will really work…?”

“I can’t say for certain whether it will work or not, but it’s not a problem you need to apologize for, Adeline, right? You’re just caught up in it, so just act confidently.”

We had that conversation, but my heart hasn’t felt at ease at all until today.

“Lady Adeline, it’s almost time.”

As I’m checking my appearance in the mirror, Allie calls out to me.

It seems it’s time to leave for Lady Eliene’s tea party.

“Hey Allie, do you think I’ll be alright…?”

“You’ll be fine! Didn’t you receive a dress from Lord Fevan just for today? It suits you so well!”

That’s right. Lord Fevan gave me a dress the same aqua blue as his eyes to wear to the tea party.

I’m also wearing the red-framed glasses he bought for me, and Allie spent a long time doing my makeup.

…There’s no point in dawdling any longer. A woman needs courage!

If I can’t skip it, then I just have to steel myself.

I lightly slap my cheeks to psych myself up and march off to the battlefield known as a tea party.