I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 34

“Th-That’s enough!!”

Lord Aubrey’s voice rang out.

The son of Count Canteloupe, who had been sent flying by the water sphere, slammed into the arena wall and went limp, no longer moving.

The rescue team rushed over in a panic, and when they determined he had merely lost consciousness, sighs of relief could be heard from the surroundings. The impact sound when he hit the wall had been so loud that many people had apparently feared the worst.

…I didn’t hit him with enough force to kill him, you know.

That’s what I wanted to say, but since the son of Count Canteloupe had been launched into the air, he naturally couldn’t brace himself and couldn’t dissipate the impact. There was no denying it had turned out to be an unexpectedly powerful blow.

But well, since my plan to knock my opponent unconscious had succeeded, I decided to count it as a win for now.

I could see Lady Adrienne wide-eyed and trembling uncontrollably, but you’re the one who challenged me to a duel. I just accepted. You need to take responsibility for your own words.

As I was thinking that, I saw Lord Fevan running from the spectator seats.

Right behind him came Mariotte and my sister running, and further behind them, Lady Tatiana and the Marquis and Marchioness Levesius, along with the Duke and Duchess Dauvergne, were walking gracefully.

Since the duel had ended, I had already dispelled the barrier that had been deployed around me, and Lord Fevan, who came running up to me, ended up embracing me in his momentum.

“Adeline, are you hurt?!”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I see, that’s good. When I saw you get slashed at right after the start, I thought my heart would freeze.”

“I had countermeasures in place, but his recovery was faster than I expected, so I panicked a bit too. I’m glad the barrier made it in time.”

If that hadn’t made it in time, I probably would have lost.

When I answered with a wry smile, Lord Fevan’s expression turned serious.

“I wasn’t even this nervous during the Quetzalcoatl subjugation. I’ve had enough of this feeling. Please never accept a duel again.”

Under normal circumstances, it’s rare to be challenged to a duel in this day and age, so I don’t think there will be a second time. I swallowed those words and simply nodded. Since Lord Fevan was genuinely worried about me, I shouldn’t say anything unnecessary.

“Well done, Adeline! But if you’d used advanced magic from the start, it would’ve been over in an instant. Why did you hold back?”

With all due respect, sister, if I’d done that, I might have blown up the training grounds. If a bill for destroying the training grounds arrived at our house, it would be a big problem.

Advanced magic isn’t something you should use willy-nilly in the middle of the city. It’s strange that mother tries to use it in marital squabbles.

…I’m truly glad that mother’s magical talent wasn’t passed down to you, sister. If you, who already has a similar personality, could also wield advanced magic, it would be disastrous.

Mariotte was scolding my hot-blooded sister, saying, “Don’t say such outrageous things!”

Just as Lady Tatiana and the others joined us, Lord Aubrey turned toward Lady Adrienne.

Since I won the duel, they should apologize as I demanded. Or rather, since they’re the ones who said they would apologize if they lost the duel, I want them to keep their word.

Lady Adrienne was glaring at me resentfully, but with so many people present, including high-ranking nobles, she wasn’t allowed to escape.

With a stiff expression, Lady Adrienne descended from the spectator seats and slowly walked up to me.

Since the matter had been settled by the duel, Lady Eliene didn’t seem inclined to protect Lady Adrienne either. On the contrary, Lady Eliene’s mouth, visible from a distance, even held a faint smile.

…Could it be that she anticipated this outcome?

The Canteloupe Count family, to which Lady Adrienne belongs, holds a high position within the Cellurion Duke faction. Since the previous Count Canteloupe was one of Duke Cellurion’s, who was a prince at the time—tutors, they’ve been heavily favored.

However, Count Canteloupe made a blunder when arranging the engagement between Lady Adrienne and Lord Fevan. Lady Eliene must also be aware that he believed his daughter’s claims and tried to force the engagement through.

As the future crown princess, she probably wouldn’t want someone who causes disgrace through selfish actions close to her.

Could it be that Lady Eliene orchestrated this to reshuffle the power dynamics within the faction?

…Am I overthinking this?

But Lady Eliene, who even appears composed despite a count’s daughter from her faction losing, seems utterly satisfied with this outcome.

By challenging me to a duel and being forced to apologize for her mistakes in public, Lady Adrienne and by extension, Count Canteloupe will inevitably suffer significant damage to their reputation. Moreover, losing after issuing the challenge herself is the height of scandal. It’s more than enough pretext for Duke Cellurion to stop favoring Count Canteloupe.

Lady Adrienne, who had walked up to me entirely alone, had her face flushed with frustration, but urged by Lord Aubrey, she bowed her head, trembling slightly with anger.

“…I apologize to Lady Adeline Cambrelive. I was completely in the wrong.”

Her voice was filled with extreme reluctance, but I suppose this means the matter is settled.

My honor, as well as the honor of Lord Fevan and the Levesius Marquis family, has been protected.

Lady Tatiana should also be satisfied with having put a count family from the Cellurion Duke faction in their place.

Whether this outcome aligns with Lady Eliene’s plans is not for me to ponder.

I just thought briefly that high-ranking nobles really have it tough, having to weave all sorts of schemes.