I Was Happy to Be Dumped by My Fiancé, But Something Seems Off - Episode 36

Appearing triumphantly was Inanna. Alistair was by her side as well. Though he’d been holding his stomach painfully along the way, he now stood before the king and queen.

“How was it? How did little Bertina do at impersonating me?”

“We were completely fooled.”

“You could have at least messed with Ignat’s hairline while you were at it.”

“I’m not that old yet!”

Despite his protests, the way he tried to pull his crown down lower showed he was clearly self-conscious about it.

Deciding to stop the teasing there, Inanna, who had been waiting in another room, had come because she had a request for the king. When Inanna turned toward Bertina and the others, her eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh my~ What’s wrong with Bianco? Are you crying?”

“Eh?”

It was Bertina who was shocked. Whipping around, she saw Bianco indeed crying and was momentarily stunned, but soon sighed and shook her head. Inanna, who had some idea what might be going on, deliberately didn’t press further and requested that only she and the king remain in the room.

“It’s an adult matter. It might be a bit too stimulating for children and young ladies, so I’d like Her Highness the Queen to excuse us as well.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Hmm… Understood. My apologies, but everyone please leave the room.”

At the king’s word, Bertina and the others left. Clarissa pulled the crying Bianco along with her.

Once only the king, Inanna, and Alistair remained in the room, Inanna immediately got to the point.

“About Agnes and Luigi – while they await execution, I’d like them temporarily entrusted to the Grand Cathedral.”

“I understand regarding Duke Moldio, but why his wife as well?”

Luigi had used others in his plot to kill Inanna – while the king could comprehend wanting personal retribution for that, he didn’t understand why Agnes needed to be included too.

“Those two, especially Agnes, need to understand. The pain of being forced by someone you don’t even love.”

“What exactly are you planning to do?”

“That’s a secret! And well, I suppose it’s because I feel too sorry for Crow.”

Eighteen years ago, Crow had named Bertina’s stillborn twin and buried the child at the main estate so they could at least remain with family, visiting the grave daily. It was unknown if he’d continued visiting after the charm’s brainwashing worsened. The same went for Katarina. If Bertina didn’t know about her twin sister’s existence, Bianco probably didn’t know either.

It was just too pitiful that Milaria might be forgotten.

“About Duke and Duchess Annaloro… Can’t the High Priest heal them?”

“It’s better not to heal them. Whether it’s better to live as an invalid or to live without remembering anything – even I don’t know which is right.”

“Why would Duchess Moldio go so far for her blood brother?”

“This is just my speculation, but~”

A disbelieving voice escaped at Inanna’s speculation. She gave a wry smile as if to say “I thought so.”

“If that’s true, Duchess Moldio must have loved him tremendously.”

“That’s right! Though only she would know the truth.”

“If we entrust them to the High Priest, wouldn’t we learn whether it’s true or not?”

“Seems worth trying.”

“I’ll handle Parliament appropriately. I’ll place the Moldios in the Grand Cathedral’s custody until execution. However, please ensure they absolutely do not die.”

“Thank you, Ignat. Next time, I’ll have an apothecary acquaintance of mine mix up some hair growth formula for you.”

“Enough about my hair!!”

Despite his protests, his quiet “…Thank you” showed that… well, that’s just how he was.

• ○●○●○

As Bertina walked briskly through the castle, two voices called out simultaneously from behind her: “Bertina!” “Sister Bertina!” Though she kept up her fast pace to create distance, the two behind her were persistent and followed after Bertina. When Argent, who had coolly fallen into step beside her, asked “Shall I remove them?” she nodded firmly.

“Gone now.”

He instantly executed the task, sending the two somewhere out of Bertina’s sight. Unaccustomed to walking so quickly, sweat dripped from her forehead. She accepted the offered handkerchief, wiped her forehead and cheeks, and tucked it into her pocket.

“Honestly, how persistent!”

Due to Inanna’s request for an “adult discussion,” everyone except the king had left the room. Just then, the Second Prince Alexio appeared. The young prince, upon seeing his half-brother, happily ran over calling “Big brother!” and jumped to hug his waist.

The half-brothers got along well – Bertina had seen them together several times when the queen came for education sessions. Riet’s expression while reading picture books to Alexio was softer and warmer than any expression Bertina had ever seen him make.

She’d been surprised – so he shows that kind of smile to his half-brother? So, he can make human expressions after all?

After parting from the queen and crown prince there, just as Bertina and Argent were about to return to the Grand Cathedral, Bianco and Clarissa had interfered.

Trying to escape the persistent pair who wanted to return to Annaloro Manor, Bertina had grown tired, and finally Argent had sent them away.

“You could have asked me from the beginning.”

“While your power can accomplish anything, I’d prefer not to rely on it unless absolutely necessary.”

If she borrowed the demon’s power to use magic beyond human capability, she could achieve most things. Argent had told her it was convenient, but Bertina rarely sought his help.

Even regarding this current matter, if she’d asked Argent to investigate, they might have uncovered the truth sooner. That she didn’t was Bertina’s own choice.

“I dislike becoming dependent once I realize that convenience. Argent, I’ll only ask for your help in truly extreme circumstances from now on.”

“I don’t mind, but doesn’t that make things hard for you, Bertina?”

“About my parents?”

“Yeah.”

She’d always believed her parents doted on her cousin Clarissa because she was the daughter of their beloved sister, and that she herself wasn’t loved because she lacked Clarissa’s charm.

“I’m glad I have you.”

“That’s sudden.”

“If I don’t say it when I want to, I might not say it at all.”

She’d always been alone. Even when she made friends at tea parties, when Clarissa showed up, people would tell her “Let Clarissa have it,” “Clarissa is cuter,” and they’d drift away, leaving only the servants who’d been with her since childhood.

She’d picked up Argent on the street both to distract herself from loneliness and out of strong curiosity.

“Things are going to get difficult from here on.”

“I imagine so.”

She wanted to know the true nature of the charm Agnes had used, and why Luigi – the one person who could have stopped Agnes – hadn’t done so.