I Was Happy to Be Dumped by My Fiancé, But Something Seems Off - Episode 39

“Father…”

Though supported by the steward, his steps were firm as he walked, having heard part of the earlier commotion. Bertina explained the situation, reasoning that since it would come out eventually anyway, she had no choice but to speak now. After hearing everything, her father let out a deep sigh and remarked that Bianco’s unrequited love must have spiraled out of control.

“…Unrequited love?”

“That’s an old story. I told him that since there are no children in the Moldio family besides Clarissa, an engagement with her would be impossible.”

“Did Brother love Clarissa?”

“…He said he felt sorry for Clarissa, who would cry and get hurt because of you, and wanted to protect her.”

“……”

He suggested that the reason the two went to the lake under these circumstances was surely because Bianco couldn’t refuse Clarissa’s request, causing Bertina to hang her head deeply. The real problem wasn’t that he was under a charm, but that he cherished Clarissa even more than those who were charmed. If he couldn’t let go of his childhood unrequited love and it still persisted, he would probably end up granting her wishes.

However, she soon lifted her head and turned her attention to Riet.

“Your Highness, the Moldio family’s charges haven’t been formally decided yet, correct?”

“Ah, the High Priest has finished the interrogation. Once the royal family reviews the report, they’ll stand trial. They likely won’t avoid having their assets and territories confiscated.”

Their title would either be reduced to Baron at best, or stripped entirely at worst.

“In that case, before that happens, we should help the servants serving the Moldio family find new employment and notify their relatives.”

“Then you should inform Count Loro,” her father said.

“I hear he’s the brother the Duke Moldio interacted with most. At this time of year, the Count is staying in his territory, so we should deliver the news quickly.”

“F-Father, you?”

Even if that shining spherical object resembling Milaria was assisting him, his complexion was somewhat poor, and he could barely stand with the steward’s support. Bertina felt uneasy about entrusting this to someone in such a state.

But ignoring Bertina’s concerns, her father’s expression remained unchanged as he spoke calmly.

“After hearing about Bianco’s condition, I can’t just sit still. Until his injuries fully heal, I’ll stubbornly insist on handling this myself.”

“If Father, who looks ready to collapse any moment, pushes himself and falls, it would cause double the trouble.”

“Even so, I can’t leave it to you, who hasn’t been taught a single thing about managing the territory or the ducal household’s work.”

“……”

Receiving this calm yet sharp remark, Bertina fell silent. It was all true. With the heir Bianco injured, there was no one besides her father, with his knowledge and experience, who could properly manage things.

If she left the mansion like this, she’d be too worried to rest peacefully. She understood her own personality well.

As she fell silent, he unexpectedly brought up her mother.

“Before coming here, I met with Catarina.”

“Eh?”

“Even if Anies’s power was the cause, I was the one who broke Catarina. I’ll take care of her until the end. Before that, I want to settle all the work that can be handled.”

When her father said he didn’t want to burden Bertina, who had no good memories at all.

“I refuse.”

She rejected it outright.

“I am also a daughter of the Annaloro family. Even if there are no good memories, I can’t leave everything to Brother, whose injuries might take who knows how long to heal, and Father, who might collapse at any moment. It makes me anxious.”

Seeing his wide-open eyes, she realized once again how much she resembled her father.

“So, Father. Until Brother’s injuries fully heal, please teach me.”

She didn’t even need to specify what—her father, who had always seriously devoted himself to his work, understood from those words alone. He fell silent for a moment, but ultimately accepted, precisely because he knew how stubborn Bertina could be.

Summoned by Argent, he was asked if he would have their injuries healed with magic, but he refused. Though it would be harsh medicine for those two fools, he said he’d leave the healing to their natural recovery to encourage reflection.

“What if scars remain?”

“Hmm…”

If it were Bianco, a man, a scar or two might not matter, but it wouldn’t be the same for Clarissa. Scars on a woman’s body or face would be a fatal flaw when marrying. Whether Clarissa had marriage prospects in the future or not, it was better without scars.

“Let’s decide about that after the two have fully recovered.”

“Yes… let’s do that. I never thought Brother would be such a fool, though…”

“They say love is blind. He’s the nephew of Lady Moldio—it’s no surprise they’re similar.”

Bertina felt extremely complicated at Argent’s words. Her father seemed to share the sentiment, making the same face.

“Your Highness, have you already visited your friend?”

“Ah. I came after doing so. Given the circumstances, I thought it would be more convenient if I delivered the news myself. Besides, I was concerned about Bertina and the Duke.”

“Me?”

“I was worried whether the Duke, whose sanity seemed questionable, and you could have a proper conversation. I just had to check.”

“I see…”

For some reason, talking with Riet felt difficult, and unless she told herself to act normally, her words would get stuck.

“I’ll head back for today. May I come again tomorrow…?”

“As you wish. Don’t expect any hospitality.”

“Understood.”

“……”

Normally, the two would escalate into an argument here, but today it ended with Riet simply accepting. Bertina, momentarily stunned, shook her head slightly and offered to see him off, but he declined.

“More importantly, you have things to do, don’t you, Bertina? You should prioritize those.”

“I have time to see you off, though?”

“No… tomorrow is fine.”

Riet returned to the royal castle without accepting Bertina’s offer to see him off.

“What was that about?”

“Who knows. Well… I suppose that prince is likely thinking about what to do from here on in his own way.”

“…I suppose.”

Bertina also needed to think about what to do from now on. She turned to face her father.

“Please teach me just as you did when it was Brother’s turn.”

“Understood.”

Though there had been many opportunities to face her father directly before, it felt ironic that such a chance finally came under these circumstances. Getting started immediately, Bertina followed her father, who was supported by the steward, to the study. Argent followed after Bertina and the others a little later.