I Was Happy to Be Dumped by My Fiancé, But Something Seems Off - Episode 44

“I’ve learned many things during this past month spent with Father.”

A calm voice cut through Bianco’s excitement and Clarissa’s pleas to somehow bring Argent along. Bertina remained unflinching and dignified even as everyone’s attention focused on her.

“The Father I knew was usually either displeased or shouting no matter what I did. But while assisting Father together with the butler, I came to understand that his true nature is actually quite reserved.”

Even when there were errors in documents she handed him, he would simply point them out matter-of-factly. When Bertina spoke more than usual, he would offer appropriate responses or occasionally join the conversation. During meals, he remained mostly quiet, engaging in just a few conversations.

Previously, she had been repeatedly told that Clarissa had charm while being rather noisy, whereas Bertina lacked charm – which was why she couldn’t gain the Crown Prince’s favor.

“If Aunt’s enchantment included loving Clarissa, whom she believed was Father’s child, then I must have been quite detestable for not doting on Clarissa.”

When she analyzed the difference between Father before and now in her own way, the answer turned out to be surprisingly simple. Once the enchantment was broken, she became just a niece to Father.

But—

“However, Brother is different.”

“W-what is?”

“Since Brother was never under any enchantment to begin with, there was no compulsion for him to dote on Clarissa. If Clarissa was Brother’s first love, then all those comments about how cute Clarissa is or how he wished Clarissa was his sister were entirely Brother’s true feelings. You just said I lack charm, didn’t you? That’s perfectly fine.

I don’t need a cowardly, pathetic brother like you either – one who runs crying to Mother or Father every time he makes his sister cry, then laughs from a safe position while I get scolded. Nor can I entrust the family leadership to someone so shameless who shows no remorse even after suffering serious injuries due to their inability to read the situation.”

Several times Bianco and Clarissa tried to interject, but each time Bertina glared them into silence and said everything she wanted to say. Being able to express all her thoughts felt incredibly refreshing and satisfying.

Bianco’s face turned crimson as he clenched his fists, looking ready to erupt. Father called out, “Bianco.”

“If your first words upon returning had been an apology, neither Bertina nor I would have mentioned changing the heir.”

“My apologies!”

Father shook his head slowly.

“Too late now. An apology after being called out is practically meaningless. I’ll permit you to marry Clarissa. However, you are never to enter the main residence again. Live permanently in the Annaloro territory with the previous couple. If you agree to that, I’ll provide for both the wedding and living expenses. If you refuse, you may both become commoners and go wherever you wish.”

When Father made clear he wouldn’t provide any support in that case, Bianco finally understood there was no path to becoming duke and collapsed weakly.

“I won’t marry Brother Bianco!”

Reactions to Clarissa’s sudden declaration varied – some were dumbfounded, some utterly exasperated, some chuckled derisively. Clarissa’s sky-blue eyes looked apologetically at Bianco, who stared up at her in stunned silence.

“I’m sorry, Brother Bianco. I agreed to marry you because you said I could keep Argent as my lover, but I can’t marry you if you won’t inherit the dukedom.”

“Clarissa. Do you understand you’re no longer a duke’s daughter?”

“If Uncle would take me as his adopted daughter, I could become a duke’s daughter again!”

“…Listen.”

Originally, the plan for Clarissa to be adopted by the Annaloro family was Agnes’s scheme. She wanted Clarissa to call her real brother “Father” and become family, even if only through adoption.

Now that Agnes was dead and Clarissa had been proven not to be their sibling’s child, there was no reason to adopt her.

Her shimmering sky-blue eyes turned pleadingly toward Father, begging him to adopt her, but Father refused.

“Wh-why not? I have no parents anymore, no home. I have nowhere to go.”

“Clarissa. Even though my excessive doting has disappeared, you remain my niece. Initially, I planned to send you to a convent.”

“A convent!? Shouldn’t Sister Bertina be the one going there!”

That too was part of the initial plan, but had naturally disappeared by now.

“I intended to make substantial donations so you wouldn’t lack for anything and provide support for your comfort.”

“If I’m going to be sent to a convent anyway, please let me stay here even if not as a duke’s daughter!”

“That’s right, Father! If you’re making Bertina the heir, you could make Clarissa and me her assistants!”

Bertina noticed Father, who had been gradually recovering his complexion and health over the past month, beginning to show fatigue. The butler standing nearby noticed too and called “Master,” but Father stopped him with a hand gesture.

After glancing at Argent and saying “Bertina has sufficient assistants already,” he looked back at Bianco and Clarissa.

“I’ve realized it’s pointless to discuss this further with you two. I know you just returned, but prepare to leave for the territory immediately.”

“You can’t! Father! Please listen to us!”

“Uncle, please adopt me and let me stay here! Didn’t you dote on me so much before?”

Turning his back on their shouts, the butler supported the slightly unsteady Father and helped him to his room.

Once only Bertina and Argent remained, Bianco’s hostility was immediately directed at them—primarily at Bertina.