I Was Happy to Be Dumped by My Fiancé, But Something Seems Off - Episode 45

It was Bertina who first questioned the closeness between Agnes and her father, began investigating, and uncovered the existence of Agnes’s enchantment. Because Bertina informed everyone about the enchantment and even dispelled it, she was now suffering. When Bianco and Clarissa shouted at her, Bertina couldn’t retort.

She had exposed the enchantment because she knew of its existence and didn’t want Agnes to keep getting her way. As a result, both of her parents suffered mental breakdowns. Her father was recovering faster than expected thanks to her twin sister’s help as a guiding light, but her mother remained mentally broken.

The Moldio family, once called an illustrious house, had already been executed for the grave crimes of its heads and had fallen into ruin.

If she had left things as they were, even knowing about the enchantment’s power, no one would have been unhappy.

“Everyone except Bertina would have remained happy, wouldn’t they?”

Argent smiled faintly as he calmly gave Bianco and Clarissa the words they wanted to hear. Their expressions changing, the two immediately began berating Bertina further, thinking they had gained an ally, but Argent’s next words stopped them.

“Well, if you two had inherited the dukedom, wouldn’t it have fallen into ruin anyway?”

“What did you say!?”

“Argent, that’s cruel!”

“Why not? How could you two—who don’t understand or even try to see others’ misfortunes and pains—possibly make your people happy?”

“We don’t want to hear that from a demon like you who feeds on people’s misery!”

“True enough,” Argent laughed.

“Not entirely wrong. In my case, though, I’m not some weak demon who feeds on human misery, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“Because you’re a prince, after all.”

“Huh?” said Bianco and Clarissa.

When Inanna called Argent the Demon Prince, she meant it literally—the prince of the demon world. However, he was the third son, and since his two older brothers were stronger than him, he said it didn’t mean much.

“Argent. Can you make these two fools have nightmares?”

“I can. What kind?”

“Let them experience what Father went through. Then they might understand a little of the pain of being under an enchantment.”

“Sure.”

After giving the terrified pair a glance they would never forget, accompanied by a bewitching smile, Bertina watched as the magic took effect, then summoned the servants and had the two packed into a carriage bound for their territory.

She instructed her maid to pack Bianco’s belongings, at least, regardless of Clarissa, and then returned to her father’s room, simply reporting that she had put them in the carriage.

She said nothing about the option. Even though those two were hopeless, to her father, they were his son and niece. It was better not to mention it.

—Except for the part about the option, she explained to Riet why she had sent Bianco and Clarissa to their territory. After hearing her out, Riet made a bitter face and lowered his eyelids.

“From His Highness’s perspective, he lost both his former lover and a friend at once.”

“No! Your judgment, and the Duke’s, was correct. What was Bianco’s intention in wanting to get along with you, Bertina…?”

“Even if you ask me…”

She decided to think of it as mere performance.

“Will you inherit the Annaloro house?”

“Yes. I never imagined I would inherit the house. Whether this choice is right or wrong, I will fulfill my duty to the end.”

“I see…”

The annulment of her engagement to Riet was processed after the Moldio couple’s trial and was duly approved. It would probably be difficult to find the next crown princess candidate, but since Riet was amiable to everyone except Bertina, he would likely find someone.

Enchantments change a person’s character and the impressions of those around them. When even one’s own father speaks ill of you, it carries more weight than the voices of others. Now, she could somewhat understand Riet’s rejection.

Like her father, she wouldn’t forget the treatment she received and had no intention of forgiving.

But, also like her father now, she found herself thinking that building a relationship from scratch wasn’t so bad.

“I’ve made my resolution too.”

“About what?”

“I’ll announce it at the next palace ball. By the way, can you and the Duke attend?”

“That’s right!”

She had been so busy she had completely forgotten.

Any noble living in the kingdom was basically required to attend.

“Regardless of me, it will depend on Father’s condition.”

“I see.”

“I don’t know what you plan to do, Your Highness, but do you have no regrets?”

“Yes. This is the answer I reached after thinking about it all month.”

“I see.”

If he, the Crown Prince, said so, it must be a firm resolution.

After finishing the tea she was served, Bertina chatted with Riet a while longer before leaving.

Left alone at the tea table, Riet murmured—

“As long as I can be by Bertina’s side.”