I Was Happy to Be Dumped by My Fiancé, But Something Seems Off - Episode 46

The day of the royal palace ball. Bertina stood before the full-length mirror with her maids for a final check, then nodded when the butler came to summon her. With her fiancé gone and her brother sent to the territories, Bertina headed to the entrance hall where her father, who would be her escort tonight, was waiting.

Such a situation would have been absolutely impossible in the past, but now it felt like anything could become reality. Though her father had been somewhat depressed after sending Bianco and Clarissa to the territories, he had since regained his composure and was living peacefully.

The rigor of heir education was nothing to Bertina, who had endured princess consort training. The volume of learning and memorization differed in content but was otherwise quite similar.

“Father.”

When she called out, her father turned his deep purple eyes toward her. While only Bertina had golden hair that turned blue at the tips, they both shared the same golden locks and deep purple eyes. She could understand why Agnes had been so fixated on her.

A daughter who resembled her beloved brother. The daughter Agnes had wanted.

When Agnes learned that Clarissa, whom she had doted on believing she was her brother’s child, was actually her husband’s, her words and actions were disqualifying as a mother. Bertina thought Clarissa was pitiable when rejected by her mother, but she convinced herself that everything afterward was simply her own doing.

“I leave the house in your care.”

“You can count on me.”

“Have a safe trip.”

Argent wasn’t being taken to the royal ball. He was left in charge of the mansion along with the steward.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

Taking his offered hand, she stepped outside and boarded the carriage.

They sat facing each other, silently watching the passing scenery, when he suddenly spoke.

“Today, the royal family will make an announcement concerning His Highness the Crown Prince. Have you heard about it, Bertina?”

“No. However, I have heard from His Highness that he will be making some kind of announcement today.”

“I see.”

“Father, do you know something about it?”

Her father thought for a moment, then decided not to say anything, reasoning that whether she found out now or later made no difference. Bertina didn’t press further.

Still, from Riet’s demeanor that time, she had sensed that something significant would be announced.

She could only pray that no problems would arise.

Many carriages were parked in front of the ball venue. Parking spots were assigned, and the Annaloro family was no exception. Following a knight’s directions, the coachman parked the carriage and opened the door.

As Bertina alighted with her father’s assistance, numerous gazes focused on the father and daughter.

Many nobles already knew about the incident. Even under curious stares, she resolved not to falter and to carry herself with dignity.

Admission began with the lower nobility. As a ducal house, they would enter just before the royal family, so they had to wait their turn. Watching the nobles being called one after another and entering, a charming voice called out to Bertina.

Looking over, she saw a young lady wearing a seductive red dress with a daringly low neckline, approaching with a fan unfolded.

“It’s been a while, Lady Bertina.”

Lydia, granddaughter of the Duke of Spade, was one of the young ladies vying for the position of crown princess. Whenever they met at tea parties or similar events, she would inevitably pester Bertina with annoying remarks. Keeping her annoyance hidden behind a mask and engaging in superficial conversation, Bertina noticed Lydia’s gaze shifting from her to her father.

“Duke Annaloro, I heard from my father and grandfather that you’ve been through quite an ordeal. It must be tiring to escort Lady Bertina, who has been left without a partner after her engagement was broken off.”

The broken engagement was already widely known. Neither Bertina nor her father reacted to the veiled sarcasm, responding only with polite words. It was Lydia who grew irritated at not getting the expected reaction.

“And how is the Duke of Spade faring? I heard he had a difficult time after His Majesty exposed his hair situation in front of everyone.”

“Tch!”

“How terrible, after he took such great care of his hair, all that effort went to waste.”

“What! Are you mocking my grandfather!”

“Oh my, I merely stated the facts. Rather than concerning yourself with other families’ affairs, perhaps you should look after your own?”

While busy as the next head of the family, Inanna had visited unexpectedly and, though surprised by her father’s condition, seemed to understand when Bertina explained the reason. She had given Bertina medicine prepared by an apothecary. Before leaving, Inanna informed her that the Duke of Spade, after having his wig exposed by the king, had since shut himself in his room and refused to see anyone. The king apparently hadn’t expected such a trivial matter to break him, and seemed somewhat concerned. For Inanna, it was a hilarious story that satisfied her.

The skillfully made wig had gone unnoticed even by the Spade family members, and while they were initially shocked to learn of it, they never expected the exposure to shatter him so completely.

When confronted with the facts, Lydia flushed red and said nothing more.

When the Spade ducal house’s entry time came, Lydia was led away by her father, who had come to fetch her.

“They’re weak-willed by bloodline, it seems.”

“Indeed.”

After the Spade ducal house, another ducal house was called, and then the Annaloro house was announced.

Their name was called loudly, and they entered with dignity. Even as the number of stares increased, she paid them no mind. They approached the throne where the king and queen were seated. Beside them were Crown Prince Riet and Second Prince Alexio.

—Oh?

There was an unfamiliar girl beside Alexio. From her stature, she was likely high nobility, but she seemed very young—perhaps four or five years old. She was smiling at a maid beside her and also talking to Alexio.

It seemed she was involved in whatever would be announced today.

The most plausible explanation was that she was Alexio’s fiancée.

After finishing greetings to the royal family, Bertina blended into the crowd, accepted a drink from a servant, and found herself curious about the girl beside Alexio. Reddish silver hair and crimson eyes. The hair color was one inherited by the imperial family of the empire. If that were the case, there was only one possibility.

“Thank you all for gathering today. I hope you enjoy yourselves to your hearts’ content tonight.”

After the nobles’ greetings concluded, the king spoke from the throne.

“Before the ball begins, there are two announcements. First, it has been decided that Second Prince Alexio will be engaged to Her Highness Princess Elerlise, the first princess of the Vagia Empire.” “The Vagia Empire has four imperial princes, if I recall correctly.” “Yes. The emperor apparently wanted a princess desperately.”

The first prince became the crown prince, while the second to fourth princes were set to marry into ducal, marquis, and other noble houses. If Bertina’s memory served correctly, Princess Elerlise was five years old this year. Alexio was ten. Though a political marriage, the age difference didn’t seem to be a major concern.

Next, the king spoke, and Bertina focused her attention. The second announcement would likely concern the crown prince.

“The second announcement is that the position of crown prince will be transferred from First Prince Riet to Second Prince Alexio.”

For a moment, the hall fell silent then was immediately engulfed in murmurs. Even Bertina took a moment to process what she had heard.

“Wh-what…? How…?”

Even though he was disliked, Bertina had closely witnessed Riet’s efforts to become crown prince in the palace, and this was unbelievable to her. She instinctively looked at her father, who seemed to have known, showing no surprise and staring straight ahead.

“Father, you had heard?”

“Yes.”

“Why would His Highness…?”

“Because it created two advantages for the royal family.”

Listening to the king’s words, she also paid attention to her father’s explanation.

“The imperial consort of the Vagia Empire is Lady Lydianne Spade.” “!”

That was the name of the young lady who had been engaged to the king during his crown prince days, then had her engagement broken and was exiled from the Spade family.

Regardless of her father, the duke, the young lady’s brother had secretly helped his sister, entrusting her to a friend in the Vagia Empire. The emperor, who was on good terms with him and knew of the young lady’s abilities, offered to take her as his imperial consort.

Bertina had only heard from Inanna that she was doing well, so this was a surprise.

“Lady Lydianne later became the adopted daughter of an imperial marquis house and was welcomed as imperial consort. The empress fell ill after giving birth to the fourth prince and became unable to bear more children.”

The relationship between the empress and the imperial consort was said to be good, and the empress had blessed the consort when she became pregnant with the princess.

It seemed the empire had secretly obtained information about the recent matters concerning the Moldio and Annaloro families, including the broken engagement between the crown prince and the Annaloro house.

“Initially, they proposed an engagement between Princess Elerlise and Prince Riet.” “His Highness and…”

Riet, who had reached adulthood, and a five-year-old princess. By the time the princess came of age, Riet would be in his mid-thirties. An unmistakable political marriage.

“Strengthening ties with the Vagia Empire and reconciling with the Spade ducal house. His Majesty apparently struggled, wanting to achieve both at once, but Prince Riet made the decision to step down as crown prince.”

What the empire wanted was for the princess to be engaged to the crown prince; as long as the partner held that title, it didn’t matter if it was the second prince. Many nobles still eyed the former Moldio territories now under royal custody, watching intently for an opportunity.

“Originally, the plan was to grant Prince Alexio a new dukedom when he came of age and entered the peerage.”

“Is that so?”

Her father knew the details because the king occasionally visited the mansion to check on him and share information. This was the first Bertina had heard of it; she was told these visits were discreet and known only to the steward.

“Then, the former Moldio territories.”

“They will be granted to Prince Riet at the same time he receives the new ducal title.”

Having finished his announcements, the king encouraged everyone to enjoy the ball and descended from the throne. Though the murmurs among the people didn’t cease, couples gradually began moving to the center to dance.