I Will Break Off the Engagement Because I'm Jealous - The Untalented Villainess Who Rejected the Prince Searches for a Safe Haven with the Cheat Heroine - Chapter 1.5

Returning to her dorm room, Emilia let out a heavy sigh. As she watched the servants bustling about, she turned her gaze to the girl beside her, Iris.

“If only you had arrived a little later, you could have even become the queen. That’s my only regret.”

“Ah! So that’s why you deliberately made sure my dress wouldn’t fit!? Please stop, Lady Emilia!”

When Emilia discovered what the prince had been doing all along, she reached her limit. If only he had ignored her schemes, she could have believed in the goodwill he showed when they first met. That’s why she took a foolish gamble. She spread rumors of bullying, betting that he would believe her.

But just in case things didn’t work out, she decided to leave behind the prince’s original partner,  the heroine Iris. Therefore, Emilia arranged for Iris to be late to the ball.

After Emilia’s engagement was broken off. So that at least those two could be together.

(In the end, that didn’t work out either. I’ve lost everything! Really, one shouldn’t gamble at all.)

Emilia smiled self-deprecatingly. If only Sieg’s love hadn’t been lost. She could have overlooked other things. But her affection… had been completely overwritten by that murky, confused emotion.

“Why? If you became queen, you could have anything you wanted? Though whether this country would last is another matter.”

“I dislike people who don’t put in effort.”

When Emilia asked half-heartedly, Iris puffed out her cheeks cutely and declared firmly. Emilia couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise.

“Weren’t you the one always hovering around His Highness?”

“That was because His Highness approached me and he gave me rewards too.”

(Pocket money amounts that would make minimum wage blush.)

Somehow, Iris had a tendency to accept work without considering the compensation, saying “it helps me grow.” When Emilia hired her, she had quite a struggle making her accept proper payment. Because she thought it was educational, she wanted to work for free.

Though that trait also helped expose Sieg’s true nature. Emilia felt restless, worried about her.

“And,”

Iris paused her words, showing a somewhat embarrassed expression. As Emilia watched her blushing cheeks, wondering if she was feeling hot.

“I don’t think I was around Sieg-sama. It’s Lady Emilia’s…”

“What’s that?”

“It’s nothing!”

Iris showed an evasive attitude. Emilia let out a small sigh and looked around the room where her personal belongings were beginning to be packed.

“Are you going somewhere?”

Facing the questioning Iris, Emilia returned an ambiguous smile.

“I can’t possibly stay at the academy. I’m returning home.”

“Eh!?”

(Yes, I lost my “gamble.” Father might not forgive me. If that happens, it’ll probably be something even worse…)

If she had done nothing, perhaps she might have become Sieg’s bride. But Emilia desperately wanted to save her own affection, which was enveloped in that “murky confusion.” However, the prince denounced her without believing her, and Emilia rejected him. The breakdown of their relationship was fatal, and it’s doubtful whether she can even remain in the country. Depending on the circumstances, Emilia might be married off to some man she’s never even seen before.

But that was, betting everything.

And losing to it.

Emilia accepted her defeat and hung her head.

Right before her eyes.

“This!”

An envelope was thrust forward. When she looked up, pink eyes were staring intently at Emilia.

“An invitation from the Imperial National University. I’ve been invited to study abroad.”

“Ah…………”

A brilliant talent rising to a greater stage. Hearing that story.

Emilia showed a radiant, full-faced smile.

Different from when she witnessed Sieg’s achievements.

She could genuinely support her from the bottom of her heart.

“Congratulations! University means skipping grades… that’s amazing, Iris.”

“It’s not amazing. I made unreasonable demands, saying I might go if they accepted my conditions. And then,”

As she slid her finger, the envelope became two.

“Just as I requested, they replied that it would be fine for Lady Emilia to come with me.”

“Huh? Me?”

Emilia looked back and forth between the two envelopes and Iris. Her eyes and head felt like they were spinning. She understood why the university would accept her so-called unreasonable demands. They desperately want to recruit the “Maiden of Ten Thousand Talents.” But why Iris made going with Emilia a condition, she couldn’t understand at all.

(I’m somehow in a different world from this girl.)

A dazzling talent like an idol chosen by heaven was about to rise to an appropriate stage. Emilia couldn’t even imagine herself following along.

It was simply dazzling.

But for some reason, that idol seemed quite angry. Her eyebrows were furrowed, cheeks puffed out, showing a cute display of anger.

“Let’s go together!”

“Eh? No, someone like me——”

“Let’s go!”

Her hand was taken, and her body was pulled close. Up close, she saw beautiful eyes filled with strong willpower.

“I won’t deny your efforts!”

The dazzling she had seen. Was merely a cloudiness in her eyes.

Her vision cleared with a whoosh.

Emilia.

Felt like she was properly seeing the face of the talented girl lifting her up for the first time.

“…………Everyone, please help prepare Iris’s things. We’re leaving here immediately.”

As Emilia murmured this, the servants’ movements changed. Considering the previous incident when the prince invaded her room, and also because she had hired Iris, they had been sharing a room. Iris’s remaining personal belongings also began to be packed away.

“Um, Lady Emilia.”

“Take me with you.”

“…………Yes!”

Emilia’s gaze was drawn to Iris, who nodded slightly with shining eyes.

(Truly dazzling. Exactly the protagonist. Of the story I loved, the scenario I distorted.)

Her talent, that infinite growth skill. That blessing seemed to make Iris, who continued to work hard, shine from within.

“There’s no music, but won’t you dance with me?”

Emilia suddenly voiced her idea.

“Eh!?”

“This dress is too precious to waste. Is it no good?”

She lowered her face, speaking teasingly.

Hiding her tears, she said.

“Just until my heart settles down is fine.”

“…………With pleasure, Lady Emilia.”

Iris took her hand almost forcefully. A hand reached around her waist, and swaying steps began. The lead of the slightly taller girl was incredibly powerful.

(Oh………… She can even dance the male part naturally, really.)

Like a cradle, it brought comfort to Emilia.

(I don’t even feel envious.)

In the arms of this dazzling person who seemed to be from a distant world.

Strangely enough.

Was much more comfortable than when she danced with her former love.

From here on, the story continues as a short story.