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 3.10

“I want to help Iris.”

Those words slipped out smoothly. Though Emilia had lost her path to becoming queen and couldn’t see her future, something had changed after facing Donixbarret with Iris. Or perhaps it was when she summoned the light sword—which immediately returned to being a silver sword and never glowed again after that.

Something was pushing Emilia forward.

It was close to that “muddled feeling,” yet different.

A restless, itching sensation that made it impossible to stay still.

Something urging her to step forward.

(Skills have something like will, or direction… the path shown by the spirits. But what you do on that path is different, and why you walk it depends on the person.)

She suddenly thought of Donixbarret. His obsession with “promises” was likely part of his personality before he acquired skills, shaped by his experiences. Sieg, who valued nobility, and Iris, who never ceased her efforts—their natures probably existed before they gained their skills too.

If that was the case…

She wanted to see.

When they first met. Iris, who radiated a brilliant aura like the protagonist of the world… Why had she become like that? Where was she trying to go?

Iris’s future, now slightly closer—the future of this idol who had become part of her life.

Right beside her.

Emilia had come to want—to chase after Iris.

“The kingdom values results over skills, but social status is absolute. For Iris, from a baron’s family and a woman at that, there’s no future.”

“That’s true.”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be the empire.”

Her floating thoughts. The stifling “muddled feeling.”

With just a little positive emotion.

Became words and were pushed out.

“I want to see more of that child shining. The vibrant Iris I saw at the academy. More of that.”

For nearly half a year, she had watched Iris from right beside her. That very sight was what remained for Emilia. Her final guidepost.

(I think I finally understand a little. Iris’s radiance, that aura must be proof of the “real thing.” Blessed by the spirits, her efforts are shining.)

The brief glimpse she had of the “light sword.” That kind of “real thing” must lie beyond talent and effort. It felt like she finally understood the radiance of Iris that she had always admired. Emilia was drawn to that light.

(I made a mistake myself and drove my life to ruin. In a way, you could say I dragged Iris into it too.)

Emilia’s expression clouded. Looking down, she thought of Sieg. If only she could have endured his infidelity and cheating suspicions. Then she wouldn’t have involved Iris in crises like the confrontation with Donixbarret. She wouldn’t have distorted her own life either. But driven by that “muddled feeling,” she chose her path. No one blamed Emilia but she felt it was surely a mistake. The condemnation from Donixbarret was right. She couldn’t help but feel it was justified.

(Then, at least…)

That’s why Iris.

And her own mistaken self.

Seemed like a beacon of hope that could make her stand up again.

(At least I want to send Iris, the world’s protagonist, to a stage where she can shine even more—)

She felt strongly drawn.

“Is that so? Then do that for her.”

“Lady Rekka…”

Rekka’s words spilled out like a sigh, tinged with loneliness.

“I couldn’t do that. For my husband, for me. Getting her into the academy was the best I could do. You can’t enter without being nobility.”

“Eh? Don’t tell me, for that reason you became a baron…?”

“For my talented daughter, it’s only natural, right?”

Emilia’s eyes widened. The heroic woman across the table looked proud and happy.

“I’ll do that much. The duke’s the same, you know.”

“Father…”

“Well, see for yourself what he’s up to. You haven’t met him much, have you?”

Emilia’s eyes, which had been filled with hope, now reflected a hint of anxiety.

(Father, Mother, Brother… after all this time, would it be alright for someone like me to meet them? I’d probably just cause trouble.)

The ducal house was surely busy amid rising independence movements. And here comes their daughter, carrying the spark of the Second Prince. Anxiety washed over her—would they reject her?

“Between you and me, he’s lonely not being able to see his daughter. Go be spoiled by him.”

“Spoiled? I don’t really understand that.”

Whispered to by Rekka, Emilia became completely lost about what to do.

“The empire is skill supremacist, but the imperial university is authoritarian. Probably, if you weren’t with her, Iris wouldn’t have received an invitation.”

Rekka… with a somewhat affectionate expression, changed the subject. Emilia couldn’t look away from her smile.

“Don’t be so nervous, go and enjoy yourself. If it doesn’t work out, well, come back.”

“Come marry into our family.”

Suddenly told this.

Emilia froze.

“Ah, of course the husband wouldn’t be that useless brat. It’d be Iris.”

“Hah!?”

She couldn’t help but exclaim. She couldn’t imagine what Rekka meant by this.

“Then I’ll teach you military strategy. Facing a monster stampede will make your brains leak out, I tell ya?”

“Mom, seriously! What are you saying to Lady Emilia!?”

Iris, as if unable to hold back, rushed in with a bright red face.

Watching the mother and daughter tussle.

Emilia… somehow felt the “muddled feeling” swell warmly.

It seemed like her desire to “do something for Iris” was growing properly.

The impatience she had felt in the “muddled feeling” until now was nowhere to be found.

For some reason, she felt very happy.

☆ ☆ ☆

Early the next morning.

The two finished their farewells with the baron’s family and stood on the highway.

“I’m really sorry about my mother.”

Even after that, the drunk Rekka kept asking various things. Each time, a red-faced Iris would intervene and Emilia found it enjoyable.

“It’s fine. They’re wonderful parents.”

“Thank you. But please forget what my mother said…”

Whatever Iris muttered softly was carried away by the wind, too distant to hear.

“Did you say something? Iris”

“No, nothing at all. Let’s go, to the duchy!”

When asked again, she dodged with a smile.

(What she said must be about marrying in, I suppose. Why does Lady Rekka push it so far? We’re both women.)

Emilia felt a slight “muddled feeling.”

(In this world, there shouldn’t be any place where same-sex couples can unite——)

She exhaled strongly, as if blowing into the wind.

“Someday, when we can return. I’d like to greet the others too.”

“Let’s leave my brothers alone! More importantly, we need to hurry! It’s a mountain road, so it’ll take quite a while!”

As if hiding her true feelings, Iris said energetically.

“Alright, alright. Come forth, Aiter.”

When Emilia raised her hand, the spirit car emerged smoothly from her palm.

(Family… saying they’re lonely not seeing me. I can’t believe it, but…)

About to get into the passenger seat, she looked back toward the mansion. Many people were still visible at the entrance.

At their forefront were the father in his undershorts and… the muscular heroine.

(…Let’s go and see for ourselves. With our own eyes, whether it’s true or not.)

As the two got into the car.

The spirit car Aiter quietly began to move.

Toward the large northern territory at the edge of the kingdom.

The Persicam Duchy.

With this, Chapter Three concludes. Next begins Chapter Four, the Duchy Arc.