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 3.6

The envoy, Donixbarret’s mouth and cheek were distorted… as if his jaw had come unhinged.

(Ah.)

Emilia remembered his “quirk” and felt the blood quietly draining from her face.

“I am Donixbarret Dodgeball, Donixbarret Dodgeball! Who is this ‘Donix’ you speak of! Were you never taught by your mother not to mistake people’s names, you damned monkey!”

His shouting was so loud that about half of it didn’t even register. The two attendants stood by, watching him calmly, while Iris was wide-eyed and recoiling. Emilia chided herself and managed to slip her body in front of Iris.

But Donixbarret wouldn’t stop. He loathed “having his name abbreviated” like poison. He took great pride in his name… and apparently believed nicknames were only permitted for family. Remembering that he had lost both parents, Emilia couldn’t easily soothe his raging outburst.

“You dare oppose Lord Sieg, you monkey! Along with that promise-breaking Emilia, I’d like to strangle you both, but I! This very I! Am making an effort! Exercising patience! And you go and mistake my name! That’s the second most unforgivable thing after breaking promises! Ted, Naval! Draw your swords!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Huh!?”

(Oh dear…)

Emilia’s cheek twitched. Iris also let out a bewildered voice and braced herself. The two attendants drew slender swords from the scabbards at their waists and stepped forward. Their posture, gait, and unwavering sword tips suggested they were quite skilled.

If it had come to this, a clash was unavoidable. While killing the envoy’s party would undoubtedly worsen the situation, they couldn’t just not fight back. Considering Iris’s abilities and the holy sword’s skills, subduing these three would be easy. Emilia judged so.

In her hand, the holy sword.

“You insolent wretches who have shown disrespect to the Second Prince’s envoy! There’s no need to await judgment! Execution!”

“Please wait.”

What stopped the attendants’ swords?

Was not Emilia’s holy sword.

Before she could draw her sword, the entrance door opened.

“Your Excellency the Envoy, my apologies for my daughter’s rudeness. How might we appease your anger?”

Slipping smoothly forward was Baron Fran… Zlight himself. Watching his back as he stepped forward, Iris gasped. She had started to open her mouth but when Zlight glanced at her, she was silenced.

“…My apologies. And you are?”

“I am Zlight Crocks, entrusted with the Fran Barony.”

Zlight politely responded and bowed to Donixbarret, who seemed to have regained his composure.

“Father! You shouldn’t come out!”

Iris frantically clung to Zlight, but he gently shook her off. Emilia felt the same way but the quiet intensity Zlight displayed left her speechless.

“Step back. Your Excellency the Envoy, may I ask your name?”

“Donixbarret Dodgeball. I hold the title of Viscount Dot, but I am still unworthy. I cannot face my deceased parents, so please call me Donixbarret.”

“Lord Donixbarret. Please inform us of your business. Shall we guide you inside?”

“No, that’s fine! Lord Sieg’s orders must be carried out swiftly!”

While Iris and Emilia were bewildered, the conversation progressed smoothly. One of the attendants produced a tube from somewhere. He took out a document from inside and handed it to Donixbarret. He untied the cord and held the contents up toward Zlight.

“‘Baron Fran household head Zlight Crocks is to come to the royal capital immediately.’ Hmph. Prince Sieg himself wishes to meet you. I shall guide you.”

(No good! Going to the royal capital means he’ll be a hostage or made an example of! Because of Iris!)

As Zlight was about to nod――――.

“Wait, Donixbarret. Is His Highness planning to… execute the Baron?”

Emilia squeezed out her voice and cut in. Donixbarret carefully rolled up the document, tied it with the cord, and handed it to his attendant.

“The Prince’s words are absolute. I do not presume to interpret His will. However.”

He looked leisurely at Emilia, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“This is my personal opinion, if the ill-mannered girl were to commit seppuku or such. His Highness’s heart might find some peace, don’t you think?”

He glanced sideways at Iris, whose face had turned pale. Emilia gritted her teeth and roared from the depths of her stomach.

“What has Iris even done! And the Baron hasn’t done anything either!”

“I do not speak for His Highness’s will. Instead of asking someone like me, why not inquire directly, Lady Emilia. By going yourself to His Highness’s side.”

(This…!)

At the edge of her vision, the pale Iris clenched her fists. Emilia also stepped forward, as if to confront this injustice.

But before she could, a man’s back blocked her way.

“―If you promise not to lay a hand on my daughter, then I shall accompany you.”

The profile of Baron Fran… Zlight, resolved, came into view.

“Father!?”

“Be silent, Iris. I haven’t heard the details of what you’ve done.”

His expression twisted gently. As if trying to smile and failing. Accompanied by such a tremor.

“If someone belonging to a worthless frontier noble has incurred the royal family’s displeasure. Then this is fate.”

“Such…!”

Iris raised her voice but seemed unable to step forward. Emilia also felt that, with the Baron and Iris enduring this, she couldn’t recklessly intervene. Even if Iris and Emilia were to cause a commotion here and now. After the two departed, there would be no recourse. Returning from their journey to find their family slaughtered―with such a future dangling before them, they couldn’t possibly attempt anything drastic.

“Very well. My mission is solely to bring Baron Fran. I will not lay a hand on your daughter. I promise you this, so could you repeat after me? ‘If no hand is laid upon Lady Iris, Baron Fran will obediently accompany us to the royal capital.'”

“I, Zlight, if Iris’s life and safety are assured.”

“Wait, don’t!”

Emilia shouted sharply. Donixbarret placed a hand on his chest, and the back of it showed a strange gleam.

But.

“―I will accompany Lord Donixbarret and go to the royal capital.”

It was too late.

“A promise, then… fufu.”

The back of Donixbarret’s hand glowed, and a pattern emerged. From it, chains of light extended, binding Zlight’s body tightly.

“Wh-what is this!? A skill!”

“Indeed, my skill ‘Promise Chain.’ Until the promise is fulfilled, you have no freedom! It’s not that I don’t trust you… but yes. Those girls might interfere with the promise’s fulfillment.”

The chains jangled. Donixbarret wore a fearless smile.

“If the promise is not fulfilled, my chains will strangle Baron Fran. Behave yourselves.”