I Will Not Accept It — Since He Said He Would Demote Me to Second Queen for the Sake of His Own Love, I Will Break the Engagement - Episode 2

Amid the commotion in the conference room, I quietly stood up. The chair made a light sound as it slid backward. I felt the heavyweights’ gazes turn toward me all at once.

“Breaking off the engagement!? Such, such arbitrary actions. There’s no way this can be allowed!”

Cariotte flusteredly continued speaking. His face was bright red, and sweat beaded on his forehead. He looked just like a child throwing a tantrum.

“And who is being arbitrary here?”

I replied calmly and clearly. My voice echoing through the conference room sounded lower and more composed than usual. I absolutely didn’t want to show them any flustered appearance.

“The Crown Prince and I were formally engaged. Yet you brought another woman afterward and arbitrarily declared her queen. Moreover, demoting me to second queen. Just who is behaving arbitrarily here?”

I could see the ministers nodding. A natural reaction, I thought.

“But she is a wonderful woman! And I love her from the bottom of my heart. There’s no falsehood in these feelings!”

Cariotte desperately tried to explain. Beside him, Carla kept her head bowed but occasionally glanced my way. Her gaze contained clear hostility.

“And what does that matter?”

My voice carried a coldness I had never felt before. That feeling had naturally surfaced. I mercilessly directed those words at them.

“Who you love is irrelevant to me. However, the fact remains that I have been stripped of my position as queen. I cannot accept that. Therefore, breaking off the engagement is the only option, isn’t it?”

“W-what did you say!?”

I smiled coldly and confronted them. Cariotte’s face grew even redder. I could tell he was trembling with anger.

Keeping my gaze on him, I continued.

“First of all, do you have any awareness of your position as Crown Prince? During this critical period when the King is ill and bedridden, causing confusion in the kingdom over romantic affairs. How do you intend to take responsibility before the citizens?”

“N-no! Th-that’s…”

Cariotte faltered. Clearly, he hadn’t considered things that far.

“Since childhood, I have been learning the duties of a queen. To wish for the people’s happiness and devote myself to the kingdom’s prosperity. And what exactly have you been learning?”

The tension in the conference room intensified. The ministers watched our exchange with bated breath.

“……”

In place of the speechless Crown Prince, Carla spoke up.

“Isn’t it fine? Why not accept what she says?”

That came from the woman the Crown Prince had brought the one he claimed to love. Her voice carried a somewhat condescending tone.

“Carla…”

Cariotte called her name. His voice was filled with gratitude. Though all she did was change the subject, without resolving anything.

“But, Lord Cariotte. This person wants to break off the engagement, right? Then why not grant her wish? That way, we can be together openly.”

“P-please wait!”

One of the ministers, sweating profusely, intervened and tried to speak. He probably understood the gravity of the situation. But.

“Outsiders stay silent!”

Cariotte snapped.

“……”

The minister fell silent at those words. I don’t think he’s an outsider. If anyone, the woman the Crown Prince brought is the biggest outsider here. But they probably can’t understand that logic.

“Lord Cariotte, did I say something wrong?”

Carla looked up at the Crown Prince anxiously. But I didn’t miss the definite flames of ambition burning in the depths of her eyes.

“It’s alright, Carla. You’re not wrong, and if anything happens, I’ll protect you.”

Cariotte took Carla’s hand. Watching that scene, I noticed a noble who had been observing frown.

Well, if she’s going to support my position, that works in my favor. That woman seems to be dreaming of a future where she can become queen. Probably, she only thinks of herself. She must be ecstatic, thinking she can climb to the position of queen.

To install such a woman as queen. The kingdom is likely headed for real trouble. If a woman with no political experience, a mere commoner who doesn’t know noble society’s customs, becomes queen, how much confusion will that cause?

But I feel sorry for the citizens who will be caught up in their mess. Something must be done. However, what I can do now is limited.

“It seems our discussion is over, so I’ll take my leave.”

I bowed gracefully and began walking with resolute posture. There’s nothing more I can do here. Staying any longer won’t stop their foolish behavior.

“Farewell, Lord Cariotte.”

“W-wait… Murina!”

Cariotte called my name in a fluster. But it was too late.

Ignoring the voices from behind me, I left the room. Just before the door closed, I could hear the ministers’ panicked voices and, mixed among them, Carla’s happy little laugh.

Walking down the hallway where their voices no longer reached and silence had returned, I stopped once and took a deep breath. My heart, which had been pounding violently deep in my chest, finally began to calm down.

Through the ornately decorated hallway window, I could see the garden. It was the same peaceful scene as always, but from today onward, everything would change.

I need to report to the head of the family, my father immediately. And then, what will happen from here? The position of the Rosewell ducal house? The kingdom’s politics? And my own future?

There are mountains of things to consider, but one thing I could say for certain.

Breaking off the engagement was not a mistake.

I could never accept any position other than primary queen. Because that was my answer. That couldn’t have been wrong.