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 3

“Welcome home, Lady Murina.”

Sebastian, the butler, greeted me at the entrance as always, bowing respectfully. His proper demeanor made me feel that I had safely returned to the normalcy of the mansion.

“Is Father in his study?”

“Yes, he has been waiting for you. Is something the matter?”

The butler’s sharp gaze seemed to be trying to read my expression. Having served our family for many years, Sebastian could likely tell immediately that something was different about me today.

“I must report about the meeting at the royal palace right away.”

Without stopping, I hurried deeper into the mansion. Since I came straight home, the news shouldn’t have reached Father, the head of our household, yet. That’s precisely why I needed to tell him directly.

Before the heavy door of the study, I took a deep breath. My hands were trembling slightly. For nineteen years until today, I had never disappointed Father. I had always strived to be perfect as a candidate for queen consort.

But today, I had declared that I would break off the engagement. And in front of numerous ministers and nobles. How would Father judge this matter? He might be angry. He might be disappointed. That was what frightened me most.

Clenching my hands to stop their trembling, I knocked lightly on the door.

“Enter.”

Father’s usual low, calm voice echoed through the door. I opened it and stepped into the study.

Duke Albert Rosewell—my father—was watching me from behind his large desk. His deep blue eyes were the same color as mine. Piles of government documents covered his desk, evidence that Father had been busy every day since the king fell ill.

“You’ve returned, Murina.”

Father set down his quill and stood, gesturing for me to take a seat. His movements carried both his usual dignity and kindness.

“What was the nature of the summons from His Highness the Crown Prince?”

Looking at my expression, Father seemed to have already sensed something.

“Judging by your face, it wasn’t good news.”

I nodded. Then I began recounting the earlier events. How the Crown Prince had declared he would make a commoner named Carla his official queen consort, how he had demanded that I become the second queen consort instead, and how I had asked the prince to break off our engagement?

Father listened silently, but as my story progressed, his expression grew increasingly stern. Particularly when I said, “He told me to become the second queen consort,” I saw Father’s eyebrow twitch and his fist clench slightly.

“Second queen consort? To make such an insulting proposal to the daughter of the Rosewell family, who was in a formal engagement?”

His low, restrained voice clearly contained anger.

“Yes…”

“Continue. I’ll hear you out to the end.”

Father’s anger, which I rarely saw, frightened me even though I knew it wasn’t directed at me. Carefully keeping my voice from trembling, I continued my report.

I told him everything—how I had declared the engagement broken before the ministers, Prince Cariotte’s flustered reaction, and the calculating nature of the woman named Carla. I was careful not to distort the facts or include too much of my own perspective.

When I finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the study. Father put his hand to his forehead and let out a deep sigh.

“I see. Now I understand the situation. I never imagined things would come to such foolishness.”

Father’s voice held both disbelief and anger. And a touch of sadness.

“I’m sorry, Father. I acted on my own by requesting the engagement be broken off.”

I bowed deeply. Breaking off the engagement wasn’t something I should have decided alone. It was a serious matter that would affect the Rosewell family’s political standing. I regretted having made the decision without consulting Father first. Perhaps I should have considered the situation more calmly and handled it more skillfully.

“Lift your head, Murina. Your judgment was not wrong in any way.”

His voice was more gentle than I had ever heard it before. Surprised, I looked up at Father.

“The daughter of the Rosewell family has no need whatsoever to accept such a humiliating position as second queen consort. You were born to become the official queen consort and received the finest education for that purpose. You have carried that responsibility and lived with pride. Therefore, you have no need to accept any other position.”

At Father’s words, something warm blossomed deep in my chest. He understood. He approved. Just that made me feel that today’s decision hadn’t been in vain.

“You acted with admirable resolve. A truly correct judgment, worthy of my daughter. I am proud of you.”

“Thank you, Father!”

I felt the anxiety and tension I had been carrying melt away all at once.

“I will take responsibility for proceeding with the engagement termination procedures. Since you declared it before ministers and nobles, we won’t do this half-heartedly. No matter what the Crown Prince says, we absolutely will not retract it. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, please.”

As if I would ever consider retracting it. Even if they came to apologize, I would insist it be carried through.

“For the time being, you should remain quietly at the mansion. Cancel all your queen consort training sessions. Refuse all social invitations. They might attempt unnecessary interference.”

“Understood.”

Waiting out the situation in a safe place. An accurate judgment from the head of the household. I would follow that instruction.

“And one more thing,” Father said, returning to his desk while softening his expression slightly.

“This matter might unexpectedly turn out for the better. Having witnessed the Crown Prince’s foolish behavior, the kingdom’s senior statesmen will likely reconsider their positions. Not just us, but many nobles probably share the same sentiment.”

I felt these words weren’t merely comfort meant to ease my anxiety, but rather a statement of fact derived from Father’s sharp political intuition as head of the Rosewell family. That’s precisely why I felt truly reassured. If it was Father’s judgment, it couldn’t be wrong. Surely nothing bad would come of this. I could believe that.

“Murina. You should rest well today.”

“Yes, Father. I’ll take my leave.”

I would be spending the coming days quietly at the mansion. But I felt no anxiety.