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 7

I was fortunate enough to meet Lord Cariotte, fortunate enough to be chosen by him, and fortunate enough to obtain this special position. I was genuinely happy about that.

But there was one major concern.

It seemed Lord Cariotte had an official fiancée. The daughter of the Rosewell ducal family, they said a proper noble lady.

I couldn’t help but feel anxious about her existence.

I heard this noble daughter was quite accomplished. She seriously received queen consort education, possessed abundant political knowledge, and was showcasing her talents. She must have been raised as the perfect candidate for queen consort.

If Lord Cariotte’s feelings returned to her when her talents were needed. Just thinking about it made me feel a suffocating sense of urgency.

I briefly considered the option of settling for being a mistress. But if I, a commoner, remained in such an ambiguous position, it would surely lead to trouble. Just imagining living as a mistress with a weak standing in noble society seemed like it would be arduous.

No, I wanted an official position. The respectable position of queen consort, one that no one could complain about.

So, I decided to subtly feed Lord Cariotte negative comments about his fiancée.

Of course, if I were too blatant, he’d dislike me. So, I had to tread the finest line, ensuring I wouldn’t be perceived negatively. My strategy was to lower his fiancée’s image while simultaneously boosting my own.

“Lady Mylenna seems to be such an accomplished person. But…” I said, putting on a slightly troubled expression. “She has an unapproachable air about her, even for a commoner like me. I’m sure the common folk must feel the same way, don’t you think?”

“Is that so? Indeed, she does have that rigid side to her,” Lord Cariotte nodded. Good, he took the bait.

“I think someone as kind and approachable as Your Highness would be better suited with a warmer woman.”

“Carla, you think so too?”

Like this, I subtly but fiercely pushed the idea that I was the better choice over her.

Fortunately, it seemed Lord Cariotte hadn’t thought highly of his fiancée from the start. He’d complain to me about their relationship being completely cold, their conversations being purely businesslike, and so on.

What a convenient situation.

With this, I might just be able to seize the position of queen consort. I began to feel something close to certainty growing within me.

Then, the fateful day arrived.

Suddenly, during a meeting with ministers and nobles, Lord Cariotte declared that he would make me his official fiancée.

It was completely out of the blue, with no prior discussion, so I was honestly a bit surprised. I would have preferred a little advance consultation, but he must have wanted to surprise me with good news. He must have wanted to make me happy. I sensed his feelings.

So, I decided to flatter him with all my might, as usual. I played the part of the bashful maiden, showing him how moved I was.

“Lord Cariotte…” I blushed, looking down, but occasionally glancing up at him with upturned eyes. It was perfect acting.

A heavy atmosphere filled the conference room. The ministers were perplexed, the nobles were murmuring restlessly. But that didn’t matter to me. The only thing important to me was Lord Cariotte’s decision.

Then, the woman I’d heard rumors about Mylenna finally spoke up. So, this was her. She was reasonably beautiful, I suppose.

I observed her calmly. She was indeed elegant and dignified, exactly what you’d expect from a noble lady. Having received queen consort education, her demeanor was refined, I’ll give her that.

But that was all. Nothing particularly impressive. After all, I too had been dressing in the expensive dresses he gifted me lately, adorning myself beautifully enough to rival any noble daughter.

As the discussion progressed, I analyzed the situation as a bystander. Lord Cariotte was passionately speaking of his love for me, while Mylenna was clearly shaken.

With this flow, my victory was assured.

Just as I thought that, something unexpected happened. To my surprise, Mylenna was the one who announced the cancellation of their engagement.

I hadn’t anticipated this development. But I instantly calculated in my head and reached a conclusion. This was convenient for me. In fact, it was an even more favorable turn of events than I had imagined.

If she had accepted the position of second queen consort, my standing might have become precarious despite my higher position, due to the difference in our abilities. But if she voluntarily stepped aside, I could proudly become the sole queen consort.

So, I decided to push Lord Cariotte’s back with all my strength.

“Isn’t it fine? If we accept what she says,” I said in a gentle yet confident voice. “After all, Lord Cariotte, this lady wishes for the engagement to be canceled, doesn’t she? Then why not grant her wish? That way, we can be united proudly and properly.”

It was perfect guidance. Urging Lord Cariotte’s decision while justifying our relationship.

I watched Mylenna, now his former fiancée, leave together with Lord Cariotte. Finally, I had obtained the position of future queen consort.

I never imagined I could reach this point so smoothly. Results beyond my expectations. Mylenna, whom I had considered an obstacle, was clearing the path for me herself.

Everything was progressing in the direction most convenient for me. I must be a special person loved by fate.

From now on, as queen consort, I would stand at the highest position in this country. Just imagining it made my heart leap.

Beautiful dresses, jewels, a life in a luxurious palace. A carefree existence awaited me. And above all, a position where I would be respected and revered by everyone.

For a commoner’s daughter like me to climb this high.

Surely, nothing but good things would happen from now on. I intended to live fully savoring that happiness.

All because I am the chosen one. Because I am special.

There’s nothing to worry about at all.