The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 1

A month had passed since the end of what would later be called the Twenty-Year War with our neighboring country. A royal party to celebrate the war’s conclusion was being held.

The first dance by the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, signaling the start of the festivities, had ended, and many participants were now dancing freely across the ballroom. The fluttering hems of dresses and tailcoats resembled peacocks courting, making me unconsciously narrow my eyes. The venue was peaceful—no magic, no scent of blood, no sounds of soldiers writhing in pain.

As if to wash away the gloomy twenty years, the many guests gathered in lavish outfits were enjoying the banquet. In the dazzling hall filled with live music from the orchestra, I, Eleanora Narcissus, slipped through the crowd in my brand-new dress, searching for my fiancé, Lord Caius Hydrangia.

Ah! My gaze caught a familiar figure ahead. Tall and slender, with golden hair and emerald eyes. A well-defined nose and firmly set lips. Why would such a handsome man be my fiancé? I had seriously wondered that when our engagement was arranged in my childhood. Called plain and unremarkable, my parents were surprised but accepted when the Hydrangia Marquisate proposed marriage to our family, which holds only a count’s rank.

The Narcissus Count family has produced many magic-wielders over generations, and apparently, the Hydrangia Marquisate targeted that trait. Though there are more influential count families in the country than ours, I understood why they chose the Narcissus family. A family in a precarious position with little to offer but magical power.

“You’re still here Eleanora.”

Lord Caius called my name while looking at me, not bothering to hide his displeasure. Beside him—no, on his arm—was a woman pressing her ample bosom against him. Like a full-bloomed rose, she swayed her glossy pink-blonde hair and giggled softly while looking at me. Even though we’re engaged, he is from a marquis family and I from a count family. To avoid disrespect, I bowed my head slightly before speaking.

“Lord Caius, I’ve been looking for you. I am your partner for this evening. Please fulfill your duty.”

Though I understood from his words that I wasn’t welcome, I felt I had to speak up about what needed to be done. Lord Caius’s attitude had completely changed since returning from the battlefield. Before his departure, as a noble and my fiancé, he attended monthly tea parties and accepted gifts, and I did my best. Sending embroidered handkerchiefs as a lady would and exchanging letter to convey my feelings to him.

Neither of us were particularly talkative, but I thought we were slowly closing the distance between us.

Since childhood, I’ve been told that my black hair and black eyes make me plain and lackluster as a lady, so I’ve never had confidence in my appearance. Ten years have passed since the handsome Lord Caius was arranged as my fiancé. The woman by his side now is the complete opposite of me, radiant and very beautiful.

She must be his type, I thought, feeling a sharp pain in my chest as I peered into Lord Caius’s eyes. Deep within them, I clearly saw the sentiment, “What a bothersome woman.” Still, we are engaged. It’s a contract between families, so we must fulfill our duties. We have greetings to exchange with families we associate with, and neglecting them would tarnish our family’s name. It would be easy to say the battlefield changed him, but as nobles bound by contract, we couldn’t neglect our engagement.

“Sigh… I achieved great deeds in that war. Even though we stood on the same battlefield, you, Eleanora, accomplished little. You have no right to criticize me. Women should just quietly obey men. My partner tonight is Annabella, not you. If you understand, leave my sight immediately. You’re an eyesore.”

Lord Caius sighed audibly, pulled Annabella—the woman entwined around his arm—closer, and gently kissed her cheek. She happily accepted his kiss, glanced at me, and stretched her lips into a smile.

Kissing someone other than family or one’s fiancé expresses affection, but doing so in front of one’s fiancée is tantamount to saying, “I don’t acknowledge you.” Still, I couldn’t simply obey his words. I have my own position and pride.

“But…!”

“I’ve had enough of your foolishly earnest attitude and plain looks. Since I’ve achieved great deeds, my father won’t complain if I choose a better match. Annabella is from the Raphrencia Marquisate. She’s a suitable match for my Hydrangia Marquisate. There’s a world of difference between her and your obscure, insignificant Narcissus Count family.”

Had Lord Caius been holding back these words? Looking up at him, more talkative than usual, I felt like despairing over how the war might have changed him, but as his fiancée, I had to protect his position and dignity as a member of the Hydrangia Marquisate.

“Please wait, Lord Caius! Anything beyond this—”

With other guests present, further remarks would be problematic. Just as I spoke to stop him, perhaps it was already too late for everything.

—I annul my engagement with you.

As he spoke with raised lips, the surrounding guests’ attention gathered on us. In front of everyone, his statement about annulling the engagement—a major issue for nobles—made me want to hold my head in my hands.

As if he’d been holding back for a long time, Lord Caius went on at length about his reasons for annulling it. He said that with his military achievements as a shield, the Hydrangia Marquis would likely accept his proposal. That a marriage with the Raphrencia Marquisate would be more advantageous than with the Narcissus Count family, so it would proceed without issue. Then Lord Caius and Lady Annabella swept past me and left.