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Chapter 2，Part 1: Chapter 1, Episode 2

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

Then a week passed without hearing from Raul.

Then, when my tears had dried up, Father called me out of my room and, for the first time in a long time, I left my room and headed for the study room.

There I found not only Father but also my Older Brother.

Father, who hugged me as soon as he saw me, and my Brother, who was usually rough around the edges but gently stroked my head. I know that they visited my room many times, worried about me. I also know that they were relieved to see me when I finally came out of my room.

My brother urges me to sit down on the sofa, and Father speaks up.

「I have been discussing the future with the Count Colden…」

「I see.」

The engagement would be called off with no apology or explanation from Raul.

I have been prepared for this to some extent while waiting for Raul for the past week, but my heart is tightening.

「The Count offered to continue the engagement.」

「Eh…?」

For a moment, I didn’t understand what Father had said, which I hadn’t expected.

I was not the only one stunned.

「Haah? Is that guy has a maggot in his head?」

The one who spoke out of turn was my brother and Raul’s best friend, Keith.

「The Count seemed to want to break off the engagement, but it seems Raul himself refused to do so.」

「Raul-sama, did?」

「Yes.」

「Why…!?」

Even though there is someone you love. And I’m the one who sees you doing it?

「That I don’t know. But, as promised, Marsha wants to get married as soon as she graduates.」

Shaking his head from side to side, Father nodded.

「Are you kidding me, that guy!」

「I don’t know what Raul is thinking. I never knew he was this dishonest…」

The words “why and why not” spin around in my head.

If he wants to continue the engagement, he should first apologize or visit me or something. If he doesn’t want to see me, he’ll have to come see Father alone.

Indeed, they’re a Count, which is a higher title than that of a Viscount. However, the engagement between the Coldens and the Gracis was only on an equal footing. I am sure Raul is aware of that, of course. And yet, how arrogant of him to continue the engagement based solely on his own wishes.

「…Is it not possible to break off the engagement?」

In a trembling voice, I asked Father.

「Not that it can’t be done, but are you sure?」

「…ugh.」

Dissolving an engagement and breaking off an engagement are similar, but very different.

A dissolution of engagement, such as an amicable end to an engagement with just cause and mutual agreement, is not the fault of either party, and it is not likely to be publicly criticized as a bad thing.

But breaking off an engagement is different.

It’s a dissolution of an engagement followed by unilateral circumstances without just cause, and in some cases, legal sanctions, such as alimony, are imposed. In this case, there was negligence on the part of the other party in the form of cheating, and even if the Viscount’s family enforced the annulment of the engagement, it would be a justified annulment and would be accepted, and alimony could be claimed. Conversely, if the Count’s family were to break off the engagement, it would be dismissed as an unjustified break because there was no fault on their part. Of course, a claim for alimony is out of the question. And in aristocratic society, it can be fatally ugly and affect future marriages and career advancement. This is only if the engagement is made on an equal footing.

In other words, I would damage Raul’s future by filing for an annulment. Moreover, he is a legitimate son of a Count. It wouldn’t only hurt him, but also the Count’s family itself. My father is asking me if I am prepared to do that.

「Why don’t you just do it, that’s all he can do.」

My brother says this to encourage me, who cannot answer immediately.

「Who the hell does he think he was to tell us that he wants to marry Marsha when he told other women that he love her!! My sister ain’t no toy!!!」

「Keith!!!」

「Ah… my bad…」

My brother’s words pierce my heart, but I shake my head. I thought “toy” was an odd word. My brother was right.

Raul is willing to marry me with his heart still in hers, or so he thinks. No matter how hurt I am by it, it may be of no concern to him. Marriage without the heart is common in aristocratic society, but we thought it was different. That was the mistake.

I was mocked. I was underestimated.

To Raul, he was the one who is allowed to do that kind of thing.

「…How vexing…」

I could feel the blood rushing to my head. I was so frustrated that the blood in my body was about to boil.

It was sad that he had betrayed me. But I also know that I can’t control my heart. If he had apologized, I would have forgiven him. Because his love interest is the fiancée of the second prince of this country, and no matter how hard he tries, his feelings will never be fulfilled. I could have taken the time to wait for his heart to heal. I could have made an effort until the day he would give his heart to me.

But I can’t do that anymore.

「Marsha…」

My Brother squeezes my hand. My brother can feel my body trembling.

If you ask me if breaking off the engagement and hurting not only his career but also the Count Colden’s would make me feel better, I cannot answer. The thought that I might regret it holds me back. But I can’t help it, I have nowhere to go with this anger. Where should I direct it?

「I don’t want to cause any trouble for the Colden family. But I definitely don’t want to get married like this either.」

I don’t want to put up with it and get married. I don’t want to do that. If it were only for Raul, I could smash the annulment without any confusion.

「I…! I’m not a woman to be taken that lightly…!」

I have made an effort to stand next to him.

To be neat, to be dainty, to be a lady.

I may not be ready yet. But I don’t deserve to be treated like this.

「I’m glad you said it, Marsha.」

「Of course. I’m not kidding.」

I squeezed Brother’s hand back forcefully, and then me and Father lock gazes.

「Father, we may continue the engagement. But I cannot give a nod as to the timing.」

「What are you going to do?」

「I’ll marry him when I feel like it.」

I don’t think such a day will ever come, though.

「Do you think he would nod to those terms?」

「I will beg him to give a nod. If that’s not possible, break the engagement. That is the concession I can make.」

I will return an act of arrogance with an act of arrogance. I will never allow you to use me without permission.

A moment of silence. During that time, I did not remove my gaze from my father.

「…I understand. I’ll speak to the Count.」

「Please do.」

If he doesn’t nod to this, it’ll matter no longer. I’ll just destroy him then.

Later, Father told me that the Colden family had responded with their approval.

I am sure they are underestimating me. They probably think I’ll bond with him when the heat dies down. Raul knows me because I was the girl who couldn’t help but love him.

But you know what, I’ve grown stronger in the two years Raul hasn’t known me.

Let’s have a rooting contest to see which is quicker, my willingness to do so or your numbness to call off the engagement.

I have no intention of losing.