Fran Side: Determination
A little while after those dream-like days, a new year has arrived.
I was participating in a New Year's celebration held at the royal castle. Next to me is my fiance, the Second Prince Ains, who is showered with affection from the other nobles.
However, what is strange is that Sylvie, a [Saint] recognized by the church, is sitting next to Ains-sama...
She was greeting the nobles just like Ains-sama. She is so close to Ains-sama that it is hard to tell which one is the future queen of the royal family.
I am also a member of the Saint Duke's family, and I am trying to be sociable, but I feel like I am being kept away from everyone.
The nobles on the north side generally just exchange words with Ains-sama and Sylvie-san, and the nobles on the south side say a word or two to me and leave immediately.
Still, I still have to fulfill my duties as a child of a noble family...
As I was thinking that, the queen appeared in front of me.
"Ains. I'm sorry, but I'll borrow Fran-chan."
"Yeah. It doesn't matter. It's just a greeting anyway."
Ains-sama presented me to the queen without holding me back. Normally, when greeting a noble, it would be natural to have his fiancé accompany him...
I was brought to the courtyard of the royal castle by the queen. Tea was already prepared in the pavilion in the courtyard, and I knew that a meeting between me and the queen had been decided.
"I'm sorry all of a sudden. But if I don't do something like this, you won't be able to relax, right?"
The maid who served the tea bowed down, and after taking a sip of tea, I thanked the queen.
"Thank you for your consideration. Queen."
"Oh, won't you call me Aunt Prill like you used to?"
Aunt Prill said that and looked at me with a mischievous smile. When she looked at my face, I felt the tension from earlier ease away.
"No more. Aunt Prill, please don't bully me too much."
"Fufufu. I'm not bullying you. I just didn't want to hear such formal words from you."
Aunt Prill covered her mouth and laughed. I also couldn't help but relax my cheeks when I heard Aunt Prill's laughter.
"You've started to look nice. Did something good happen to you?"
"Yes. I've made some wonderful friends at the academy. Thanks to them, I've been able to spend my days happily."
"I see. That's good. I feel a little relieved after hearing that."
I tilted my head a little at that answer. When Aunt Prill saw me like that, her face darkened a little.
"Because of me, you and your mother are having a hard time. Even today, you don't have any nobles around you who could be your allies, right? That's why you're probably isolated even at the academy. I was worried that it wouldn't happen."
"Auntie… I should have told you and Mother not to worry about that. Besides, nobles are not the only allies. I have made a very strong friend, so you don’t have to worry."
At those words, Aunt Prill stared at me with a troubled smile.
"You really seem to have changed. I think you're a lot stronger than before."
After saying that, Aunt Prill had a gloomy look on her face.
"Ah... you've grown into a wonderful lady, but with that stupid son... it's really a waste, and I feel sorry for you..."
Apparently, she was remembering Ains-sama... Aunt Prill, who was holding her head for a while, looked up and spoke to me with a serious expression.
"Good, Fran-chan. This is just a rumor, but Ains is obsessed with the throne. That's because Schwartz's health isn't getting better. As a parent, it's not admirable to be suspicious of your child, but perhaps... Ains is involved in Schwartz's case... If something happens to Schwartz and Ains ascends to the throne, there will be no one but you who can stop him... But Ains is planning to make that [Saint] his queen, not you. So...... be very careful because something bad may happen to you at the academy......."
I couldn't help but nod at Aunt Prill's serious expression and the content of her story.
"I didn’t mean to make you Ains’ fiance… I never thought my son would turn out to be a bastard… Or better yet, Fran-chan… why don’t you just elope with someone you like?"
I was surprised that Aunt Prill would suddenly say something like that. but……
My face suddenly felt hot as I remembered a certain person.
"Ah, aunt! You can't say that. Saying something like that... even though you're the queen! As a noble, I can't do something embarrassing like that!"
"Really? I think that's fine as long as you live in true love. In fact, I am loved by the king and allowed to spend time with my beloved, so I want you to be free to live your life in love as well."
Aunt Prill said as she took my hand.
True love... my love...
But if I stick to my love... I'll definitely cause trouble for that person and their family...
I want to value that person and their family as much as that person values me. I want to protect... that's why I don't stick to my love.
As a child of a noble family, I accept a loveless marriage as a political tool. That's the only way to protect it. That person, that family. And the people whose faces I don't even know...
"Auntie... I have achieved something that I want to protect. Therefore, I cannot break my engagement with Ains-sama. Therefore, there is no one I like. I will sacrifice my body for the sake of the kingdom.”
Aunt Prill was surprised by my words, and her face became even sadder.
I'm sorry... Auntie. I can feel your kindness, but when I think about the future of this country, I can't escape. I must never allow Ains-sama to do as he pleases.
I quietly put that determination in my heart.
Tftc.
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