Betrayed by My Fiancé, I Changed My Role from a Viscount’s Daughter to a Lady-in-Waiting to the Quee

「Listen, Darryl. You made a mistake you shouldn’t have made. You did something you shouldn’t have done as a knight, as a noble of this country.」

Unaware of my upset, Raul proceeds to admonish Brace.

「…I do not know what you’re talking about, Captain. I don’t know that it’s a mistake… I just acted as a knight and for justice!」

Everyone present must have felt a sense of dismay at Brace, who seemed to have no idea what was wrong with him at heart.

「Are you not aware that you have intruded into the Queen’s Palace by unjust means?」

As if speaking for our thoughts, Noah-sama says calmly.

「You… you’re the secretary who insulted the Captain that time…. What do you know about justice!」

「I can at least tell you that there is no justice for you.」

It’s not only Noah-sama who doesn’t hide his foolishness.

「Hah, what do you mean I broke into this woman’s room? She’s a thief, a thief!」

When Brace said that I was only a thief, they all looked at him with contempt, wondering which mouth he was talking about. If I am a thief, then what does Brace deserve to be called for harming his colleague, a knight, and for raiding my room in the Queen’s palace?

「Captain, I was only compelled to do so in order to obtain evidence, and thanks to you, solid physical evidence has come to light! I take credit for this one. I should be praised, not treated like this!!!!!」

「Where the hell is your knightly justice? Have you forgotten what she once said to you?」

「Don’t make me laugh. What is the value of what this woman says?　There’s no point in even listening to her!」

I said in the hearing room,「To whom do you owe allegiance as a knight of the Kingsguard?」When Raul points at me, Brace, whose face is contorted, dismisses him spitefully.

「We were punished because of this woman, you know! Even the captain doesn’t know what kind of punishment he will receive. Her Highness has suffered enough from this woman until now. Do you still intend to cause her further grief? You’ve been giving the Captain a hard time for a long time, haven’t you!? Now is the time to bring the hammer down on this woman! Now is the time!!!!!」

I am sure this is what he really wants, not justice or anything like that.

「…That’s unfortunate, Darryl.」

Raul’s voice echoed disgustingly down the hallway.

「As long as you don’t know what I mean, you are not qualified to be a Knight of the Kingsguard of Gran Kingdom.」

That’s when Brace finally realized what kind of look he was getting, and he turned a quick shade of pale. For the first time, Brace, who had been strangely triumphant in spite of his captivity, understood the situation he was in.

He was also disappointed by Raul, and he muttered in a small voice, “No,” as he sagged, his strength gone.

I just stared at the situation as if it were somewhat of a stranger.

「Captain Ryniel, my men have done something irreparable. It is not a matter of apologizing. You’re free to do what you please on him. Of course, I am ready to accept his punishment for me based on the previous one.」

Raul bowed his head deeply, and Ryniel-sama wondered a little, but immediately nodded at his honesty.

「Marsha… no, Marshallie-dono.」

Raul then turns around and looks straight at me.

I was struck by a strange feeling that I could not describe.

He was definitely Raul, my fiancée who had betrayed me. But it was also my childhood friend Raul, I thought at the time.

If anyone were to ask me how I am feeling right now, I would probably say, “What’s such an obvious thing?” But I want anyone to understand that Raul’s sincere attitude has me baffled.

For the past ten years, I have been subjected to incomprehensible behavior: no eye contact when we see each other, no conversational communication when we speak to each other, and finally, a self-indulgent theatrics of indulgence. What I am used to seeing now is Raul with flowers blooming in his brain.

And yet, Raul in front of me looks straight into my eyes. Where is the man who, just before coming here, had been crowding me for his own protection?

At the same time that I was uncomfortable with such a look now, nostalgia assaulted my cold heart. I felt a surge of nostalgia in my heart for the tender memories of my childhood that I hadn’t been able to recall for the past ten years.

It’s not sadness or resentment. Of course, it’s not the love and affection of those days. It is a helpless emptiness.

「I’m——」「Don’t say anything further.」

I myself didn’t know why I had stopped Raul from speaking. It was an impulsive interruption. But my tone of voice was terribly calm.

「…Marsha-dono.」

I heard Noah-sama’s voice of concern for me next to him. I also felt a glance from Ryniel-sama. If I was going to make amends, it would have to be now. But no words came out of my mouth to make up for it.

「If the rest of those words are an apology to me, fine. I don’t want to hear it.」

Honest thoughts came flying out of my mouth.

「What I want from you is an apology to Her Royal Highness and a quick resolution of this matter.」

Anything more than that is unacceptable to me now.

I desperately try to hold back the overflowing of complicated and bizarre thoughts that assail me. Don’t give me anything more now. I don’t want to be a disgusting abomination with unbearable impulses.

「I understand…」

Raul gave up at my strong refusal, or so he said.

I heard footsteps thumping in the distance and noticed that Douglas-sama had arrived, albeit belatedly. He was breathing lightly, as if he had come in a hurry.

「Hey, Marsha. Explain… what the hell is going on…」

Douglas-sama, who had been the first to ask me before anyone else, breaks off mid-sentence. Then he looks at me blankly and sighs loudly.

「You, go home already.」

He said clearly.

「Huh? What are you talking about? I am a party involved to this. How can I be allowed to do such a selfish thing?」

There is no way I can irresponsibly leave without fulfilling my role properly.

「You’re no use to us now. I can give you a full hearing later.」

「Yes, he’s right. I’m good enough for the current situation. Besides, he’s here as well.」

Douglas-sama was insistent that I should go home, and Ryniel-sama was supporting him. Noah-sama also said it would be better, and together they tried to get me to leave.

Why was I being told to go home so much? I couldn’t help but wonder. It wasn’t that I wasn’t feeling well, and moreover, it wasn’t that I wanted to go home.

「You better go home. And go get healed by Meari’s belly as usual.」

「Unfortunately, Meari’s tummy is full.」

I replied to Douglas-sama, who was acting as if he was trying to scare away insects.

「Ahh, right…」

Douglas-sama scratches his head and groans, as if troubled.

It’s not that much of a problem, is it? I looked at Douglas-sama as if he were someone else.

But why? I wanted to see Meari irresistibly. As Douglas-sama said, I wanted to bury my face in Meari’s belly and be healed.

「So, Marsha.」

A big hand placed on my head.

「Can you not let your overly lovely feelings to my lovely, lovely, oh-so-lovely child fade?」

I thought for a moment that it was annoying to say『lovely』so much. I immediately huffed, looked at the ring on my left ring finger, and my blood pressure plummeted.

「…!?!」

It’s almost fading…! What’s this mean!!!