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 out of my room and, for the first ti in a long ti, I left my room and headed for the study room.
There I found not only Father but also my Older Brother.
Father, who hugged as soon as he saw , and my Brother, who was usually rough around the edges but gently stroked my head. I know that they visited my room many tis, worried about . I also know that they were relieved to see when I finally ca out of my room.
My brother urges to sit down on the sofa, and Father speaks up.
「I have been discussing the future with the Count Colden…」
「I see.」
The engagent would be called off with no apology or explanation from Raul.
I have been prepared for this to so extent while waiting for Raul for the past week, but my heart is tightening.
「The Count offered to continue the engagent.」
「Eh…?」
For a mont, 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 seed to want to break off the engagent, but it seems Raul himself refused to do so.」
「Raul-sama, did?」
「Yes.」
「Why…!?」
Even though there is soone 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 , 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 engagent, he should first apologize or visit or sothing. If he doesn’t want to see , he’ll have to co see Father alone.
Indeed, they’re a Count, which is a higher title than that of a Viscount. However, the engagent 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 engagent based solely on his own wishes.
「…Is it not possible to break off the engagent?」
In a trembling voice, I asked Father.
「Not that it can’t be done, but are you sure?」
「…ugh.」
Dissolving an engagent and breaking off an engagent are similar, but very different.
A dissolution of engagent, such as an amicable end to an engagent with just cause and mutual agreent, is not the fault of either party, and it is not likely to be publicly criticized as a bad thing.
But breaking off an engagent is different.
It’s a dissolution of an engagent followed by unilateral circumstances without just cause, and in so 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 annulnt of the engagent, it would be a justified annulnt and would be accepted, and alimony could be claid. Conversely, if the Count’s family were to break off the engagent, 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 advancent. This is only if the engagent is made on an equal footing.
In other words, I would damage Raul’s future by filing for an annulnt. 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 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 , who cannot answer imdiately.
「Who the hell does he think he was to tell us that he wants to marry Marsha when he told other won 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 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 . 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 ti to wait for his heart to heal. I could have made an effort until the day he would give his heart to .
But I can’t do that anymore.
「Marsha…」
My Brother squeezes my hand. My brother can feel my body trembling.
If you ask if breaking off the engagent and hurting not only his career but also the Count Colden’s would make feel better, I cannot answer. The thought that I might regret it holds 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 annulnt 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 and Father lock gazes.
「Father, we may continue the engagent. 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 co, 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 engagent. 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 without permission.
A mont of silence. During that ti, 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 that the Colden family had responded with their approval.
I am sure they are underestimating . They probably think I’ll bond with him when the heat dies down. Raul knows 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 .
Let’s have a rooting contest to see which is quicker, my willingness to do so or your numbness to call off the engagent.
I have no intention of losing.
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