Chapter 8

A typical young lady would likely never want to go to this country’s convents, which were known for being austere and harsh.

“How should I put it…? I’ve simply grown tired of life,” I admitted.

It was my absolute, honest truth, but the beautiful young man before me seemed to find my way of thinking strange.

“Tired or not, aren’t you only seventeen?” he asked.

Even if I was like this, I was still the person he had been ordered to marry.

It seemed Lord Nazelbert had at least done some research on me.

“…The Eventail family is a very strict household,” I explained.

“Ah, that’s a famous story even in social circles. They say it’s a house that adheres to rules with extreme rigor.”

To be precise, it was just a house that faithfully continued to follow strange rules established in the distant past without ever updating them to suit the times.

“Also, my parents were quite loud about me ‘hurrying up and catching a fiancé.’ I was always forced to charge at men who clearly weren’t interested, prepared for certain defeat. Even though there’s no way anyone would want to marry someone like me. I’m just… tired of all that,” I said.

Lord Nazelbert wore an indescribable expression. Perhaps I had made things awkward for him.

However, it was a fact that I was fed up with being berated both at home and in public. Regarding this current matter, I figured my destination had simply changed from a convent to the frontier. And besides…

“Rather, as I mentioned before, I feel that I’m the one who should be apologizing to you, Lord Nazelbert. No matter how you look at it, I am not a suitable match for you.”

In terms of status, power, and beauty, I didn’t come close to matching Her Royal Highness the Princess.

I was a dishonorable lady, someone handed out as a form of punishment.

“You’ve been hurt by this engagement, haven’t you, Lord Nazelbert? But I’m sure it will be alright. His Majesty will surely do something about it. Even the Princess… she’s acting like that right now, but I’m certain she’ll realize she was wrong soon. You truly are a wonderful man,” I said.

The fact that the Princess was pregnant might make the situation more complicated.

Even so, I desperately tried to encourage Lord Nazelbert, hoping he wouldn’t feel too down.

Compared to Lord Robin who had been at the scene, Lord Nazelbert was far kinder and more of a gentleman. Even the Princess, who was currently burning with the passion of a forbidden love, would surely realize his worth soon.

However, Lord Nazelbert merely flashed a somewhat troubled smile.

“It’s not as if I actually love Princess Mia, you know? Our engagement was decided when we were children, and I simply acted out of respect for that duty. I endured years of rigorous education to support her as the future Queen, all for the sake of this country. And yet…”

The free-spirited Princess Mia had ended up pregnant with the child of a baron’s illegitimate son. It wasn’t hard to imagine the unbearable frustration he must feel as her fiancé.

“Um, well…”

I couldn’t think of what to say next, and my eyes darted around awkwardly.

To make matters worse, Lord Nazelbert had been framed for a crime he didn’t commit in front of a massive crowd.

“But…”

Though we had only spent a short time together, I couldn’t believe he was the kind of person who would do such a thing.

“I believe in you. At the party, you were the only one who reached out to help me when I was in trouble. Someone who would help the ‘Potato Lady’—even when there was absolutely nothing to gain from it—would never commit a crime like that. Of that much, I am certain!”

“…Lady Agnes.”

For some reason, Lord Nazelbert called my name as if he were deeply moved.

No, no. If you think about it rationally, everyone else must realize Lord Nazelbert is innocent, too.

They were probably just too scared of the Princess to speak up at the time.

“No matter what happens, I swear I will protect you, since you’ve been dragged into this.”

“Eh? Ah, yes. Thank you very much?”

I gave a confused reply, and Lord Nazelbert took my hand with a look of utmost sincerity.

I wonder… is this one of those ‘A lot is going on, but I’ve got your back!’ kind of moments?

Accepting that for now, I headed toward the room that had been prepared for me.

Even though we were living in the same building, I was the “Potato Lady,” so there was no way any “accidents” would happen between us.

I could sleep soundly without a worry in the world.