Hm? The Prince Seems Strange…

“—Cordelia, I wish to annul my engagement with you.”

In the softly sunlit office, sitting expressionlessly before a large desk was Isaac, the First Prince and Cordelia’s fiancé.

His lapis-lazuli-like blue hair flowed smoothly, and his eyes of the same color shone with intelligent light. Together with his refined, gentle features, who knew how many thousands—no, tens of thousands—of maidens he had captivated. Cordelia herself had been one of them.

(As expected of the “hero,” he looks beautiful today as well. In contrast, I am the “villainess.” At last, the moment has come…)

Cordelia thought this while gazing at him solemnly.

She had been prepared for the engagement annulment for years and had no objections now. …Yet hearing the words still hurt after all.

(In the original story it was a slap, but maybe a solid punch would help me accept it?)

While clutching her aching chest and thinking such improper thoughts, Isaac suddenly faltered in his speech.

“Yes, the engagement… annul…”

(No, better not. Punching would hurt me too. Actually, slapping hurts as well. Rather than that, maybe I should aim for a so-called ‘serves-you-right’ development. The dark magic I’ve honed for this day has become quite impressive. The problem is it has no use besides destruction…)

“Annul… I don’t want to… no, I must…”

Lost in her own thoughts, Cordelia only then noticed something was wrong with Isaac.

Hm? Looking closely, his face was twisted as if in pain.

(This is strange. Wait, did I unconsciously activate dark magic!? That would be really bad!)

“Your Highness! Are you alright!?”

Using dark magic on the prince just because he annulled the engagement would lead straight to execution. Cordelia hurried over and took both of Isaac’s hands resting on the desk, allowing her to sense the magic within him.

(…Yes, it doesn’t seem to be dark magic. Then what is it?)

Wondering, she raised her gaze and met his vivid blue eyes. They were distorted in pain, yet emitted a mysterious light as if strongly pleading for something.

Seeing him—normally calm and composed, rarely breaking expression—Cordelia widened her eyes.

“Prince Isaac…?”

“I am sorry, Cordelia… My inadequacy will cause you suffering. I truly do not wish to annul our engagement…”

“W-wait a moment, Your Highness. I don’t understand. Could you please explain in detail?”

Why did the one annulling the engagement look like he was about to die? Shouldn’t it normally be the opposite? she asked.

Isaac let out a heavy sigh and clutched Cordelia’s hand tightly, as if clinging to it.

“The Holy Maiden-dono threatened to destroy the kingdom if I did not annul the engagement.”

“—What?”

Cordelia only later realized she had accidentally used words from her previous life.