Continued: Hm? The Prince Seems Strange…

Later, when Jean began appearing at the palace as Isaac’s royal guard knight, she was surprised—but remembering that was how it went in the original story, Cordelia quickly chose not to worry about it (Jean retorted, “At least be more surprised!”).

—Eventually, spring of Cordelia’s eighteenth year. Just like in the original story, the Holy Maiden “Hina” was discovered and summoned to the palace, and she often saw Hina and Isaac together.

(The time has finally come…)

Even though she had prepared herself, seeing the two standing side by side hurt as if her heart were being torn apart. It was incomparable to any heartbreak from her previous life. Just thinking about it hurt, so Cordelia stopped visiting the palace and spent her days blankly at home.

Then it happened. Isaac summoned her—and even said, “I truly do not wish to annul our engagement.”

“W-what do you mean…!? What do you mean the Holy Maiden is threatening you!?”

Cordelia blinked in confusion at Isaac’s incomprehensible words. He spoke with a dark expression.

“At first she was gentler. ‘If you choose me, I can make you king,’ she said. But I have you. So I told her I could not choose her…”

“And then?”

Still holding hands, she waited.

“She said, ‘If you insist on choosing that person, I’ll ask the Sacred Beast to destroy the kingdom!’”

“What!?”

She shouted at the unexpected words.

(What happened to Hina!? And Your Highness too!?)

In the original story the Holy Maiden never demanded he choose. They naturally fell in love, and only then did Cordelia become an obstacle.

But somehow things had gone terribly wrong.

“Um… Your Highness? You may go to the Holy Maiden if you wish…?”

“Why say that? My fiancée is you. That will never change.”

He frowned. When she tried to pull her hand away, he gripped tighter.

(What is happening…)

With zero romantic experience, this was too complicated.

Still holding her hand, Isaac continued.

“I was born First Prince and believed I worked without arrogance.”

Cordelia nodded—she had watched his tireless effort firsthand.

“But when it matters, I can do nothing. I cannot protect you nor the kingdom… What was my effort for?”

(I understand—but more importantly, he’s deeply depressed!)

She hurried to comfort him.

“It’s alright, Your Highness! I’m here for you!”

(Though that solves nothing!)

“…Are you sure you don’t want to annul it? Choosing the Holy Maiden secures the throne and the kingdom.”

“You say such things again.”

His eyes showed displeasure.

“Our engagement is public. What she attempts is theft. I dislike that.”

(He’s rejecting the original story entirely…!)

Yet Cordelia felt overwhelming joy.

—She had always wanted to see Isaac remain faithful and sincere.

(Seeing it now… I’m glad I lived—no, died.)

“…Or do you want to annul our engagement?”

Seeing his pained eyes tightened her heart.

“Of course not! I have always loved you.”

“I see… good.”

His gentle smile nearly made her nosebleed.

“…I cannot let you go. Without you my life loses light.”

(Happy… but why me?)

In the original he felt duty, not love. Now he sounded devoted.

“Why are you so attached to me?”

He looked surprised.

“That is—”

“Isaac-sama! Are you finished talking?”

The door burst open and Hina entered.

(Perfect interruption timing…)

Cordelia turned—and gasped at Hina’s expression.