Silent Witch-CH26: The Ex-Fiancée, Again

The one who suddenly burst into the room was my ex-fiancée, Lady Delia. I immediately shot up from the sofa and guided Allie and Lady Chiffone to the corner of the room.

I didn't want her to notice them.

Her servants, flustered, rushed in after her and bowed to us.

“Our sincerest apologies, Your Highness. We informed her that you were currently with a visitor, but she said that if it was Prince Yumanova, you would surely permit it…”

It seems she forced her way through. It can't be helped. They cannot lay a hand on a duke's daughter. If they were to try, they would likely be punished for insolence. A guard knight would be permitted such an act if it meant not exposing their master to danger, but they are merely servants. Is this the consequence of me refusing a guard, saying Brian was here and an escort was too much trouble?

Brian stepped in between Lady Delia and us, as if to shield us.

“What is the meaning of this, Lady Delia? You should have no relation to Prince Yuma anymore.”

“Be silent, Brian Anison! That is insolence!”

Even though she had never once called Brian by his name before, she looked down on him haughtily and shouted. It was the very picture of a high-ranking person, overlapping with the image of my brother's fiancée, Lady Garnet Grandy, the Duke's daughter.

I feel dizzy, as if to ask, ‘Weren't the women of this country supposed to be weak?' but it seems she has business with me. I turn my gaze to her, dressed in a gorgeous outfit, as if she were going to a ball.

“It has been a while, Prince Yumanova. Since you never summoned me, I have graciously come to you myself. Even if you are busy in His Highness Lenanino's place because he has fallen ill, you should at least be able to see your fiancée's face.”

“…Your belly seems to have swollen. When is your due date?”

“!”

It seems she wants to say that she has no intention of breaking off our engagement.

Having heard her own scandal and my praise, she probably tried to seek salvation from the ‘Kind Prince Yumanova.' Or has her mind broken a little? Does she herself understand that this is abnormal behavior?

Ignoring her feelings, I thrust the reality at her.

My relationship with her is already over. The only thing that exists is the child in her belly.

A servant tried to urge the trembling Lady Delia, “This way,” and lead her from the room, but her feet seemed fixed to the floor, showing no sign of movement.

“…That's right. If you don't acknowledge me soon, the baby will be born. Please make it public that it is your child, Prince Yumanova's.”

Lady Delia gives me a distorted smile.

It's a look that believes, without a doubt, that everything will go well if I say I am the parent of the child in her belly.

I let out a sigh.

I don't think she's that cornered, but… After talking with Neville, I spoke with Duke Soupley.

He bowed to me profusely, and yet he said he couldn't abandon her. A foolish daughter, but he said that he was the greater fool.

He promised to pass the ducal title to Lady Delia's brother and seclude himself on his territory with her and the child in her belly. What does she think of the father who has gone that far for her? And yet this outrageous act, when I was thinking like that. At this point, I can no longer help her. ŕÄɴÖᛒΕＳ

At my gaze, she raises her voice as if irritated.

“What is that look? You are the fiancé my father decided on. In that case, isn't the child in this belly yours? Following my father's teachings, I never defied a man, and I should have been a perfect fiancée to you without any complaints. And yet, why are you casting me aside now? Whether you fool around with other women or are recognized as excellent for casually doing your work, none of that matters. All you have to do is accept me. After that, you can do as you please. I won't bind you. You should be happy, aren't you? To have an understanding fiancée. So, come on. Hurry up and say you'll accept me!”

—It seems she still thinks of herself as my victim. Have I really done something so terrible?

From my memories of my past life, I had decided to cherish her. I tried to start various conversations, wanting to hear her words, but wasn't it you yourself who showed no interest in me? Even though we were supposed to be the most distant of strangers, named fiancés. And now, even as you say you have no interest in me, do you still wish to stand by my side to cover up your own scandal?

I don't understand.

What is she asking of whom?

“That's enough…” 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Just as Brian was about to lose his temper with Lady Delia, who was saying whatever she pleased, taking advantage of my silence, a brilliant light flooded the room.

Is that a fairy? No, it's Allie, using fairy power.

“Wh-what is this…”

“Guh…”

Blinded by the brilliance, everyone crouched, unable to open their eyes.

And yet, in that situation, for some reason, I could see her form clearly.

As I wondered why, a small light floated down and landed on my shoulder. A fairy from the detached palace, perhaps? It seems he is making it so I can see Allie.

I confirm Allie's location and slowly, but surely, approach her. Then, I pull her into a tight embrace.

Allie, startled, made the power disappear. She must have used it unintentionally.

“Prince Yuma…”

“It's alright. There's nothing to worry about.”

“That person… to you, Prince Yuma, such… terrible things…”

“It's neither painful nor itchy. I have Allie, and I have Brian. Lady Chiffone… would she mind?”

At my words, Allie gives a puzzled look, then chuckles, “Fufufu.” It seems she has calmed down.

Turning her gaze to us, Lady Delia, who was sitting on the floor, pointed a trembling finger at us.

“…Monster…”

Startled by the word, Allie looks as if she's been hurt. Perhaps she has been called that before.

I hug Allie even tighter.

“You're the monster. Your ugly heart is showing on your face.”

Lady Delia looks at me with an expression of disbelief at my words.

For the first time in this world, I spat such harsh words at a woman. But I have no regrets. The one I must protect now is Allie. I don't want this kind-hearted girl to be hurt any more than this.

“Regardless of what you think, I believe I showed you considerable kindness. To not understand that, to blame others forever, and to even hurt a third party on top of it—it is unforgivable. If you do not improve beyond this, I, as a member of the royal family, must punish you.”

Saying that, I whisper quietly in Allie's ear to use her power.

I tell the surprised Allie that it's enough to just make a little wind dance, and she nods. And so, from the feet of us, who were embracing, a light wind began to dance.

Seeing this, Lady Delia and her servants began to tremble with a “Hiiiek!,” while still prostrate on the floor.

Brian and Lady Chiffone look at me with accusing eyes, as if to say, “What are you doing?”

“Surely this isn't, Prince Yumanova…”

One of the servants looks at me with eyes of terror. At that, I give a slight smirk.

Then, hiding Allie behind my back, I stand before Lady Delia like a guardian deity.

“Now, what kind of punishment do you desire? Will you swear to confine yourself to your territory and never show your face in the royal capital again, be imprisoned in the royal capital's dungeons for life, or perhaps you would prefer a physical punishment? Like using this wind to slam you against a wall.”

The wind still swirls at my feet. What a perfect play.

Lady Delia let out a sound like a convulsive “Hiiiek!” and looked around as if seeking help. But the terrified servants remain crouched, keeping their distance from Lady Delia, while Brian, still shielding Lady Chiffone's back, glared at her.

Finally understanding that no help was coming, she stared at me with terrified eyes and, placing a hand on the belly she had until now treated as nothing but a nuisance, says, “I… I have a child in my belly…”

“You have no intention of raising it, do you? A child you conceived without desiring it. In that case, shall I put it out of its misery and erase its existence right here and now?”

As I said that with a smile, she replied, “I do intend to raise it. I will raise it preciously. So please forgive me. I will confine myself to my territory and never approach the royal capital again. I promise.”

I give a wry smile, thinking she chose the easiest path after all, but I wanted to ask why she had come here in the first place. To see if she had any sound judgment left.

“That talk was already on the table before you came here. Why didn't you just agree to it then?”

At my words, Lady Delia's body flinched, and she answered desperately, her face pale.

“Because, because my father looked down on me and asked, ‘How did you let this happen?’”

And so, a conversation with her finally began to be established.

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