Merchant Noble is out (2/4 chapters for today)
Kali Kingdom’s Coup (1)
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A few years have passed since the previous events, and now the story shifts to the Kali Kingdom, located south of the Laplace Kingdom.
—
“Carlotte. I hereby annul our engagement.” (??)
It was the graduation party of the Royal Academy, attended by the children of noble families. The party had reached its peak, with everyone cheerfully reminiscing about their school memories at the standing buffet. Suddenly, someone stepped up onto the stage and made that declaration. It was Prince Rudolf of the royal family. On his chest hung the medal of the graduating class representative. His face was flushed red as though he were drunk, despite having consumed no alcohol. And the one being addressed was Carlotte, the daughter of Duke Edel.
“…??” (??)
The hall, which had been so lively that even nearby conversations were drowned out by the noise, instantly fell silent. All eyes turned toward the prince on stage. A heartbeat later, those gazes shifted to Carlotte, who stood in the center of the hall. The elegant music that had been playing had stopped at some point. Carlotte could feel her cheeks turning red with humiliation as she desperately worked her sharp mind at full capacity. There was no time to doubt this terrifying reality.
Her fiancé, Rudolf, was the heir to the throne. She was the only daughter of one of the few duke households in the kingdom. She needed to create an escape route for the prince so that this wouldn’t become an eternal stain on both families’ reputations.
“Prince Rudolf. If I have any shortcomings, I sincerely apologize. Therefore, I propose we arrange a meeting between our families to discuss this matter of annulment at a later date.” (Carlotte)
Carlotte did not freeze in shock, cling desperately, or throw a tantrum. She simply stated her request.
“Y-yes, Your Highness! This is the Academy’s graduation party, after all.” (??)
The other noble youths around them forced strained smiles, trying to calm the prince.
The attendees read the situation. They hoped to pull the prince into the escape route Carlotte had provided, allowing the party to continue without incident. However, perhaps emboldened by Carlotte’s unexpectedly submissive response, the prince’s expression turned triumphant.
“We agreed that our marriage would follow graduation. So, I’m declaring it here and now. Fortunately, nobles from all over the country and their children are present today. For your sake, Carlotte, I am announcing this annulment publicly.” (Rudolf)
Carlotte felt a slight dizziness. His eyes were utterly convinced of his own righteousness. Over the past few years as his fiancée, she had come to know him well, yet she had never realized just how foolish he truly was.
“Then, may I ask the reason for this annulment?” (Carlotte)
Trying to persuade him further was pointless.
With so many bystanders watching, this was deeply humiliating. Yet, for the sake of her family’s honor, she had no choice but to proceed with the discussion. She had done nothing wrong. No matter what was said, she could refute it.
“Very well. Luna! Come here. Join me on stage.” (Rudolf)
The prince called out to a woman.
The young woman named Luna had been standing at the edge of the hall. Upon hearing his voice, she proudly made her way onto the stage under the scrutiny of the crowd. The prince placed his arm around Luna’s slender waist and flaunted her.
“Allow me to introduce Luna, the daughter of a baron. I will marry her.” (Rudolf)
…What?
Every attendee’s mind filled with confusion.
“Umm…what exactly does that mean? What’s the reason…behind this?” (??)
A young nobleman standing closest to the stage timidly asked.
“The reason? There is none. True love has blossomed between Luna and me.” (Rudolf)
“Excuse me?” (Carlotte)
Carlotte doubted her ears.
True love? What nonsense is this?
Leaving the bewildered audience behind, the prince hoisted Luna into a bridal carry and began his impassioned speech.
“Isn’t it wonderful? I’m sick of the tragedy of political marriages. I don’t care if Luna is from a baron household. No, even if she were a commoner, I would still love her!” (Rudolf)
Luna basked in the prince’s embrace, her expression glowing with happiness. Being carried like that in front of a large crowd would have been mortifying for Carlotte. The prince turned back to Carlotte and pointed at her.
“So, Carlotte! I hereby annul our engagement. I’m done with political marriages. You should be happy about it as well!” (Rudolf)
Carlotte was stunned. She felt dizzy enough to collapse. It was true that their marriage had been a political one, a union between the crown prince and the daughter of a duke. The prince understood that their engagement was political. And yet, he believed he could break it off anyway.
She couldn’t comprehend his reasoning. Had he been unaware of the nature of their marriage, she might have understood. That would still make him foolish, but at least his thoughts and actions would align logically. But knowing it was a political marriage and still attempting to annul it was a level of idiocy beyond words. It was so absurd that it circled back into something terrifying.
“Your Highness, please calm yourself. Let us first discuss this with His Majesty the King and my father.” (Carlotte)
Carlotte made a final attempt to reason with him.
This was not merely a personal issue. It could have ramifications across the entire kingdom.
“Haha! Carlotte, are you jealous? How adorable. But I won’t change my mind. I’ve graduated from the Academy, so I’m a full-fledged adult now. I’ll decide my own life.” (Rudolf)
Seeing the prince’s smug grin, Carlotte felt her heart go cold.
All the careful consideration she’d shown the prince, all the efforts to protect the royal family’s dignity, she now saw them as the actions of a fool.
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