Chapter 261.2. Elizabeth’s Decision

-Elizabeth’s POV-
“I will cancel my engagement with Shin-sama.”
“Cancel the engagement?! You were so in love with Shin-kun!”
My dear brother is taken aback, visibly surprised. The members of the branch families are also buzzing with astonishment.
“… I’ve had a change of heart. A maiden’s heart is as fickle as the autumn sky, easily swayed by the wind.”
“Are you saying you changed your mind about Shin-kun after being so in love with him? Wait! Could it be mind control? Let’s check your mental state right away!”
“No mind control magic is being used. Besides, considering how easily that type of magic can be broken despite its legendary status…”
“That’s true, but… my dear sister, who adored Shin-kun so much!? I can’t believe it!”
“Well… I’ve developed some doubts about Shin-sama. I feel like I’ve awoken to something.”
[Magick Break] I received in the Misty Dungeon. It seemed like a different person used it… or rather, my 6th sense as a beast person. 
I think the one who used that magic was Shin-sama, and that it was the same person. It’s just a gut feeling, but I value this intuition.
If that’s the case, Shin-sama probably thought it wouldn’t matter even if he killed me. 
And the reasons aren’t limited to that.
After the race, I talked to Shin-sama. The affection I felt for him had completely vanished. 
It felt like he was just a somewhat friendly acquaintance.
“Why I felt so strongly in love, I don’t understand.”
“Perhaps it’s because he saved you from monsters before?”
“Yes, that’s true. But… can gratitude make love last for years? Shin-sama never even gave me a birthday present.”
“No, he gave you one every year.”
My dear brother retorts against my words. I might have overstated it by saying he never gave me any. But there’s a reason for that.
“They never felt like his true feelings. It was like he ordered his servants to give me expensive things. Every year, it was the latest trendy perfume or accessory. And whenever we went on a date, Tsuki-san was always there, or I was the one who invited him in the first place.”
When I thanked him for the present of that year, there were times he didn’t even know what he had given me. 
I received perfume in a teasing manner, but when I thanked him for the necklace, he said it wasn’t a big deal. At that time, even though I should have been shocked, my infatuation remained undiminished, and I didn’t care.
These memories that resurfaced in the past week are extremely unpleasant. I don’t understand why I didn’t care. Given my personality, it’s only natural to be furious like a raging fire.
“Well… It’s probably because Shin-kun is naive, right?”
“I don’t sense any kindness from him. It’s a political marriage, so I won’t demand too much. However, there’s a limit to my blind affection. I’ve already lost interest.”
It’s not my heart. In reality, I have a refreshed feeling of escaping from something, but that’s a secret I won’t reveal.
“I-I see… Well… I do know about my dear sister’s ruthless personality. I have to admit, I often wondered how you could love someone so naive, and I’d, uh, cough, cough…”
“If we look at it objectively, that seems to be the case. Furthermore, there’s currently no benefit to the political marriage with Kanna Dukedom. If anything, it’s all disadvantages. That’s why I want to cancel the engagement.”
“That’s right. To think I had feelings for someone who treated me so poorly. 
I’m ashamed when I think of my past self like this, but I’ll hide that feeling and continue talking.
“I’m considering the family’s interests, looking ahead to the future. Is the proposal to separate the subsidiary companies agreeable to you, my dear brother? And… will you see my actions up to this point as revenge or harboring resentment?”
With a cold voice, I deliver my words and grip my brother’s hand tightly, infusing mana into it with a sense of intimidation. 
I only intended to assert myself a bit more firmly with the mana infusion, thinking I should speak sternly. It’s a commonly used prank-like technique that causes slight discomfort.
“Guaah!”
However, a sharp discharge of electricity emanates from my brother’s body, causing him to shake his head. A flash of light envelops the room.
“M-My dear brother? Are you alright? I apologize. I only added a bit of pressure with that mana infusion.”
Startled by the unexpected situation, I panic a little, but my brother puts his hand on his forehead and gestures for me to stop.
“I-I’m fine… It’s nothing. More importantly, you’re right. Instead of wasting time on resentment, we need to consider the revival of the family. I also intend to distance myself from the Kamina family. Is everyone alright with that?”
The anger from earlier has completely dissipated, and my brother, addressing the people around, receives nods from the branch family members who had agreed to revenge and distancing from the Kamina family just moments ago. They now nod without opposing, their expressions somewhat bewildered.
Feeling a change in the air, Elizabeth senses something unnatural about her brother’s attitude, but she quickly refocuses her thoughts. 
No one else seems to be bothered by it. Yes, there’s nothing to be concerned about. A feeling like someone whispered to me, but it must be my imagination.
That’s right, there’s no time to worry about such things. What’s important now is to restore Menou Marquisate.
“Well then, let’s adopt an independent structure from now on.”
For a while, I’ll distance myself from Shin-sama. No, from Kanna-kun.
And so, Menou Marquisate completely distances itself from Kanna Dukedom. Despite Kanna-kun extending a few invitations for dates, I firmly declined, and the engagement was dissolved.
Thus, Menou Elizabeth, the main heroine in the original story, stepped down from that position.