Chapter 5: To be happy

[Don’t you laugh at me! Preposterous!]

[My dear, Dietrich, are you all right? You’re so terrible, Miss Rishe…!]

[Whatever you say, Marie. Let’s have a chat someday.]

When she turned to Marie, her thin shoulders jerked. Even without that title, it doesn’t mean she can’t make a living.

[You’re not only pretty, but also outstanding. I sincerely admire you.]

[What … what do you mean?]

[You are a wonderful person who keeps a warm smile while growing up in a care-free environment laden with labor. You’ve always strived not to create barriers with your neighbors and spared no effort in letting those people around you feel relaxed. — Even now, you kept His Highness behind you and defended him in front of me.]

Marie’s eyes flickered in confusion.

Rishe has chosen words that reduced her guilt none at all.

[Is it for your family? — Do you really have to marry His Highness Dietrich at the cost of my exile?]

[Ah….]

She had heard this fact of life the nth time.

Born and raised in a poor family, it was ingrained in Marie’s mind that her brothers are more important and that she should protect them.

Marie went to school to study and in desperate need to find a marriage partner there, just to get her family’s stomach full.

[But remember, it is you, not others, that determines your life…. Did you think that a man, who could cut off his long-time fiancee without blinking an eye, can keep you for a lifetime?]

Marie was startled and looked back at Dietrich.

The man, who was guarded by a girl, was still slumped on the ground.

[If you want to grasp the future, it’s meaningless unless it’s something you wished for, not somebody else’s.]

[My wish?]

[Yes. I hope you’d walk through life where you and your family will keep on smiling.]

Rishe bowed low after her speech.

For a moment, Marie stared at Rishe unblinkingly, as if struck by a word she has never heard before.

(It’s up to you what you want to do next.)

In fact, a year later, Dietrich will lose his status as the Crown Prince and falls from power.

With his gullible character, he was inspired by his vassals and plotted a reckless coup d’etat against the king. Then, the plan ended poorly when it was simply revealed at the early stages, and he became a laughing stock in the entire country.

She heard of Marie’s circumstances along with this gossip.

[Rishe, I….]

Marie, who knew nothing of her fate, seemed forewarned by Rishe’s words.

[For a long time, I’ve always been told that I’m the sister and that I have to put up with my brothers. Even if it’s hard, I have to bear it. I have to endure everything for their sake. That’s why I’ve never raised objections to anyone….]

[Making your brothers and yourself happy is possible at the same time.]

[…]

Marie’s throat trembled and she sniffed as if on the verge of tears. Her rich eyes shone radiantly as jewels.

She knows she’s beautiful. And it would be a lie if she said she didn’t want a happy life.

But indeed, she too must start living her own life.

[…. Now!]

Dietrich went vigilant when a sudden grin came over Rishe.

[Then, this nuisance will disappear.]

Despite those precious possessions in her room, Rishe knew that her parents would never let her in. She swivelled around and wondered what to do next.

[Wait… Stop right there, Rishe….!]

[Hmph, listen up, Rishe! I will never forgive you. Don’t’ regret your behavior towards me!]

[Huh, it’s a bother! I have nothing more to tell you! I’m done!]

[Come, knights, arrest Rishe!]

The knights reluctantly chased after Rishe, who was about to walk away quickly. Sigh, their work is really hard too.

Rishe swiftly turned around the corner while feeling sorry for him, but at the next moment, she sensed an ominous premonition.

[Excuse me for the offense Miss Rishe. You’ll have to come with me for a moment….Argh?!]

Rishe seized the knight, who approached her and grabbed the hilt of his sword. She unsheathed it from the scabbard and raised it over her head.

In the same instant, a sharp metallic clang resounded.

Rishe deflected a sword blow aimed at her.

[Arnold Hein….!]

[Ah.]

Laughing behind his sword was the man who once killed Rishe.