Chapter 10
“…Are you serious?”
My brother was so startled that he dropped to one knee in front of me to meet my eyes.
“Isn’t this too sudden?”
“It is, but we can’t just keep holding on forever. It’s time we each live our own lives.”
“Th-that…”
Febuer trailed off, unable to continue.
Among nobles, engagements and marriages weren’t bound only by affection. In fact, many couples married without any love at all.
So even if the relationship between Kainess and Esta was terrible, he probably assumed they would naturally marry once they grew up. The family seemed to restrain Esta only because Kainess, the young duke, felt uncomfortable.
And now that I—the person involved—was the one bringing up breaking off the engagement first, he must have been shocked.
“I’ve really sorted out my feelings. I want to be good friends with Kainess.”
“Right… being good friends is nice too…”
“You’re the first person I’ve told, Brother!”
I said it with a playful smile, but Febuer’s eyes sank sadly. His pity was obvious.
Was he uncomfortable at the thought of cutting ties with the ducal house?
I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and that made me uneasy.
“Is your health much worse? Are you trying to break it off because you’re worried…?”
As expected of someone so pure.
I felt ashamed for even having such worldly suspicions.
There was no greed for power, no worldly concerns, no selfish desire in Febuer’s worried eyes.
“Worried?”
Did he think I was afraid of the bad rumors that would follow if Kainess’s fiancée died?
Febuer worried more than I realized—and he still didn’t quite believe that I truly didn’t like Kainess anymore.
“I really don’t like him. And my health will improve.”
“Alright. Since you’re certain, I won’t say more. Your choice comes first.”
He gave me an awkward smile and gently poked my cheek. I was being treated like an adorable little sister.
“I’ll give Father a heads-up in advance.”
Thinking realistically, the sooner my engagement with Kainess ended, the better for everyone.
Kainess would no longer be tied to someone he disliked, and his future meeting with the heroine wouldn’t be hindered.
As for me, I wouldn’t be misunderstood as still liking him, and I could receive treatment more comfortably. If I was lucky, I might even learn how to control mana.
We were still young. Even if we broke off the engagement, it wouldn’t be a big problem. Engagements arranged before birth rarely lasted until marriage anyway.
“Alright. Let’s do it.”
I tapped my cheek with my finger and steeled myself.
It would be a loss not to do this.
Especially since the other day, when I saw Kainess, he seemed extremely regretful that the engagement hadn’t been broken yet. If I told him this, he’d probably be delighted.
“I wonder when he’ll come.”
Today was the day he was scheduled to visit.
Even though I had told him he didn’t have to come once a month anymore, when the usual date approached, Kainess informed us through a servant that he would visit.
It seemed he still didn’t believe I had been sincere.
When he comes, I’ll tell him we should break off the engagement. He’ll be happy, right?
I grinned to myself, and Ellie, who was preparing cake, snickered too.
“Are you that happy to see Young Duke Kainess?”
“It’s not like that.”
“Oh, come on. It’s written all over your face!”
Laughing, Ellie set down the cake and went to fetch tea.
“It’s a misunderstanding…”
I was excited about breaking off the engagement, that’s all. She had completely misunderstood.
After years of one-sided love, no one believed that I truly didn’t like him anymore.
Not that it mattered.
A while later, there was a soft knock at the door.
It had to be the male lead.
“Male lea— I mean, Kainess?”
Confident it was him, I opened the door—and sure enough, Kainess stood outside. The book he always brought was nowhere to be seen today. His side looked oddly empty.
“No book today?”
“I finished it.”
“Oh?”
I didn’t think much of it and led him to the table. As usual, his gaze settled on the slice of cake placed in the center.
Do you like it that much?
Smiling in satisfaction, I nudged the plate of assorted cake slices toward him.
“I had this specially prepared. The chef’s signature cake.”
“……”
Kainess sat down and cautiously picked up his fork. He hesitated for quite some time, debating whether to eat it. I simply waited.
So suspicious!
“I’ll eat first.”
I took a big bite first. The sponge cake was so fluffy it felt like chewing clouds, and the whipped cream melted the moment it touched my tongue.
It was so good I worried about the chef’s arms that must have suffered to whip the cream that perfectly.
Only then did Kainess relax and take a bite himself. I watched him nervously as he ate carefully.
His cheeks moved cutely as he chewed.
“Good, right?”
He nodded expressionlessly, though the slight redness of his ears betrayed him.
How cute.
“Finish it. If it’s not enough, tell me.”
He nodded again, not stopping his fork.
He really eats well. How did he endure all this time?
I didn’t know why he had to restrain himself just because he was Feisia’s heir, but he must have had his reasons.
I quietly stared at him as he ate.
As if used to it, he didn’t tell me not to stare.
“Kainess, I have something to say.”
Only then did he lift his head slightly. For the first time, his gaze left the cake.
“…Go ahead.”
He swallowed and spoke.
“Let’s break off the engagement.”
“……”
Kainess’s eyes widened in shock. He even dropped his fork.
It was almost funny that thirteen- and fifteen-year-olds were discussing breaking off an engagement—but apparently, it wasn’t funny to him.
Still, I hadn’t expected him to be this surprised.
“Kainess?”
I asked carefully. His expression quickly calmed, returning to his usual blank face.
The change was startling.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“I’m not surprised.”
Then what about the fork on the floor?
I stared at the fork lying there, but his face remained expressionless.
“You don’t like me, so I don’t want to bother you anymore. You only came today out of obligation, right?”
“……”
He couldn’t even offer a polite denial.
“If we break it off, we can go back to being good friends. We’ve known each other a long time.”
Friends who occasionally treat me with mana.
I swallowed that last part and smiled awkwardly, worried it sounded too obvious.
At the words “good friends,” his eyes turned even colder. That was unexpected.
Does he hate even the idea of being friends with Esta?
It had only been a month since I possessed this body, and my life already felt in danger.
Without him, how was I supposed to suppress the overflowing mana?!
“Y-you can respect your own opinion!”
I blurted nervously. Kainess stared at me.
As if asking what I was really plotting.
His expression was full of confusion, just like the first day we met.
“…Wasn’t it a lie?”
“You’re still saying that? Does breaking off the engagement sound like a lie?”
I shrugged. When would people finally believe that I didn’t like the male lead anymore?
“It’s true you’re handsome and cool and cute and pretty—but I don’t like you anymore. Really.”
You’re just the male lead from a novel I love. Of course I think you’re pretty—but that’s all.
You’re not mine.
Kainess stared at me like he’d just witnessed something impossible.
“…We will break off the engagement.”
After staring at me for a long time, he finally answered, as if he had sorted out his thoughts.
“I understand that you’re sincere.”
He was far too mature for a thirteen-year-old. Was that because he was the male lead of a dark story?
He seemed like a child when he liked sweets—but at moments like this, he didn’t look thirteen at all.
“Mm…”
I responded awkwardly. He glanced at me coldly and stood up.
It had barely been ten minutes since he arrived.
“Since the conversation is over, I’ll take my leave.”
He rose from his seat—and he clearly meant it.
“Kainess, I know this might sound ridiculous, but… are you angry?”
Something felt off. He had come all the way here today, which meant he must have thought about it in his own way. Had I hurt the ducal family’s pride by bringing up the annulment first?
“I thought you wanted to break it off.”
“When did I ever say I wanted that?”
Didn’t your whole body say so…?
You’d come and only read books, never tried to continue conversation, and sometimes treated me like charity when you healed me.
Of course, I’m grateful for even that!
But you looked fed up with Esta, so I was giving you an excuse to stop meeting me. Why are you being so sharp?
“You didn’t?”
“Do you require my answer? I understand your feelings well enough.”
Leaving behind only that cold reply, he shook off my hand and walked out of the room.
“Thirteen-year-olds really are hard to deal with.”
Is it puberty?
I can’t afford to fall out with Kainess. I need his mana. Otherwise, before I even reach adulthood, my body might explode from excess mana and I’ll die.
The horrifying thought snapped me back to reality.
“What am I supposed to do?”
It seemed like Kainess had truly come to hate me.
