Betrayed By My Fiancé, I Changed My Role From A Viscount's Daughter To A Lady-in-waiting To The Queen

Chapter 41: Chapter 1, Episode 41

Translated by KaiesV

Edited by KaiesV

「Ah—… are you concerned about the scar on my face, even if it’s only on my forehead?」

When I said that, Douglas-sama frowned, as if I had hit the bull’s-eye.

「A wound like this, will heal in no time.」

It’s really not that big of a wound. The wound itself is the size of a pinky finger, although it looks exaggerated because it was in a place where blood flowed easily. I was assured by the doctor that it would not even leave a scar after a certain amount of time.

「You’re not even married, you know?」

「Well, yes but…」

I would say,『so then?』But I don’t think it’s anything for Douglas-sama to be concerned about.

「My negligence brought this on. Besides, your annulment of the engagement will be accepted without any problem in this case. How can you be able to look for a marriage partner without any worries and not be affected by the scars?」

My mood plummeted at that line from Douglas-sama.

「Pah…!!!」

I don’t mean to sound erratic, but I barely swallowed my outburst.

「Nhn… Are you stupid, Douglas-sama?」

But the dialogue is exactly the same, just in a different tone. I’d like to commend him for not throwing up on me.

「Hey. I’m being serious.」

It’s true that if an ordinary lady had a scar on her body before marriage, it would be a big deal. It’s not that I wasn’t concerned at all. However, Douglas-sama’s was a little different.

「I know that. But it’s useless to take it seriously. It’s not the first time today that I have a reason, and what does it matter if I have at least one more scar now?」

「But…」

「But no buts. Or what? Is Douglas-sama suggesting that you will take responsibility and marry me because of the wounds caused by your own negligence?」

「……That…」

I snickered at the frightened Douglas-sama.

「You can’t do that, can you?」

Even if Douglas-sama was responsible for this injury, there is no way he would marry me. His priority is not me but his beloved son, Liam. Don’t try to take on this repugnant responsibility on your own, stupid, stupid.

「That’s fine. I am glad to see that you are aware of your position. If you had nodded your head, I would have given you a nose hook from Meari.」

Douglas-sama covers his nose in a way that he can’t help but think about that line.

「I told you earlier. I accept your apology. Whether the situation was caused by Douglas-sama’s negligence or not, this has given me the opportunity to release the resentment that has been building up for the past 10 years. I am grateful, but I would never think of using my injury as a shield to be taken as a bride. Please stop mocking me!」

Now Douglas-sama is not worried about me, he is just indulging in his stupid heroism. Don’t mimic Raul’s bastard-like attitude.

「You should just open your big mouth and laugh like an idiot, blithely as usual Douglas-sama. And you should be happy with me, saying,『Good for you.』」

You call yourself my brother, don’t you? If you don’t have delicacy, don’t worry about the hurt, I want you to laugh and be happy with me that my heart has been saved, even if only a little.

「…Sorry.」

「It’s true. Please don’t ever say this again. Please don’t make me say it either!」

Do you understand? I reminded him, and he nodded his head with his eyebrows lowered to the utmost limit.

I don’t know why he said such a crazy thing, but maybe he had something on his mind in a Douglas-sama-like way. I could tell that he was greatly sorry for his shabbily large body.

It was as if a child was depressed because I was angry… no, no, it was a terrible hallucination. I don’t know if it’s because I’m too angry to see Douglas-sama in such a pretty thing, or if it’s because I’m too angry to see him in my head. Oh, by the way, I hit my head. Meari, call the doctor!

「And how has the investigation progressed since then? You have been informed by Ryniel-sama of what happened at the jewelry store. Have you been able to hear from Countess Bauer?」

Illusions aside, as long as Douglas-sama reflects well, that’s all that matters. Just not a second time, though.

What I’d like to know more about is the status of the investigation after I passed out.

At present, Countess Cierleifi Bauer, who brought several pieces of jewelry to the jewelry store, is the person most suspected of being involved in this case. I’m not saying she is the culprit, but I’m sure she knows something about the situation. If not detain her, at least interview her.

「…About that…」

My brow wrinkles deeply at the brusque Douglas-sama.

「You don’t think I’m not listening?」

「……No way.」

「…My head hurts. What on earth are you doing, imperial guards?」

It would be essential to get an interview from Countess Bauer, who is most suspected of being involved.

「I hear she’s lying on the floor.」

「That’s a very convenient disease.」

She was giving Raul a very enthusiastic look at him during the public training. I wonder if this sick lady would scream that yellow.

「They say it’s not a disease, it’s a mental thing.」

「It’s not too late for her brain to be in a flower garden, is it?」

If she wants to say that her pleasant head has become even more pleasant, I don’t agree, but I understand. But that’s no reason not to have a hearing.

「What is the meaning of making such a big deal of taking me in and not interviewing even one of those ladies?」

「That’s why, Marsha.」

「?」

「There are two reasons for not forcibly summoning them. One is the fact that you were forcibly taken and then there was an assault on you, which has led to increased criticism of imperial guards. Count Bauer refuses to send her daughter to such imperial guards.」

With the precedent of me, it is natural to have doubts that they might be subjected to an assault-like hearing. The mere fact that she was given a hearing could tarnish such lady’s name. I know this is unacceptable to them as an aristocrat and a father.

「And there’s no denying that the young lady is mentally ill. It was Countess Bauer who witnessed your collapse.」

「Eh?」

I remember hearing a woman scream. Was that Countess Bauer?

「She can’t say anything when she told me that she was so shocked to see you lying on the floor with your head bleeding.」

「…Well, that’s indeed true, but…」

I fainted as soon as I left the hearing room. Even a fool would think that I was assaulted in the hearing room. I know it’s natural for a 16 year old lady to be shocked, but she still can’t explain it.

「Second, the maid who claimed to have testified is missing, and Daryl Brace refuses to reveal the name of the『person of interest』who tipped him off.」

「Missing…?」

I wonder if she started running away because the testimony she gave with the intention of harassing me, as he always does, has developed into something so important.

「Could the『person of interest』be the royal princess?」

When Brace, a follower of the princess, says『a person of interest,』the first thing that comes to mind is, of course, Priscilla, the royal princess. But Douglas-sama shook his head.

「I’m not denying it, but I’m finding it unlikely.」