episode_0099

The impact of the request to break off the engagement that came out of my mouth was bigger than I thought.

Since it was a verbal request to break off the engagement without any documentation or consultation with the head of the family, it actually had no effect.

The fact that I, as one of the parties involved, had the will to break off the engagement, combined with the fact that the other party clearly made a mistake, had a ripple effect beyond imagination.

“Now… … . You probably didn’t say that without knowing what it meant.”

“I know it well. More than anything I know… … .”

Although it was just acting, my voice was shaking, probably because I cried once, so I couldn’t speak properly.

It was a little uncomfortable, but it wasn’t that bad because it was very funny to see the Crown Prince get flustered every time I trailed off and shook my voice.

“As soon as the semester ends, I spoke with the head of the family… … . I will fill out the divorce documents and send them to the royal family… … .”

If I had been convinced that I could stay like this a little longer, I would have cried a little more.

I just think I want to, but I actually have no intention of crying any more.

I have achieved all my goals, and if I wait any longer, the crown prince will come to his senses and find a loophole in my words and attack me, so I will have to leave.

“ugh. Well then, I guess… … .”

I turned my back and tried to leave, but at that moment, the crown prince ran up and grabbed my wrist.

“Wait a minute. Please wait a moment.”

This is another refreshing reaction. Who would have thought that the crown prince would catch someone who was trying to leave in such a bad way.

As if I wasn’t the only one who was surprised, I could hear the murmurs of those around me. And among those gathered here, the one who was most surprised was Hermel, who was right behind him.

Hermel had a face that said, ‘That’s how your brother reacts?’

I understand. I didn’t know that the Crown Prince, who doesn’t even blink an eye when someone dies for his own safety and gain, would react like this.

“… … Please let go.”

I turned my head away from the crown prince and raised my other arm to cover my face.

“The story is not over yet.”

“What on earth should I say more… … . So please let go of this hand.”

Perhaps because he was so embarrassed that he couldn’t control his strength properly, his wrist in the crown prince’s hand felt like it was going to break, but he made no effort to show it and answered.

“There are still many things I want to ask. This isn’t the right place to talk, so let’s move somewhere else――”

Perhaps it’s because he’s still young, he’s smart, but he’s immature. I know very well that your position will be greatly shaken if you withdraw from here, but you should know that nothing good will happen to you if you step out like that.

It was funny to see the crown prince panicking and starting to strangle himself, but on the other hand, I was starting to get annoyed with the crown prince who kept interrupting me.

Wow!!

“――Koo-eup!”

The crown prince was hit by someone’s fist and flew away.

The Crown Prince, who had been hit so hard that his body broke, fell down with a crashing sound, and someone screamed half a beat later.

“Hermel!?”

Hermel is moving here? I hadn’t even thought of this.

When I called her name in surprise, Hermel glanced back at me and smiled slightly.

‘It’s okay now.’

She said that with her mouth and looked forward again.

Meanwhile, the crown prince must have been quite shocked by the fact that he had been beaten, and was looking at me with his hand on his left cheek, where he had been beaten.

no. He was looking at Hermel, who had slapped him in the face, not at me.

“Hermel… … . What on earth is this?”

He spit out words and glared at Hermel.

Does this mean that even though he is young, he is of royal blood? There was a great deal of pressure in his gaze.

Hermel flinched and trembled once at the crown prince’s gaze, shook his head, took a step forward, and said,

“Onii-san, the only thing in your head is the word power?”

Hermel, who had been quietly muttering, took a step forward and shouted.

“The person who was hurt by your brother’s words and actions is suffering, but your brother is afraid that the power he will gain later will decrease, so he uses force to threaten your brother’s fiancée, who is not someone else!?”

“What――”

“Charles is crying!! Brother, you have no sense of shame!? How can you be so proud of making your fiancee cry!! Have you lost your pride!? What kind of power is that?! I mean, admit your mistakes!!”

The crown prince frowned for the first time at those words, then stood up from the desk and said,

“Hermel Rey del Trueno. Be careful with your words and actions. There is a limit to what I can do.”

“ugh… … .”

As Hermel took a step back at the Crown Prince’s words, the Crown Prince took a step closer and said,

“Go away. It’s not your place.”

“It’s not my place… … ?”

“Okay. This is me… … . It’s between Charlotte. It’s not your business to interfere as an outsider.”

Hermel bowed his head at his words.

She was shaking. Her back, shaking with her head down, looked so pitifully small.

When the crown prince saw her, he tried to pass her and come towards me.

Hermel stretched out his arms to both sides and stopped the crown prince from approaching me.

“What are you doing?”

“Don’t even think about approaching Charles.”

“What are you doing to stop me from getting to her? With what authority?”

He said that and took a step closer.

As the crown prince took a step closer, Hermel’s trembling stopped.

And then――

“Because I am Charles’ friend.”

Rather than approaching the crown prince, he took a step forward and raised his head.

“So. I will protect Charles.”

As she said that, her body was no longer shaking.

The crown prince stood blankly, unable to say anything, and Hermel did not take a single step back until the crown prince retreated of his own accord.

There was a lot of tension and silence that felt like it would break if I made one wrong move. The tension was relieved when another mediator appeared.

“Charles? Mr. Sargela?”

“… … Seria.”

The crown prince looked in that direction. I thought it was time to gently pull on the sleeve of Hermel’s clothes and said,

“I’ll just leave now. then… … .”

“Oh, sleep… … !”

After confirming that the crown prince’s back was turned, I gave Seria a light wink and left.

It means thank you for showing up at the right time. It was a wink that meant that he would have a hard time in the future, but as he looked at me and the crown prince back and forth, it seemed like he didn’t realize what he meant.

Well, I didn’t understand, but it wasn’t something I needed to worry about anymore, so I ignored it and went out.

“It’s quiet.”

“Yes… … . That’s right.”

After leaving the academy, Hermel and I slowly walked along the empty walking path as everyone had disappeared.

The noisy street stalls and the once lively Academy were strangely quiet. It was because, as the Crown Prince said, the Spring Festival had been canceled.

I knew what was going on, but there was a big difference between being aware of the situation in my head and feeling this sticky, heavy silence.

Of course, I really liked this quiet. I pretended to be excited about the festival and all, but in reality, I wasn’t happy at all.

… … Even if you enjoy it, you only end up regretting it.

I shook my head to get rid of my weak thoughts and quietly walked along the trail.

“… … Hey Charles.”

“Yes… … ?”

The purpose has been achieved. Since I had nothing to do right now, I was just walking around in a daze, when Hermel spoke to me and I turned around.

She was looking at me with a worried face.

“Are you okay? Same thing as before… … . Wrists too… … .”

“Ah, yes… … . are you okay. Really. I’m okay… … . huh. My wrist hurts a little, though. It’s not broken.”

“Lie.”

Hermel quietly reached out and wiped the area around my eyes with his thumb.

When a slightly rough but warm hand touched my cheek, a tingling sensation ran down my spine.

“You cried.”

“That’s… … .”

“You don’t have to pretend to be okay in front of me.”

friend… … .

In the past, I would have laughed at the words without hesitation, calling them ridiculous, but for some reason, what I heard this time silenced me before I could even react.

After mumbling for a moment, I smiled faintly and shook my head.

It means a little bit, a lot of meaning.

“It’s really okay. You helped me. It was cool, back then.”

“Sweet, haha. Yeah, really? Hmm.”

Hermel blushed at my words and avoided my gaze.

However, even when I turned my head, I could see the twitching corners of my mouth and bright red ears so clearly that I burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Thank you. For helping me.”

Hermel, who blinked at my words, looked at me and smiled sweetly.

It was a soft smile that I had never seen before.

“You’re a friend. Of course.”

That warm smile made my heart flutter strangely.

“… … He, Hermel.”

“Huh?”

I never thought I would feel this feeling again.

“It may sound a little strange to say this right after what happened… … .”

After wringing my hands and contemplating for a moment, I quietly reached out and took Hermel’s hand.

okay. I guess today will be okay. Just one day today. Let’s enjoy this sensation.

“Including everything that happened today… … . I’d like to return the favor a little.”

Should we go back to the room?

I said and placed her hand on my chest.

A heart that beats violently, going beyond a layer of skin and clothes. It touched her hand.