Breaking Off the Engagement with the Demon King - Chapter 7

Kiara turned to Strey, standing beside her, and smiled.

Strey returned the smile just as gently.

Kiara was well aware that what they were doing was forcing the impossible.

But she had no fear. She truly believed everything would work out.
As long as she had Strey—her newfound love—by her side, there was nothing to be afraid of.

And then, Kiara remembered.

From a young age, Kiara had been engaged to Shou, a match arranged by her father, the King.

She had always been a girl infatuated with the idea of love itself.

She liked Shou. She had no real complaints about him as her future husband.
But because her relationship with Shou had been decided from the very beginning, Kiara had never truly experienced what it meant to “fall in love.”

She loved Shou—but it was the kind of affection one might feel for family.
As she entered adolescence, Kiara began to think—despite knowing she shouldn’t—“Just once… I want to know what love really feels like.”

And then came Shou’s deployment.

Was it misfortune? Or perhaps fate?

The timing couldn’t have been more precise.

The opportunity to fall in love… had arrived.

During the first month of their separation, Kiara was overcome with sorrow at being apart from him.
Half a month later, anxiety began to fester as not a single letter from Shou arrived.

Kiara understood, of course. Shou was on the battlefield.
It wasn’t always possible to write, let alone send letters, in such conditions.

But still—after another half month had passed, making it two full months since his departure—Kiara’s brother Lars came to her and said:

“It’s possible that Shou is being unfaithful.”

Lars had sent spies—shadows—not so much to watch Shou, but to monitor the House of Rudel.

And it was one of these spies who reported back that Shou might be involved with another woman while on campaign.

“Unfaithful? That can’t be. Shou would never do such a thing.”

Kiara had trusted him.
Their bond had been strong enough that she never doubted him.

“Even I find it hard to believe,” Lars said. “But the woman in question is Lady Soa Marseille. If it’s her… then perhaps…”

“Soa…”

The name made Kiara pause.

She recalled the image of Soa Marseille—Shou’s ever-present companion.

Though a viscount’s daughter, Soa was quiet, modest, and lacked the elegance and flair that made other noble ladies stand out. Still, she had a refined face, and a quiet fanbase among those who appreciated her type.

The Marseille family had long-standing ties with the House of Rudel.
Several of their relatives had served as vassals for generations.
Soa was one such loyal retainer, and had always stood beside Shou—training to become both warrior and strategist, one day meant to support him as his aide.

Kiara had sometimes found herself idly thinking—“She’s probably a better match for Shou than I am.”

But when Lars mentioned the suspicion of an affair between Shou and Soa…

It felt as though something inside her clicked into place.

“If it’s her… then maybe… it’s true…”

Kiara had whispered the words to herself, without even realizing it.