Estelle Will Not Forgive a Second Time: The Condemned Noble Lady Returns in Elegance to Dance with the Incompetent Prince - Chapter 13

When my elder brother—First Prince Victor—started being hailed as “exceptionally gifted” by those around him, I spent my days feigning apathy in a secluded corner of the royal castle.

Perhaps it was because my mother held a lowly status, but everyone naturally assumed Victor would inherit the throne. I had no objections to that.

Being labeled a “useless prince” with no notable talents allowed me to remain unnoticed—and that was far more comfortable.

To me, Estelle Grandier was nothing more than one of my brother’s potential fiancées.

When I first met her, she was undeniably beautiful, but she gave off a somewhat frivolous impression.

She seemed completely taken in by Victor’s blond hair and princely, commanding presence. Her eyes, at the time, were filled with admiration for him.

Because of that, I had no particular interest in her.

Just another young lady among many—I would catch glimpses of her now and then at social events, and that was all.

But at some point, her reputation began to change.

I started hearing rumors that she had begun assisting with the Grandier family’s paperwork and had grown knowledgeable in domestic affairs and finance.

Still, I was too busy, even while pretending to be the “useless prince,” secretly working to disrupt Victor’s fundraising efforts from behind the scenes. So I paid little attention to the rumors about her.

Then, one day, a letter arrived for me.

The address and sender were written modestly, but the contents were shocking.

—“I know you’ve been interfering with a certain someone’s fundraising efforts.”

When I read those words, I felt as though my heart had stopped.

If this sabotage was exposed, I’d undoubtedly be purged by my brother. There was no doubt that whoever wrote the letter now had leverage over me.

What would happen to me? Would I be killed by Victor? Or would I be used by the letter’s sender? Only the worst-case scenarios filled my mind.

But when I finally met the person behind the letter, they proposed something entirely unexpected—“Let’s become accomplices.”

I didn’t understand.

The girl I had pitied as just another unfortunate noble deceived by my brother had not only uncovered my covert operations but also proposed an alliance.

I had thought she was attractive but lacking depth. That assumption was utterly naive.

When I met her face to face and heard her sharp words and saw the intensity in her eyes, I realized the truth.

“That man destroyed my dignity. He tried to steal my life.”

“Even if it kills me, I won’t forgive him.”

Those were not the empty words of a naïve noblewoman.

She truly knew of Victor’s atrocities and was determined to bring him down.

She carried a fierce will—not just to oppose him, but to never forgive the one who shattered her sense of self.

Ah… so this is how the story unfolds. If that’s the case, I might actually enjoy this.

The shock and curiosity I felt in that moment remain vivid even now.

From that point on, it was a whirlwind.

While I continued my façade as the useless prince, I investigated the inner workings of Victor’s faction… and Estelle, in the spotlight of high society, moved with grace and cunning, toppling Victor’s pawns one by one, starting with Clarissa.

Her persistent financial investigations and dealings with the nobility supplemented the information I could not gather alone.

Combining our efforts, we began steadily eroding Victor’s power.

Honestly, I can only say—it’s impressive.

I never imagined that noblewoman could accomplish so much.

She once mentioned, though hesitantly, that she had been betrayed and killed by a former friend. The pain she endured must have been unimaginable.

An ordinary noblewoman would have crumbled or accepted defeat.

But not Estelle.

She stood tall, burning with the desire for revenge, and produced real results… To me, she shone brilliantly.

—I could never have done what she has.

That’s why I feel genuinely happy to be relied upon by her now.

It feels like she acknowledges that I’m not truly a useless prince—and that gives me a quiet sense of self-worth.

To be called her “accomplice”… it doesn’t sound bad at all.

And now.

I fling open the carriage door and leap into the night, still cloaked in my black hood.

The attackers waiting on the road were undoubtedly assassins dispatched by Rodolphe.

Once my brother saw Estelle as a threat, I knew this day would come.

(She’s gone through so much just to get here. I won’t let her die now. More than that… I don’t want to lose her.)

Yes, I don’t want to lose her.

Not long ago, I was content to avoid deep involvement with anyone, satisfied simply to sabotage Victor from the shadows. But now, I genuinely want to protect Estelle Grandier.

It’s a strange change—but strangely, my heart feels at peace.

“To go so far as to block the road… you’re a curious lot, aren’t you? Inside this carriage is my precious partner.”

With the tip of my drawn sword, I glared at the group barring our path.

Each one of them was dressed entirely in black—clearly unable to claim they were knights or soldiers of the royal family.

They probably thought I was just some hired guard. Unfortunate for them.

“If you turn back now, I won’t stop you. But if you intend to disrupt the stage we’re dancing on, I won’t show any mercy.”

The cold words slipped naturally from my lips.

Without a word, the attackers raised their swords in unison and rushed at me.

Just as I expected.

(Estelle is waiting inside the carriage. She must be terrified, yet she’s enduring it with all her strength.)

That thought stirred something—an unfamiliar heat rising within me.

I’m no fool, and it’s been a while since I’ve wielded my sword openly like this. More than anything, I don’t dislike fighting to protect her.

“Perfect. Looks like you’ll make for a decent warm-up.”

I adjusted my grip on the sword and stepped forward.

The night’s darkness cloaked the carriage, but I could sense enemies circling all around.

No problem.

(Estelle—you’ll be fine. I’ll protect you.)

As I made that silent vow, one of the attackers lunged forward.

Without hesitation, I deflected his arm and, with a swift counter, kicked him hard in the back.

Multiple breaths overlapped, and the clash of steel rang out as swords met.

Mere seconds later, the scream of the man I felled was swallowed by the night, vanishing without a trace.

That mask of the “useless prince” meant nothing now.

Fighting like this, with a sword in hand, felt far truer to myself.

The black hood over my head slightly obscured my vision, but it didn’t bother me.

Beneath the cloth wrapped around my mouth, I might even have been smiling.

“Let’s go…!”

Using my momentum, I cut down another.

Inside the carriage waits my most important accomplice.

This night is only the prologue—a much larger stage awaits. I can’t afford to fall here.

The goal I share with her is to expose my brother Victor’s evil and cleanse this kingdom.

But more than that—what drives me is the desire not to lose her.

“Come then. Let’s dance—in the dark.”

With those theatrical words, I raised my sword once more.

Some of the men surrounding us seemed shaken, having seen their comrades fall.

In that case, I’ll cut them down all at once.

(Estelle, wait for me. I’ll finish this soon.)

Even if Captain Rodolphe is pulling the strings behind the scenes, I have no intention of losing.

In the instant I raised my sword again, a certainty took hold in my heart.

—Someday, I want to stand proudly at her side on a stage where Estelle smiles and dances freely.

For that wish, I will fight.

Drawing a deep breath, I smiled beneath my hood.

And once more, I swung my sword at the approaching attackers.