My Fiancé Fell in Love with My Older Sister. After Locking Myself in My Room for Five Days, 500 Years Had Passed. - Chapter 10

“…Mother. If someone else hears you, it will be a big problem.”

The ‘Fated One’ system.

This exists in the Kingdom of Tsobellar precisely because it is known as the ‘Land of Magicians.’

“First, the Kingdom of Tsobellar was founded with the help of an outstanding magician.”

This is a story every child in Tsobellar hears when they are young.

“Second, outstanding magicians appear from time to time. They, whether male or female, have a fated one.”

“Third, the fated one is the magician’s other half and a blessing from the gods… Isn’t that right?”

My mother spoke the last sentence.

She looked at me with calm eyes and spoke in her usual quiet voice.

“Felicia, listen carefully. I have heard that the prince and that girl have received the mark of fate. But does that truly mean that casting aside his current fiancée, you, is the will of the gods?”

“Mother—”

“To me, it just looks like they are using the ‘Fated One’ system for their own convenience. And that so-called mark—if you pour water on it, it might just wash away.”

My mother said something outrageous.

She looked as composed as ever, but perhaps she was actually holding back a great deal of anger.

And honestly, she had a point.

Now that I have regained my past life’s memories, I strongly feel the same way.

I completely agree.

But that doesn’t change the fact that this country won’t accept such an argument.

“I will not accept this. You are the Crown Prince’s fiancée, Felicia. You must not lose to that little girl.”

“…Mother, I—”

I never wanted to marry Felix in the first place…!!

Why does everyone ignore my feelings?

Do they think I will just jump for joy if they suddenly tell me, ‘Actually, the engagement is still on!’?

Besides, if Mother were in my position, she wouldn’t be happy about it either, right?!

She definitely wouldn’t be!

After all, Felix’s heart belongs to my sister.

And yet, I’m supposed to marry him? That sounds like absolute hell.

Just as I was about to respond, the butler arrived to look for us.

Apparently, Father had called for Mother.

He was probably going to talk about my engagement to Felix.

Surprisingly, he’s acting quickly.

When Mother heard the reason, her gaze turned even colder.

The butler, under her icy stare, visibly paled.

After bidding Mother farewell, I left the room.

(Felix and I will likely break off our engagement. But what happens after that is what really matters.)

At this rate, I would definitely end up engaged to Arnold instead.

I need to act before that happens…

Thinking this, I decided to dive into history books.

By researching how noblewomen lived in the past, I might find a clue.

I selected several books from the mansion’s library and started reading immediately.

There were rare cases of widowed noblewomen becoming government officials and even some examples of women inheriting noble titles.

Tracing my fingers over the stories of strong and resilient women, I thought:

(Can I… do this too?)

As I dug through old texts, I felt like I had found a small hint for my future.

☆

A few days later, Felix summoned me much sooner than I expected.

We met at the gazebo in the royal garden.

I sat across from Felix, separated by a round table.

(Was there always a gazebo in this place…?)

I quickly found the answer.

Right beside the gazebo stood a large magnolia tree.

It was currently in bloom.

Every time the wind blew, delicate white petals fluttered down.

It reminded me of the moment my sister and Felix first met.

And I realized—he had likely arranged this setting on purpose.

That must be why he had the gazebo built near this magnolia tree.

(Does fate really mean that much…?)

No, in their case, it was clearly love at first sight.

But if people call that love at first sight ‘fate,’ then what can I possibly say against it?

It’s like the old question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

A white petal drifted onto the table.

It looked like a floral tablecloth.

A petal even landed in my teacup, floating on the surface.

(Well, I can’t drink this tea now…)

Thinking such things, I waited for him to speak.

“Let’s break off our engagement.”

That’s what I expected him to say.

And I was ready to accept it.

After all, I had no reason to object.

But instead, what he actually said was—

“I want you to become queen and support your sister… as the second consort.”