The End of First Love - Chapter 44

“Please let go of my hand.”

Looking down at the arm gripped by William, Elizabeth’s voice came out cold and sharp. Such a tone would have been unthinkable back when they were still engaged. William was likely taken aback by her demeanor.

“Prince William, did you not hear me? I said, let go of my hand.”

“What did you say?! Elizabeth, what is that attitude of yours?!”

“To touch a woman who is engaged to another without her permission—I believe your behavior is the one to be condemned, Your Highness.”

“You insolent—!”

Fury twisted William’s expression as he raised his hand. Elizabeth, unflinching, calmly brushed it away with the fan she held.

She knew her reaction would likely provoke his rage even further.

But even so, she couldn’t stand the fact that William was touching her.

“Elizabeth! Come here. You’re just sulking, aren’t you? You got engaged to that penniless duke’s son just to spite me, didn’t you? A petty little act to get back at me for not paying attention to you. How adorable. Let’s reconcile. I’m sure my father and mother would welcome it.”

“Prince William, what exactly are you misunderstanding? Do you truly believe I still love you? You were the one who called off the engagement, weren’t you?”

“N-No! That wasn’t me—it was Maria who convinced me… I never wanted to end things. If she hadn’t fed me lies, we’d still be engaged right now!”

It was true that if Baroness Maria hadn’t approached William, Elizabeth might still be his fiancée.

Few noblewomen would dare try to steal the title of Crown Princess from a duke’s daughter by exploiting a prince’s womanizing nature. That was how powerful the ducal family was in noble society.

At most, they’d sneak around as secret lovers.

“—You may be right. If Baroness Maria hadn’t appeared, I might still be engaged to you.”

“Then let’s get engaged again right now. No, that’s too much trouble… Tomorrow is the wedding ceremony, isn’t it? Just marry me instead of Maria.”

As William rambled feverishly, Elizabeth’s eyes began to harden.

(What is this man even saying? Replace Maria and become his bride?)

The surrounding nobles, who had been watching the scene unfold, began to react with growing disapproval. Yet William remained oblivious to the changing atmosphere.

Blushing and babbling nonsense, William saw nothing beyond his own delusions.

It was time to shatter his illusion.

“I see. Me marrying you tomorrow… God would not permit such a thing.”

“No, that’s nonsense! I’m a prince with a claim to the throne—no one would oppose it. Even God would bless our union!”

“Fufu… Then why don’t we ask for God’s judgment?”

With a small motion of her hand, the doors of the hall opened.

As murmurs rose and the crowd parted, William’s eyes widened in shock at the figure who appeared. Seeing this, Elizabeth’s lips curled.

(I must look terribly wicked right now. Like a proper villainess.)

Just thinking that gave her strength.

Rebecca-san. The counterattack begins now.

“—Rebecca? Why are you here…?”

“It has been a while, Prince William.”

Rebecca offered a slight bow to William, then turned her gaze away from him and toward the king.

Her eyes were full of purpose. Elizabeth could tell—she was no longer ensnared by William’s spell.

“Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness for the audacity of speaking out as a mere sister. I am Rebecca of the House of Count Walter. Due to certain circumstances, I left my family and now serve as a sister at a small church. Previously, I served as a lady-in-waiting to Her Highness the consort. My days at the castle were a living hell. Daily abuse, excessive labor—both my body and spirit were broken. In that state, I was deceived by Prince William’s sweet words and… ended up in a physical relationship with him.”

“Lies!! That never happened! I don’t even know this woman!”

Even faced with William’s heartless denial, Rebecca remained unwavering. She had come prepared—with her resolve, and with the child in her arms.

“Prince William and I continued our physical relationship at his insistence, and about a year ago, I became pregnant with his child. After that, I was suddenly cast out of the castle. With nowhere to go, I had no choice but to become a sister. He discarded me when I became inconvenient. I gave birth to his child at the church where I now live. A precious baby boy.”

Gasps spread through the hall as people caught sight of the child wrapped in a blanket.

“That baby has blond hair… He really looks like the prince’s child.”
“She got pregnant while he was still engaged to Lady Elizabeth. How disgraceful!”
“And to throw her out of the castle once she was pregnant…”
“Maybe he spread rumors about Lady Elizabeth after the breakup to cover this up.”

As whispers spread, William’s face paled.

(At last… he’s being pulled back to reality.)

“W-Wait, Rebecca! I didn’t know. I didn’t know you were pregnant! If I had, I would’ve married you. It’s not too late—let’s get married now!”

“Don’t insult me. There are many women in my church who were also used and discarded by you. Are you planning to marry all of them?”

Rebecca said her piece, turned on her heel, and walked away. William, stunned, could do nothing but watch.

Elizabeth delivered the final blow.

“Even now, you still claim you want to marry me?”

“Elizabeth…”

“Even if God were to forgive you—I will not. What do you think women are? Tools for your pleasure? Enough with the mockery!”

Raising her hand, Elizabeth brought it down with all her strength. A sharp slap echoed through the hall.

Holding his cheek, the prince stared at her in disbelief. Elizabeth looked him square in the eye and spoke gently.

“Prince William, I must respectfully decline your proposal of marriage.”

“William… how do you intend to explain this?”

“……”

“Until your judgment is passed, you are confined to your quarters.”

William didn’t respond, and was escorted out of the hall by guards. Elizabeth watched his retreating figure until she heard a voice at her ear.

“Elizabeth, has the spell cast on you finally been broken?”

“Yes. I’ll never be trapped again. Because… you’ll stay by my side, won’t you, Heinz?”

“Of course.”

At his words, a smile bloomed on Elizabeth’s face.

At last… she was free.
Free from the curse that was her first love.