The Former Prince Who Lost Everything Becomes a Masked Strategist, Dominates from the Shadows, and Vows Revenge - Chapter 2.1

“Being engaged to a dull bookworm like you… I must be the unluckiest girl alive.”

As the three of us walked side by side down the long corridors of the royal palace, Lilliette let out an exasperated sigh.

I offered her a troubled smile in response.

“It’s something our parents arranged, but… I understand how you feel. I never expected to be engaged at such a young age either.”

“…”

“But you don’t have to worry too much about it. Childhood engagements are often annulled as we grow older. If you fall in love with someone else in the future, just tell me. Marriage should be based on love, after all. I wouldn’t want to see my childhood friend used as a political tool.”

“Stop saying complicated things. I don’t really get it.”

“Ah, sorry.”

Lilliette suddenly stopped walking and turned to face me, placing her hands on her hips.

“Grace, are you saying you don’t want to be engaged to the incredibly adorable Lilliette?”

“Huh? N-no, it’s not like I dislike the idea, but—”

“Then say it clearly.”

She leaned in close, her face just inches from mine.

As I flinched at her unexpected proximity, Alphonse muttered under his breath.

“If you like her, you should just say so…”

“Alphonse!”

“Ouch! Lilliette, don’t hit me!”

“Shut up, crybaby! You always say the most unnecessary things!”

She smacked Alphonse on the head repeatedly, leaving him teary-eyed.

As I watched them bicker, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind.

“Big Brother—!!”

I turned just in time to see a young girl in an extravagant golden dress dashing toward me.

With a sudden leap, she threw herself into my arms.

I barely had time to react, catching her just as we both tumbled backward onto the floor.

“Wah?! Ow, ow, ow…!”

“Big Brother! Today, I worked extra hard on my studies! Praise me!”

The girl sitting atop my stomach—my younger sister, Aria—grinned down at me with sparkling eyes.

I gave her a strained smile.

“Aria… How many times do I have to tell you not to charge at me like that?”

“Because I love you, Big Brother! Hugggg!”

She buried her face into my chest and squeezed me tightly.

Lilliette, meanwhile, was glaring at us with a twitching brow.

“…Princess, I think it’s about time you got off of Grace. He looks like he’s suffocating.”

“No. Stop trying to come between me and my brother, you two-faced pest.”

“T-two-faced—! Hey! Grace! You’re engaged to me, remember?! Why are you still clinging to your sister?! Let go of her!”

“Uh, Aria, maybe it’s time to—”

“Big Brother, I want to marry you!”

“W-wait, that’s not possible—”

“Hehehe, it’s fine. I was adopted into the royal family from a distant noble house. We aren’t actually related by bl00d. So, technically…”

“Y-you little—! Stop saying nonsense! I am the one engaged to him! Let go of him already!”

And so, Aria and Lilliette began arguing loudly while I lay helplessly pinned beneath my sister.

Alphonse, watching the chaos unfold, gave me a sympathetic look.

“Grace, you sure have it rough.”

“Don’t just stand there—help me, Alphonse…”

I let out a long sigh.

Later That Evening – The Royal Banquet

At seven o’clock in the evening, the grand hall on the second floor of the palace was abuzz with activity.

Twice a year, during spring and winter, the kingdom hosted banquets, inviting noble families and foreign dignitaries.

The event was primarily a standing buffet, with nobles and guests mingling as they enjoyed their meals and engaged in conversation.

The banquet’s main purpose was to strengthen ties among the aristocracy.

Standing near the wall, I watched the scene unfold alongside Alphonse, Lilliette, and Aria, all of us looking thoroughly uninterested.

“Why do adults love dressing up and throwing fancy parties so much?”

“It’s not just adults—it’s because they’re nobles. Even you dressed up today, Lilliette.”

“Well, yeah, today’s the day our engagement is being announced. As the daughter of House Blanchett, I have to look proper, or else people will question my family’s… what’s the word? Dignity? …Hey, Grace, what does ‘dignity’ mean?”

“It’s like the reputation of a noble house. Nobles dress up and socialize because their public image is just as important as managing their lands. For them, building connections is just as crucial as ruling their territories.”

As I stood, observing the aristocrats exchanging pleasantries with a detached gaze, the grand hall’s doors swung open, revealing the arrival of a particular noble family.

At the forefront was a short, middle-aged man with thinning hair.

Beside him walked a tall, sharp-featured woman with a prominent nose.

Trailing behind them was a boy, round in stature, his steps heavy and sluggish.

This was the House of Agrante, a cadet branch of the Royal House of Lambert, founded by my father’s younger brother.

In other words, these three were my uncle, aunt, and cousin.

As soon as they stepped into the hall, murmurs rippled through the gathered nobles.

“Look, the infamous Agrante family has arrived.”

“Despite their people starving to death, they continue imposing heavy taxes without mercy.”

“I hear that their heir, young Lord Gaston, is already a tyrant at the age of twelve. They say he orders executions whenever the peasants defy him.”

“Is he truly His Majesty’s brother? If you ask me, I’d say the previous queen had an affair.”

“Hey, that’s treasonous talk. Do you want to bring disgrace upon the royal name?”

The hall buzzed with hushed whispers, their words laced with scorn.

I took in the scene before glancing at Alphonse, Lilliette, and Aria, who stood beside me. Smiling, I spoke.

“I’m going to greet Duke Agrante. Wait here for me.”

“G-Grace, you shouldn’t!” Alphonse said, grabbing my sleeve. “The Agrante family hates you! Every time you meet them, they insult you!”

“That’s right, Brother!” Aria chimed in. “I despise them as well! Have you forgotten what Gaston did to you!?”

I absentmindedly ran my hand over my right arm.

“That was… an accident. I don’t hold any resentment.”

Seeing my reaction, Lilliette tilted her head.

“Huh? This is my first time seeing them, but… are they really that bad?”

“They’re worse than you can imagine, Lilliette!” Alphonse exclaimed. “They left a burn mark on Grace’s right arm that will never fade—”

“Enough, Alphonse.” I interrupted him firmly. “Father values his younger brother, Duke Agrante. As his son, I wish to build a bond with them as well. I refuse to believe they are as terrible as people say.”

“Grace…!”