The Princess Who Saw the Fall of Her Homeland Strives to Change Fate by Becoming the Cold Prince's Bride! - Chapter 21

(Wait a minute, what’s a ‘love potion’ supposed to be…!?)

“Princess Karina, maybe in your country serving this kind of tea isn’t seen as a problem, but common sense changes depending on the nation. At the very least, in our country, serving tea with such ingredients without informing the guest can lead to trouble, like today. Please be very careful from now on.”

The healer gave that advice, and Karina nodded with tears in her eyes.

“And Princess Elze.”

When the healer called her name, Elze flinched.

(Wh-What should I do…? Are they going to blame me for making a big deal out of something small!?)

Elze started to sweat nervously, but the old healer smiled kindly at her.

“Even if the effect was mild, you prevented His Highness Richard, prince of Ernstahl, from taking a substance he did not agree to. As a subject, I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Ehh…!?”

Elze had expected to be scolded, so she was completely shocked to be thanked instead.

“And more than anything, you realized there was a misunderstanding between the two and stood up to protect Princess Karina. That was admirable. If Princess Elze hadn’t stepped in, a permanent rift might have formed between the Ernstahl Empire and the Kingdom of Eichner. Please don’t forget that your brave action has saved many.”

“Y-Yes!”

Elze quickly nodded with a start.

(My actions… weren’t wrong after all…)

Being recognized like that made her incredibly happy.

The healer smiled at Elze, whose cheeks were flushed and eyes sparkled, and then turned his gaze to Richard, who had been silent.

“Now then… does this explanation satisfy you, Prince Richard?”

“Tch…”

Richard clicked his tongue clearly, then swiftly turned on his heel.

Just like that, he left the room.

Maybe everyone was still nervous from the earlier tension—no one tried to stop him.

After a while, a lady-in-waiting came to her senses, cleared her throat, and addressed the bride candidates.

“…Due to an unexpected incident, today’s party is now over. Please return to your assigned rooms and wait there. That is all.”

The garden party that was meant to kick off the bride selection ended suddenly because of the unexpected turn of events.

Well, since the main guest, Richard, had left in a bad mood, there was no way to continue anyway…

The bride candidates, looking uneasy, also started to leave the venue.

Elze, too, quietly tucked the leftover sweets from the table into her pocket and was about to return to her room when—

“Ugh, so annoying.”

“She made a big scene over something silly. No wonder Prince Richard got upset!”

“That stuck-up princess from a weak little country sure is full of herself. She should just go home already.”

“How long is she going to keep embarrassing herself?”

She heard the nasty comments clearly meant for her and felt irritated.

When she turned around, Amalia and another one of her followers were watching her with smug grins.

…She should just ignore them and walk away.

She knew that in her head, but she still couldn’t stay quiet.

“We were all gathered as bride candidates, which means the chances should be equal for everyone. I have no reason to be looked down on.”

Maybe they didn’t expect Elze to talk back. Both of them widened their eyes in surprise.

Elze turned her back on the two and left the venue—this time for real.

(Was Richard really upset because of me, like they said? Did I give him a bad impression right from the start…?)

Now that she was calm, unpleasant thoughts started to creep in.

Things had turned into a much bigger deal than expected, but Elze never meant to make Karina look bad.

She only wanted to stop Richard from unknowingly drinking tea with strange ingredients—Karina hadn’t even meant any harm.

She never thought the party would be canceled over it… Maybe she should’ve stayed quiet.

As she walked sadly with her head down, a voice called out from behind her.

“Um… Princess Elze!”

When she turned around, one of the bride candidates was standing there, looking nervous.

“About what happened at the party earlier—”

Was she going to get scolded like Amalia and the others had?

Elze braced herself, but—

“It was amazing! Standing up for Princess Karina like that in that situation… not just anyone could do that!”

“…Huh?”

Elze was surprised to be praised so brightly.

Then a few more bride candidates who were nearby also rushed over, excited.

“She’s right. I was truly impressed.”

“Watching your brave actions made me feel ashamed for just staying quiet and trembling.”

Looking into their sincere eyes, Elze understood.

They weren’t lying. They were truly praising her from their hearts.

The moment she realized that, a warm joy bubbled up inside her chest.

(My actions… gave courage to someone. It wasn’t all for nothing…!)

She protected Karina’s life and the good relationship between the Ernstahl Empire and the Kingdom of Eichner.

And now, there were people who came up to her, showing support.

That alone lifted her spirits from their earlier low.

(It’s okay… There are people who are watching. People who understand. Just like I could protect Princess Karina… maybe I really can change the future of my own homeland, Maglier.)