The Young Lady Whose Engagement Was Annulled Decided to Observe What Would Become of the Kingdom thereafter - Chapter 1

“I’ve had enough of this!”

Prince Zain’s furious voice suddenly echoed through the elegant party hall.

I froze on the spot. His blue eyes burned with anger, piercing straight through me. All I had done was gently prompt him to take the next step. But that alone had made him furious.

“Please, Prince Zain, calm down.”

Feeling the weight of countless stares, I spoke quietly. As the next king of Granzwei, he couldn’t afford to show such disgrace in public. But instead of calming down, his anger only intensified.

“I’m calling off our engagement! This whole arrangement was forced on me by our parents! I absolutely refuse to spend the rest of my life with someone like you!”

His declaration froze the entire venue. The music stopped. The idle chatter among the nobles vanished. Every eye turned toward us.

“Your Highness, there are many people here. Perhaps we should discuss this again later—”

“No! I’ve already found someone else—someone I truly love. Someone I want to devote myself to! Amaryllis! You’re here, aren’t you, Amaryllis!”

“What…?”

The word slipped from my lips before I realized it. True love? What is he even talking about? My mind couldn’t keep up.

From the watching crowd of nobles, a woman stepped forward. With striking red hair and the allure of youth and beauty, she moved confidently.

“Amaryllis.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Her voice was soft and sultry. Prince Zain’s expression transformed. The fury from just moments ago disappeared, replaced by a tender smile he reserved only for her.

Then, as he looked back at me, his anger returned. The contrast between how he treated her and how he treated me was undeniable.

“She’s not like you—always nagging. She understands my heart and truly loves me.”

As he said that, he wrapped an arm around Amaryllis’ delicate shoulders. She accepted the gesture naturally, showing off their intimacy.

At that moment, I felt something break. Maybe it was my heart.

I had been engaged to the prince since I was ten. Raised to be the perfect queen, I endured strict education, always thinking of standing proudly by his side. I did it all so he could become a great king. I supported him, advised him, and corrected him when necessary—for the sake of the royal family, the kingdom, and its people.

I thought I was helping him. I thought he would understand one day. After all, he was the future king.

Now, the whispers of the nobles swirled around me—shock, sympathy, and even mocking laughter.

“Lady Florence tried so hard.”

“What will happen to House Vermilion now?”

“She’s from the northern territory, isn’t she…”

Fragments of conversation reached my ears. Yet oddly, I felt calm.

In fact, I felt curious.

If Prince Zain found my presence so unbearable, what would happen once I was gone? Without someone to guide or support him—how would the kingdom change? A pure, almost detached curiosity welled up inside me.

Normally, I should have fought to stop the engagement from being broken. Clung to him for the sake of the kingdom’s future. But he clearly wanted nothing to do with me.

After thinking it over for a moment, I lifted my head. Everyone in the room seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for my response. But I didn’t care about their expectations—I would do what I wanted.

“Very well. I accept the annulment of our engagement.”

My calm voice made Prince Zain widen his eyes slightly in surprise. Then I continued:

“But there’s just one thing I’d like to say.”

I stepped forward and met his gaze directly.

“From afar, I shall watch over your growth… and the future of the Kingdom of Granzewei.”

At those words, his expression flickered with a hint of unease. But Amaryllis clung to his arm again, and his smile returned.

“I see… If that’s how it is, then fine. Now we won’t have to see each other anymore. Just watch as this kingdom prospers without you!”

With a proud voice, he took Amaryllis’ hand and turned his back on me—as if to erase me from his thoughts completely. As if to declare that everything was over.

I took a deep breath and walked out of the hall alone. Behind me, I could still hear the sweet whispers between the prince and Amaryllis, and the murmuring nobles that surrounded them.

But I didn’t look back.

There was no one here who needed me anymore. In that case, I would return to the Vermilion family’s northern territory. There, I would find someone who did.

And more than anything—

I wanted to see it for myself.

How this kingdom would change after I was gone.