The Young Lady Whose Engagement Was Annulled Decided to Observe What Would Become of the Kingdom thereafter - Chapter 3

I had always found it unpleasant.

My fiancée, Florence Vermilion.
Every time I met her, anger and inferiority welled up from deep within my chest.

“Prince Zain, please memorize the terms of the trade agreements with other nations. It’s important to avoid putting the kingdom at a disadvantage in the future.”
“Yeah.”
“Also, remember your manners and etiquette. You need to maintain proper decorum.”
“I know.”
“And make sure you remember the history of the Kingdom of Grantzwei.”
“We already covered that in class. I remember it.”

Every time she pointed something out or gave me advice, it felt as if she was constantly exposing my inadequacies. Like I was being denied over and over again.
She was brilliant, so it was fine for her. Compared to her, I…

That day, I had finished my tutoring session early again and went out onto the balcony, letting the cold wind wash over me as I sighed.

“Your Highness, so this is where you were.”

I turned around to see Joseph, my butler. I’d been found. I really wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. I didn’t even have the energy to brush him off.

“I finished today’s lessons. I’m just taking a short break.”
“Is that so?”

He looked like he wanted to say something. He had probably noticed, like always, that I’d wrapped up my lessons ahead of schedule.
But I’d completed all the assignments. I’d taken the lessons seriously. Any more than that would just be inefficient.
Explaining myself was bothersome. Even if he thought I was slacking off, it didn’t matter as long as I didn’t care.

After a while, the butler finally spoke.

“Lady Florence will be worried about you again.”
“She’s not worried. All she cares about is a man who will become a capable king. She only sees the position. She doesn’t care about the real me.”

Joseph stayed silent. That silence was like an admission that what I said was true.
After another pause, he spoke again. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, but I didn’t want to talk in the first place.
I wished he’d just get it over with. Still, I continued the conversation.

“Lady Florence is certainly strict, but she has received excellent education as the future queen.”
“I know that! But unlike me, she’s talented. She probably even enjoys studying. I could never be like her.”

I couldn’t help but raise my voice. Joseph just remained silent. He didn’t say anything more.
So I fell silent too. I could never be like her.

Those kinds of days continued—until I met her. Amaryllis Crimson.

I first saw her at a royal ball. Her presence shone brightly, like spring sunlight.
At first, she just caught my eye. But she was the one who approached me.

“Your Highness, it’s an honor to meet you. This evening’s party is absolutely lovely, isn’t it?”

Unlike the other noble ladies, her eyes sparkled with genuine light.
At least, that’s how they appeared to me.

“Is that so? I’m not really fond of these events…”
“Your Highness, your presence makes this party all the more splendid. Everyone here wishes to be in your good graces.”

And she smiled—a gentle smile, so different from Florence’s.

“Really…? Florence always criticizes how I carry myself. That’s why I never enjoy these parties.”

For some reason, I let my true feelings slip out in front of someone I had just met.

“Well, I suppose that is part of her role as your fiancée…”

Amaryllis paused for a moment before continuing.

“But I understand how you feel. Constant criticism can be painful.”

Her words slowly began to unlock the door that had been shut in my heart for so long.

At first, I doubted her.
A woman as lovely as her couldn’t possibly understand someone like me.
She must’ve had some ulterior motive for getting close to me. I told myself I had to be cautious.

But she treated me with sincerity.
At least, that’s how it felt to me.

I had to judge things for myself. Even Florence had said that—
That I needed to think and decide on my own.
Then I should trust my own feelings.
And I began to believe that I could trust Amaryllis.

“Your Highness, you truly are a kind person. I’m so happy to see not just the strong prince that everyone admires, but the gentle soul within.”
“What you say is absolutely right. Sometimes we need to enjoy ourselves too. Perhaps Lady Florence is simply too strict.”
“Your smile is the brightest in this entire room. Please have more confidence in yourself.”

Her words soaked into my heart like rain falling on parched earth.
That’s what I had wanted to hear. I just wanted to be acknowledged. That was all.

And so, I found myself wanting to hear more from her—
I began meeting with Amaryllis more and more often.

One night, during a secret rendezvous at the eastern palace, she took my hand.

“Your Highness, there’s something I truly want to tell you.”

Bathed in moonlight, her face looked delicate and breathtaking.

“I have deep feelings for you. I know you already have a fiancée, but that doesn’t change how I feel.”

She confessed with such resolve.

In that moment, everything became clear.
I finally knew who I truly wanted to be with.
It wasn’t Florence—it was Amaryllis.

She was the one I wanted by my side for the rest of my life.

But how would I tell them?
My engagement to Florence had been arranged by both families, and it carried significant political weight.
My father, the king, would never approve easily.

Still, I had to do something.
I had to choose Amaryllis, not Florence.
And as I thought over how to make that happen—
The opportunity finally came.