I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 28

I’ve always been number one since I was a child.
More adorable than anyone else, elegant, beautiful…
And I’ve always worked hard to meet everyone’s expectations.

“Rosaline, you’ve got the top grades at the academy again today.”
“As expected of the famous Duchess of Telmond… I truly admire you.”

Back when I was at the academy, I was showered with praise like that so many times I got tired of hearing it.
I was sickly and had a chronic illness since I was little…
But I never used that as an excuse. I didn’t want to betray the expectations placed on the duchess’ daughter, so I studied hard all along.

“My daughter, you make us proud.”
“You’re destined to become the Crown Princess, Rosaline…”

I remember my parents saying those words.
I’d always been close to Crown Prince Erik since childhood. We got along well, and everyone around us thought we were a perfect match.
I naturally believed that I would become the Crown Princess.

But then…

“The Crown Prince Erik’s partner has been decided—it’s a princess from the Sylvan royal family.”

“W-What? Father? Am I not supposed to become the Crown Princess?”

“His Majesty King Harvin has decided. That decision will not be overturned.”

I had worked so hard, always striving to be the best.
I polished my status and authority, putting in effort to take the place of Crown Princess.
But suddenly… my whole life plan was stolen by a princess who came from a foreign country, as part of a political marriage.

“That’s… Princess Filia.”

The wedding of Erik and his bride was held with the entire country watching.
The cheers and hopeful eyes were not on me, who had worked so hard, but on that newcomer woman.

“Why? Why me? Why…?”

I can never forget that frustration and humiliation.
The tower of efforts I had built was knocked down by someone I didn’t even know.
I couldn’t stand the mess of emotions inside me.

“Why not me…?”

Every night, I whispered those words while crying.
But then, a hope was born within me.

“Rosaline, there’s something I want to tell you alone. I can’t bear this burden by myself anymore.”

It was Erik revealing his own truth to me.
As Crown Prince, he had a responsibility, but the truth was he couldn’t give the heir everyone expected.
Erik sought emotional support, and I felt victorious inside.

Erik trusted me.
It was me, of all people… See? I was truly the one fit to be Crown Princess.
Not that princess who came from a foreign land, but me… me… me!

––––

“Rosaline, are you listening?”

The voice pulled me back from my memories into reality.
Oh, right—I’m standing here now in the inquiry hearing where I am being judged.

Filia herself knows everything, exposing all my sins…
I stand here as the duchess’ daughter who committed an immoral act, judged by nobles and commoners alike.

“You admit that you had an affair with Erik and conspired together, don’t you?”

Filia herself is the one asking the questions.
That woman… interrogating me step by step.

It’s painful and humiliating.

“Answer me, Rosaline.”

“…No.”

I denied those accusations.
Remembering my past, but back in this reality—I refuse to be called someone who committed an affair!

“I loved Erik with all my heart. It wasn’t an affair.”

“…”

“It was Filia who tore us apart! I did no wrong. I only supported Erik to reclaim the seat that’s rightfully mine—the Crown Princess’s seat!”

Why? Why isn’t it me?
I’ve endured my weak body since childhood, always pushing myself.

I had beauty everyone recognized, elegance admired by all, and status too.
So why… why?

“Hey, why? Why does everyone look at me like this?”

Among the nobles watching the inquiry hearing,
some were former classmates who once praised me.
But their admiring eyes were gone… replaced with scornful looks that pierced me.

“Unbelievable…”
“To fail the Crown Princess who married for our friendship, what disgrace!”
“Such unbecoming behavior for a noble.”

Why? Why can’t anyone understand me?
The praise I once received is overwritten by their words of contempt.
I should be the one sitting there, I’m more deserving to be Crown Princess.

I am, I am…

“That childish excuse means nothing. You’re the one who foolishly destroyed a political marriage out of jealousy.”

Ah… why, why?
Looking at Filia standing here in the inquiry, in such a different position from mine, tears of frustration won’t stop.

“I, Filia, find no room for leniency for Rosaline.”

Filia, the one deciding my fate in this hearing, calmly delivers her judgment.

“Both she and those soon to be judged have stained the Sylvan royal family’s name. There will be no reduction in their sentences. Justice must be served.”

Why am I despised here…?
Why is that woman looking down on me from there?

I’m so frustrated, so frustrated.
I was the one loved—I’m the one who deserves it more…
But still…

“Shame on this noble daughter! Begone!”
“This is an insult to the noble houses of the high Harvin Kingdom!”
“Disgusting woman. A noble who commits such foolish acts while ignoring her duties.”

I am bombarded with insults from the nobles of Harvin Kingdom…
My place as Crown Princess has vanished.

“Why? Why… I, I…”

Frustrated, frustrated… so frustrated.
Ah… I’m so frustrated.