Bertia, could you please refrain from speaking over me? Your lines sound a bit too rehearsed because of your nervousness.
Despite the amusement her reaction caused, I knew we needed to proceed. I gently placed a finger on her lips, signaling her to stay silent for a moment. She blinked rapidly, a puzzled look crossing her face, but soon she understood and kept quiet.
“No, you have indeed committed a grave sin… the sin of being born two years after me,” I remarked, my lips curling into a smile as I sensed her finger quiver in reaction to my statement.
She tilted her head in confusion, giving me a puzzled look. I smiled meaningfully at her. I could see confusion spreading among the students in the venue, likely including Baroness Heronia.
I then retrieved a small velvet box from my pocket. This prompted a quiet cheer from the perceptive girls in the audience.
Yet, Bertia appeared unaware of the implications, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
I knelt on one knee in front of her and opened the box to show what was inside. “Since you were born two years later, I have to wait an additional two years for your graduation, being apart from you. This is truly a serious sin. Therefore, as reparation, you will end our current engagement right after you graduate and become my wife instead… This serves as proof of that promise.”
“What?! Huh?! What is this? Huh?! Ehh?! But, Your Highness, what the—”
“Come on, give me your hand. Don’t be shy.”
Bertia was taken entirely by surprise, unaware of the situation unfolding around her. While she glanced around in bewilderment, I took her left hand and gently placed the ring on her finger. She appeared oblivious to this gesture, so deeply engrossed in her chaos, but I didn’t mind at all.
From the beginning, the plan was to navigate the confusion. If nothing else occurred, that would be acceptable. If there were any disruptions, we would simply have to manage them.
“Oh, defeat… I have to accept my loss…” Bertia said tearfully, her words tumbling out as she kept repeating “fall.” I held her left hand firmly, and together we looked straight ahead.
… She mentioned that she was supposed to be ‘put in her place’ at the end, but since she has already said “defeat” so many times, maybe we can consider it settled?
As I considered this, I proclaimed in a dignified tone, fitting my royal status, “To all who have shared this precious time in our student lives and have watched over us, I announce that in two years, when she graduates, we will marry. As the Crown Prince and Princess, we will strive to make this kingdom a better place!”
The area fell silent.
Then, just as smiles started to emerge on the students’ faces and they were about to applaud…
“Objection!”
At last, Baroness Heronia made her move. Leaving her group of male students behind, she approached us with her hand raised purposefully.
… Oh, she just glanced back, didn’t she?
From her frustrated expression, it seems she didn’t intend to leave her followers behind. They probably felt too intimidated to follow, which left her standing alone.
Baroness Heronia approached the front of the stage where we stood. She didn’t climb up but fixed a worried Bertia with a stern glare.
“… What exactly do you mean by ‘objection’?”
I tilted my head with a wry smile.
“Your Highness, that woman—Miss Bertia—is deceiving you!” Baroness Heronia declared, sharply pointing her index finger at Bertia, who flinched at the accusation.
I frowned inwardly at the scene. Truly, Baroness Heronia displayed a complete lack of decorum. Even if she were to rephrase her statement, referring to a lady of higher status as “that woman” was already a serious misstep. Moreover, her direct gesture toward Bertia and the self-satisfied expression on her face were utterly inappropriate for a noble lady.
Marquis Noches, my father, as well as the graduates’ parents and students, all had frowns on their faces. Among them, a woman notably concealed her mouth with a fan, her brows deeply furrowed in a clear display of disdain.
“Your Highness, Miss Bertia is unfit to be your wife, let alone the future queen. She has shown extreme cruelty to many, myself included—participating in harassment characterized by status discrimination, public insults, and just yesterday, she nearly shoved me down the stairs,” Baroness Heronia asserted, clasping her hands tight before her chest and gazing up at me as if imploring for my understanding.
I felt a strong urge to sigh.
“I have not received any reports of Miss Bertia participating in such dreadful actions. As my fiancée, she faces constant public scrutiny throughout the day, making it logically impossible for her to operate in secrecy.”
The audience of students murmured yet appeared to nod in agreement with this reasonable point.
“In fact, she was with me yesterday evening. After dinner, when she appeared unwell, I personally accompanied her back to her dormitory. Additionally, I sent a servant to deliver flowers as a get-well gesture, and the servant confirmed she was in her room. Out of concern, I requested the dormitory supervisor to monitor her closely, and it appears they checked on her regularly. According to their reports, Miss Bertia remained in her room and rested the entire time.”
I looked over at the dormitory supervisor in the audience, and she nodded firmly, confirming my words.
“It must have been someone else you asked to push me down the stairs,” Baroness Heronia attempted to deflect the accusation.
“So, the real culprit was someone different? We need to figure out who orchestrated this. Given that it impacts Miss Bertia’s honor, I’ll ensure a thorough investigation and take the necessary steps once we identify those involved,” I replied, seeking more information.
“I… still don’t know who it was…”
“That seems illogical. Why did you bring up Miss Bertia’s name? Also, could you clarify the other instances of bullying you referred to? Do you have any proof?”
“There are others who have suffered just like I have! Everyone, please!!” Baroness Heronia called out, spreading her arms wide and looking around for support.
…
The hall was quiet; her plea went unanswered by anyone.
“It seems like there’s no one,” I remarked dryly.
“That can’t be true! People always come to me with different matters. Please, don’t hesitate now! Let His Highness know about the frustrations you’ve all experienced. I’m certain he will hear you,” Baroness Heronia pleaded once more.
…
Even with her heartfelt plea, no one came forward. But why would they?
Accusing a woman about to marry the Crown Prince in two years may be viewed as an act of lese-majesty, jeopardizing one’s own status and possibly harming their family’s reputation. Absent strong justification, few would wish to engage in such accusations, particularly since Bertia has done nothing to deserve this widespread disdain.
A few ladies—whom Baroness Heronia had likely expected to support her—shifted their gazes uncomfortably when she looked at them, quickly averting their eyes. It must have been disappointing for Baroness Heronia, hoping for solidarity that simply wasn’t there.
Considering their demeanor, it was probable that the young ladies were simply involved in light gossip about Bertia or courteously listened to Baroness Heronia’s grievances during their daily discussions. However, none of them would be unwise enough to risk their futures over such trivial exchanges. Even if Baroness Heronia had solicited their backing, it was evident that none would step up.