“Just speak honestly. How about that?”

Leopold shrugged his broad shoulders. Contrary to his snide tone filled with anger, he seemed quite at ease. Olivia silently looked at Leopold.

“……I’m not sure if it’s the right word, but I’ve told you the truth.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Leopold brushed his wellgroomed blond hair back. His handsome lips twisted upwards.

“You’re jealous because you saw me with Maria, aren’t you?”

The moment his unique, confident voice rang in her ears, Olivia’s body trembled. If she didn’t hold her fingertips together, her lips would tremble in embarrassment.

Leopold knew. Why I left Tiaje Palace that day.

“……Is that all you have to say to me?”

At least.

He should have respected me. No matter how much he enjoyed the time with Maria Etel. Even if he left me alone and took Maria Etel as his partner.

We were engaged. Even when everything was broken, he should have at least respected me.

But as always, Leopold ignored his courtesy towards Olivia in the cruelest way.

“If I ask for another date, I won’t see the Duke anymore. Olivia?”

His voice was as sweet as honey. Now, the coercive content within it became clearly visible.

Leopold never loved me once. The brilliant man I loved never looked at me equally, even for a moment, as his fiancée.

The moment she acknowledged this fact, Olivia’s heart swirled.

Was it anger or sadness?

In her profound dismay, Olivia couldn’t say a word. Meanwhile, Leopold chuckled softly, as if interpreting Olivia’s silence as affirmation.

“Yes, Olivia. How pleasing it is to hear you agree.”

“……”

“And to break off the engagement. You really didn’t believe Duke Vicander’s words, did you? Olivia. How naive you are at nineteen.”

“……I’m twenty, Your Highness.”

“Really? Were you already twenty?”

Despite Olivia’s correction, Leopold merely nodded, seemingly uninterested. Looking at him, Olivia suddenly burst into laughter.

Her clear and beautiful laughter surprised even Lady Sophron, who was some distance away. And I, too, unwittingly craned my neck to look toward the table.

Only the back of the princess was visible; her face couldn’t be seen.

It was the first time the princess laughed so loudly.

I felt anxious, but Lady Sophron couldn’t look any longer.

Because she noticed the prince’s cheeks creasing.

Olivia also noticed Leopold’s expression changing, but she had no intention of stopping her laughter.

A man who can’t even remember how old I am.

And yet, I knew everything about Leopold.

It was a ridiculous thing. I had devoted my whole heart to a man who didn’t even know my age.

From the time I first came to the palace at nine, to when I accepted the Duke’s proposal. Or perhaps even a moment ago when my heart was throbbing.

But now, Olivia had definitely hardened her heart. The whirlwind of emotions had burned away, leaving nothing behind.

Olivia slowly stopped laughing. A cold smile settled on her lips.

But even this change went unnoticed by Leopold, who spoke with an unpleasant tone.

“Laughing to yourself in front of someone isn’t polite, Princess.”

“Don’t you find it amusing, Your Highness?”

“What are you talking about?”

Leopold responded indifferently.

You should be satisfied with having warmed my heart this much, but Olivia, not seeming tired, continued to speak.

Leopold answered a few words dryly and thought he really should leave now. But the moment he heard Olivia’s joyful voice, that thought disappeared.

“You brought Lady Etel into my palace without my permission, so you’re no different in not showing me respect, Your Highness.”

“……What?”

Leopold answered a beat late. Olivia smiled faintly, lifting her teacup to moisten her lips. Her movement was so graceful that there was no flaw to be found.

Then, when their eyes met again, the moment he saw her calm green eyes, a crack appeared in Leopold’s arrogant pride.

Ha. A bitter laugh escaped Leopold’s lips.

“Are you blaming me now, princess?”

Leopold spoke coldly. He had never been blamed by anyone in his life.

It was something he could not even think about.

Especially if the other party was Olivia Madelleine.

Olivia spoke calmly.

“I told you because it seems you like honesty.”

“……Huh. Leave now. I do not wish to see any more of your insolence. Be cautious with your rash actions. If you truly do not wish to break the engagement.”

Leopold spoke as if grinding his teeth together.

This much should get through. He didn’t know what Olivia had been scheming with the Duke, blinded by jealousy, but he knew how obsessed she was with their engagement.

Thinking about dates or anything else, it was when Leopold was pressing his temple hard, deciding to ignore even Wednesday’s appointment until Olivia reflected on her actions.

“You will break our engagement, Your Highness.”

Was she determined to take this to the end?

Leopold glanced at Olivia’s calm face and chuckled.

“Whoever wishes.”

“Your Highness’s wish and my intention.”

“What absurd talk is that?”

“You have someone else you want to raise as Empress, don’t you?”