Bridal Lessons - Chapter 5
Iscarion, as she knew him, was an extremely gentle and affectionate person. Of course, it was puzzling that whenever Rosen mentioned this to her escort knight, Sir Joshua, or his subordinates, they all responded with awkwardness and the blatant question of “What?!” in their expressions…
Despite the nine-year age difference, he had always been kind to her, never enforcing strict hierarchy. He had cared for Rosen, the younger sister of his deceased friend, as if she were his own sister, making it difficult for him to ask her to leave.
Perhaps he was waiting for Rosen to speak up first.
From now on, she would no longer be able to speak comfortably or act impolitely as she had. Although she had expected this, the reality of the situation made her chest tighten painfully.
Iscarion, noticing her struggle to appear unaffected, asked again.
“So, what is it you have to say to me?”
“I… I wanted to thank you for taking me in, raising me, and caring for me at the grand duchy… I really wanted to express my gratitude.”
“Hm.”
Iscarion seemed completely taken aback by her words but soon looked at Rosen with a proud expression. His long, deep eyes, which could look somewhat sharp when expressionless, gradually softened. It seemed he was trying to suppress a smile.
“I always thought you were just a little prankster.”
He reached out as if to ruffle her hair with a faint smile.
“You’re saying quite the mature thing. Have you finally grown up?”
“Your Highness, I intend to leave the grand duchy.”
His hand, which was reaching toward her, stopped. His straight brows furrowed slightly. He slowly looked at Rosen, one eyebrow raised at an angle.
“What do you mean? Leave home? Are you asking to go to the villa? It’s still a long way until summer.”
“No, it’s not that… I… I want to break off our engagement. I am requesting to annul the betrothal we made twelve years ago.”
“…Annul the betrothal?”
His gaze, as if trying to understand her intent, scanned her face.
“The reason?”
His previously kind eyes suddenly turned cold, causing Rosen to flinch, but she continued.
“I no longer want this kind of relationship.”
“You don’t want this kind of relationship…”
“You know, Your Highness, honestly, it’s hard to see us as a man and a woman.”
Not wanting to say outright that she knew he didn’t love her, she chose a more indirect and roundabout way to express herself.
“You probably don’t see me as a woman either.”
“Are you saying…”
Clink.
The sound of him setting his glass down on the table was strangely sharp. Rosen, unknowingly tense, straightened her back.
“Are you saying you can’t see me as a man?”
“I don’t mean that you’re not a good man! It’s just that, You’re Highness, we’re not a good match…”
“Rosen.”
Look at me. He softened his stiff expression, as if thinking she was being unreasonable. With his long eyes narrowed, he spoke to her as if soothing a child.
“We’re not even married yet. How can you know if we’re a good match or not?”
“Anyone could see that.”
Rosen looked away and added in a small voice.
“Your Highness, I want to meet someone who suits me. So please find someone who suits you better…”
For a moment, his narrowed eyes pierced her with their gaze. She felt as if she was being dragged into deep water, unable to breathe. Feeling she might suffocate, she hurriedly opened her small bag.
“I brought the papers.”
“…”
Iscarion looked silently at the annulment request she handed him. The form was half-filled, with only one signature missing.
Rosen worried he might notice the tear stains blurring her signature at the end. She painfully remembered the engagement document she had clumsily signed long ago, as he had taught her. She hastily pushed away the warm memories flooding back.
“Alright.”
Finally, he spoke in a low voice.
“If that’s what you want. There’s no helping it.”
“Ah…”
To think it would end so easily. His demeanor, as if he had been waiting for this, showed no trace of regret or hesitation. Though she felt relieved, her heart sank at the same time.
His cool, detached expression suddenly felt like that of a stranger. Rosen, who had resolved to address him formally in the future, added in a hurried, clumsy excuse.
“I’m sorry, Brother. But I think it’s only right to end this engagement.”
“There’s no need for you to apologize.”
Iscarion nodded with a stern face, seemingly having no intention of asking further questions. Her mouth felt dry.
Taken aback by his sudden coldness, Rosen reached for the drink on the table. In her haste, she didn’t realize she was grabbing the bottle of his strong port wine instead of her own.
