If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 12
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Nobles needed official approval from the imperial family to hold a formal marriage ceremony. It seemed that Stella was determined to use the relatively more accommodating princess, rather than the strict Empress, to pursue her son’s marriage.
The fact that Agatha couldn’t even detect this hidden agenda left her feeling somewhat dull-witted. She should have realized her own inadequacy.
If the princess, who had a close relationship with Stella, were to actively support John and Agatha’s marriage plan, it would have had a significant impact. With the princess mentioning marriage approval directly, Agatha couldn’t voice any opposition.
She shouldn’t have attended the party…
Just because she attended a party she had no interest in, she had fallen into this trap. Agatha bit her lip in belated regret, but she couldn’t think of a way to rectify the situation now.
“Well, Your Highness, there seems to be a misunderstanding…”
“But the County has been pressing for a date as soon as possible.”
However, it appeared that the princess had no intention of listening to Agatha’s words. It was a meaningless conversation as she had already made up her mind, and the opinions of the weak had no influence.
Agatha’s fingers began to tingle. Ever since her father, the Duke, had died, Agatha’s hands trembled like this whenever she faced something difficult.
“I hope it’s done by the end of this month.”
“By… by the end of this month?”
There was barely a fortnight left. Agatha, who had been determined to find a way to escape Stella’s clutches, felt her mind go blank.
What should she do? How could she handle this situation?
The mere mention of marriage-related discussions on the official event essentially meant they were engaged. She’d rather relinquish her title and become a pauper wandering the country than become John Calvino’s fiancée.
“I intend to send the marriage approval to County Calvino by tomorrow at the latest.”
The murmur of the partygoers filled the air. Who would have imagined that the renowned Lady Kristin would end up like this?
The woman who used to act so high and mighty was now helplessly marrying John Calvino, the notorious troublemaker of the realm. Agatha felt a mix of sympathy and perhaps a hint of mockery in the emotions swirling around her.
“I want to marry you.”
In that moment, Agatha remembered what had transpired just a short while ago.
Why did Cain’s casual jest suddenly come to mind? She had even explicitly denied his proposal.
In the end, it was a do-or-die situation. Agatha had only two options: marry John without any say or become a wandering pauper. Faced with the worst two choices imaginable, Agatha decided to go for an entirely different, third option.
Whether it was a jest or not, Cain Vernat had thrown a proposal at her. She had to use him as a means to escape this predicament.
It was essentially gambling, and a very reckless one at that. But when she’s in a situation where she was guaranteed to lose if she doesn’t place a bet, wouldn’t she be willing to go all in for even a 1% chance?
“I shall dare to address Your Highness, the noble Princess.”
The timid Agatha, who had been bowing and looking down at her toes, suddenly lifted her head and met the princess gaze. Perhaps, no matter what Agatha said, the princess had decided not to ignore her, and her slightly bewildered expression showed that.
“It seems there has been a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding? This is the formal marriage approval request submitted by County Calvino. Are you deliberately insulting the benefactor who took you in after you lost your father?”
Benefactor, what a term.
Agatha felt a surge of injustice at the princess’ words, but now was not the time to quibble over such matters. First, she had to extinguish the most pressing fire.
“I have a promised marriage partner, Your Highness.”
Sighs escaped the lips of those surrounding Agatha. They were astonished at her audacity to confront the princess and deliver such words to her face, and their sighs were filled with shock.
“What? Your words, that means, have a separate fiancé?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Have you formally received a proposal then? To propose to Lady Kristin, I must assess whether the suitor is qualified, dear Lady.”
The princess’s remark about a qualified suitor was a warning that, should the suitor fall short in any way compared to Count Calvino, the princess would ruthlessly dismiss his proposal.
“Who is this fiancé you’re claiming?”
“That’s…,”
Agatha hadn’t anticipated that the princess would inquire about the name of her proposed fiancé. A cold sweat ran down her back.
But then, at that moment,
“It’s me, Your Highness.”
In an unexpected and unimaginable moment, a voice spoke up.
This voice belonged to…
“It’s me, the one who proposed to Lady Kristin.”
Cain Vernat. It was undoubtedly his voice.
