Failed To Abandon the Villain - Chapter 6

“Miss, I’ve brought it!”

The coachman broke the silence, setting the log down like a makeshift step. Valetta stepped down carefully, using the log.

If it weren’t for this dress, I’d just jump, she thought, clutching at the cumbersome fabric.

“Go on and wait over there,” she said, waving the coachman away. The man bowed and moved back toward the carriage.

Watching the coachman and horses retreat, Valetta sighed. When she glanced back, Reinhardt was still standing silently behind her.

“And you… what will you do?”

“I’ll stay by your side, Master.”

“Suit yourself.”

Nodding, she turned and waited. Before long, the palace doors opened, and the head steward stepped out.

“Welcome, Lady Valetta of the Delight family.”

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

“It has, indeed. You’ve grown even more beautiful in the meantime.”

“Thank you.”

Exchanging formal pleasantries, Valetta followed the steward inside, heading toward the drawing room. The palace, befitting the empire’s heart, dazzled with gold at every turn.

When the steward opened the door to the drawing room, Valetta lowered her gaze and stepped inside carefully, bowing her head.

“I greet the Empire’s little sun. I am Valetta Delight.”

“Ah, you’ve arrived, Lady Delight. You can raise your head. There’s no need to be so formal—we’re to be wed soon, after all.”

“That will only be after we’ve both come of age.”

Valetta lifted her head and replied in an even tone.

The crown prince was striking, with golden hair and deep blue eyes, a chiseled face, and a warm smile. Even the gentle curve of his eyes seemed untouched by hardship.

He was undeniably beautiful. Yet, Valetta felt nothing.

Perhaps it was because she was used to seeing someone whose beauty far surpassed human standards waking her every morning.

Or perhaps it was because she found the entire situation distasteful.

An arranged marriage without love.

In her previous life, she had never imagined herself in such a union. Even now, it didn’t feel real. The only small comfort was that, like her former world, this one held coming-of-age ceremonies at twenty.

At least there were still six years to go.

She’d have to come up with some kind of plan in the meantime. Valetta was certain of one thing: she had no desire to marry the crown prince or become his princess consort.

Especially since she knew the royal family was after the power of alchemy.

“Haha, Lady Delight is as cool as ever,” the crown prince remarked with a laugh. “Still, I appreciate you coming. Thank you.”

“I only came because my father would have scolded me otherwise,” she replied bluntly.

“Hmm… It seems Count Delight is scarier than I expected.”

The crown prince, Milord, sat gracefully on the sofa and gestured for Valetta to join him. When she complied without resistance, Reinhardt knelt at her side in a perfect display of a slave’s decorum.

Valetta tried to ignore him, focusing her gaze anywhere but on his conspicuous presence. Despite her efforts, it was impossible to disregard the weight of his existence. At least for her, it loomed large, making her feel as if she were sitting on a bed of thorns.

“Leaving all else aside,” Milord began, his tone amiable, “I quite like you, Lady Delight. So even if this is a political marriage, I hope we can get along like friends.”

“Yes,” Valetta answered simply.

“Of course…” He smiled, his sincerity apparent. “I also find you appealing as a woman.”

“…Thank you,” she replied softly, her tone neutral.

In truth, neither she nor the crown prince bore the blame for this arrangement. The fault lay with those in power who had made the decision without consulting them.

If she thought about it, the crown prince was just as much a victim of this political maneuver as she was.

She couldn’t help but feel relieved that her ability to see and communicate with spirits—and even borrow their power—had remained hidden from the Delight Marquis. If he had discovered that, he might have locked her in a gilded cage, quite literally.

“So, please feel free to speak casually with me,” Milord continued. “You can even call me Milord.”

“Would it be alright if I got used to that gradually?” Valetta responded politely.

“Oh, of course! Have I been too forward?” He laughed warmly, brushing off his eagerness.

Valetta managed a polite smile before turning her gaze away. Inwardly, her thoughts were far less composed.

Why did I have to be born into a world like this…

She lifted her teacup, taking a sip of the bitter brew. It felt as though the tea mirrored the taste of her discontent.

“Oh, by the way,” Milord continued, “the engagement ceremony has been set for the last day of the year.”

“Yes.”

“If there’s any particular style you prefer, or a gift you’d like to receive, don’t hesitate to let me know.”

“Well…”

As she hesitated, Milord leaned forward, his face filled with anticipation, his bright eyes fixed on hers. Valetta met his gaze briefly before sighing inwardly.

“I don’t really know much about those things,” she admitted. “I trust Your Highness will take care of it.”

“…Ah, I see. Then I suppose I’ll decide,” Milord said, his enthusiasm dampened slightly.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything you’d like as a gift?”

“Hmm, for an engagement ceremony, I think an engagement ring would be the most appropriate.”

“Hmm… That’s true. But since that’s a given, is there anything else you might want?”

Facing Milord’s gentle yet uncertain expression, Valetta rolled her eyes.
What a cheerful and sunny person he is. His smile was like the sun itself, casting no shadows under the heavens. Known for his sense of justice, he was also reputed for his kindness and compassion—stories everyone had heard.

He was the beloved Crown Prince. Yet, there was nothing she truly wanted to receive from him as a gift. After all, the entire premise of this arranged marriage wasn’t something she particularly welcomed.

She could feel Reinhardt watching her, even without looking in his direction. Valetta swallowed a sigh.

‘This is what a genuine smile looks like.’

Reinhardt’s smile, on the other hand, was like the grin of the Grim Reaper just before taking someone whose name was on the ledger.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think there’s anything I particularly want,” Valetta finally said.

“…I see. Well, I suppose that’s understandable. Everyone knows how much Count Delight cherishes you, so I imagine he’s already given you everything you could want.”

Valetta offered a silent smile in response to Milord’s gentle, chuckling tone. Indeed, Count Delight did treat her like a precious jewel, though that didn’t mean she had ever received anything she truly desired. More importantly, she didn’t really have any particular desires.

‘If escaping this bracelet counts as a wish, then I suppose that would be my biggest one.’

She lowered her gaze briefly, glancing at the bracelet on her wrist adorned with pale green gemstones. Then, she turned her head away.

Milord, watching her with a side profile that seemed so precarious—as if she might fly off somewhere far away at any moment—could only hold his breath.

“Lady Delight?”

“Yes?”

Milord reached out abruptly, grabbing her hand. Then, as if startled by his own action, he recoiled, trembling slightly, and quickly let go. The brief warmth of contact caused Valetta to frown slightly.

“Oh, s-sorry. It’s just… you looked like you might disappear…”

“Pardon?”

“N-no, it’s nothing. I just meant I’m sorry for grabbing you so suddenly.”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

Valetta shook her head, brushing her wrist lightly where he had touched her. Milord, clearly flustered, sprang to his feet. Kneeling nearby, Reinhardt’s crimson gaze briefly flicked toward the Crown Prince before shifting away.

The Crown Prince, now visibly nervous, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and began scrubbing his hands two or three times. When his hands were polished to a shine, he extended one toward Valetta.

“How about a walk? Being cooped up can be suffocating. They say alchemists can hear the voices of plants; the garden is beautifully maintained, so I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“…Alright.”

Valetta took the Crown Prince’s hand and rose from her seat. Behind her, Reinhardt stood as well, following the pair. His face, expressionless, betrayed nothing of what he might be feeling.