"The New Engagement of the Condemned Duchess's Princess"

Chapter 1

I never sought to be loved.
From the moment I was born as the daughter of a duke, this body was never mine alone.
Yet, despite it all, I always believed that one day, surely, a day of reward would come.
Suppressing my emotions, honing my body, enduring trial after trial assigned to me each day.
I thought that after all the hardship, I could become a queen, and be loved and sought after by all.

When did it begin?
When darkness started to reside in his gaze upon me.
The more I struggled, the worse the situation became.
Accused of crimes I didn't commit, one by one, those around me departed, condemning me as a cruel woman.
Even if everyone despised me, I couldn't stop.
For that's how my existence came to be.
And the outcome?
Broken engagement , not even allowed to explain myself, condemned as a sinner.
Does the idea of "true love" carry such weight that it would negate the significance of the life I've dedicated to serving the royal family?

If so, then there's only one thing I desire.
Someone, please, show me love."

***

"Is he my new fiancé?"

Unable to grasp the meaning of the words my father had thrown at me, I involuntarily asked for clarification.

Reflecting on my own foolishness, this seemed to be the only way.

It already been a year and a half since the scandal of the broken engagement, yet there had not been a single proposal.

Angélica Rapha Redgrave.

My name was widely known in a certain echelon of the Holfort Kingdom.

Of course, it was known more as the name of an undesirable figure.

It seemed that I was perceived as "the daughter who behaved as she pleased, taking advantage of her position as the prince's fiancée," "the villainess who mercilessly bullied the saintly maiden at the academy," and "the sinner condemned by Crown Prince Julius and his companions, who had supposedly awakened to true love."

The situation was so absurd that I couldn't help but laugh dryly, beyond anger.To suffer from baseless slander, despite committing no crime whatsoever. It appeared that even the gods thoroughly despised me.

If I were to be called to the heavenly realm after death, I would want to smash the face of God until his teeth broke.

Unaware of the curses I continued to hurl at the gods, my father continued speaking.

"Indeed, you are also aware of the current state of the kingdom, aren't you?"

"Indeed, After all, be it as may be I are still daughter of a duke."
My father grimaced at my sarcastic reply.
Since the annulment of my engagement with Prince Julius, my behavior had completely changed.
I used to have a very volatile temperament.
Emotional and unwilling to bend on what I believed was right, I had been repeatedly reprimanded by Queen Milene.

But after the annulment, the baseless slander, the malicious curiosity in people's eyes, and the dark side of aristocratic society that crushes fallen individuals without mercy—I wasn't strong enough to endure being exposed to all that anger and resentment.

Expressing anger and sadness requires a significant amount of mental and physical energy.

Now, I was so worn down that I couldn't even be bothered to get angry at trivial harassment.

My father, although distressed by my transformation, continued the conversation without changing his expression, with my brother standing beside him.

"Last year's war with the Duchy of Fanorse inflicted considerable damage upon the Holfort Kingdom. It could have shaken the very foundation of the royal family."

About half a year after my engagement scandal, the Duchy of Fanorse suddenly declared war on the Holfort Kingdom.

The royal family declared total mobilization of the citizens to repel the invasion, plunging the country into war.

Months of back-and-forth battles ensued, and both sides eventually signed a peace treaty, with neither gaining much from the conflict besides maintaining borders similar to pre-war.

The significant sacrifices made during the war inevitably necessitated changes to the kingdom's structure.

Firstly, the corruption among the upper echelons of the aristocracy had become too severe.

The annulment of my engagement with Prince Julius had greatly disrupted the power balance within the court.

Nobles aligned with the Redgrave family were marginalized, while those of the anti-Redgrave faction, led by Marquess Frampton, rose to prominence.
However, after the war with the Duchy of Fanose broke out, it was revealed that Marquess Frampton, the leader of the faction, was colluding with the Duchy of Fanose.

Thanks to the proactive actions of Queen Mylene, the damage was kept to a minimum. However, the revelation that even trusted courtiers were not to be trusted shook the foundation of trust within the royal family.

Simultaneously, it was discovered that there were no traitors within the Redgrave faction, further cementing the perception that the royal family had been "foolish enough to spurn loyal subjects and favor nefarious ones."

In an attempt to mend relations with the Redgrave family, the royal family sought reconciliation, but the discord that arose after my broken engagement with Prince Julius remained unresolved.

Next was the glaring lack of decisive abilities among the upper-class nobility, who were supposed to carry the future of the kingdom.

Many upper-class nobles participated in the war, but the results were disastrous.

Nobles who had never experienced real combat, inflated with pride, behaved recklessly on the battlefield.

Rashly charging into enemy lines was one thing, but refusing to obey orders, moving troops as they pleased, and worst of all, refusing to participate in the campaign, defecting to other countries, abandoning their duties, and even colluding with the enemy—all of these behaviors severely undermined the kingdom's military efforts.

This necessitated a fundamental overhaul of the education system, as the institution that was supposed to gather and nurture talented youths from within the country came into question and was indefinitely closed.

Finally, there was the rise of local lords.

In stark contrast to the disgraceful behavior of the upper-class nobility, the heroes of this war were the children of local lords and commoners who had joined the military seeking a livelihood.

The second and third sons of nobles without inheritance rights, commoners who enlisted in the military to earn a living— for them, the military was not only their home but also their family to protect. Their dedication and readiness far surpassed those of the upper-class nobility, who would flee to their estates at the first sign of trouble.

Their contributions, which had been disregarded by the central figures of the nation, were vital in keeping the kingdom's lifeline intact.

What should the kingdom do for these heroes?

It was to dismantle and confiscate the estates and assets of the nobles who had colluded, deserted, or disobeyed orders, and redistribute them.

As a result, the kingdom saw an influx of newly established families and nobles who had rebuilt their houses through their military achievements.
"Originally, the local lords had little sense of allegiance to the kingdom. Or perhaps it should be said that it was because their sense of allegiance was low that they were relegated to the borderlands."

"And to quell the dissatisfaction of the local lords, the kingdom has been applying both carrots and sticks. It worked well before, but it won't be as effective from now on."

The female favoritism policy limited to lower-ranking nobles had completely backfired. In times of peace, there were few opportunities for adventurers and soldiers to advance, and the rebellion of local lords could be suppressed with authority. However, what was considered normal during peacetime became absurd in emergencies.

It became evident that those who indulged in luxury at the center and oppressed the lower-ranking nobles, particularly women, were the true parasites corroding the nation. As a result, local lords who had grievances against the royal family, possessing the strength not to succumb to foreign aggression, were increasing in number within the kingdom.

"Where do you think the pointed spear of the local lords, who have gained confidence in themselves for protecting the country, will be directed next?"

It's simple. The target will be none other than the royal family and the major nobles luxuriating in the capital.

The moment I thought so, I felt a chill run down my spine, as if a blade had been thrust into my back. In just one year, the common sense I had recognized was no longer applicable. Is this the era of change?

"But opportunities are given equally to everyone. That includes us, the Redgrave family."

With a relaxed smile, my elder brother handed me several documents.

"We're different from the royal family, who have looked down on the local lords. Rather, by showing an attitude of respect for the local lords, the Redgrave family might return to prominence within the mainstream of the Haulfault Kingdom."

I see. The picture is becoming clear. My father and brother are plotting the resurgence of the Redgrave family. And my engagement with a local lord is part of that plan.

"Is that all right? If we openly associate with the local lords, it may invite unnecessary resistance. We might even be suspected of plotting to usurp the throne."

However, at present, my loyalty to the royal family has nearly bottomed out. If I can endure being scolded by those foolish princes, marrying into a borderland noble family is nothing.

"Doesn't matter. The current royal family can't stop us. If anything, they're the ones who've damaged our trust. If they dared to crush the Redgrave family now, the kingdom itself will collapse."

It seems that my father and brother are quite resentful about my broken engagement.

"But it's just a formality. If there is nothing to gain or you can't take it, you can come back right away."
"There's a lot of unnecessary worry in the capital. Now that the situation is settling down, it wouldn't be a bad idea to spread your wings in the borderlands."

With that, my father and brother's eyes looking at me were gentle and warm.

The fact that I had caused so much worry to my family, and the affection they showed me, made my eyes well up with tears.

"Thank you. And what about the information on my fiancé?"

"It's in those documents. He's got more courage and talent than any of those dissolute princes in the capital. Despite being the same age as you, he's made significant achievements on the front lines."

And as my brother flipped through the documents, there was a resume with a photo included.

In cases like this, aren't they supposed to hand over a beautifully decorated and heavily edited matchmaking photo?

I felt sorry for the young man who was appreciated for his talent but treated indifferently by the duke's family.

"Leon Fou Bartfalt."

I softly whispered the name of the fiancé I had never met.

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 Chapter 1 -> RAW

~~~End~~~