My Engagement was Cancelled so I will stop Pretending to be a Fool

Somehow it was expected.

The day after the tea party, Olivia was summoned by the Queen.

When she entered the Queen’s private chamber, there were various kinds of sweets set on the table in front of the sofa. To this familiar scene, Olivia could only make a bitter smile internally while she sat down when the Queen urged her with a smile. The Queen also urged her to try the sweets but they are obviously a bribe. As it would be a hassle to later if she obediently ate them, Olivia politely thanked the Queen before reaching for a teacup.

Seeing that she intentionally ignored the sweets, the Queen put her finger to her mouth with a joyful look.

“His Majesty told you to help him out right? I already know.”

Olivia could only smile bitterly at that fastball.

In response, the Queen leaned forward toward her.

“Hey, Olivia, I want you to think carefully. If Alan and Princess Florencia get engaged, Alan’s position will remain as the Crown Prince. That should be quite convenient for you, right? If Alan is crowned king, Cyrus intends to become his assistant, you know. If that’s the case then you can push the national affairs to Alan and Cyrus while you enjoy reading books in the library as much as you want. Don’t you think that is quite a good deal?”

Indeed, it is certainly a good deal. Olivia wavered a little.

Olivia always thought that she would one day become queen of Brior because she was engaged to Alan since she was young. But it’s not like she herself wants to become a queen. If she has to be honest, rather than being a queen, the library option is much more attractive.

Perhaps knowing that Olivia is wavering, the Queen continued.

“Also, Olivia. Since you are also a woman, you must understand, right? I am already forty. Giving birth and raising another child would be difficult at my age. His Majesty just doesn’t understand that.”

Olivia can understand the Queen’s feelings a little. Even she herself would probably hesitate to give birth to another child after she’s done raising 2 sons.

(No, wait a minute. If Her Majesty doesn’t want to do that then she should just call off the bet though……?)

Olivia was about to get fooled by the Queen’s sad expression but she managed to stop herself when she noticed that. The fact that the bet is still on is because the two choose to continue it. If the Queen doesn’t even intend to stop the bet then she has no sympathy for that. This is a bet that the King and the Queen started themselves. Rather, it is a pain since they are dragging people around them into their bet. Even if someone told them to stop, either side would refuse to back down.

(In the end, Her Majesty just wants to beat His Majesty doesn’t she.)

Alan is also pitiful since he was caught in the middle of their bet. Moreover, even after she said that Alan needs someone who can compensate for his faults, she still chose the shy Princess Florencia who is unsuited for diplomacy because of the backing from Levanor and the fact that Alan can stay in his position. It’s clear when she said that Cyrus intends to be Alan’s assistant that she intends to make Cyrus one anyway. With that being the case, Olivia who’s planning to marry Cyrus will also get involved. Reading as many books as she likes? That’s absolutely impossible.

(That was dangerous, I was about to fall for Her Majesty’s trick.)

After sipping her tea, Olivia smiles back at the Queen before giving her the safest answer she can think of.

“If His Highness Alan and Princess Florencia are willing to engage with each other then you have my full cooperation, Your Majesty.”

snap, the smile immediately disappeared from the Queen’s face. Olivia’s smile turns into a bitter one as she watches the Queen pointing at her mouth with an unamused expression.