Even Though I Defeated the Demon Lord, My Wife and Daughter Treat Me Like Trash ~ I Found Out My Wife's Child Isn't Mine, and When I Confronted Her, She Got Mad and I Was Exiled. The Country's in Trouble Because the Demon Lord Came Back? Sorry, I'm Getting Remarried to a Princess, So I Can't Help. - Chapter 24: Five Years Ago

Chapter 24: Five Years Ago

Since the day I met His Majesty, I’ve been staying at his secondary residence, as he suggested.

The emperor returned to the castle to handle the preparation of the Holy Grail and attend to other state matters.

Here at the residence, it’s just me, Karnak, Mariabelle, and a few guards.

Even though we’re engaged, it feels a bit awkward being under the same roof with a young lady—this phrasing makes me sound like an old man, though.

This morning, I joined Mariabelle for her daily run again.

She runs for nearly an hour—quite impressive stamina.

After running, we’ve started having tea together, which is slowly becoming a routine.

“I’ve just received word from my father that the engagement with Prince Albert has officially been annulled.”

“I see.”

“Yes. Now, there are no obstacles to our marriage.”

“That’s… true.”

I had sensed it from the beginning, but… Mariabelle is quite forward.

Unless I’m overthinking it, it seems she holds some fondness for me.

I’ve been hesitant to ask, fearing I might be wrong, but over the past few days, I’m starting to feel more certain.

“Mariabelle.”

“Yes?”

“Well… I’m not sure how to ask this.”

“Please, don’t hold back. You can ask me directly.”

“…I’ve been feeling that you have some affection towards me.”

“Yes, I’ve been fond of you since we met five years ago.”

“Really…?”

“Yes.”

Five years ago—that’s when she visited the kingdom to meet Albert for the engagement.

It was a ten-day stay, and I was tasked with her protection at the king’s request during that time.

“Back then, I was quite overweight, wasn’t I?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Fufu, no need to be polite. I couldn’t stop overeating, the stress of my daily life made it hard.”

“I remember you mentioning that at the time.”

“Yes… being born as a princess, I was constantly expected to meet everyone’s expectations. The stress from nearly failing those expectations led to overeating, which only made me feel like I was disappointing everyone more… it became a vicious cycle.”

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{Mariabelle’s Perspective}

When I first met Prince Albert, I could tell, even though he tried to hide it, that he was clearly disappointed.

It was only natural.

In noble marriages, you don’t get to choose your partner.

For him, being paired with a woman as unattractive and overweight as I was must have felt like a burden.

The cold look in his eyes made me imagine what our future, loveless marriage would be like.

Once again, I had let someone’s expectations down.

The stress from that moment… led me to overeating again.

Even though I had just finished dinner, I started devouring cookies I had brought with me.

The maids were nagging me, so I snuck out of my room and hid in the hallway to eat.

That’s when Lord Van saw me.

There I was, a woman sneaking cookies right after dinner.

I was mortified.

“Uh, this is…”

“Those cookies look delicious. May I have one?”

“Oh, yes, please…”

I handed Lord Van a cookie, and after taking a bite, he smiled.

“Mm, this is really good! Did you make these yourself, Princess?”

“Yes, um… the maids forbid me from snacking, so I sneak into the kitchen and make them myself.”

“That’s impressive! Oh, but standing here might not be the best idea. Let’s head to another room—I know an unused one.”

Lord Van led me to a small room, likely once used by the servants.

“Now, please wait here.”

“But I should get back to my room…”

“It’s alright. I’ll speak to the maids for you later.”

Lord Van left the room for a moment, and when he returned, he brought a tea set—where he got it from, I have no idea.

“These cookies are so delicious, it would be a shame to eat them without tea. Let’s enjoy them together.”

“Thank you… that’s very kind.”

“May I ask for a reward for bringing the tea?”

“A reward? What kind of reward?”

Lord Van smiled mischievously, and made a playful request.

“May I have another cookie?”

I couldn’t help but giggle. “Of course.”

We sat together, sipping tea and eating cookies.

This time, I ate slowly, not in the hurried, ravenous way I had before.