It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 19 – My First Selfishness

I’m Misty.

As a marquis’s daughter, I make the necessary efforts every day.

My father, Red Claudia, was in His Majesty’s good graces and was invited to the palace at every opportunity.

Furthermore, Father apparently evaluates Prince Tigos, and tries to create time with Prince Tigos at every turn.

He’s probably hoping to establish a connection with Lord Tigos.

I’m merely a marquis’s daughter.

I myself am not noble.

I only say “yes, understood” to Father’s orders.

Because that’s natural as a marquis’s daughter, as a lady.

However.

“Ugh… I’m sorry, Zeke-sama.”

“Well, Debut apparently had his reasons? Don’t blame him so much.”

“But Zeke-sama, I feel like this is bad.”

“Hmph. Zeke-sama, you mustn’t spoil him!”

“Garim you bastard, defend your fellow knight order member!”

“Hmph. Shut up!”

While strolling with Lord Tigos, I saw Zeke-sama and his group being lively in the second garden.

Zeke-sama was called a useless prince and I only heard bad rumors not just in the palace but everywhere, but looking at him there was no such indication.

Having the famous knight from Lindl Duchy as a close aide, and being so beloved by the capital knight order members who keep their distance from the royal family.

It looks fun…

“Sigh, what are they doing… Lady Misty, where shall we go next?”

“Huh, yes. Let’s see…”

After that I was guided by Lord Tigos and we resumed our stroll.

But before I knew it, I was following him with my eyes.

“Misty! My dear Misty!”

One day, while in my room, Father energetically entered.

Father looked very happy—what happened?

“Yes, what is it Father?”

“Finally! I finally did it!”

“Hah… what exactly happened?”

Out of breath, Father spoke with a beaming smile.

“I received an engagement proposal from His Majesty!”

“I see.”

An engagement proposal.

Probably with First Prince Zeke-sama.

I’d recently been going to the palace as a dance practice partner.

I think it’s still early for me, but strangely I don’t dislike it—why is that?

“Then Lo—”

“With Lord Tigos! Isn’t this great! I can accept immediately, right? I actually thought about deciding immediately, but thought I’d hear Misty’s opinion first! …Misty?”

“…”

That day, I must have shown the most dumbfounded expression in my short life.

But I immediately pulled myself together and thought.

Lord Tigos?

“What’s wrong? Prince Tigos has a promising future. His older brother Prince Zeke apparently still hasn’t fixed his oversleeping habit.”

Certainly Lord Tigos was evaluated much higher than his brother and everyone including Father praises him.

However, I know.

Certainly Zeke-sama often oversleeps in the morning, but there’s a reason for that.

After waking, except for meals he studies swordsmanship and magic until evening with the Jet-Black Knight brought from Lindl Duchy as teacher, and when it gets dark he reads books late into the night studying.

He lives that life every day without rest.

Of course he’d oversleep.

Besides, Zeke-sama was beloved not just by the Jet-Black Knight but also by the capital knight order members.

When I visited the palace on a whim and was invited to dine by Lord Elliott, Zeke-sama appeared gallantly and was the first to save me.

Of course I’m a marquis’s daughter. I understand Father’s orders are absolute.

However.

“Misty?”

“…”

Father peered at my face anxiously.

Please rest assured, Father—I have no complaints about the person you thought was good.

I will never betray Father’s expectations.

Yes, I’ll gladly accept the engagement with Lord Tigos.

The words came up to my throat.

“…”

But my voice won’t come out.

Why… am I…?

“Um, what’s wrong, Misty? Is something the matter?”

“Father.”

Night.

I sighed deeply while lying in bed.

After all, I’d gone against Father’s orders for the first time.

But I have no regrets.

The racing of my heart when he protected me from Lord Elliott—I was sure it wasn’t a lie.