The Shut-In Prince’s Splendid Social Debut — Me, a Villainous Imperial, Have Spent the Last Fifteen Years Fighting the “Wicked Thoughts” Eating Away at My Mind. When I Finally Returned to High Society, There Were Way Too Many People I Didn’t Recognize

—Engagement Annulment.

Among topics discussed in noble society, none attracts more attention.

Moreover, when it is declared by Military Minister Serbul, widely praised as the leading retainer of the First Prince’s faction, and the partner happens to be the Daughter of Margrave Grayash, the impact is large enough to ripple across the entire continent.

The fact that they revealed it at the end of the first day showed just how much importance they placed on it.

Compared to this, the Shut-in Prince’s social return, the family heirloom Nose Hook, and even the dramatic encounter with Naphna were insignificant.

While feeling a slight sense of futility as all the “marks” I had accumulated were instantly overshadowed, I reconsidered.

Well… life is like that.

At this rate, my social debut would likely close with somewhat bittersweet memories.

The only thing I could call fortunate was that I never had to give a speech.

◇◇◇◇

“————Daughter of Margrave Grayash! I hereby annul my engagement with you!”

Serbul’s voice echoed throughout the hall.

The tension intensified. The gathering had reached its climax.

That shout seemed to act as a signal.

Before anyone realized it, Imperial Knights had surrounded Fryure.

“Onii-sama, what in the world is happening…”

“Yeah… Engagement annulments are rarely peaceful.”

Fryure… I had thought she had a high aptitude for becoming a villainess, but to think her engagement would actually be annulled.

Perhaps she had been born under the same unfortunate star as me.

“…Military Minister Serbul, what exactly is the meaning of this?”

Even the Ice Lady, Fryure, could not conceal her agitation in the face of such an abnormal situation.

“Exactly what it means, Lady Fryure. A grave problem has arisen concerning our engagement.”

“A grave problem…?”

“Your father, Hraesvelgr Godol Grayash, has been exposed for corruption. At this very moment he is likely receiving judgment from Roberto-sama. Therefore, as his daughter, you share that guilt. You will not escape imprisonment.”

Serbul spoke triumphantly.

“…I wondered why Father was absent. So this was your doing. However, I cannot believe that that Father would be captured so easily…”

Fryure tilted her head, as though considering Serbul’s claim.

“Hmph, what are you saying? Your father may be feared by many, but in the end he is merely a petty man—one who slipped into our First Prince faction just in time for the Crown Prince Selection Battle. Someone like that could never oppose His Highness the First Prince.”

Serbul dismissed him with contempt.

However, Fryure—who had observed her father’s abilities more closely than anyone—felt only suspicion.

“…You mentioned corruption earlier, but what crime exactly was my father arrested for?”

To condemn a Margrave of Grayash, simple charges such as embezzlement or bribery would never suffice.

Therefore, if her father had truly been captured, paradoxically it must have been for something far more serious.

“Kukuku. An accusation was submitted to the Azellan Seven Star Court. It states that the Grayash family is harboring a suspicious group conducting experiments to manufacture Spirit Armaments.”

“…What?! Artificially manufacturing Spirit Armaments is a forbidden act! There is no way Father would do something so foolish!”

Fryure’s expression changed immediately as she objected.

“Kukuku. I understand your resistance, Lady Fryure. …However, this information is accurate. Isn’t that right—Naphna-dono?”

At that moment, voices of shock rose from the crowd.

Of course, I was surprised as well.

After all, the name he called belonged to the fiancée standing beside me.

The blue-haired girl stepped past me and moved forward.

Her long hair swayed softly, and a floral fragrance brushed my nose.

(Heeh…)

I was genuinely impressed.

Because I realized that this beautiful girl also possessed sharp fangs.

“Naphna…?”

“Fryure, you already know this, but creating Spirit Armaments is strictly forbidden. In the name of the White Dragon Priestess, I cannot overlook it.”

Naphna spoke firmly.

“…Are you saying you believe that information?”

“Yes. I do. Because—”

Her shining eyes darkened.

“The person who confirmed that the Grayash family was manufacturing Spirit Armaments—was me.”

For Fryure, that was the cruelest revelation possible.

(That’s harsh…)

I couldn’t help thinking.

After hearing Naphna speak earlier, the two of them were clearly friends.

This meant their friendship had just collapsed.

“Tsk…! That’s a lie… No way…!”

“Kukuku, that is the situation, Lady Fryure. —When the Guardian of the Great Northern Ridge of Daylago, the one and only White Dragon Priestess Naphna-dono, announces it… surely you understand the meaning of that.”

Serbul grinned with twisted delight.

“…Naphna, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?”

“…You know that recently a group called the Demon Worship Cult has been active in the shadows, don’t you? A dangerous organization plotting to dominate the Werstan Continent through the power of Spirit Armaments. I also discovered that their greatest supporter is the Grayash family.”

—Demon Worship Cult.

In ERT, they operated behind the scenes in various ways.

If they were targeting Fryure, it had to involve this cult.

The reason was simple.

Manufacturing Spirit Armaments required—Fryure herself.

(Good grief… this sends chills down my spine.)

More importantly, Naphna had already begun investigating them.

…The story seemed to be progressing slightly faster than in the original timeline.

At this point, even the name Demon Worship Cult should not have appeared yet.

“…I see. So the reason you remained in Kingshaven for so long was to investigate the Demon Worship Cult. …However, unfortunately, the Grayash family has no involvement whatsoever. On what grounds do you make such accusations?”

Fryure glared at Naphna suspiciously.

“…A detailed financial record was discovered within a Demon Worship Cult hideout. It clearly proves the Grayash family’s involvement.”

“Documents like that can easily be fabricated…! To be manipulated by such things… I am disappointed in you, Naphna.”

Fryure spoke with anger visible in her expression.

Naphna responded calmly.

(…Hmm. That is somewhat strange.)

Naphna was the type of girl who resembled a pure messenger of justice.

Thoughtful.

Flawless.

From the way she conducted herself earlier, she seemed like someone who could always determine the optimal solution.

For someone like her to accuse Fryure with nothing more than a financial document, without catching them in the act, felt slightly unnatural.

“Kukuku. Lady Fryure, such rudeness toward Naphna-dono is unacceptable. Naphna-dono is a benefactor who brought the gospel to our First Prince faction. Even if you were only my fiancée in name, please watch your words.”

“…I would gladly decline someone as abnormal as you.”

Fryure frowned at Serbul’s smirking expression.

“Kuhii…! You speak boldly. ——For a Cursed Child…!”

“Tsk…”

“Cursed Child”? I had never heard that phrase before.

However, Fryure clearly reacted to it.

“That silver hair of yours. And those red eyes! Do they not resemble the physical traits of that ominous and infamous family—the Owens Family?”

“…I have no connection to the Owens family.”

—Owens Family.

They were the dynasty that once ruled the Engaia Empire, predecessor of the Azellan Empire.

Incidentally, they had already been destroyed by the alliance led by my father, the Unified King.

Their direct lineage was said to possess white hair and crimson eyes, though unfortunately they never appeared directly in the main story.

Even so, the name surfaced frequently.

They were a family with an overwhelming presence.

“I wonder about that! On the Werstan Continent, it is said that those who share the Owens bloodline possess paranormal power. Come to think of it, didn’t people say Lady Fryure showed extraordinary talents from childhood? It would not be surprising if you were the reincarnation of that—Tyrant Emperor Hywin!”

“…Could you stop with these baseless accusations? Simply sharing similar physical traits does not make us the same. Only fools think that way.”

“Silence! You damn devil! Someone like you is unfit to be a noble of the Azellan Empire!”

Paki.

Serbul’s calm façade cracked.

“…Oops, that won’t do. If I get angry, it will ruin my beautiful face… Nnn~~ Time for a short break!”

The moment he said that, Serbul pulled a hand mirror and makeup tools from his pocket and began fixing his appearance right there.

“—Give up, Fryure. Of course, if your innocence is proven, you will not be blamed. But until then, you will remain quietly in prison.”

Encouraged by Naphna to surrender, Fryure realized she had no other option.

“………………Haa… I understand.”

She sighed deeply.

“Military Minister Serbul, take Fryure to the dungeon.”

“Nn? Ah, yes. —Vice-Commander Sarlo Sekar, take her to solitary confinement.”

The man called forward had an expressionless face.

“Ha… Understood.”

(Sarlo Sekar… I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere.)

I couldn’t quite remember.

…Even so, wasn’t that Azellan Royal Family Armor Lv. 4?

Compared to Lv. 2, the decorations were far flashier.

It probably boosted resistance through attribute gems.

Sarlo escorted Fryure away with several knights.

(Oops. Now isn’t the time to be thinking about that.)

I secretly smeared [Universal Glue] onto the back of the silver-haired beauty being escorted away.

With that, even if she was taken somewhere, I should be able to find and rescue her.

“—Everyone! The corrupt noble Margrave Grayash family has been punished by this Military Minister, Serbul Nolla Grotes! Come, raise your voices! Praise the First Prince Roberto!”

“”Ooooooooooh!””

Cheers erupted among the nobles.

So the First Prince faction would now become the heroes who punished a corrupt noble.

◇◇◇◇

“How was it, Third Prince Yoan Highness?”

After the engagement annulment concluded, Serbul addressed me.

“…It seems you made quite the capture.”

“Yes. Before the Crown Prince Selection Battle even began, we managed to crush that heinous Margrave Grayash. And it was all thanks to Naphna-sama presenting the accusation to the Azellan Seven Star Court. I cannot thank her enough. Ah… although it seems Yoan-sama was overshadowed by this development. That must be really unfortunate.”

Serbul spoke provocatively, as if he no longer cared to hide his hostility.

Naphna’s actions still concerned me somewhat.

However, Prince Roberto gaining prestige was not a problem.

“I see. But are you sure about this? You are picking a fight with Lord Hraesvelgr, the Margrave Grayash. If I remember correctly, he doted greatly on his daughter Fryure.”

“Kukuku. That is precisely why we secured Lady Fryure here as a bargaining chip. If it is for her sake, he will relinquish anything. Even the vast lands and wealth the Margrave possesses…”

Hmm.

It was still strange that Hraesvelgr had been captured so easily.

After all, he was someone who would raise the banner of rebellion against the Imperial Family because of Fryure’s death.

And judging from this, Serbul and his group were not involved in Fryure’s eventual murder.

So the true culprit would begin moving from here onward.

As I thought about that, Serbul turned back toward the crowd.

“Now then, the night has grown late, so let us conclude this party. Since Lady Fryure has become a criminal, unfortunately the Wedding Night Viewing Ceremony cannot be held. I deeply apologize to those who were looking forward to it.”

Disappointed murmurs erupted among the nobles.

Perverted nobles.

“However! To satisfy everyone’s expectations, this Serbul shall strip a layer instead! Yes, I shall present something even better than a wedding night! Come, everyone—this way!”

Serbul disappeared into the mansion with the nobles of his faction.

Naturally, no one cheered.

My condolences to the First Prince faction nobles who had purchased the Wedding Night Viewing rights.

Honestly, Serbul could probably be reported for workplace harassment.

Incidentally, Serbul also invited me—”How about you as well, Yoan-sama?”—but I firmly refused.

Even though the engagement had been annulled, the party continued.

Tonight I would stay in Serbul’s mansion and return home tomorrow.

“It was quite a day…”

“Yeah.”

I nodded in agreement with Serta.

From here on, I still had to remain vigilant.

In fact, it could be said that the real story began now.

Originally, I had assumed the attacker would strike during the Wedding Night.

After all, attacking Fryure during the ceremony would have been difficult.

Normally, they would target the moment when she was most defenseless.

However, for some reason, Fryure’s engagement had been annulled and she had been thrown into solitary confinement instead.

At the moment, Fryure was located in the basement of Serbul’s residence.

Thanks to [Universal Glue], her position was mapped clearly in my mind.

There were probably knights guarding her, but it was certainly weaker security than during the day.

(In other words… if someone intends to attack, this is the perfect opportunity.)

Since the objective likely wasn’t simply murder, they were probably aiming to capture her alive.

While I was thinking that—

“—Yoan-sama. Although many things happened today, thank you for the enjoyable time. I offer my gratitude for this encounter during the still-blue spring.”

The one who called out was Naphna.

Behind her stood the attendant with black hair and crimson eyes.

“—Yes. Although many things happened, I am glad I was able to meet Naphna-dono before the academy begins. And earlier, your sharp judgment saved me. I swear on the name of the Tiarma family that I will repay this debt.”

There was no point revisiting every event that happened today.

So “many things happened” was enough.

With that phrase, all the incidents of today could be quietly laid to rest.

I no longer had the energy to say something like “You were quite harsh to your friend.”

And Naphna probably didn’t want to discuss it further either.

“My! It is quite an honor if Yoan-sama feels indebted to me. Let’s see…”

Naphna clasped her hands together, her expression brightening—paa.

Then she looked up at me with a gaze that instinctively stirred the urge to protect.

A very natural feminine gesture.

If that was calculated, it was terrifying.

“————Since you have offered your gratitude, there is one request I would like to make. Would you listen to my story?”

Since my own words had opened the door, there was naturally no escape.