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Chapter 83
“There’s a way for you to go see Pony yourself, so why did you come to me instead?”
“Even if I went to see Lady Pink at this time, do you think I could properly meet her?”
To the question I tossed as if testing him, Marquis Nova gave a proper answer.
Hm, so he is thinking normally.
“I would surely be unable to meet her, or I would have to be with someone else.”
He’s right. Count Pink would certainly keep Pony under tight watch.
“Furthermore, if Lady Pink has been forced into the crown princess selection, there would be no point in speaking to her family. Especially if she has a high chance of being chosen.”
“So the reason you’ve come to me is… you want me to sabotage her chance of becoming crown princess?”
“Yes. On the condition that Lady Pink does not want to become crown princess, you are correct, Lady Leveang.”
His face paled, but he did not deny my words.
“I know His Highness the Crown Prince does not like Lady Leveang. And since Lady Pink saw that from nearby, I doubt she thinks highly of him.”
“…”
“Lady Leveang, Lady Maritney, and Lady Pink cherish one another dearly, do you not?”
Our close friendship was widely known in social circles, but to hear that even Marquis Nova—whose household had no lady our age—knew of it was surprising.
It meant he had been observing Pony quite closely.
Marquis Nova was one of those who helped me and Rexian when we were fleeing, and his character had been proven over the years.
However, whether his feelings for Pony were just as genuine… that required verification.
“I want Pony’s happiness too, but she has never said she dislikes the position of crown princess.”
Just two days ago she was crying and screaming that she hated it in the Leveang estate, but I remained calm.
“Ah…”
“And Marquis, you do realize that what you’re suggesting may not simply harm Pony’s reputation, but endanger her, correct?”
He blinked rapidly, struck twice in a row.
“If a plan to eliminate a crown princess candidate were exposed, it could be considered treason, you know.”
“Yes, I am aware.”
He regained his composure quickly.
“I consider that the price I must pay for lacking courage earlier.”
His clasped hands tightened as he looked straight into my eyes.
“Lady, I say this only to you, but… the former marchioness who is alive is not my real mother.”
“Do you mean her status as former Marchioness Nova is false?”
“She is the marchioness.”
He smiled bitterly.
“I am the child brought into the household from outside.”
Many families have secrets, and they often become their flaws.
Especially when it concerns succession—it becomes fatal, so they hide it desperately.
For him to reveal such a thing meant he was showing his true heart.
I knew the Nova family had many collateral branches, and if they learned of his origins, many would fight to claim the title.
“You are not surprised.”
He looked bewildered, as if expecting a reaction.
“You did not say it to shock me.”
“…Lady Leveang, you are truly extraordinary.”
Well, yes. I have memories of dying 48 times—hardly ordinary.
I only smiled, and he blinked several times before continuing.
“My birth mother died when I was ten. When she was ill, I could not even say I wanted to go see her because I was told I must fulfill my duties to the family.”
Later, everything was summarized in one sentence: ‘Your mother is buried in a sunny place.’
“If I had known I would regret it so dearly, I would have spoken until they allowed me to see her.”
His green eyes, always shining, were moist.
“I am not asking you to risk yourself. Please only ask Lady Pink what she truly wants.”
“…”
“I will do everything else myself, and bear the consequences.”
“And there is no guarantee Pony will choose you even if she is not chosen as crown princess.”
“Yes.”
His voice held no hesitation. He must have braced himself for rejection many times.
“I only want a chance to convey my feelings. If, in addition, Lady Pink can leave a position she does not want, then it will be fortune.”
I closed my eyes briefly and opened them.
“For Pony’s sake, how far would you go?”
“How far?”
“Would you even ruin the Nova family’s honor?”
“Yes. Even if I must abandon the marquisate, I will.”
His voice was steady, his gaze firm.
I do not know who Pony dated or married in any lifetime. She always died before she could.
Pony always shouted she wanted to date and marry a cute, handsome younger man, but she never actually dated anyone.
My friend loves desserts more than romance.
Marquis Nova is older than Pony and not exactly cute, but… hmm.
“Very well.”
“My lady!”
“Nothing is confirmed yet. I will ask Pony. If she wants to leave the crown princess selection, then we will plan.”
The marquis, who had stood in joy, sat back down.
“If we do proceed, you must keep this secret from Rexian.”
“Of course.”
His resolve was firm.
“The fewer who know, the better. And I cannot burden you or the Leveang family. I will act alone.”
“You aren’t planning something simple like running away with Pony, are you?”
He gave an awkward chuckle—I’d hit the mark.
“If it’s just running, Stella and I can handle that. Since you’re joining us, it should be more refined than that, right?”
Hearing the nuance—Pony is thinking of running—his eyes sparkled.
Instead of scolding me for pretending not to know her feelings, he looked thrilled.
“Until I contact you, act as if you know nothing.”
“Yes, my lady.”
His face brightened as he left.
I already had a plan to eliminate Pony from the crown princess selection, but with Marquis Nova’s involvement, we could activate a second one.
I immediately asked Stella and Pony to make time to meet.
Pony couldn’t meet us until a few days later because of special lessons.
In the meantime, I met Marquis Nova once more and received several letters he had written but never sent.
“There are only three weeks left until stage four—horrifying.”
Pony, now without her chubby cheeks, flopped onto the sofa.
“Pony, do you think you could pretend to be lovers with a man you barely know?”
“If he’s young and handsome.”
“Then Marquis Nova won’t work.”
“Marquis Nova is handsome. Great choice!”
She sprang up, eyes sparkling.
“But would he pretend to be my lover? For me? No way.”
Instead of answering, I handed her one of the letters.
Both Pony and Stella, who was beside her, widened their eyes as if they would pop out.
“This guy—looking so normal all this time, and he still never confessed? What a pathetic fool.”
“Still, he’s better than the Crown Prince. At least he’s handsome.”
“Pony, if we’re talking face alone, the Crown Prince is handsome too—he just has trash for a personality.”
“Kyaaaah! No! His rotten personality can’t be forgiven even with that face!”
Pony shook the letter violently.
“And besides, if it’s him, I could break up if I wanted.”
“Though breaking up would take years.”
A crown princess cannot demand divorce; ordinary nobles can. It might take years in court if contested, but still—
Much freer.
“This is temporary, but you really might have to marry him. What will you do, Pony?”
“Of course I choose him. Not marrying and getting disqualified is the best, but if not, I’ll marry Marquis Nova.”
Pony declared confidently that he was far more her type.
A way for Pony to leave the crown princess selection safely without the Pink family being punished by the imperial family.
“Good. Then the two of you—prepare to become tragic lovers.”
