I want to cancel this engagement

"Your Highness, Lady Selah has arrived."

"Take her straight to the garden."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Blair took a deep breath, then looked out at the gardens of his palace. Soon it will all be his. But, of course, a leader cannot lead alone. There must be someone who can support and strengthen him. And among all the women in Balthasar, only Selah Dulcia met the criteria of being a queen.

Selah is a smart and wealthy woman. Behind her, there are many followers and families supporting Dulcia. Thus, she is the woman who deserves to be his partner. Unfortunately, Selah was just like that.

Intelligence, wealth, and strength are not accompanied by gentleness. Selah is known to be evil among other women. Not that Selah would immediately hit or punish someone who bullied her. It's just that… the way she spoke, and her sharp eyes made many people afraid of her.

Plus, without her wealth and status as a duke's daughter, when compared to other women, Selah was actually average. She didn't have a flashy face that could make people turn to her.

Not soft and not pretty. Such a Dulcia who will become his wife in the future…

"Selah Dulcia greets Crown Prince Blair Seneca."

Blair was slightly stunned by the appearance of his fiancée. Selah's tone was as cold as ever, but what was with her appearance today?

Selah always wears dark dresses but appears in a soft yellow dress this time. If she usually just curled her hair, Selah styled it more this time and even pinned a small clamp on one side. Then, this time it was clear that Selah had a little makeup on.

"Your Highness?"

"Forgive me. I… am a little surprised to see you today." Blair asked Selah to sit down. "Today you… look different."

Selah smiled thinly. "I want a little change in my appearance. Does it look weird?"

"No. You look beautiful," Blair complimented sincerely. "You should dress up like this every time you see me."

"I'm sorry if I looked perfunctory every time I met you. You know I'm just as busy as you are," said Selah. She nodded her thanks to the maid, who poured her some tea.

"When you become queen, you will be busier. And at times like that, you always have to look good. So please get used to it from now on," Blair said. "Do we need to find a special person who understands fashion and trends in Mesina for you?"

"Sounds like you already have a name in mind."

"Yes. From what I've heard, it seems Lady Evanthe Gilmore is the right person."

The corner of Blair's eye caught the momentary change in Selah's expression. He doesn't know if it's real or just a mind game.

"It is undeniable that Lady Evanthe is the most beautiful and famous woman in Mesina today," commented Selah.

Blair took a small sip of her tea. "Do you mind if it's Lady Evanthe? I heard you fought with Lady Evanthe at the tea party," he said.

"What fight?" Selah snorted, amused. "I only reprimanded her a bit because she indirectly insulted me, Your Highness."

"Selah," Blair sighed. "How often do I have to say to soften how you talk and look at other people? I even heard Lady Evanthe cry after the tea party because she feared you."

"So you don't mind if I get insulted by others?"

"I don't say that. After all, what humiliation could Lady Evanthe afford? She just said how lucky you are to have me as a fiancé."

The smile Selah gave then made Blair wary. That smile was as if she had caught something. "You do know a lot happened to Lady Evanthe at the tea party, don't you, Your Highness?" she said in a sweet tone. "It's as if you heard the story firsthand."

Blair clenched his fists under the table, trying to contain his anger. "Are you testing me, Lady Selah? Even though I intend to save the status and reputation you love so much," he said. "You sound like you're about to start something."

"What? How do you know?"

It was a slight movement, but Blair clearly caught how Selah tucked her hair behind her ear. No, that wasn't what attracted Blair instantly. It was the appearance of the earrings with small sapphires that attracted him.

Those were Mermaid Tears, Blair thought in disbelief. The earrings are said to have been born from the tears of mermaids trapped on the shoreline hundreds of years ago. Its beauty and the sad legend behind it make many people want it. But there are only one pair of Mermaid Tear Earrings in this world.

With the wealth of the Dulcia family or the Tullia family, it's possible for Selah to buy it. It's just that, as Blair recalls, Mermaid Tears already belonged to King Tristan. Then King Tristan presented it to Queen Consort Catalina...

"Blair!"

After hissing in pain as Blair tugged at her earrings. Blood was dripping, staining Blair's hands and Selah's dress.

Turns out it really is Mermaid Tears, Blair thought after taking a closer look at it.

"Selah, tell me where you got this," Blair hissed angrily. Selah just glared at him while clutching her ears. "Where did you get it!"

Instead of answering his question, Selah grabbed Blair by the collar instead of answering his question and parted him slightly. "Tell me first where you got this red mark on your neck, Your Highness," she said, then pushed him away.

"How dare–"

"Blair, let's just end this relationship. I'm sick of you," said Selah. "Don't think you're the only one who's tired of this relationship."

"Wha–Selah, what nonsense did you just say!?"

"Don't you understand what I mean?" Selah came closer and said right in Blair's face. "I want to cancel this engagement."