Chapter 1: The Long-awaited Engagement Annulment

God King5-7 minutes 23.04.2023

“Bridget Maidel, I hereby annul our engagement!”

In the midst of the party held at the Magic Academy’s central hall, the sudden declaration of the third prince made everyone gathered think from the bottom of their hearts:

Ah, finally, this day has come.

The eyes of the dressed-up attendees were naturally drawn to a particular person as if being pulled in. Of course, that person was the young lady who was called out by the prince – Bridget.

Bridget Maidel, the Earl’s daughter, seemed oblivious to the attention she was receiving, her mouth slightly agape in an unrefined manner.

Her makeup was thick, but she was a beautiful girl with well-ordered features.

Her fiery red hair swayed like a raging flame, and her slightly upturned emerald eyes sparkled. She wore a pink dress that had a cute design, adorned with ribbons and lace, but the dress did not match her mature appearance, rather it looked somewhat childish.

Standing in front of Bridget was a man and a woman.

The man was Joseph Fielid, the third prince of this country – the Fielid Kingdom – and Bridget’s fiancé.

The other was Lisa Selmin, a Baron’s daughter with a lovely appearance that evoked a sense of protectiveness.

The beautiful couple were practically leaning on each other, resembling a pair of lovebirds. They glared at Bridget, who seemed like a villain straight out of a story. Many students thought so while watching the scene.

Joseph had rented the academy hall under the pretense of a post-exam celebration, but that was just a cover. The party, attended by many students from their year, was prepared as a stage to make a spectacle of Bridget in front of everyone.

“Why… why are you doing this, Prince Joseph?!”

Bridget cried out in a shocked voice. At that moment, laughter burst out among the students.

Joseph furrowed his brows at Bridget’s words. He was usually known as a gentle young man, but his tone was now rough, perhaps due to his anger.

“You already know why, don’t you? I know that you were secretly tormenting Lisa back of our close relationship!”

A murmur ran through the hall. Bridget’s anguished cry of denial, “I’ve done no such thing!” was drowned out. As if on cue, Lisa’s eyes filled with tears.

“It’s really awful, Lady Bridget… I haven’t done anything wrong!”

Joseph hugged Lisa, who was sobbing pitifully, to his chest. Blushing, Lisa looked up at Joseph. The pink frilly dress suited her well.

Unable to stand it, Bridget shouted.

“But, Prince Joseph! I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

“To feign ignorance at this point!”

“Do you have any evidence? Evidence that I tormented Baron Selmin’s daughter, Lisa!”

“I don’t need evidence! I know Lisa would never lie to me!”

Rendered speechless by his declaration, Bridget fell silent. Seizing the opportunity, the students whispered among themselves.

“I can’t believe she was bullying Lady Lisa…”

“She probably thinks she can do whatever she wants because she’s the prince’s fiancée.”

“The ‘Red Fairy’ is burning with the flames of jealousy… How terrifying.”

The whispered conversations were discreet, yet loud enough for Bridget to hear. There was no sympathy in their voices, for Bridget was despised by many.

Bridget, who had contracted with a Nameless spirit despite being a failure, had become the fiancée of the third prince solely due to her lineage. Furthermore, her arrogant and high-handed personality was the worst. It was well-known that she had harassed the daughter of a baron, so there was no chance of anyone defending her.

Hearing such voices…

Bridget finally realized that there was not a single person on her side in this place. Her expression was colored by a quiet despair. As a matter of fact, even if she were to leave this hall, there would probably be no one who would support Bridget anywhere in this vast land. Realizing this made her situation even more ridiculous, and the laughter surrounding her only grew louder.

Finally, trembling and deeply bowing her head, Joseph pointed his finger sharply at Bridget, as if to give her a final warning.

“Bridget, I’ll say it one more time. I’m breaking off our engagement.”

“…………”

By now, Bridget seemed unable to respond.

With a pale face, she pinched the hem of her skirt and somehow managed to bow. Then, almost collapsing, she staggered toward the entrance.

Joseph said, as if to deliver the final blow:

“Don’t ever get involved with me or Lisa again.”

For a brief moment, she almost stopped in her tracks, but…

…Perhaps it was her last shred of pride, Bridget left the hall without looking back.

After that…

The party’s excitement increased dramatically, and it goes without saying that the joyous voices of the students mocking Bridget filled the night until late.